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Deutsche Post AG

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FY2016 Annual Report · Deutsche Post AG
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2016 Annual Report

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13033_0_Umschlag_en.indd  28.02.17, 14.04

 
 
/2016 CONTENT

TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS  
2 — 6

/ 03

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
99 — 176

 100 
 101 
 102 
 103 
 104 
 105 

 171 
 172 

Income Statement
Statement of Comprehensive Income
Balance Sheet
Cash Flow Statement
Statement of Changes in Equity
 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
of Deutsche Post AG
Responsibility Statement
Independent Auditor’s Report

/ 04

FURTHER INFORMATION  
177 — 184

 178  Multi-year Review
 180 
 181 
 182 
 183 
 183 
 184 

Index
Glossary
Graphs and Tables
Contacts
Ordering
Financial Calendar

CONSTANTLY REINVENTING THE FUTURE 
OF LOGISTICS  
7 — 19

SELECTED KEY FIGURES  
20

/ 01

GROUP MANAGEMENT REPORT  
21 — 84

 22 
 46 
 47 
 66 
 67 
 74 
 82 

General Information
Annual Corporate  Governance Statement
Report on Economic Position
Deutsche Post Shares
Non-Financial Figures
Opportunities and Risks
Expected Developments

/ 02

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE  
85 — 98

 86 
 89 
 90 
 92 
 93 

Report of the Supervisory Board
Supervisory Board
Board of Management
Mandates
Corporate Governance Report

  Cross-references 

  Websites

 
 
2

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS

By FRANK APPEL
Dr Frank Appel has been a member of the Board 
of Management of Deutsche Post DHL Group since 
2002. He became Chief Executive Officer in 2008. 
Frank Appel has a PhD in neurobiology.

To stand still is to go backwards. I couldn’t 
agree more with this maxim. It applies 
to everything – to nature, society, economies, 
companies and our own lives. The world 
is changing, and it’s our responsibility to 
recognise and seize the opportunities that 
arise from this change.

»  WE ARE COMMITTED /  TO CONTINUOUSLY  REINVENTING OUR-SELVES FOR THE  BENEFIT OF OUR  CUSTOMERS «To our Shareholders

3

DHL Innovation Centers provide 
a place for Deutsche Post DHL 
Group customers and partners to 
come together to collaborate 
on new trends and innovations. 
Visitors are given a comprehen-
sive insight into present and 
future logistics solutions and it is 
here that the DHL Trend Research 
Team explores topics related to 
innovation.

As a leading company in a service industry, I believe we 
have a particular duty to actively shape change. That’s 
why I am so proud of the  curiosity and innovative spirit 
demonstrated by our  employees.

What’s more, we’re networking with partners from indus-
try and research at our Innovation Centers in Germany and 
Singapore, where we work together on innovative topics.

Over the next pages, we present a few examples of how 
Deutsche Post DHL Group optimises business models, 
 applies digital technology and leverages new forms of 
collaboration. Our “sketch book” shows the breadth 
of our test projects – from smart glasses and drones to 
e-mobility and robots. At the heart of it all we are 
 creating added value for our customers.

»  For us / innovation means /  

continuously improving what  
we can offer our customers «

First and foremost, for us, innovation means continuously 
improving what we can offer our customers – for example, 
innovative delivery options from Packstations to in-car 
delivery that are as customised, flexible and convenient 
as possible. After all, that is what our customers in the 
booming e-commerce business want – with volumes rising 
at the same time.

4

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

I believe one key to our success is continuing to reduce 
complexity through new technologies and improved 
 processes. This is how we can simplify and streamline 
standard  activities. New technologies can help people 
be more productive and they thus play an important 
role in driving economic growth.

»  New technologies can help  

people be more productive and  
they thus play an important  
role in driving economic  
growth «

The results we achieved in financial year 2016 confirm 
that we are on the right path. The measures implemented 
in the prior year served to make our Group more efficient 
and led to significantly higher margins. Consolidated EBIT 
rose by around 45 % to €3.5 billion, which is in line with 
our target.

All our operating divisions contributed to this positive 
development: Post - eCommerce - Parcel achieved 
an  increase in revenue and earnings, due mainly to 
the  dynamic growth recorded in the parcel business. 

To our Shareholders

5

In the DHL  divisions, the growth trend in the international 
express business remained intact and the turnaround 
measures implemented in the Global Forwarding, Freight 
division, in particular, are taking effect. The Supply Chain 
operating business continued to perform well.

In addition, we invested substantially in all divisions in 
sustainable growth and made major progress in the 
 implementation of our Strategy 2020. We are well on our 
way to becoming the global market leader in e-commerce 
logistics.

»  We are well on our way / to  

becoming the global market  
leader in e-commerce logis-
tics «

We expect consolidated EBIT to reach around €3.75 billion 
in financial year 2017. The Post - eCommerce - Parcel 
 division is likely to contribute around €1.5 billion to this 
figure. Compared with the previous year, we expect an 
additional improvement in overall earnings to around 
€2.6 billion in the DHL divisions. The Corporate Center /
Other result is projected to be at the prior-year level of 
around €– 0.35 billion.

Our “Global E-Tailing 2015” study 
uses four future scenarios to 
describe the role which electronic 
retailing could play in people’s 
lives in the year 2025, how inter-
national online retailing will 
change consumer behaviour and 
thus the world of retailing as 
a whole, and the challenges that 
will subsequently face the logis-
tics industry.

6

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

The Group’s finance strategy, 
which was presented in 2010, in-
cludes a dividend policy to 
this effect and sets clear priorities 
regarding the use of excess 
liquidity.

Against the backdrop of the positive results achieved 
in the reporting year, the Board of Management and the 
Supervisory Board will propose a €0.20 increase in the 
dividend to €1.05 per share to the Annual General Meeting 
at the end of April. With a planned distribution ratio 
of 48 %, we remain within our target range of 40 % to 60 % 
of net profits.

»  As the driver of innovation  
in our industry / we create  
new possibilities that allow  
us to do our job just a little  
bit better every day «

As CEO of a global logistics company, I know that we have 
to continuously reinvent ourselves in order to seize the 
opportunities presented by change and remain the driver 
of innovation in our industry. That is how we create 
new possibilities that allow us to do our job just a little 
bit better every day.

LEARN MORE AT:
www.delivering-tomorrow.com

IT IS ESSENTIAL TO  
SIMPLIFY OPERATIONS  
AND INCREASE FLEXI-
BILITY / BY COMBINING  
THE STRENGTHS OF  
HUMANS AND MACHINE

8

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Distribution processes

Numerous processes in our distribution centres could change 
in future, with machines supporting employees in their tasks 
and, most importantly, taking over physically strenuous work. 
Deutsche Post DHL Group has already tested new technologies 
at various locations that aim to make work easier in the future.

 1  
Mobile piece picking

Pickers previously had to move from aisle to 
aisle to retrieve goods in the warehouse. In the 
United States, DHL Supply Chain is now testing 
a small autonomous robot that travels between 
aisles thus relieving the order pickers. There was 
also another project in our Post - eCommerce - 
Parcel division.

9

 2   
Co-packing

 3  
Exoskeletons

Baxter and Sawyer are two collaborative robots 
who assist employees with order picking and 
co-packing – the packaging or repackaging of 
goods. Taking the weight off our colleagues, 
they are especially useful in the lifting of heavy 
objects. The two robots have already been 
tested by DHL Supply Chain.

Exoskeletons strengthen movements and  
support the body. DHL Supply Chain has already 
tested this technology in its operations and 
found that it reduces the physical workload for 
our employees. In future, exoskeletons may  
also support deliverers along their routes.

 4   
Automated inventory management

A drone is equipped with a camera that can 
 identify warehouse stock levels from the air – 
a  technology that assists with inventory 
 management. The project has already been 
tested at the Supply Chain division. In future, 
drones could be equipped with smart sensors 
to scan goods directly. The information col-
lected will then be read out in order to deliver 
precise inventory data.

10

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Collaborative robots  
in logistics

Whilst industrial robots have been used in manu-
facturing for years, they have not been considered 
suitable for complex logistics tasks. Now that’s all 
changing. Baxter and Sawyer are two collaborative 
robots that use sensors and cameras not only to 
identify and grab objects, but also to integrate 
themselves into existing operations and assist staff 
with tasks, such as packaging, assembling and 
co-packing products.

11

Flexible and adaptive

Robots today need to be flexible and adaptive 
rather than rigid and stationary in order to 
be able to complete complex logistics tasks.

Lightening the load

Fully automated, autonomous trolleys can  
now follow employees and help with physical  
work. DHL has tested these rolling assistants  
in its Supply Chain warehouses. In future, they  
may also be able to support our mail and  
parcel delivery operations and are currently  
being tested in the Post - eCommerce - Parcel  
division. Delivery robots have to be even more 
sophisticated – for example, they must be  
weatherproof, and able to detect and avoid  
obstacles.

EffiBOT follows the warehouse worker up 
and down the aisles. Once fully loaded, 
the trolley goes by itself to the designated 
drop-off location. A second cart then takes 
over to assist the picker further.

12

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Automated relief

Several years ago, Deutsche Post DHL Group put a system 
into operation that can autonomously unload containers with 
loose parcels, thus relieving workers from what was very 
strenuous manual labour. Guided by custom software and a 
laser scanner, the parcel robot grabs individual parcels from 
containers before placing them on a conveyor belt.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES  
AS SMART ASSISTANTS 
IN THE WORKPLACE

14

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

With the assistance of smart glasses

In 2015, DHL tested the use of smart glasses and augmented 
reality for the first time at a distribution centre in the Nether-
lands. Wearing the glasses, pickers see information that 
tells them what to do next. This can accelerate the picking 
process and reduce errors.

The next phase in the project started in the summer of 2016.  
It is now being expanded to other countries in Europe, as well 
as the United States, and in new sectors such as Technology, 
Retail, Consumer and Automotive.

15

Chatbots go shopping

AllyouneedFresh, Deutsche Post DHL Group’s online grocery 
store, offers a special service to its customers in Germany: 
customers send a shopping list or photo of a recipe using an 
instant messenger such as SIMSme. An intelligent computer 
program known as a chatbot then autonomously creates a 
shopping list. The customer receives a link, reviews the order 
and confirms the purchase. DHL then delivers the order within 
the requested delivery window.

16

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

More flexible delivery and optimised routing

The requirements and customer demands placed on delivery 
are changing rapidly, especially in urban areas. For example, 
customers increasingly want flexible delivery windows 
whilst our volumes continue to grow. In order to meet these 
requirements and be able to offer excellent services in the 
future, we are developing innovative planning models and, in 
doing so, are making processes more efficient and flexible. 
For example, in the Post - eCommerce - Parcel division the 
research project “Digital Delivery Graph” is aimed at realising 
flexible planning in real time. In the Express division, new 
scanners and state-of-the-art route planning tools help us to 
significantly increase our efficiency by reducing set-up times 
and optimising routes.

WE MUST CONTINUOUSLY 
REINVENT OURSELVES / 
TO KEEP PACE WITH  
THE CHANGING WORLD  
AND TAKE ADVANTAGE  
OF OPPORTUNITIES

18

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Delivery vehicles of the future

Delivery vehicles should be carbon free and quiet whilst 
meeting the highly specialised requirements of our deliverers: 
short routes in city traffic with frequent stops and starts. 
In 2011, the Group worked together with StreetScooter GmbH 
in Aachen, Germany, to build a custom electric delivery 
vehicle. The first StreetScooters were successfully tested in 
our delivery operations in 2013. Starting in 2017, we shall 
be in a position to produce 10,000 StreetScooters per year. We 
intend to replace our delivery fleet in Germany with these 
electric vehicles in the medium term.

19

The ever-evolving Parcelcopter

The Deutsche Post DHL Group Parcelcopter lifted off for the first 
time in 2013, flying over the Rhine in Bonn. In a subsequent 
field test, it delivered medication to the North Sea island of Juist. 
Afterwards it flew from the Bavarian ski resort Reit im Winkl 
to the mountain plateau of Winklmoosalm, where it landed, for 
example, in a specially designed Packstation – the Parcelcopter 
Skyport – to deliver parcels. By continuously developing this 
unmanned aircraft we have been able to integrate it into existing 
logistics processes. The project was awarded the 2016 German 
Mobility Prize.

Delivering convenience

Together with prominent car manufacturers, DHL Paket is 
testing in-car delivery. Since the autumn of 2016, DHL and smart 
have been running a joint test project allowing owners of 
a smart in select cities to register their cars as mobile delivery 
addresses for their parcel shipments. Using a smartphone 
app, deliverers can locate the vehicle and open the boot using 
a one-time transaction number in order to deposit the ship-
ment. A similar project called Smart Lock is also being tested: 
customers can give, for example, parcel couriers access to their 
home using a special electronic lock and app so that they can 
deposit parcels there. The technology can also be used to 
open doors for other services, such as cleaning or maintenance 
personnel.

20

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

SELECTED KEY FIGURES 

 01

EBIT 2016

€3,491 million

Profit from operating activities.
(previous year: €2,411 million)

CONSOLIDATED NET PROFIT  
FOR THE PERIOD
€m

2016

2015

  1,540

After deduction of non-controlling interests.

EMPLOYEES 

508,036

Headcount at the end of 2016, including trainees.
(previous year: 497,745)

RETURN ON SALES 2016

6.1 %

  2,639

(previous year: 4.1 %)

REVENUE 2016

€57,334 million

(previous year: € 59,230 million)

EARNINGS 
PER SHARE
€

DIVIDEND 
PER SHARE
€

2016

2015

  2.19

2016

2015

  1.27

Basic earnings per share.

1  Proposal.

  1.05 1

  0.85

€m

€m

%

€m

€m

€m

€m

%

€

€

2015

59,230

2,411

4.1

877

1,540

1,724

1,093

19.7

1.27

0.85

2016

57,334

3,491

6.1

1,963

2,639

444

2,261

27.7

2.19

1.05 5

497,745

508,036

+ / – %

–3.2

44.8

–

> 100

71.4

–74.2

> 100

–

72.4

23.5

2.1

Q 4 2015

15,339

957

6.2

–

670

Q 4 2016

15,410

1,111

7.2

–

841

1,705

1,201

–

–

–

–

+ / – %

0.5

16.1

–

–

25.5

–29.6

–

–

0.55 

0.70

27.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

Revenue

Profit from operating activities (EBIT)

Return on sales 1

EBIT after asset charge (EAC)

Consolidated net profit for the period 2

Free cash flow

Net debt 3

Return on equity before taxes

Earnings per share 4

Dividend per share

Number of employees 6

1  EBIT / revenue.
2  After deduction of non-controlling interests.
3  Calculation 
4  Basic earnings per share.
5  Proposal.
6  Headcount at the end of the year, including trainees.

 Group Management Report, page 58.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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/01 GROUP MANAGEMENT REPORT

  22  GENERAL INFORMATION
Business model and organisation
  22 
  24 
Business units and market positions
  30  Objectives and strategies
  32  Group management
  34  Disclosures required by takeover law
  38 
  38 

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

  46  ANNUAL CORPORATE  GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

  47  REPORT ON ECONOMIC POSITION
  47  Overall Board of Management  assessment of the Group’s economic position
  47 
  48 
  50 
  50 
  52 
  58  Net assets
  59 

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

Business performance in the divisions

  66  DEUTSCHE POST SHARES

  67  NON-FINANCIAL FIGURES
  67 
Employees
  69  Health and safety
  69 
  71 
  73 

Corporate responsibility
Customers and quality
Brands

  74  OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS
  74  Overall Board of Management  assessment of the opportunity and risk situation
  74  Opportunity and risk management
  77 

Categories of opportunities and risks

  82  EXPECTED DEVELOPMENTS
  82  Overall Board of Management assessment of the future economic position
  82 
  82 
  83 
  84 
  84 

Forecast period
Future economic parameters
Revenue and earnings forecast
Expected financial position
Performance of further indicators  relevant for internal management

/ 0122

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

GENERAL INFORMATION

Business model and organisation

Four operating divisions

Deutsche Post AG is a listed corporation domiciled in Bonn, 
Germany. The Group is organised into the four operating 
divisions Post - eCommerce - Parcel, Express, Supply Chain 
and Global Forwarding, Freight, whose products and ser-

 Business units and market positions chap-
vices we describe in the 
ter,  page  24 ff. Each of them is under the control of its own 
divisional  headquarters  and  subdivided  into  functions, 
business units or regions for reporting purposes.

We consolidate the internal services that support the 
entire Group in our Global Business Services (GBS). Group 
management  functions  are  centralised  in  the  Corporate 
Center.

Organisational structure 

  01 / 01

Corporate Center

Divisions

Post - 
 eCommerce - 
Parcel

Express

Board member
• Jürgen Gerdes

Board member
• Ken Allen

Business units
• Post
• eCommerce - 

Parcel

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

Global 
Forwarding, 
Freight

Board member
• Dr Frank 
Appel

Business units
• Global 

Forwarding

• Freight

Supply Chain

Board member
• John Gilbert

Regions
• EMEA (Europe, 
Middle East 
and Africa)

• Americas
• Asia Pacific 

Finance

Board member
• Melanie Kreis

Functions
• Corporate 

Accounting &  
Controlling

• Corporate Finance
• Investor Relations
• Corporate Audit &  

Security

• Taxes
• Divisional Finance 

Organisations
• Legal Services

Human Resources

Board member
• Melanie Kreis 

Functions
• Corporate HR 

Germany

• Corporate HR 
Standards &  
Programs
• Corporate HR 
International
• Divisional HR 
 Organisations

CEO,  
Global Business 
Services

Board member
• Dr Frank Appel

Functions
• Board Services
• Corporate Legal
• Customer Solutions &  

Innovation

• Corporate Office
• Corporate Develop-

ment

• Corporate Executives
• Corporate Heritage &  
Industry Associations

• Corporate 

Communications &  
Responsibility
• Corporate Public 

Policy & Regulation 
Management
• Global Business 

Services (Corporate 
Procurement, 
Corporate Real 
Estate, IT Services, 
Insurance & Risk 
Management etc.)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group Management Report — GEnERAl InFORMAtIOn — Business model and organisation

23

Organisational changes

Tim Scharwath was newly appointed as the member of the 
Group Board of Management for Global Forwarding, Freight 
in May 2016. He will have assumed office by June 2017.

At his own request, Lawrence Rosen retired, resigning 
as the member of the Group Board of Management respon-
sible for Finance, Global Business Services, on 30 Septem-
ber 2016. Melanie Kreis has been appointed as his succes-
sor; she will retain her responsibility as the Board Member 
for Human Resources and as Group Labour Director until 
further notice.

Effective 1 January 2017, Frank Appel, as CEO, took over 
the responsibility for a large part of the functions of Global 
Business Services until further notice.

A presence that spans the globe

Deutsche Post DHL Group’s locations can be found in the 
 list of shareholdings, dpdhl.com/en/investors. Table 01 / 02 provides 
an overview of market volumes in key regions. Our market 
shares are detailed in the business units and market posi-
tions chapter below. 

Market volumes 1 

Global
(2015)

50 M TEUs
Ocean freight 3

€184 BN
Contract logistics 4

(2015)

Air freight (m tonnes) 2

Ocean freight (m TEU s) 3

Contract logistics (€ bn) 4

International express market (€ bn) 5

Road transport (€ bn) 8

Germany
(2016)

21 M TONNES
Air freight 2

€4.5 BN
Mail communication 6

€20 BN
International  
express market 5  
(2013)

  01 / 02

€10.1 BN
Parcel 6

€24.4 BN
Advertising 
market 7

Middle East /Africa

Americas

1.3

4.8

5.6

–

–

5.0

7.9

54.3

7.2 (2013)

–

Europe

5.3

6.9

65.7

6.0 (2013)

193

Asia Pacific

9.6

30.2

59.3

6.5 (2013)

–

1  Regional volumes do not add up to global volumes due to rounding. 
2  Data based solely upon export freight tonnes. Source: Seabury Cargo Advisory.
3  Twenty-foot equivalent units; estimated part of overall market controlled by forwarders. Data based solely upon export freight tonnes.  

Source: company estimates, Seabury Cargo Advisory. 

4  Based upon Transport Intelligence and company estimates. 
5  Includes express product Time Definite International. Country base: Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, AE, SA, ZA (Global);  

BR, CA, CL, CO, CR, GT, MX, PA, PE, US (Americas); AT, DE, DK, ES, FR, IT, NL, RU, TR, UK (Europe); CN, HK, IN, JP, KR, SG (Asia Pacific).  
Source: Market Intelligence, 2014, annual reports and desk research. 

6  Source: company estimates.
7  Includes all advertising media with external distribution costs. Source: company estimates. 
8  Market volume covers 25 European countries, excluding liquids and bulky goods. Source: Market Intelligence Study DHL 2016,  

based upon Eurostat, financial publications, IHS [2016]. All rights reserved.

 
24

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Business units and market positions

POST - ECOMMERCE - PARCEL DIVISION

nationwide transport and delivery network in Germany, 2016 

Around 

11,000

Paketshops

Over 

13,000 

retail outlets

Around 

110,000

post boxes

About 59

million letters 
per  working day

Around 
3,100
sales points

82
mail centres

  01 / 03

4.3

million parcels 
per working day

Around
900
Paketboxes

Around 
3,000
Packstations

Around

103,000

letter and parcel 
deliverers

34
parcel centres

the postal service for Germany

Domestic mail communication market, business customers, 2016 

We deliver about 59 million letters every working day in 
Germany, making us Europe’s largest postal company. Our 
products and services are aimed at both private and busi-
ness customers and range from physical, hybrid and elec-
tronic letters and merchandise to additional services such 
as cash on delivery, registered mail and insured items.

In the reporting year, the domestic market for business 
communications  was  around  €4.5 billion  (previous  year: 
€4.4 billion). We look at the business customer market in 
which we compete and take into account those companies 
operating as service providers in this market. These include 
both companies offering end-to-end services and consoli-
dators offering partial services. Our market share declined 
slightly to 61.3 % compared with the prior year (62.1 %).

Market volume: €4.5 billion

Deutsche Post

Competition

Source: company estimate.

  01 / 04

61.3 %

38.7 %

targeted and cross-channel advertising

We offer end-to-end dialogue marketing services to adver-
tisers – from address services, design and creative tools to 
print, shipment and advertising effectiveness measurement. 
The customer dialogue is cross-channel, personalised and 
automated  so  that  digital  and  physical  items  with  inter-
related content reach recipients according to a co-ordinated 
timetable. Our digital services allow companies to deter-
mine  their  target  groups  by  analysing  the  visits  to  their 
 websites or online shops.

 
 
 
 
Group Management Report — GEnERAl InFORMAtIOn — Business units and market positions

25

Due to increasing media convergence, we now include 
all advertising media with external distribution costs (place-
ment costs) in our domestic advertising market reporting. 
The domestic advertising market increased by 0.2 % in 2016 
to a volume of €24.4 billion, primarily because companies 
reallocated their advertising expenditures. Our share of this 
highly fragmented and stable market decreased slightly to 
8.7 % (previous year, adjusted: 8.9 %).

Domestic advertising market 1, 2016 

Market volume: €24.4 billion

Competition

Deutsche Post

  01 / 05

91.3 %

8.7 %

1  Includes all advertising media with external distribution costs; the placement costs 

are shown as ratios to each other.

Source: company estimate.

Sending mail and merchandise internationally

We  carry  mail  and  light-weight  merchandise  shipments 
across borders and provide international dialogue market-
ing services. For business customers in key European mail 
markets, we offer international shipping services. For the 
growing e-commerce sector, we develop international ship-
ping solutions to consumers (B2C). Our portfolio also com-
prises consulting and services for all physical and digital 
dialogue marketing needs. Furthermore, we offer physical, 
hybrid  and  electronic  written  communications  for  inter-
national business customers.

The global market volume for outbound international 
mail  was  around  €5.8 billion  in  2016  (previous  year,  ad-
justed:  €5.6 billion).  Our  market  share  remained  at  the 
prior- year level at 16.3 %.

Worldwide portfolio of parcel and e-commerce services

We have a dense network of parcel acceptance and drop-off 
points  in  Germany.  Recipients  can  choose  whether  they 
wish to receive their parcels during a specific delivery win-
dow, on the same day or as quickly as possible. They can 
decide  at  short  notice  whether  to  have  their  parcels  de-
livered to an alternative address or a Parcelshop. We help 
our  business  customers  to  grow  their  online  retail  busi-
nesses. On request, we can cover the entire logistics chain 
through to returns management.

The  German  parcel  market  volume  totalled  around 
€10.1 billion in 2016 (previous year: €9.5 billion). We ex-
panded our market share to 45.1 % (previous year: 43.7 %).

We are also increasingly offering our e-commerce ser-
vices internationally. In Europe, we continued to expand our 
B2C network in the reporting year. We are improving our 
market  access  in  France  and  the  United  Kingdom  with 
the acquisition of a minority interest in Relais Colis and 
the takeover of UK Mail. Furthermore, we expanded our 
European parcel business to a total of 19 countries, includ-
ing the German domestic market, through co-operation 
agreements in Scandinavia, the Baltic states, Hungary and 
Slovenia. We operate over 20,000 Parcelshops in Europe 
and have set up the first Packstations.

Outside Europe, we brought another e-commerce de-
livery network online in Thailand, opened two fulfilment 
centres 
 Glossary, page 181, in the United States and India re-
spectively as well as one in Mexico. Centrally co-ordinated 
in Hong Kong, we support FC Bayern Munich’s Chinese 
online fan store. Due to increasing demand, we reinforced 
our international parcel network by adding two new distri-
bution centres in China and one in the United States.

International mail market (outbound), 2016 

Market volume: €5.8 billion

Competition

DHL

Source: company estimate.

Domestic parcel market, 2016 

Market volume: €10.1 billion

Competition

DHL

Source: company estimate.

  01 / 06

83.7 %

16.3 %

  01 / 07

54.9 %

45.1 %

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

EXPRESS DIVISION

Our virtual airline

Express services in more than 220 countries and territories

In the Express division, we transport urgent documents and 
goods reliably and on time from door to door. Our global 
network spans more than 220 countries and territories, in 
which some 90,000 employees provide services to more 
than 2.5 million customers.

time-definite international shipments as our core business

Our  main  product  is  Time  Definite  International  (TDI), 
which  is  a  service  with  a  pre-defined  delivery  time.  We 
also provide industry-specific services to complement this 
 product. For example, our Medical Express transport solu-
tion, which is tailored specifically to customers in the Life 
Sciences & Healthcare sector, offers various types of thermal 
packaging for temperature-controlled, chilled and frozen 
content. Collect and Return is used predominantly by cus-
tomers in high-tech industries: technical products are col-
lected from the user, taken in for repairs and then returned.

As an express service provider, we operate a global network 
consisting of several airlines, some of which we own 100 %. 
The  combination  of  our  own  and  purchased  capacities, 
which include varied terms of contract, allows us to respond 
flexibly to fluctuating demand. Figure 01 / 08 illustrates how 
our available capacity is organised and offered on the mar-
ket. The  largest  buyer  of  this  freight  capacity  is  the  DHL 
Global Forwarding business unit.

In the reporting year, we signed an agreement with Elbe 
Flugzeugwerke GmbH to convert four Airbus A 330-300 
aircraft from passenger to cargo planes. They will be used 
predominantly to cover the medium to high demand for 
cargo space capacity, which will both increase our flexibility 
and improve our fuel efficiency per kilogram flown. Fur-
thermore, we put additional Boeing 757 aircraft into oper-
ation as part of our fleet renewal activities.

Available capacity 

  01 / 08

Block Space Agreement – 
 guaranteed air cargo product.

Express TDI core product – 
 capacity based upon average 
utilisation, adjusted on a 
daily basis.

Air Capacity Sales, total spare 
capacity – average capacity 
not utilised by Block Space or 
TDI Core on a planned basis.

BSA

CORE

ACS

 
Group Management Report — GEnERAl InFORMAtIOn — Business units and market positions

27

International express business benefits from trade

GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT DIVISION

The international express business is benefiting from cross- 
border e-commerce and the growing importance of small 
and medium-sized enterprises in international trade. The 
strong volume growth of our TDI product compared with 
the  competition  indicates  that  we  have  maintained  our 
  position as global market leader.

Expanding our network in the Europe region

In the Europe region, we have completed the expansion of 
our global hub in Leipzig. Since beginning expansion activ-
ities at the end of 2013, 1,300 new jobs have been created at 
that location.

Expanding service in the Americas region

In the Americas region, we opened more than 500 new ser-
vice  points  in  2016  and,  specifically  in  light  of  growing 
e-commerce volumes, hired over 600 new employees. The 
expansion of our global hub in Cincinnati was also com-
pleted, including space for 16 additional aircraft.

Supporting development in Asia

In June 2016, a new gateway in Japan was put into operation 
in the important Asia Pacific market. In the fourth quarter, 
we also opened our South Asia Hub in Singapore. It is the 
first hub in the industry in South Asia to have a fully auto-
mated  Express  parcel  sorting  and  processing  system.  In 
order to improve trade relations with Cambodia and better 
connect the country internationally, a new flight was intro-
duced between Phnom Penh and Bangkok, one of our hubs 
in the Asia Pacific region.

Reliable partner in the MEA region

In the MEA (Middle East and Africa) region, the Middle 
East continued to suffer from enormous geopolitical influ-
ences in 2016. Despite the situation, we were able to main-
tain our operations whilst adhering to legal requirements 
and ensuring the safety of our employees. We opened an-
other facility in Jeddah in order to support global trade to 
and from Saudi Arabia. We are also the first international 
logistics provider to offer our customers a direct flight to the 
harbour city. In the sub-Saharan region, we opened a new 
facility in Uganda to accommodate the increase in  volumes.

the air, ocean and overland freight forwarder

Our air, ocean and overland freight forwarding services not 
only include standardised transports but also multimodal 
and sector-specific solutions as well as individualised indus-
trial projects. 

Compared with other divisions, our operating business 
model is asset-light, as it is based upon the brokerage of 
transport services between our customers and freight car-
riers. Our global presence and network allow us to offer 
efficient routing and multimodal transports.

Air freight market, 2015: top 4 

thousand tonnes 1

Panalpina 

DB Schenker 

Kuehne + Nagel 

DHL 

  01 / 09

836

1,128

1,250

2,109

1  Data based solely upon export freight tonnes.

Source: annual reports, publications and company estimates.

Air freight market leadership solidified

According to the International Air Transport Association 
(IATA), the worldwide freight tonne kilometres flown dur-
ing the reporting year grew by 3.8 %. Despite weak demand, 
capacities continue to grow, especially on passenger planes. 
Furthermore, low fuel prices are providing an incentive to 
put former cargo planes back into operation. With around 
2.1 million transported export freight tonnes, we remained 
the air freight market leader in 2015, as shown in table 01 / 09.

Further consolidation in the ocean freight market

The ocean freight market underwent significant changes in 
2016, one of which was the insolvency of the Korean ship-
ping company Hanjin. Nonetheless, the market grew mod-
erately. Volume growth was driven primarily by the routes 
between the Asia Pacific region and Europe, which experi-
enced capacity problems, particularly towards the end of 
the year. Overall, surplus capacities continue to shape the 
container ship market. Freight carriers are attempting to 
adjust to this situation through mergers and alliances. With 

 
28

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

around  2.9 million  transported  twenty-foot  equivalent 
units, we remained the second-largest provider of ocean 
freight services in 2015, as shown in the following table. 

Ocean freight market, 2015: top 4 

thousand TEU s 1

Panalpina 

DB Schenker 

DHL 

Kuehne + Nagel 

1  Twenty-foot equivalent units.

Source: annual reports, publications and company estimates.

  01 / 10

1,594

1,942

2,930

3,820

SUPPLY CHAIN DIVISION

Customer-centric outsourcing solutions

As the world’s leading contract logistics provider, we offer 
our clients high-quality and customised supply chain solu-
tions based on standardised modular components including 
warehousing, transport and value-added services.

The  supply  chain  industry  is  benefiting  greatly  from 
technological  advances,  which  provide  visibility  and  effi-
cient logistics operations as well as predictive analytics for 
standardised warehouse management and transport solu-
tions – the foundation for an integrated supply chain. Plan-
ning, sourcing, production, packaging, repairs and returns 
are core services in contract logistics. We complement these 
offerings with value-added services and real estate solutions, 
serving every aspect of the supply chain.

European overland freight market grows moderately

Industry expertise in key sectors

The European road transport market grew again slightly in 
the reporting year, after being virtually stagnant in the prior 
year. Oil prices fell again, whilst volumes increased in many 
European countries. In what continues to be a competitive 
environment, DHL remained the second-largest provider in 
2015 with a market share of 2.2 %.

We have in-depth knowledge and experience in a variety of 
sectors, with a strategic focus on Life Sciences & Healthcare, 
Automotive and Technology. We grew in the year under re-
view with our acquisition of Mitsafetrans S. r. l. and a subsid-
iary. The companies provide logistics services for the tech-
nology, pharmaceutical and high-tech industries in Italy. 

European road transport market, 2015: top 5 

Market volume: €193 billion 1

Kuehne + Nagel 

DSV 

Dachser 

DHL 

DB Schenker 

The Life Sciences & Healthcare sector is increasingly 
outsourcing  parts  of  its  supply  chains  to  providers  who 
can ensure compliance with stringent regulatory require-
ments. Rising demand for packaging services, temperature- 
controlled  transport,  warehousing  and  direct-to-market 
 Glossary, page 181, is driving growth in this sector.
solutions, 
In  the  Automotive  sector,  production  is  shifting  in-
creasingly to emerging markets such as China, India and 
Mexico.  Integrated  solutions  such  as  Lead  Logistics  Pro-
vider (LLP), 
 Glossary, page 181, offer growth  opportunities in 
this highly competitive outsourcing sector.

  01 / 11

1.3 %

1.7 %

1.8 %

2.2 %

3.3 %

1  Total market for 25 European countries, excluding bulk goods and specialties transports.

Source: Market Intelligence Study DHL 2016 based upon Eurostat, financial publications, 
IHS [2016].

 
 
Group Management Report — GEnERAl InFORMAtIOn — Business units and market positions

logistics and value-added services along the supply chain 

Return
Bringing it back for repair  
or when it’s not needed

6

Plan
Laying the foundation  
for an efficient supply chain

1

Returns

Raw materials

Distribution

Inbound 
 transport

Deliver
Getting it where it needs to be

5

2

Source
Getting the materials  
at the time required

Warehousing

Production 
flows

Value-added services

Store & Customise
Getting it ready to sell

4

3

Make
Supporting product manufacturing

  End-to-end supply chain 

  Supply Chain services

Companies in the fast-paced Technology sector require an 
agile  supply  chain  to  handle  fast-moving  products  with 
short life-cycles quickly and cost-effectively. Flexible solu-
tions that allow our customers to respond to market de-
mand are creating business opportunities in this sector.

leading position in a fragmented market

DHL remains the global market leader in contract logistics, 
with a market share of 7.6 % (2015) and operations in more 
than  50  countries.  The  top  ten  players  only  account  for 
around 22 % of an estimated €184 billion market. We lead 
the market in mature regions such as North America and 
Europe and are well positioned in rapidly growing markets 
such as India, emerging markets throughout the Asia Pacific 
region and Latin America.

Contract logistics market, 2015: top 10 

Market volume: €184 billion

DHL

XPO Logistics 1

Kuehne + Nagel

Ceva

Hitachi

SNCF Geodis

UPS

Neovia

DB Schenker Logistics

Ryder

1  Market position improved through acquisition of Con-way Inc. and Norbert Dentressangle, 

amongst others.

Source: Transport Intelligence; revenue figures are estimates based upon gross revenue 
with external customers; exchange rates as at 2015.

29

  01 / 12

  01 / 13

7.6 %

2.5 %

2.2 %

1.8 %

1.6 %

1.4 %

1.3 %

1.3 %

1.3 %

1.2 %

 
 
 
 
 
30

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Objectives and strategies

CORPORATE STRATEGY

Strategy 2020 sets priorities for our investments and actions

With our “Strategy 2020: Focus.Connect.Grow.” Deutsche  
Post DHL Group underscores its global leadership in the 
logistics industry. In the year under review, we again took a 
close look at our initial situation. We re affirm that increas-
ing digitalisation, accelerated growth in the e-commerce 
segment and momentum in developing and emerging coun-
tries offer us significant opportunities. In line with our strat-
egy,  the  following  priorities  for  investments  and  actions 
have been set to date:

Focus: We are focussing on our core mail and logistics 
business. In addition to our three goals of being the provider, 
employer and investment of choice, we are working to be-
come the benchmark for responsible business. In order to 
deliver consistent, first-class service to our customers, we 
conduct frequent surveys to determine their needs. Our 
employees are equipped with the knowledge and tools to 
enable  them  to  take  those  customer  requirements  into 
 account when designing our product offering. We see our-
selves as a family of different divisions, each focused upon 
defined markets and goals.

Connect: We are working to improve cross-divisionally 
on a continuous basis. In doing so, we are concentrating 
upon initiatives that create value for various stakeholders, 
for example, environmentally-friendly solutions and an op-
timised IT landscape. “Certified” is our Group-wide initia-
tive that enables all employees to gain specific skills and 
knowledge relevant to their roles. Every employee in the 
Group is to be certified internally. The employee motivation 
and customer-centric culture this fosters – not to mention 
the  improved,  holistic  understanding  of  operational  pro-
cesses  –  help  to  differentiate  our  services  in  the  market 
inter nationally. During the reporting year, we developed 
new modules and have already succeeded in certifying a 
great number of employees.

Grow: We intend to benefit from growth in the e-com-
merce segment and in developing and emerging markets. 
For instance, we have invested in the domestic and cross- 
border parcel business in Europe as well as in our already 

comprehensive Express network. Our general objective is to 
increase our presence where the long-term growth potential 
is greatest. Indeed, we aim to generate a minimum of 30 % 
of Group revenue in emerging markets by the year 2020.

Our strategy is designed to establish a unique market 
presence by the year 2020 – both geographically and in 
terms of our portfolio’s performance. Our aim is to be inter-
nationally renowned not only as a highly customer- centric 
company but also as quality leaders. When people think 
logistics, we want them to think Deutsche Post DHL Group.

STRATEGY AND GOALS OF THE DIVISIONS

Post - eCommerce - Parcel division

We want to offer our customers the best service at all times, 
at  the  highest  level  of  quality  and  at  reasonable  prices. 
Therefore, we extend our offering in the Post business unit 
based on market demand, continuously expand our range 
of services in the German parcel business and develop digi-
tal service offerings.

As part of our Group-wide “Certified” initiative, we in-
tend to certify all employees in the division by 2020. This 
is because for us dedicated and happy employees are the key 
to high-quality performance. In addition, we are systemat-
ically driving forwards the networking of our division by 
co-operating with institutions outside the Group as well as 
with the other divisions.

In order to benefit from growing e-commerce, we are 
expanding into new markets and segments. We are also ex-
panding our networks and product offerings in our existing 
markets. Furthermore, we are engaged in growth areas such 
as electric mobility and food logistics.

In order to continue to grow profitably, we are design-
ing a market-based cost structure by adapting our networks 
to the dynamic market conditions and shipment structures. 
We are also cutting costs wherever possible and sensible, 
whilst  investing  in  technologies,  automation,  innovation 
and growth areas.

Group Management Report — GEnERAl InFORMAtIOn — Objectives and strategies

31

EXPRESS division

Our return on sales rises when growing volumes lead to 
economies of scale in the network, innovation and automa-
tion improve productivity and costs are strictly managed. 
We optimise indirect costs through standardised processes. 
For example, we are streamlining our IT system architecture 
step by step, whilst ensuring adherence to global standards 
and quality requirements, especially as regards facilities and 
operating materials.

We concentrate upon items whose size and weight op-
timally match our network and thereby create economies of 
scale. In terms of our pricing policy, we encourage global 
co-ordination and discipline. At the same time, we continu-
ously improve our customer approach. Using global cam-
paigns, we specifically target small and medium-sized busi-
nesses which could benefit the most from increasing exports.
Most of our costs are attributable to the air and ground 
network. We replace old aeroplanes with newer, more effi-
cient, and thus more cost-effective aircraft. We sell available 
cargo space to freight and forwarding companies, especially 
to DHL Global Forwarding, improving our network utilisa-
tion and reducing costs in the process. On the ground, pro-
cesses are automated and standardised. 

Our  Certified  International  Specialist  (CIS)  training 
programme ensures that our employees have the requisite 
knowledge of the international express business at their dis-
posal. Training is both functional and cross-functional, and 
it is carried out by our own employees. This adds to mutual 
understanding whilst reinforcing a team atmosphere and 
loyalty within the division. We want to sustainably motivate 
our employees around the world and systematically recog-
nise outstanding performance.

GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT division

We aim to increase the gross profit, 
 page 63, of the Global 
Forwarding business unit, whereby we shall improve the 
profitability  of  contracts  through  optimised  end-to-end 
management coupled with improved revenue management. 
In addition, we intend to bring costs in line with our busi-
ness performance. Ultimately, we aim to bring productivity 
back to or beyond the level achieved in previous years.

IT in the Global Forwarding business unit will be re-
newed in accordance with the IT Renewal Roadmap adopted 
in October 2015. This will rely on a flexible IT architecture 
that leverages and enhances existing systems whilst incorp-
orating advanced “off-the-shelf ” solutions that have been 
proven within the industry. In future, we shall focus on 
 improved shipment visibility, exception management and 
electronic document management.

We are working continuously to improve our customer 
orientation and expand our range of services. For example, 
in the Freight business unit we introduced a virtual over-
land transport marketplace, where companies can match 
their transport needs with transport providers’  capacities 
and thereby find the appropriate provider online.

SUPPLY CHAIN division

We want to be the Supply Chain solutions company for the 
world, capitalise on market opportunities and grow faster. 
To  achieve  this,  we  are  implementing  our  Supply  Chain 
Strategy 2020 along the three pillars of Focus, Connect and 
Grow.

With Focus, we are increasing our efficiency and quality 
by standardising processes worldwide and reducing com-
plexity, thus facilitating innovative and customer-centric 
solutions.

The Connect pillar is about connecting people and pro-
cesses. A lean management structure and the use of Centres 
of Excellence will improve our cost structure and establish 
proven structures. The Certified Supply Chain Specialist 
programme empowers and motivates our employees world-
wide to perform at their best and harmonises our company 
culture.

Finally, the Grow pillar focuses on those market seg-
ments that offer higher profitability and stronger growth. 
A clear set of global products and key sectors as well as a 
geographical shift towards fast-growing markets will be key 
drivers to accelerate future growth.

32

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Group management

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Impact on management compensation

Deutsche  Post  DHL  Group  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 prior-year data and the 
forecast data to assist in making management decisions. The 
year-to-year changes in financial and non-financial perform-
ance metrics portrayed here are also particularly relevant 
for  calculating  management  remuneration.  The  Group’s 
finan cial performance indicators are intended to preserve a 
balance between profitability, an efficient use of resources 
and sufficient liquidity. The performance of these indicators 
 Report on economic 
in the reporting year is described in the 
position on page 47 ff.

Profit from operating activities measures earnings power

The profitability of the Group’s operating divisions is meas-
ured as profit from operating activities (EBIT). EBIT is cal-
culated by deducting materials expense and staff costs, de-
preciation, amortisation and impairment losses, as well as 
other operating expenses from revenue and other operating 
income, and adding net income from investments accounted 
for  using  the  equity  method.  Interest  and  other  finance 
costs / other financial income are shown in net financial in-
come / net finance costs. To enable a comparison of divisions, 
return on sales is calculated as the ratio of EBIT to revenue.

EBIT after asset charge promotes efficient use of resources

An additional key performance indicator for the Group is 
EBIT after asset charge (EAC). EAC is calculated by subtract-
ing the cost of capital component, or asset charge, from EBIT. 
Making the asset charge a part of business decisions en-
courages the efficient use of resources and ensures that the 
 operating business is geared towards increasing value sus-
tainably whilst generating increasing cash flow.

The  asset  charge  is  calculated  on  the  basis  of  the 
weighted average cost of capital, or WACC, which is defined 
as the weighted average net cost of interest-bearing liabil-
ities 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 pro-
jects and investments within the Group. The WACC is gen-
erally reviewed once annually on the basis of the current 
situation on the financial markets. To ensure better compar-
ability with previous figures, in 2016 the WACC was main-
tained at a constant level compared with the previous years.
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. Table 01 / 14 shows the compos-
ition of the net asset base.

Free cash flow facilitates liquidity management

Along with EBIT and EAC, cash flow is another key perform-
ance metric used by Group management. This is targeted 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 invest-
ments. Cash flow is calculated using the cash flow statement. 
Operating cash flow (OCF) includes all items that are related 
directly to  operating value creation. OCF is calculated by 
adjusting EBIT for changes in non-current assets (depreci-
ation, amortisation and (reversals of) impairment losses, 
net income / loss from disposals), other non-cash income 
and expense,  dividends received, taxes paid, changes in pro-
visions and other non-current assets and liabilities. Another 
key parameter of OCF is net working capital. Effective man-
agement of net working capital is an important way for the 
Group to improve cash flow in the short to medium term. 
Free cash flow (FCF) as a management-related performance 
indicator is calculated on the basis of OCF by adding / sub-
tracting the cash flows from capital expenditure, acquisi-
tions and divestitures as well as net interest paid. Free cash 
flow is regarded as an indicator of how much cash is avail-
able to the company at the end of a reporting period for 
paying dividends or repaying debt.

Group Management Report — GEnERAl InFORMAtIOn — Group management

Calculations 

Revenue

EBIT

EBIT

33

  01 / 14

  Other operating income

  Asset charge

  Materials expense

  Staff costs

  Depreciation, amortisation 

and  impairment losses

  Other operating expenses

  Net income from investments 

 accounted for using the equity method

  EBIT 

 Profit from operating 
activities

  Net asset base
  Weighted average cost of capital 

(WACC)  

  EAC 

EBIT after asset charge

Operating assets

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

( included in net working capital) 1
•  Other non-current operating assets 2

  Operating liabilities

•  Operating provisions 

(not  including provisions for 
 pensions and similar obligations)

•  Trade payables 

( included in net  working capital) 1

•  Other non-current operating 

liabilities 2

   net asset base

   Depreciation, amortisation 

and  impairment losses

  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 

  Dividends received

   Income taxes paid

  Operating cash flow before 
 changes in working capital 
(net  working capital)

   Changes in net working capital

  net cash from /used in operating 

activities (operating cash flow – OCF)

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

   Cash inflow /outflow arising from 

 acquisitions /divestitures

   Net interest paid

  FCF 

 Free cash flow

1  Includes EBIT-related current assets and liabilities. Not included are assets and liabilities related to taxes, financing and cash and cash equivalents, for example.
2  Includes EBIT-related other non-current assets and liabilities. Not included are assets and liabilities related to taxes or bonds, for example.

34

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

NON-FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Disclosures required by takeover law

Results of Employee Opinion Survey used as a management 
indicator

Our annual worldwide Employee Opinion Survey shows us 
how we are perceived as a group from the perspective of our 
employees. We place particular significance on the survey’s 
indication of Employee Engagement and of how employees 
rate the leadership behaviour of their superiors. The Active 
Leadership  indicator  is  thus  used  in  the  calculation  of 
 bonuses  for  our  executives. The  results  of  the  Employee 
Opinion Survey carried out in the reporting year can be 
found in the 

 Employees section on page 67.

Reducing dependency upon fossil fuels

We aim to reduce our dependency upon fossil fuels, im-
prove our carbon efficiency and lower costs. The corres-
ponding target of our GoGreen environmental protection 
programme is greenhouse gas efficiency, which we measure 
using a carbon efficiency index (CEX). CEX is based upon 
the business unit-specific emission intensity figures, which 
are indexed to the base year. We quantify the greenhouse 
gas emissions upon which our CEX is based in accordance 
with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Standards and DIN EN 
16258; those attributable to our European air freight busi-
ness are calculated in accordance with 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 equiva-
lents (CO2e). This indicates the ratio of the respective emis-
sions to a matching performance indicator in the Group. 
CEX is a management indicator of non-financial perform-
ance. The figures obtained for the reporting year are pro-
vided in the section on 

 Corporate responsibility on page 69 f.

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 2016,  the  company’s  share  capital 
 totalled  €1,240,915,883  and  was  composed  of  the  same 
number of no-par value registered shares. Each share car-
ries 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 upon the general legal requirements and the com-
pany’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 at-
tend the AGM as a shareholder and exercise a voting right. 
Only persons entered in the share register shall be recog-
nised as shareholders by the company. The Board of Man-
agement is not aware of any agreements between sharehold-
ers that would limit voting rights or the transfer of shares.

In 2016, members of the Board of Management again 
received stock appreciation rights (SAR s) as a long-term 
remuneration component under the Long-Term Incentive 
Plan provided that they invest in each tranche of the plan, 
preferably in Deutsche Post AG shares but alternatively in 
cash. If a Board of Management member sells the shares 
included in their personal investment for the tranche or 
disposes of their personal cash investment before the sched-
uled waiting period of four years has expired, all SAR s from 
that tranche will be forfeited.

As part of the Share Matching Scheme, one of the com-
pany’s share-based payment schemes, some Group execu-
tives authorised to participate must, and others may, use a 
portion of their annual bonus to purchase shares within the 
scheme. According to the underlying terms, these shares 
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 20.5 % of the share capital. The 
 Federal  Republic  of  Germany  holds  an  indirect  stake  in 

Group Management Report — GEnERAl InFORMAtIOn — Group management — Disclosures required by takeover law

35

Deutsche Post AG via KfW. According to the notifications 
we have received pursuant to sections 21 et seq. of the Wert­
papierhandelsgesetz (WpHG – German Securities Trading 
Act),  no  other  direct  or  indirect  shareholders  own  more 
than 10 % of the share capital.

Appointment and replacement of members of the Board 
of Management

The members of the Board of Management are appointed 
and replaced in accordance with the relevant legal provi-
sions (sections 84 and 85 of the Aktiengesetz (AktG –  German 
Stock  Corporation  Act)  and  section  31  of  the Mitbestim­
mungs gesetz (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-appointments or 
extensions of the term of office are permitted for a max-
imum 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  number  of 
board members is determined by the Supervisory Board, 
which may also appoint a chairman and deputy chairman 
of the Board of Management.

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 ac-
cordance 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 repre-
sented 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  approve  amendments  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 con-
sent of the Supervisory Board, to issue up to 236,267,019 
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 

€236,267,019.00 (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.  Authorised  Capital  2013, 
which originally amounted to €240 million, was used in a 
total amount of €3,732,981.00 in financial years 2014 and 
2015 in order to finance a share buy-back to settle share-
based payments due to executives in these years.

The Board of Management utilised the authorisation it 
received in an AGM resolution passed on 25 May 2011, sub-
ject  to  the  consent  of  the  Supervisory  Board,  in  the  full 
amount in December 2012 by issuing a convertible bond in 
the aggregate principal amount of €1 billion. By 31 Decem-
ber 2016, a total of 28,167,028 shares had been issued to 
holders of bonds after exercise of their conversion options. 
As  at  31 December 2016,  the  share  capital  had  been  in-
creased on a contingent basis by up to €46,832,972.00 for 
the purpose of granting shares to the holders or creditors of 
the convertible bond after exercise of their rights in order 
to settle these rights or to fulfil the conversion obligations 
(Contingent  Capital  2011,  article  5 (3)  of  the  Articles  of 
 Association).

An AGM resolution was passed on 29 May 2013 author-
ising the Board of Management, subject to the consent of 
the Supervisory Board, to issue bonds with warrants, con-
vertible bonds and / or income bonds as well as profit partici-
pation certificates, or a combination thereof (hereinafter 
referred to collectively as “bonds”), in an aggregate princi-
pal amount of up to €1.5 billion, on one or more occasions 
on or before 28 May 2018, thereby granting options or con-
version rights for up to 75 million shares with a total share 
in the share capital not to exceed €75 million. The bond 
conditions may also stipulate an obligation to exercise op-
tions or conversion rights or may entitle the company 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 was increased on a contingent basis by up 

36

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

to  €75 million  in  order  to  grant  shares  to  the  holders  or 
creditors of the bonds after exercise of their options or con-
version rights or to fulfil their option or conversion obliga-
tions, or to grant them shares in lieu of monetary payment 
in  accordance with the bond conditions (Contingent Cap-
ital 2013, article 5 (4) of the Articles of Association). When 
issuing bonds, shareholders’ 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 ob-
ligations on shares in the company as a consideration within 
the context of company mergers, and when acquiring com-
panies or shareholdings in companies. To date, the Board 
of Management has not exercised this authority.

An AGM resolution was passed on 27 May 2014 author-
ising the Board of Management to issue up to 40 million 
Performance  Share  Units  with  pre-emptive  subscription 
rights to a total of up to 40 million shares with a total share 
in the share capital not to exceed €40 million, subject to the 
provisions  of  the  authorisation  resolution,  on  or  before 
26 May 2019 to members of the management of entities in 
which the company is the majority shareholder and to ex-
ecutives of the company and the entities in which it is a 
majority shareholder. The Performance Share Units may 
also be issued by entities in which the company is the ma-
jority shareholder with the consent of the Board of Manage-
ment.  The  issue  of  shares  arising  from  the  subscription 
rights associated with the Performance Share Units depends 
upon certain performance targets being met after expiry of 
a four-year waiting period, with it being possible to issue up 
to four shares for every six subscription rights granted, if 
and  insofar  as  performance  targets  for  the  share  price, 
which have been specified in detail, are met, and up to two 
shares  if  and  insofar  as  certain  outperformance  targets 
based upon the percentage change of the STOXX Europe 600 
Index are met. The share capital was increased on a contin-
gent basis by up to €40 million in order to grant shares in 
the  company  to  the  executives  entitled  to  subscription 
rights, in accordance with the provisions of the authorisa-
tion resolution (Contingent Capital 2014, article 5 (5) of the 

Articles of Association). Further details may be found in the 
motion adopted by the AGM under agenda item 8 of the 
AGM of 27 May 2014.

As at 31 December 2016, 11,808,168 Performance Share 
Units, which were issued in financial years 2014 to 2016, 
were outstanding.

Finally, the AGM of 27 May 2014 authorised the com-
pany to buy back shares on or before 26 May 2019 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 sharehold-
ers or by some other means in accordance with section 53a 
of the AktG. The shares purchased may be used for any le-
gally permissible purpose. In addition to a sale via the stock 
exchange or by public offer to all shareholders, it is permit-
ted in particular to use the shares with pre-emptive sub-
scription  rights  disapplied  in  accordance  with  the  provi-
sions of the authorisation resolution or to call in the shares 
without an additional resolution of the AGM. Further details 
may be found in the motion adopted by the AGM under 
agenda item 6 of the AGM of 27 May 2014.

In addition to this, the AGM of 27 May 2014 also author-
ised the Board of Management, within the scope specified 
in agenda item 6, to buy back shares, including through the 
use of derivatives. This is to occur by servicing options that, 
upon  their  exercise,  require  the  company  to  repurchase 
shares (put options), by exercising options that, upon their 
exercise, grant the company the right to buy back shares 
(call  options),  as  a  result  of  purchase  agreements  where 
there are more than two trading days between conclusion 
of the purchase agreement for Deutsche Post shares and 
servicing by way of the delivery of Deutsche Post shares 
(forward purchases) or by servicing or exercising a combin-
ation of put options, call options and / or forward purchases. 
All share acquisitions using the aforementioned derivatives 
are limited to a maximum of 5 % of the share capital existing 
on the date of the resolution. The term of the individual 
derivatives may not exceed 18 months, must expire by no 
later than 26 May 2019 and be selected such that shares may 
not  be  repurchased  by  exercising  the  derivatives  after 
26 May 2019. Further details may be found in the  motion 
adopted by the AGM under agenda item 7 of the AGM of 
27 May 2014.

Group Management Report — GEnERAl InFORMAtIOn — Disclosures required by takeover law

37

It is standard business practice amongst publicly listed 
companies in Germany for the AGM to authorise the com-
pany 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 oppor-
tunity  to  structure  share  repurchase  in  an  advantageous 
manner.

Utilising part of the authorisation to repurchase shares 
it received from an AGM resolution passed on 27 May 2014, 
the Board of Management resolved on 1 March 2016 a share 
buyback programme for up to 60 million shares at a total 
purchase price (not including transaction costs) of up to 
€1 billion. The purchased shares were to be either retired, 
used to service long-term remuneration plans or used to 
meet  potential  obligations  if  rights  accruing  under  the 
2012 / 2019  convertible  bond  are  exercised.  The  buyback 
programme began on 1 April 2016 and will end no later than 
6 March 2017. By 31 December 2016, 29,587,229 shares had 
been repurchased through the programme. A portion of the 
purchased shares have been designated for use as matching 
shares  from  2017  to  2021  as  part  of  the  Share  Matching 
Scheme. On 25 October 2016, the Board of Management of 
Deutsche Post AG resolved to implement another share buy-
back programme for up to 3 million shares after the current 
programme ends. The shares purchased as part of this pro-
gramme will be used exclusively for the purpose of making 
them available as investment shares for the 2017 tranche as 
part of the Share Matching Scheme. As at 31 December 2016, 
the company held 29,587,229 treasury shares.

Any public offer to acquire shares in the company is 
governed solely by law and the Articles of Association, in-
cluding 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 com-
petence to block possible takeover bids.

Significant agreements that are conditional upon a change 
in 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 
in control

Deutsche Post AG holds a syndicated credit facility with a 
volume of €2 billion that it has taken out with a consortium 
of banks. If a change in 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 to 
request repayment. The terms and conditions of the bonds 
issued under the Debt Issuance Programme established in 
March 2012 and of the convertible bond issued in Decem-
ber 2012 also contain change-in-control clauses. In the event 
of a change in 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  framework  agreement  exists  con-
cerning the supply of fuel, based upon which fuel in the 
value of a high double-digit million amount was obtained 
in the reporting year and which, in the event of a change in 
control, grants the supplier the right to bring the business 
relationship to a close without notice.

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 to the 
end  of  a  given  month,  and  to  terminate  their  Board  of 
Manage ment contract (right to early termination). If 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 in control, the Board of Management 
member is entitled to payment to compensate the remain-
ing term of their Board of Management contract. Such pay-
ment is limited to the cap pursuant to the recommendation 
of No. 4.2.3 of the German Corporate Governance Code, 
subject to the specifications outlined in the remuneration 
report. With respect to options from the Long-Term Incen-
tive 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 
Share Matching Scheme for executives, the holding period 
for the shares will become invalid with immediate effect in 
the event of a change in control of the company. The partici-
pating executives will receive the total number of matching 
shares corresponding to their investment in due course. In 
such case, the employer will be responsible for any tax dis-
advantages resulting from reduction of the holding period. 
Exempt  from  this  are  taxes  normally  incurred  after  the 
holding period.

38

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Research and development

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

Remuneration of the Board 
of  Management and Supervisory Board

Remuneration structure of the Group Board of Management 
in financial year 2016

The remuneration paid to individual Board of Management 
members for financial year 2016 was determined by the 
Super visory Board, which held consultations to resolve on 
the total remuneration to be paid to the individual members 
of the Board of Management, including the main contrac-
tual elements. In so doing, it obtained advice from an inde-
pendent remuneration consultant.

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

The remuneration paid to the Board of Management for 
2016 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 remuneration 
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 Manage-
ment is almost entirely medium and long-term based. More 
than half of the variable target remuneration consists of a 
long-term incentive plan (LTIP) with a four-year calculation 

period; the rest 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 less than a quarter of the 
variable remuneration component is granted on the basis of 
a one-year calculation. 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 tar-
gets  are  achieved,  missed  or  exceeded.  The  maximum 
amount of the annual bonus may not exceed 100 % of the 
annual base salary.

The same criteria were used to calculate the amount of 
the annual bonus for the reporting year as for the previous 
year. A key parameter for all Board of Management mem-
bers is the Group’s EBIT after asset charge performance met-
ric, including the asset charge on goodwill before goodwill 
impairment (EAC). For the Board of Management members 
in charge of the Post - eCommerce - Parcel, Express, Global 
Forwarding, Freight and Supply Chain divisions, the EAC of 
their respective division is also a key parameter. The Group’s 
reported free cash flow is one of the targets applicable to all 
members of the Board of Management. Furthermore, an 
employee-related target is agreed with all Board of Manage-
ment members based upon the annual Employee Opinion 
Survey, as are additional targets.

Achievement of the upper targets for the financial year 
that have been agreed based upon 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.

Even if the agreed targets are reached, the annual bonus 
is not paid out in full in a single instalment. Instead, 50 % of 
the annual bonus flows into a medium-term component 
with a three-year calculation period (performance phase of 
one year, sustainability phase of two years). That medium- 
term component will be paid out after expiry of the sustain-
ability phase subject to the condition that EAC – an indica-
tor of sustainability – be reached during the sustainability 
phase. Otherwise, payment of the medium-term compo-
nent is forfeited without compensation. This demerit system 
puts greater emphasis on sustainable company development 
in determining Board of Management remuneration and 
sets long-term incentives.

Group Management Report — GEnERAl InFORMAtIOn — Research and development — Remuneration of the Board of Management  
and Supervisory Board

39

Stock appreciation rights (SAR s) were also granted in 
2016 as a long-term remuneration component based upon 
the LTIP authorised by resolution of the Supervisory Board 
(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 2016, the 
members of the Board of Management each made a per-
sonal 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  pro-
vided an absolute or relative performance target has been 
achieved, some or all of the SAR s can be exercised for a 
period of two years. Any SAR s not exercised during the 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 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 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 outper-
forms the index by at least 10 %.

The proceeds from stock appreciation rights are limited 
to a maximum amount. The individual amount limits for 
the 2016 tranche can be seen in tables 01 / 15 and 01 / 16. The 
remuneration from stock appreciation rights may be limited 
by the Supervisory Board in the event of extraordinary cir-
cumstances.

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 the German 
Corporate  Governance  Code  (DCGK),  Board  of  Manage-
ment contracts contain a provision stipulating that in the 
event of 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 sev-
erance payment is limited to a maximum amount of two 
years’ remuneration including fringe benefits (severance 
payment cap). The severance payment cap is calculated ex-
clusive of any special remuneration or the value of rights 
allocated from LTIP s.

In the event of a change in control, any member of the 
Board of Management is entitled to resign from 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 Man-
agement contract (right to early termination).

The contractual provisions stipulate that a change in 
control exists if a shareholder has acquired control within 
the  meaning  of  section  29 (2)  of  the  Wertpapiererwerbs­ 
und Übernahmegesetz (WpÜG – German Securities Acqui-
sition 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 company as 
a dependent entity in accordance with section 291 of the 
AktG 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 the right to early termination is exercised 
or a Board of Management contract is terminated by mutual 
consent within nine months of the change in control, the 
Board of Management member is entitled to payment to 
compensate the remaining term of their Board of Manage-
ment contract. Such payment is limited to 150 % of the sev-
erance payment cap pursuant to the DCGK recommenda-
tion. The amount of the payment is reduced by 25 % if the 

40

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

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 corres-
pond 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 in 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, former 
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 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 obli-
gation to pay compensation due to a restraint on competi-
tion six months after receipt of such declaration. 

Apart from the aforementioned arrangements, no mem-
ber of the Board of Management has been promised any 
further benefits after leaving the company.

Amount of remuneration paid to members of the Group 
Board of Management in financial year 2016

The remuneration paid to members of the Board of Man-
agement in financial year 2016 totalled €12.26 million (pre-
vious year: €10.70 million) in accordance with the appli c-
able  international  accounting  standards.  That  amount 
comprised €6.63 million in non-performance-related com-
ponents (previous year: €7.05 million) and €5.63 million in 
paid-out performance-related components (previous year: 
€3.65 million). An additional €3.01 million of the perform-
ance-related  component  was  transferred  to  the  medium- 
term component and will be paid out in 2019 subject to the 
condition that the required EAC, an indicator of sustainabil-
ity, be reached.

The members of the Board of Management were granted 
a total of 1,202,376 SAR s in financial year 2016 with a total 
value of €6.25 million (previous year: €6.66 million) at the 
time of issue (1 September 2016). The total remuneration 
paid to Board of Management members is presented indi-
vidually in the tables below. In addition to the applicable 
accounting principles, the DCGK recommendations were 
also taken into account.

In accordance with the recommendations, the “target 
remuneration” tables (01 / 15 and 01 / 16, or “benefits granted” 
in DCGK terminology) do not show any actual payments of 
performance-based  remuneration.  By  contrast  with  the 
payment amount stated, the figures stated for the one-year 
variable remuneration and the portion of the one-year vari-
able remuneration to be deferred (the deferral) reflect the 
target amount (i. e., the amount when achieving 100 % of the 
target) that was granted for financial year 2016 or for the 
previous  year.  In  addition,  the  long-term  remuneration 
(LTIP with a four-year waiting period) granted in the report-
ing year or in the previous year is reported at the fair value 
at the time granted. With respect to pension commitments, 
the pension expense, i.  e., the service cost in accordance 
with IAS 19, is presented. The presentation is supplemented 
by the minimum and maximum values that can be achieved.

Group Management Report — GEnERAl InFORMAtIOn — Remuneration of the Board of  Management and Supervisory Board

target remuneration for the Board of Management members active as at 31 December 2016 

41

  01 / 15

€

a) non-performance-related remuneration

Base salary

Fringe benefits

total (lit. a)

b) Performance-related remuneration
One-year variable remuneration

Multi-year variable remuneration

LTIP with four-year waiting period

Deferral with three-year waiting period

Dr Frank Appel  
Chairman

Ken Allen  
Express

2015

2016

Min. 2016

Max. 2016

2015

2016

Min. 2016

Max. 2016

1,962,556

1,962,556

1,962,556

1,962,556

34,801

35,099

35,099

35,099

968,750

102,252

976,500

102,375

976,500

102,375

976,500

102,375

1,997,357

1,997,655

1,997,655

1,997,655

1,071,002

1,078,875

1,078,875

1,078,875

785,022

785,022

2,747,597

2,747,596

1,962,575

1,962,574

785,022

785,022

0

0

0

0

981,278

387,500

390,600

5,887,668

1,364,020

1,367,129

4,906,390

981,278

976,520

387,500

976,529

390,600

0

0

0

0

488,250

4,394,250

3,906,000

488,250

total (lit. a and b)

5,529,976

5,530,273

1,997,655

8,866,601

2,822,522

2,836,604

1,078,875

5,961,375

c) Pension expense (service cost)

1,094,399

899,257

899,257

899,257

321,537

337,497

337,497

337,497

total DCGK remuneration (lit. a to c)

6,624,375

6,429,530

2,896,912

9,765,858

3,144,059

3,174,101

1,416,372

6,298,872

d) Variable cash remuneration pursuant to DRS 17

One-year variable remuneration (payment amount)

Payout from medium-term component

total remuneration (cash components) pursuant 
to DRS 17 (lit. a and d)

288,300

834,086

950,662

928,682

203,680

453,375

482,147

447,935

3,119,743

3,876,999

1,728,057

2,008,957

a) non-performance-related remuneration

Base salary

Fringe benefits

total (lit. a)

b) Performance-related remuneration
One-year variable remuneration

Multi-year variable remuneration

LTIP with four-year waiting period

Deferral with three-year waiting period

Jürgen Gerdes  
Post - eCommerce - Parcel

John Gilbert  
Supply Chain 

2015

2016

Min. 2016

Max. 2016

2015

2016

Min. 2016

Max. 2016

991,148

1,005,795

1,005,795

1,005,795

31,399

35,011

35,011

35,011

715,000

168,110

823,750

174,576

823,750

174,576

823,750

174,576

1,022,547

1,040,806

1,040,806

1,040,806

883,110

998,326

998,326

998,326

396,459

402,318

1,402,267

1,408,144

1,005,808

1,005,826

396,459

402,318

0

0

0

0

502,898

286,000

329,500

4,526,078

1,001,011

1,189,528

4,023,180

502,898

715,011

286,000

860,028

329,500

0

0

0

0

411,875

3,851,875

3,440,000

411,875

total (lit. a and b)

2,821,273

2,851,268

1,040,806

6,069,782

2,170,121

2,517,354

998,326

5,262,076

c) Pension expense (service cost)

325,592

277,604

277,604

277,604

253,470

239,316

239,316

239,316

total DCGK remuneration (lit. a to c)

3,146,865

3,128,872

1,318,410

6,347,386

2,423,591

2,756,670

1,237,642

5,501,392

d) Variable cash remuneration pursuant to DRS 17

One-year variable remuneration (payment amount)

Payout from medium-term component

total remuneration (cash components) pursuant 
to DRS 17 (lit. a and d)

167,256

457,274

478,406

470,331

156,406

–

389,263

277,726

1,647,077

1,989,543

1,039,516

1,665,315

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Melanie Kreis  
Finance 1

2015

2016

Min. 2016

Max. 2016

a) non-performance-related remuneration

Base salary

Fringe benefits

total (lit. a)

b) Performance-related remuneration
One-year variable remuneration

Multi-year variable remuneration

LTIP with four-year waiting period

Deferral with three-year waiting period

total (lit. a and b)

c) Pension expense (service cost)

total DCGK remuneration (lit. a to c)

d) Variable cash remuneration pursuant to DRS 17

One-year variable remuneration (payment amount)

Payout from medium-term component

total remuneration (cash components) pursuant 
to DRS 17 (lit. a and d)

715,000

22,596

737,596

286,000

1,001,011

715,011

286,000

2,024,607

70,207

2,094,814

120,656

–

858,252

739,167

18,990

758,157

295,667

1,010,677

715,010

295,667

2,064,501

241,937

2,306,438

364,964

58,056

1,181,177

739,167

18,990

758,157

0

0

0

0

758,157

241,937

1,000,094

739,167

18,990

758,157

369,584

3,229,584

2,860,000

369,584

4,357,325

241,937

4,599,262

1  Responsible for Finance since 1 October 2016 and, until further notice, also responsible for Human Resources.

target remuneration for the Board of Management members who left the company in financial year 2016 

  01 / 16

€

a) non-performance-related remuneration

Base salary

Fringe benefits

total (lit. a)

b) Performance-related remuneration
One-year variable remuneration

Multi-year variable remuneration

LTIP with four-year waiting period

Deferral with three-year waiting period

total (lit. a and b)

c) Pension expense (service cost)

total DCGK remuneration (lit. a to c)

d) Variable cash remuneration pursuant to DRS 17

One-year variable remuneration (payment amount)

Payout from medium-term component

total remuneration (cash components) pursuant 
to DRS 17 (lit. a and d)

Lawrence Rosen  
Finance, Global Business Services 
(until 30 September 2016)

2015

2016

Min. 2016

Max. 2016

732,375

20,832

753,207

0

0

0

0

753,207

341,735

1,094,942

732,375

20,832

753,207

366,188

3,295,688

2,929,500

366,188

4,415,083

341,735

4,756,818

945,500

24,985

970,485

378,200

1,354,720

976,520

378,200

2,703,405

332,971

3,036,376

100,459

453,375

732,375

20,832

753,207

292,950

1,025,339

732,389

292,950

2,071,496

341,735

2,413,231

345,608

434,264

1,524,319

1,533,079

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group Management Report — GEnERAl InFORMAtIOn — Remuneration of the Board of  Management and Supervisory Board

43

The “payments” tables (01 / 17 and 01 / 18) below include the 
same figures for fixed remuneration and fringe benefits as 
in the “target remuneration” tables (01 / 15 and 01 / 16). By 
contrast with the presentation in the target remuneration 
tables, the one-year variable remuneration paid out in finan-
cial year 2016 or in the previous year (the payment amount) 
is stated; the presentation therefore does not include the 
share of the annual bonus transferred to the medium-term 
component in these years. With regard to the medium-term 
component  (the  deferral),  the  payment  amount  of  the 

 deferral whose calculation period ended upon expiry of the 
reporting year or the previous year is reported. The tables 
also reflect the amount paid (the payment amount) from 
the tranches of the long-term components that were exer-
cised in financial year 2016 or in the previous year. In add-
ition, the pension expense (service cost in accordance with 
IAS 19) is stated pursuant to the DCGK recommendations. 
Although the pension expense does not represent an actual 
payment per se, it is included in the presentation for the 
purpose of illustrating the total remuneration.

Payments made to the Board of Management members active as at 31 December 2016 

  01 / 17

€

Payments
Base salary

Fringe benefits

total

One-year variable remuneration

Multi-year variable remuneration

Medium-term component 2013

Medium-term component 2014

LTIP (2011 tranche)

LTIP (2012 tranche)

Miscellaneous

total

Pension expense (service cost)

total

Payments
Base salary

Fringe benefits

total

One-year variable remuneration

Multi-year variable remuneration

Medium-term component 2013

Medium-term component 2014

LTIP (2011 tranche)

LTIP (2012 tranche)

Miscellaneous

total

Pension expense (service cost)

total

Dr Frank Appel  
Chairman

Ken Allen  
Express

Jürgen Gerdes  
Post - eCommerce - Parcel 

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

1,962,556

1,962,556

34,801

35,099

968,750

102,252

976,500

102,375

991,148

1,005,795

31,399

35,011

1,997,357

1,997,655

1,071,002

1,078,875

1,022,547

1,040,806

288,300

950,662

203,680

482,147

167,256

478,406

5,436,086

6,086,462

5,305,016

3,637,093

5,703,809

3,479,244

834,086

–

453,375

–

457,274

–

–

928,682

–

447,935

–

470,331

4,602,000

5,157,780

4,851,641

–

5,246,535

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3,189,158

–

–

–

3,008,913

–

7,721,743

9,034,779

6,579,698

5,198,115

6,893,612

4,998,456

1,094,399

899,257

321,537

337,497

325,592

277,604

8,816,142

9,934,036

6,901,235

5,535,612

7,219,204

5,276,060

John Gilbert  
Supply Chain 

Melanie Kreis  
Finance 1

2015

2016

2015

2016

715,000

168,110

883,110

156,406

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,039,516

253,470

1,292,986

823,750

174,576

998,326

389,263

277,726

–

277,726

–

–

–

1,665,315

239,316

1,904,631

715,000

22,596

737,596

120,656

–

–

–

–

–

–

858,252

70,207

928,459

739,167

18,990

758,157

364,964

58,056

–

58,056

–

–

–

1,181,177

241,937

1,423,114

1  Responsible for Finance since 1 October 2016 and, until further notice, also responsible for Human Resources.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
44

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Payments made to the Board of Management members who left the company in financial year 2016 

€

Payments
Base salary

Fringe benefits

total

One-year variable remuneration

Multi-year variable remuneration

Medium-term component 2013

Medium-term component 2014

LTIP (2011 tranche)

LTIP (2012 tranche)

Miscellaneous

total

Pension expense (service cost)

total

Lawrence Rosen  
Finance, Global Business Services  
(until 30 September 2016)

2015

945,500

24,985

970,485

100,459

5,305,016

453,375

–

4,851,641

–

–

6,375,960

332,971

6,708,931

  01 / 18

2016

732,375

20,832

753,207

345,608

4,136,970

–

434,264

–

3,702,706

–

5,235,785

341,735

5,577,520

Share-based component with long-term incentive effect 

number of shares

Dr Frank Appel, Chairman

Ken Allen

Jürgen Gerdes

John Gilbert

Melanie Kreis

Lawrence Rosen (until 30 September 2016)

Number 
of SAR s  
2015 tranche 

570,516

283,872

292,386

207,852

207,852

283,872

  01 / 19

Number 
of SAR s  

2016 tranche

377,418

187,794

193,428

165,390

137,502

140,844

Pension commitments under the previous system

Dr Frank Appel and Jürgen Gerdes have direct, final-salary- 
based pension commitments on the basis of their individual 
contracts, providing for benefits in case of permanent dis-
ability, death or retirement. If the contract of a member ends 
after at least five years of service on the Board of Manage-
ment, 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 pensions 
are generally geared towards annuity payments. However, 
the members of the Board of Management have the option 
of choosing a lump sum payment instead of the annuity 
payment. The benefit amount depends on the pensionable 
income  and  the  pension  level  derived  from  the  years  of 
 service.

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 em-
ployment. Members of the Board of Management attain a 
pension level of 25 % after five years of service. The max-
imum pension level of 50 % is attained after ten years of ser-
vice. Subsequent pension benefits increase or decrease to 
reflect changes in the consumer price index in Germany.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
45

  01 / 20

Group Management Report — GEnERAl InFORMAtIOn — Remuneration of the Board of  Management and Supervisory Board

Pension commitments under the previous system 

Dr Frank Appel, Chairman

Jürgen Gerdes

total

Pension commitments

Pension  
level on 
31 Dec. 2015  

Pension  
level on 
31 Dec. 2016  

Maximum 
pension level  

Present  
value (DBO) on 
31 Dec. 2015  

Present  
value (DBO) on 
31 Dec. 2016  

%

50

25

%

50

25

%

50

50

€

€

15,922,337

18,606,680

6,863,181

8,366,436

22,785,518

26,973,116

Pension commitments under the new system

Since 4 March 2008, newly appointed Board of Manage-
ment members have been granted pension commitments 
based upon a defined contribution plan. Under the defined 
contribution 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 in office. In the event of benefits 
falling due, the pension beneficiary may opt to receive an 
annuity payment 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 Corpor-
ates AA 10 + Annual Yield” for the past ten full calendar 
years as well as the individual data of the surviving depend-
ants and a future pension increase of 1 % per year.

Board of Management pension commitments under the new system: individual breakdown 

€

Ken Allen

John Gilbert

Melanie Kreis

Lawrence Rosen (until 30 September 2016)

total

  01 / 21

Total 
contribution 
for 2015

Total 
contribution 
for 2016

Present value 
(DBO) as at 
31 Dec. 2015

Present value 
(DBO) as at 
31 Dec. 2016

325,500

250,250

250,250

325,500

341,775

250,250

250,250

256,331

2,125,947

2,506,156

445,742

783,552

704,837

1,049,012

3,179,558

3,387,970

1,151,500

1,098,606

6,534,799

7,647,975

Benefits for former Board of Management members

Benefits paid to former members of the Board of Manage-
ment or their surviving dependants amounted to €5.4 mil-
lion in financial year 2016 (previous year: €25.3 million). 
The defined benefit obligation (DBO) for current pensions 
calculated  under  IFRS s  was  €97 million  (previous  year: 
€94 million).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
46

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Remuneration of the Supervisory Board

Remuneration for the members of the Supervisory Board is 
governed  by  article  17  of  the  Articles  of  Association  of 
Deutsche Post AG, according to which Supervisory Board 
members receive a fixed annual remuneration in the amount 
of €70,000 (as in the previous year).

The Supervisory Board chairman and the Supervisory 
Board committee chairs receive an additional 100 % of the 
remuneration, and the Supervisory 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 Supervisory Board or its com-

mittees, or act as chair or deputy chair, for part of the finan-
cial year are remunerated on a pro-rata basis.

As in the previous year, Supervisory Board members 
receive an attendance allowance 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 2016 totalled €2,622,000 (previ-
ous year: €2,682,000). Table 01 / 22 shows both totals, broken 
down as the remuneration paid to each Supervisory Board 
member.

Remuneration paid to Supervisory Board members 

€

Board members

Prof. Dr Wulf von Schimmelmann (Chair)

Andrea Kocsis (Deputy Chair)

Rolf Bauermeister 

Dr Nikolaus von Bomhard (since 18 May 2016)

Ingrid Deltenre (since 18 May 2016)

Jörg von Dosky 

Werner Gatzer 

Prof. Dr Henning Kagermann

Thomas Koczelnik

Anke Kufalt

Thomas Kunz (until 18 May 2016)

Simone Menne

Roland Oetker

Andreas Schädler

Sabine Schielmann

Dr Ulrich Schröder

Dr Stefan Schulte

Stephan Teuscher

Helga Thiel

Elmar Toime (until 18 May 2016)

Stefanie Weckesser

Prof. Dr-Ing. Katja Windt 

2015

2016

Fixed 
component

Attendance 
allowance

315,000

245,000

140,000

–

–

70,000

140,000

105,000

175,000

70,000

70,000

105,000

140,000

70,000

70,000

105,000

140,000

105,000

105,000

70,000

105,000

70,000

25,000

21,000

18,000

–

–

8,000

18,000

11,000

24,000

8,000

6,000

12,000

18,000

8,000

8,000

9,000

15,000

15,000

15,000

8,000

13,000

7,000

Total

340,000

266,000

158,000

–

–

78,000

158,000

116,000

199,000

78,000

76,000

117,000

158,000

78,000

78,000

114,000

155,000

120,000

120,000

78,000

118,000

77,000

Fixed 
component

Attendance 
allowance

315,000

245,000

140,000

43,750

43,750

70,000

140,000

105,000

175,000

70,000

26,250

105,000

140,000

70,000

70,000

105,000

140,000

105,000

105,000

26,250

105,000

70,000

20,000

19,000

15,000

3,000

2,000

5,000

16,000

7,000

21,000

5,000

1,000

11,000

15,000

5,000

4,000

6,000

12,000

12,000

11,000

2,000

10,000

5,000

  01 / 22

Total

335,000

264,000

155,000

46,750

45,750

75,000

156,000

112,000

196,000

75,000

27,250

116,000

155,000

75,000

74,000

111,000

152,000

117,000

116,000

28,250

115,000

75,000

ANNUAL CORPORATE 
 GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

You can find the Annual Corporate Governance Statement, 
which is also part of the Group Management Report, at 
 dpdhl.com/en/investors  and  in  the  Corporate  Governance 

 Report, 

 page 93 ff.

 
Group Management Report — GENERAL INFORMATION — Remuneration of the Board of Management and Supervisory Board — ANNUAL CORPORATE  GOVERNANCE 
STATEMENT — REPORT ON ECONOMIC POSITION — Overall Board of Management  assessment of the Group’s economic position — Forecast / actual comparison

47

REPORT ON ECONOMIC 
POSITION

Overall Board of Management 
 assessment of the Group’s economic 
position

In financial year 2016, Deutsche Post DHL Group increased 
EBIT to €3.5 billion. All divisions contributed to the increase. 
The measures implemented in the prior year served to make 
the  Group  more  efficient  and  led  to  significantly  higher 
margins. In the Post - eCommerce - Parcel (PeP)  division, 

the dynamic growth recorded in the parcel business more 
than compensated for the decline in revenue in the Post 
business unit. In the DHL divisions, the growth trend in the 
international  Express  business  remained  intact  and  the 
turnaround measures implemented in the Global Forward-
ing, Freight division in particular are taking effect. Con-
solidated revenue remained below the prior-year level, due 
in  part  to  negative  currency  effects.  Capital  expenditure 
increased. Excluding the further funding of pension obliga-
tions,  free  cash  flow  registered  a  positive  development. 
From the perspective of the Board of Management, this 
 testifies to the continuing sound financial position of the 
Group.

Forecast / actual comparison

Forecast / actual comparison 

  01 / 23

Targets 2016
EBIT

Results 2016
EBIT

Targets 2017
EBIT

• Group: €3.4 billion to €3.7 billion.
• PeP division: more than €1.3 billion.
• DHL divisions: €2.45 billion to €2.75 billion.
• Corporate Center / Other: €– 0.35 billion.

• Group: €3.49 billion.
• PeP division: €1.44 billion.
• DHL divisions: €2.41 billion.
• Corporate Center / Other: €– 0.36 billion.

• Group: around €3.75 billion.
• PeP division: around €1.5 billion.
• DHL divisions: around €2.6 billion.
• Corporate Center / Other: €– 0.35 billion.

EAC

EAC

EAC

Will develop in line with EBIT and increase 
substantially.

Developed in line with EBIT and increased 
substantially.

Will develop in line with EBIT and increase. 

Cash flow

Cash flow

Cash flow

Free cash flow to more than cover 
dividend payment in May 2016, exclud­
ing the further funding of pension 
obligations in the amount of €1 billion 1.

At €1.4 billion free cash flow significantly 
exceeded dividend payment in May 2016,    
excluding the further funding of pension 
obligations in the amount of €1 billion.

Free cash flow over €1.4 billion. 

Capital expenditure (capex)

Capital expenditure (capex)

Capital expenditure (capex)

Increase investments to around €2.2 billion.

Invested: €2.1 billion.

Increase investments to around €2.3 billion.

Dividend distribution

Dividend distribution

Dividend distribution

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

Proposal: pay out 48 % of net profit 
as dividend.

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

Employee Opinion Survey

Employee Opinion Survey

Employee Opinion Survey 

Increase approval rating of key perform­
ance indicator Active Leadership by 
one percentage point.

Approval rating of key performance 
 indicator Active Leadership increased 
by one percentage point to 74 %.

Increase approval rating of key perform­
ance indicator Active Leadership by 
one percentage point.

Greenhouse gas efficiency

Greenhouse gas efficiency 2

Greenhouse gas efficiency

CEX will increase by one index point.

CEX improved to 30 index points (previous 
year, adjusted: 29).

CEX will increase by one index point.

1  Forecast adjusted during the year.
2  Adjusted weighting of the divisions’ carbon efficiencies 

 page 70.

 
 
 
48

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Economic parameters

Global economy continues to record weak growth

Growth of the global economy slowed slightly in 2016. The 
reason for the decline was softening economic momentum 
in the industrial countries, where average GDP growth de-
creased to 1.6 %. In the emerging markets, growth remained 
at 4.1 %, moderate on a long-term comparison – especially 
since the stable result was also attributable to weakening 
recessions in a number of major threshold economies. On 
the whole, global economic output grew by 3.1 % (previous 
year:  3.2 %)  after  adjusting  for  purchasing  power. The  in-
crease in global trade was even more cautious (IMF: 1.9 %; 
OECD: 1.9 %).

Global economy: growth indicators, 2016 

%

China

Japan

USA

Euro zone

Germany

Gross domestic 
product (GDP)

6.7

1.0

1.6

1.7

1.9

Exports

–7.7

0.3

0.4

2.3

2.5

  01 / 24

Domestic 
demand

n. a.

0.5

1.7

1.9

2.2

Some data estimated, as at 7 February 2017.
Source: Postbank, national statistics.

Pronounced increases were seen in private consumption, 
government spending and gross fixed capital formation. By 
contrast, growth in exports declined substantially. This ul-
timately  resulted  in  GDP  growth  of  1.7 %  (previous  year: 
2.0 %).  Although  the  individual  countries  reported  great 
variations  in  performance,  they  all  registered  positive 
growth rates. As a result, the average unemployment rate 
dropped  significantly  to  10.0 %,  which  is,  however,  still 
quite high.

The German economy grew steadily in 2016, albeit sub-
ject to greater fluctuation. Domestic demand provided for 
strong momentum. Private consumption increased substan-
tially thanks to rising real incomes. Government spending 
recorded an above-average rise. Gross fixed capital forma-
tion  experienced  a  somewhat  more  significant  increase, 
above all due to increased residential construction. By con-
trast, investments in machinery and equipment expanded 
only  slightly  and  the  referendum  in  the UK  to  leave  the 
 European Union may have played a part in the current en-
vironment of corporate uncertainty. Exports increased only 
moderately. GDP growth nonetheless rose to 1.9 % (previous 
year: 1.7 %) and the unemployment rate fell to 6.1 % on an 
annual average (previous year: 6.4 %). At the same time, the 
average number of employed persons rose to 43.5 million 
(previous year: 43.1 million).

The Asian threshold economies again provided the strongest 
economic momentum. At 6.3 %, GDP growth fell well below 
the 6.7 % recorded in the prior year. The Chinese economy 
continued to weaken, with exports registering a sharp fall. 
At the same time, however, industrial manufacturing growth 
stabilised,  albeit  at  a  relatively  low  level  for  China.  GDP 
growth declined to 6.7 % (previous year: 6.9 %). The Japan-
ese economy recorded only minimal growth. Moderate in-
creases were seen in private consumption and gross fixed 
capital formation, whilst exports increased only very slightly. 
All in all, GDP growth declined to 1.0 % (previous year: 1.2 %).
In the United States, the economic upturn lost notable 
momentum, with the pronounced decrease in corporate 
investment supplying the main reason for the decline. How-
ever, private consumption expanded markedly once more 
and remained the key driver of growth. Foreign trade had 
no major impact on growth. GDP rose by just 1.6 % overall 
(previous  year:  2.6 %),  and  the  unemployment  rate  con-
tinued to fall.

In the euro zone, the economic recovery continued in 
the year under review driven, above all, by domestic demand. 

Rise in crude oil prices over the course of 2016

At the end of 2016, the price for one barrel of Brent Crude 
was US$55.21 (previous year: US$36.43). However, the aver-
age price of oil for the year declined by around 16 % on the 
previous year to just under US$44 per barrel. Oil prices fluc-
tuated between US$26 and US$56 over the course of the year, 
whereby prices rose significantly in the months following 
the low recorded in January.

Euro weakens on the back of Brexit and monetary policies

The  European  Central  Bank  (ECB)  further  expanded  its 
monetary policy efforts in 2016. Against the backdrop of 
the very low inflation rate, which even dropped below zero 
at the start of the year, March saw the ECB lower its key re-
financing rate by 0.05 percentage points to 0.00 % and its 
deposit rate by 0.10 percentage points to –0.40 %. Moreover, 
in  April,  the  bank  increased  the  monthly  volumes  of  its 
bond-buying programme by €20 billion to €80 billion. In 
June, the ECB began buying bonds from companies outside 
of the banking sector for the first time. By contrast, the US 
Federal Reserve increased its key interest rate by 0.25 per-

 
 
Group Management Report — REPORt On ECOnOMIC POSItIOn — Economic parameters

49

centage points to 0.50 % to 0.75 % last December, due to solid 
growth in the labour market and the gradual rise in  inflation.
The euro managed to gain on the US dollar in the first 
few months of 2016, but again came under downward pres-
sure in the ensuing period. The vote in favour of Brexit in 
the UK was a major blow for the euro. Later in the year, the 
US dollar benefited from expectations of an additional in-
crease in key interest rates in the USA, whilst the ECB sig-
nalled sustained expansionary monetary policies beyond 
2016.  At  the  end  of  the  year,  the  euro  listed  at  just  over 
US$1.05, a drop of 3.0 % year-on-year. Measured against the 
pound sterling, the euro posted a gain of 15.9 %.

Slight decline in risk premiums for corporate bonds

The euro zone bond markets were impacted during the first 
half of the year by the ECB’s expansionary monetary policies 
in addition to economic concerns resulting from the Brexit 
vote. Capital market interest rates decreased sharply. Yields 
on ten-year German government bonds reached a historic 
low in July, having fallen to 0.21 % at the end of the year 
(previous year: 0.63 %). By the end of 2016, yields on ten-year 
US government bonds had risen by 0.17 percentage points 

year-on-year to 2.44 %. Initially, risk premiums for corpo r-
ate  bonds  with  good  ratings  saw  a  significant  decrease. 
 Although they registered an upwards trend as the year pro-
gressed, by the end of the year they had fallen below the 
2015 year-end level.

Listings on the German stock market dropped sharply 
at the start of the year driven by increasing concern regard-
ing a notable downturn in global growth. After a period of 
stabilisation, the Brexit vote led to another relapse. However, 
rising economic optimism resulted in a strong increase in 
equities prices, especially towards the end of the year. The 
DAX ended 2016 at 11,481 points, a year-on-year gain of 6.9 %. 
The EURO  STOXX 50 registered growth of only 0.7 % year-
on -year.

Regional variations in growth of international trade

The global trade movements of relevance to us – air and 
ocean freight sent in containers, excluding liquids and bulk 
goods – grew by a total of 1.7 % in the reporting year. Intra-
regional volumes remained stable or grew. By contrast, ex-
ports  to  North  and  Latin  America  fell  from  almost  all 
 regions.

trade volumes: compound annual growth rate, 2015 to 2016 

Import 

%

Export

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America

MEA (Middle East and Africa)

North America

  01 / 25

MEA  

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America

(Middle East and Africa)

North America

4.4

1.2

7.9

3.3

4.9

3.9

9.6

8.5

3.9

0.1

– 6.7

– 6.9

1.0

–7.7

–3.4

–1.0

– 4.7

3.3

0.2

–2.4

– 0.3

–1.8

2.2

– 4.7

5.8

Source: Seabury Cargo Advisory, as at 13 January 2017; based upon all relevant ocean and air freight trading volumes in tonnes, excluding liquids and bulk goods.  
Excluding shipments within the European Union free trade zone.

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 infor-
mation regarding this issue and legal risks is contained in 

 note 48 to the consolidated financial statements.

 
 
50

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Significant events

Changes in portfolio

In the first quarter of 2016, we acquired 27.5 % of the shares 
in French logistics provider Relais Colis SAS. The company 
is accounted for using the equity method. In addition, we 
sold all of the shares in nugg.ad GmbH.

In the third quarter of 2016, we sold the joint ventures 
Güll  GmbH,  Germany,  and  Presse-Service  Güll  GmbH, 
Switzerland,  which  were  accounted  for  using  the  equity 
method. The Supply Chain division acquired Italian logis-
tics service provider Mitsafetrans S. r. l., including a subsid-
iary, in its entirety. In the Post - eCommerce - Parcel div-
ision,  we  sold  our  entire  interest  in  German  e-mail  and 
marketing services provider optivo GmbH. 

In the fourth quarter of 2016, we withdrew from the 
coach market. Our acquisition of UK Mail Group plc, the 
British postal and parcel services provider, closed at the end 
of December.

There were no changes in reporting.

Consolidated revenue falls to €57.3 billion

Consolidated  revenue  in  financial  year  2016  fell  by 
€1,896 million to €57,334 million. Negative currency effects 
led to a drop of €1,494 million. The change to the way in 
which revenue and expenses are reported as a result of the 
revised terms of the UK National Health Service (NHS) con-
tract reduced revenue by a further €1,435 million. Excluding 
these effects, revenue growth was 1.7 %. The proportion of 
revenue generated abroad declined from 70.5 % to 68.8 %. 
Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2016 was up 0.5 % year-
on-year, at €15,410 million. The increase excluding negative 
currency effects (€372 million) was 2.9 %.

Other operating income dropped by €238 million to 
€2,156 million. The prior-year figure included income from 
the sale of equity interests in Sinotrans and King’s Cross as 
well as from the remeasurement of assets from the hub in 
Cincinnati. The figure for the reporting year includes a gain 
of €63 million on the disposal of the remaining shares in 
King’s Cross.

At the end of January 2016, we sold the remaining shares in 
UK property development companies King’s Cross Central 
Property Trust and King’s Cross Central General Partner Ltd.
On 1 April, the Group placed two bonds with a total 
volume of €1.25 billion on the capital market. Of the capital 
raised, €1 billion was used for the further funding of pen-
sion obligations.

Pension provisions declined in the reporting year des-
pite decreasing discount rates, which was largely as a result 
of further funding of pension obligations. A measurement- 
related  reversal  had  already  been  recognised  in  the  first 
quarter due to changes in the occupational retirement ar-
rangement in Germany. This was offset by a number of other 
human resources measures including the early retirement 
scheme for civil servants, with the result that, overall, there 
was no effect on earnings.

Given that the state aid decision, 

 notes 46 and 48 to the 
consolidated financial statements, set aside on 14 July 2016 has be-
come null and void with final effect, there are no longer any 
grounds for the obligation to repay the alleged state aid, and 
the amount of €378 million deposited in a trustee account 
was released.

At the end of September, we submitted a takeover offer 
for the entire share capital of UK Mail Group plc, United 
Kingdom. The transaction was completed on 22 December 
following approval by the shareholders and the competent 
authorities.

Results of operations

Selected indicators for results of operations 

2015

59,230

2,411

4.1

877

1,540

1.27

0.85

€ m

€ m

%

€ m

€ m

€

€

Revenue

Profit from operating activities 
(EBIT)

Return on sales 1

EBIT after asset charge (EAC)

Consolidated net profit 
for the  period 2

Earnings per share 3

Dividend per share

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

  01 / 26

2016

57,334

3,491

6.1

1,963

2,639

2.19

1.05 4

 
 
 
Group Management Report — REPORt On ECOnOMIC POSItIOn — Significant events — Results of operations

Changes in revenue, other operating income and operating expenses, 2016 

51

  01 / 27

Revenue 

Other operating income

Materials expense 

Staff costs

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 
losses

€ m

57,334 

2,156

30,620 

19,592

1,377 

+ / – %

–3.2 

• Growth trends in the German parcel and international express businesses remain intact
• Currency effects lead to fall of €1,494 million
• Revised NHS contract reduced revenue by €1,435 million

– 9.9 • Prior-year figure included higher income from the sale of equity interests

–7.7 

• Drop of €1,421 million in cost of goods purchased and held for resale due to revised 

NHS contract

• Lower transport and fuel costs
• Positive currency effects

– 0.2 • At prior-year level

–17.3  • Prior-year figure included impairment losses of €310 million on NFE 

Other operating expenses

4,414

– 6.9 • Lower, mainly due to positive currency effects

Materials expense markedly lower

Dividend of €1.05 per share proposed

Materials expense showed a marked fall of €2,550 million 
to €30,620 million. The cost of goods purchased and held 
for resale dropped considerably as a result of the revised 
NHS contract. Materials expense was also reduced by lower 
transport and fuel costs as well as currency effects. The in-
crease in headcount at the Express division was the main 
factor raising staff costs, whereas positive exchange rate 
effects led to a slight overall decrease in this item. Depreci-
ation, amortisation and impairment losses declined signifi-
cantly, falling by €288 million to €1,377 million: the prior- 
year figure included impairment losses of €310 million for 
NFE. Mainly positive currency effects reduced other operat-
ing expenses from €4,740 million to €4,414 million.

Our finance strategy calls for a payout of 40 % to 60 % of 
net profits as dividends as a general rule. The Board of Man-
agement and the Supervisory Board will therefore propose 
a dividend of €1.05 per share for financial year 2016 (previ-
ous  year:  €0.85)  to  shareholders  at  the  Annual  General 
Meeting  on  28 April 2017.  The  distribution  ratio  based 
upon net profit, which is defined as consolidated net profit 
for the period after deduction of non-controlling interests, 
amounts to 48.2 %. The net dividend yield based upon the 
year-end closing price of our shares is 3.4 %. The dividend 
will be distributed on 4 May 2017 and is tax-free for share-
holders resident in  Germany. It does not entitle recipients 
to a tax refund or a tax credit.

Consolidated EBIT up 44.8 %

total dividend and dividend per  no-par value share 

At  €3,491 million,  profit  from  operating  activities  (EBIT) 
exceeded the prior-year figure of €2,411 million by 44.8 %. 
Fourth-quarter  EBIT  rose  by  16.1 %  to  €1,111 million.  At 
€359 million,  net  finance  costs  in  the  reporting  period 
were similar to the previous year (€354 million). Profit be-
fore  income taxes climbed substantially by €1,075 million 
to  €3,132 million.  Income  taxes  rose  by  €13 million  to 
€351  million.

€ m

786

0.65

846

846

0.70

0.70

968

0.80

1,030

1,027

0.85

0.85

  01 / 28

1,271

1.05

Sharp improvement in consolidated net profit

Consolidated  net  profit  showed  a  sharp  improvement, 
 rising  from  €1,719 million  to  €2,781 million.  Of  this 
amount, €2,639 mil lion is attributable to shareholders of 
Deutsche Post AG and €142 million to non-controlling  interest 
holders. Basic earnings per share improved from €1.27 to 
€2.19 and diluted earnings per share from €1.22 to €2.10.

  10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 1

  Dividend per no-par value share (€)

1  Proposal.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
52

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

EBIT after asset charge (EAC) increases substantially

In  2016,  EBIT  after  asset  charge  (EAC)  climbed  from 
€877 million  to  €1,963 million,  mainly  as  a  result  of  the 
strong increase in the company’s profitability. The imputed 
asset charge remained stable year-on-year, with larger in-
vestments in property, plant and equipment and lower pro-
visions  being  offset  by  a  decline  in  average  net  working 
capital.

EBIT after asset charge (EAC) 

€ m

EBIT

 Asset charge

  EAC

2015

2,411

–1,534

877

2016

3,491

–1,528

1,963

  01 / 29

+ / – %

44.8

0.4

> 100

The net asset base increased by €730 million to €17,539 mil-
lion as at the reporting date. Investments in IT systems, the 
purchase of freight aircraft, and replacement and expansion 
investments in warehouses, sorting systems and the vehicle 
fleet increased year-on-year, as did intangible assets. Net 
working capital remained more or less stable.

Both operating provisions and other non-current assets 

and liabilities declined year-on-year.

net asset base (non-consolidated) 1 

€ m

Intangible assets and property, 
plant and equipment

  Net working capital

  Operating provisions 
(excluding provisions for 
pensions and similar 
obligations)

  Other non-current assets 
and liabilities

 net asset base

31 Dec. 2015  
adjusted 

31 Dec. 2016 

20,296

–1,024

20,943

–1,043

  01 / 30

+ / – % 

3.2

1.9

–2,471

–2,321

– 6.1

8

16,809

–37

17,539

> –100

4.3

1  Assets and liabilities are defined as described in the segment reporting,  

 note 10 to 

the consolidated financial statements. Consolidation produces an amount of €–71 million 
( previous year: €–191 million).

Financial position

Selected cash flow indicators 

€ m

Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 December

Change in cash and cash equivalents

Net cash from operating activities

Net cash used in investing activities

Net cash used in financing activities

  01 / 31

2016

3,107

– 437

2,439

–1,643

–1,233

2015

3,608

615

3,444

–1,462

–1,367

Financial management is a centralised function in the Group

The Group’s financial management activities include man-
aging liquidity along with hedging against fluctuations in 
interest rates, currencies and commodity prices, arranging 
Group financing, issuing guarantees and letters of comfort 
and liaising with rating agencies. Responsibility for these 
activities rests with Corporate Finance at Group headquar-
ters in Bonn, which is supported by three Regional Treasury 
Centres in Bonn (Germany), Weston (USA) and Singapore. 
The regional centres act as interfaces between Group head-
quarters and the operating companies, advise the companies 
on  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 in addition to preserving the 
Group’s financial stability and flexibility over the long term. 
In order to maintain 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, allow-
ing for unfunded pension obligations and liabilities under 
operating leases.

Maintaining financial flexibility and low cost of capital

The Group’s finance strategy builds upon the principles and 
aims of financial management. In addition to the interests 
of  shareholders,  the  strategy  also  takes  creditor  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.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group Management Report — REPORt On ECOnOMIC POSItIOn — Results of operations — Financial position

53

A key component of this strategy is having a target rat-
ing of “BBB+”, which is managed via a dynamic perform-
ance metric known as funds from operations to debt (FFO 
to debt). Our strategy additionally includes a sustained divi-

dend policy and clear priorities regarding the use of excess 
liquidity, which is to be used to gradually increase plan 
 assets of our German pension plans, to distribute special 
dividends and to buy back shares.

Finance strategy 

Credit rating

  01 / 32

Investors

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

• Reliable and consistent information from the company.
• Predictability of expected returns.

Dividend policy

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

Excess liquidity

• Increase plan assets of German pension plans.
• 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.

Group

• Preserve financial and strategic flexibility.
• Assure low cost of capital. 

FFO to debt 

€ m

Operating cash flow before changes in  
working capital

 Interest received

 Interest paid

 Adjustment for operating leases

 Adjustment for pensions

 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 (%)

2015 
adjusted 1

2,656

47

76

1,413

239

4,279

5,178

125

6,394

6,103

2,641

  01 / 33

2016 

2,514

50

138

1,569

1,003

4,998

6,035

121

7,166

5,467

2,239

14,909

16,308

28.7

30.6

1  Non-recurring income or expense is no longer reported separately since it is no longer 

generated or incurred in a relevant scope.

2  Reported cash and cash equivalents and investment funds callable at sight, less cash 

needed for operations.

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

Due to funds from operations increasing strongly, the 
FFO to debt performance metric increased in the reporting 
year compared with the previous year despite the increase 
in debt.

Funds from operations saw an increase of € 719 million 
to a total of €4,998 million. The rise was due primarily to 
the  significant  increase  in  the  adjustment  for  pensions, 
which resulted from pension obligation funding. The pen-
sion obligation funding is shown in operating cash flow. 
The increase in the adjustment for operating leases is the 
result of higher lease payments in 2016 and 2017. The inter-
est paid is higher in the reporting year as a result of the in-
terest income generated from unwinding interest rate swaps 
related to outstanding bonds in the first quarter of 2015.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
54

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Debt rose by €1,399 million to €16,308 million com-
pared with the previous year. The main cause of this was the 
rise in reported financial liabilities as a result of the April 
bond issues in the amount of €1.25 billion as well as the 
remaining obligations from the share buy-back programme 
in the amount of €0.2 billion. The increase in reported fi-
nancial liabilities was partially offset by the conversion of 
 note 41 to the consolidated finan-
shares in the convertible bond, 
cial statements, occurring in the reporting year in the amount 
of €0.6  billion. In addition, the adjustment for operating 
leases rose because of the increase in lease obligations and 
the  lower  interest  rate.  The  adjustment  for  pensions  de-
clined. This is attributable to the increase in plan assets as 
a result of further funding of pension obligations. Further 
 note 39 to the con-
information on pensions can be found in 
solidated financial statements. Payments made in connection with 
the share buyback programme reduced surplus cash and 
near cash investments by €0.8 billion.

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 managed cen-
trally 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  inter- 
company clearing. Payment transactions are executed in 
accordance  with  uniform  guidelines  using  standardised 
processes  and  IT  systems.  Many  Group  companies  pool 
their external payment transactions in the intra-group Pay-
ment Factory, which executes payments on behalf of the 
respective companies via Deutsche Post AG’s central bank 
accounts.

limiting market risk

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

Flexible and stable financing

The Group covers its long-term financing requirements by 
means of equity and debt. This ensures our financial stabil-
ity and also provides adequate flexibility. Our most import-
ant source of funds is net cash from operating activities.

We also have a syndicated credit facility in a total vol-
ume of €2 billion that guarantees us favourable market con-
ditions and acts as a secure, long-term liquidity reserve. The 
facility matures in 2020, and does not contain any coven-
ants 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 maintain long-term relationships with 
the financial institutions we entrust with our business. In 
addition to credit lines, we meet our borrowing require-
ments  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 spe-
cialisation benefits and hence minimise borrowing costs.

In  April 2016,  we  issued  two  bonds  in  a  volume  of 
€0.75 billion and €0.5 billion as part of the Debt Issuance 
Programme  established  in  2012  with  a  volume  of  up  to 
€8 billion. The cash funds received that same month were 
utilised for the further funding of pension obligations in 
Germany in the amount of €1 billion. 

No  bonds  were  redeemed  in  the  year  under  review. 
A total of €0.6 billion of the convertible bond issued in 2012 
in the amount of €1 billion was converted in 2016. Further 
 note 41 
information on the existing bonds is contained in 
to the consolidated financial statements.

Group Management Report — REPORt On ECOnOMIC POSItIOn — Financial position

55

Group issues sureties, letters of comfort and guarantees

no change in the Group’s credit rating

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

Agency ratings 

Fitch Ratings

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

  Rating factors

The  ratings  of  “A3”  issued  by  Moody’s  Investors  Service 
(Moody’s) and “BBB+” issued by Fitch Ratings (Fitch) re-
main in effect with regard to our credit quality. The stable 
outlook from both rating agencies is also still applicable. We 
remain well positioned in the transport and logistics sector 
with these ratings. The following table shows the ratings as 
at the reporting date and the underlying factors. The com-
plete and current analyses by the rating agencies and the 
rating categories can be found at 

 dpdhl.com/en/investors.

  01 / 34

Moody’s Investors Service

Long-term: A 3
Short-term: P – 2
Outlook: stable

  Rating factors

• Balanced business risk profile.
• Stable contribution of core mail products.
• Growth in internet-led domestic parcel volumes.
• Strong global footprint in the Express, Global Forwarding, Freight 

and Supply Chain businesses.

• Scale and global presence as the world’s largest logistics company.
• Large and robust mail business in Germany.
• Expectations of profitability recovery through its network investments 

and restructuring programme.

• Appropriate financial metrics, conservative financial policy and sound 

• Fairly stable credit metrics for the current rating and adequate 

liquidity profile. 

financial flexibility.

  Rating factors

• Structural mail volume decline in the Post - eCommerce - Parcel 

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

• Exposure to global market volatility and competitiveness through 

the DHL divisions.

  Rating factors

• Exposure to global macroeconomic trends in the logistics businesses.
• Structural decline of traditional postal services. 

liquidity and sources of funds

As at the balance sheet date, the Group had cash and cash 
equivalents of €3.1 billion (previous year: €3.6 billion) at its 
disposal. A large portion of that amount is held directly by 
Deutsche Post AG. The cash is either invested centrally on 
the money market or deposited in existing bank accounts. 
These central, short-term financial investments had a vol-
ume of €1.7 billion as at the balance sheet date. In addition, 
€0.2 billion has been invested in a money market fund. The 
following table gives a breakdown of the financial liabilities 
reported in our balance sheet. Further information on rec-
 note 41 to the con-
ognised financial liabilities is contained in 
solidated financial statements.

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

  01 / 35

2016

4,990

158

209

28

121

529

2015

4,304

166

167

26

125

390

5,178

6,035

 
 
 
 
 
 
56

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual 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.

Operating lease obligations increased significantly year-on-
year to €8.2 billion, with new long-term agreements – pri-
marily for real estate – overcompensating considerably for 
the reduction in the remaining terms of legacy agreements.

Operating lease liabilities by asset class 

€ m

Land and buildings

Aircraft

Transport equipment

Technical equipment and machinery

Other equipment, operating and office 
equipment, miscellaneous

  01 / 36

2016

6,657

909

495

79

48

8,188

2015

5,929

1,072

472

70

39

7,582

Capital expenditure above prior-year level

Investments in property, plant and equipment and intan-
gible  assets  (not  including  goodwill)  amounted  to 
€2,074 million in the reporting year, 2.5 % above the prior 
year’s figure of €2,024 million. Please refer to 
 notes 10, 21 and 
22 to the consolidated financial statements for a breakdown of capital 
expenditure (capex) into regions and asset classes.

Capex and depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses, full year 

Global  Forwarding, 
Freight

Express

Supply Chain

Corporate Center / 
Other

PeP

2016

590

2015

533

2015

856

2016

902

2015

123

319

334

404

469

396

2016

55

79

2015

318

2016

328

2015

192

2016

199

313

294

233

201

1.67

1.77

2.12

1.92

0.31

0.70

1.02

1.12

0.82

0.99

Capex (€ m)

Depreciation, amortisation 
and impairment losses (€ m)

Ratio of capex to depreciation, 
amortisation and impairment 
losses

1  Including rounding.

  01 / 37

Consolidation 1

Group

2015

2016

2015

2016

2

0

–

0

0

–

2,024

2,074

1,665

1,377

1.22

1.51

Capex and depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses, Q 4 

PeP

2016

264

2015

209

2015

360

2016

280

86

95

121

149

Global  Forwarding, 
Freight

Express

Supply Chain

Corporate Center / 
Other

Consolidation 1

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

22

24

18

19

98

89

73

75

91

59

75

50

2.43

2.78

2.98

1.88

0.92

0.95

1.10

0.97

1.54

1.50

  01 / 38

Group

2016

709

2015

782

380

388

2.06

1.83

2

1

–

–1

0

–

Capex (€ m)

Depreciation, amortisation 
and impairment losses (€ m)

Ratio of capex to depreciation, 
amortisation and impairment 
losses

1  Including rounding.

In the Post - eCommerce - Parcel division, the largest capex 
portion was attributable to the expansion of our domestic 
and  international  parcel  network  and  production  of  our 
StreetScooter electric vehicle.

In  the  Express  division,  investments  were  made  in 
 expanding our hubs, especially in Leipzig, East Midlands, 
Brussels and Cincinnati. Continuous maintenance and re-

newal of our aircraft fleet represented an additional focus 
of investment spending.

In  the  Global  Forwarding,  Freight  division,  we  con-
tinued to invest in turnaround measures. We also modern-
ised and refurbished warehouses and office buildings across 
all regions.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group Management Report — REPORt On ECOnOMIC POSItIOn — Financial position

57

In the Supply Chain division, the majority of funds was 
used to support new business, mostly in the Americas and 
EMEA regions where we made notable investments in the 
Consumer and Retail sectors.

Cross-divisional capital expenditure increased due to 

higher vehicle replacement and expansion in our fleet.

Funding of pension obligations impacts operating cash flow

At €2,439 million in financial year 2016, net cash from op-
erating activities was down €1,005 million on the figure for 
the previous year, although EBIT was €1,080 million higher. 
The decrease was due to the funding of pension obligations 
in the amount of €1 billion. Excluding this, net cash from 
operating  activities  was  €3,439 million,  in  line  with  the 
prior- year figure. The depreciation, amortisation and im-
pairment losses contained in EBIT are non-cash effects and 
are therefore eliminated. In the previous year, they were 
characterised primarily by impairment losses on NFE. The 
income from the sale of equity interests contained in EBIT 
has also been eliminated in net cash from operating activ-
ities and is instead reported in cash flow from investing 
 activities. In the previous year, this item comprised €261 mil-
lion, mainly from the sale of equity interests in Sinotrans 
and King’s Cross; in the reporting year it includes, amongst 
other things, €63 million from the sale of the remaining 
shares in King’s Cross. The change in provisions widened 
from €−495 million to €−1,799 million mainly as a result of 
the funding of pension obligations. The change in current 
assets and liabilities led to a net cash outflow of €75 million 

as opposed to a net cash inflow of €788 million in the pre-
vious year. The increase in receivables and other assets was 
the main driver behind this development.

Net  cash  used  in  investing  activities  increased  to 
€1,643 million (previous year: €1,462 million). The prior-year 
figure was lower due to the sale of the equity interests men-
tioned above. The figure for the reporting year was reduced 
by the repayment from the state aid proceedings, which led 
to €378 million in proceeds from the disposal of non-current 
assets. The acquisition of UK Mail is reflected mainly in cash 
paid to acquire subsidiaries and other business units. Cash 
paid to acquire property, plant and equipment and intangible 
assets decreased by €138 million year-on-year, to €1,966 mil-
lion. Outflows of cash and cash equivalents of €200 million 
were incurred for current financial assets in connection with 
the acquisition of money market funds.

At €1,233 million, net cash used in financing activities 
was  lower  than  in  the  previous  year  (€1,367 million). 
Through our bond placement in April, we issued non-cur-
rent financial liabilities and raised capital in the amount of 
€1.239 billion. Net cash used to purchase treasury shares 
rose from €70 million to €836 million on account of our 
share buyback programme. At €1,027 million, the dividend 
paid to our shareholders was the largest payment item. In 
addition, in the previous year our unwinding of interest rate 
swaps on outstanding bonds reduced interest payments.

Cash and cash equivalents declined from €3,608 mil-
lion as at 31 December 2015 to €3,107 million as at 31 De-
cember 2016.

Calculation of free cash flow 

€ m

net cash 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

Disposals of investments accounted for using the equity method and other investments

Acquisition of subsidiaries and other business units

Acquisition of investments accounted for using the equity method and other investments

Cash inflow / outflow arising from divestitures / acquisitions

Interest received

Interest paid

net interest paid

Free cash flow

2015

3,444

175

–2,104

–1,929

15

223

0

0

238

47

–76

–29

1,724

2016

2,439

265

–1,966

–1,701

35

82

–304

–19

–206

50

–138

– 88

444

  01 / 39

Q 4 2015

2,307

Q 4 2016

1,925

97

– 660

– 563

16

0

0

0

16

14

– 69

– 55

141

– 545

– 404

10

0

–270

0

–260

7

– 67

– 60

1,705

1,201

 
 
58

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Free cash flow as a management-related performance indi-
cator decreased significantly from €1,724 million to €444 mil-
lion, due primarily to the decline in net cash from operating 
activities to €2,439 million (previous year: €3,444 million). 
Excluding the funding of pension obligations, free cash flow 
was €1,444 million, a clear improvement.

Net assets

Selected indicators for net assets 

  01 / 40

Equity ratio

Net debt

Net interest cover

Net gearing

FFO to debt 1

31 Dec. 2015

31 Dec. 2016

%

€ m

%

%

29.8

1,093

83.1

8.8

28.7

29.6

2,261

39.7

16.6

30.6

1  For the calculation 

 Financial position, page 53.

Increase in consolidated total assets

The Group’s total assets amounted to €38,295 million as at 
31 December 2016, €425 million higher than at 31 Decem-
ber 2015 (€37,870 million).

Intangible  assets  rose  from  €12,490 million  to 
€12,554 million in the reporting year, mainly because the 
acquisition of UK Mail led to an increase in goodwill. Prop-
erty, plant and equipment also increased by €594 million to 
€8,389 million as a result of investments. We initially reclas-
sified €378 million paid to a trustee in connection with the 
state aid proceedings, 
 note 48 to the consolidated financial state-
ments, from non-current to current financial assets and then 
derecognised this amount following receipt. The short-term 
investment of excess cash in a money market fund increased 
the  current  financial  assets  item  by  €200 million.  At 
€222 million, other non-current assets were on a level with 
the previous year. Trade receivables rose from €7,694 mil-
lion to €7,965 million. The €501 million decrease in cash 
and cash equivalents to €3,107 million is described in the 
 Financial position, page 57 f.
section entitled 

On the equity and liabilities side of the balance sheet, 
equity attributable to Deutsche Post AG shareholders rose 
by €53 million to €11,087 million: while consolidated net 
profit for the period and the capital increase related to the 
convertible bond increased equity, actuarial losses on pen-
sion obligations, the dividend payment and effects associ-
ated with the purchase of treasury shares were key items 
decreasing it. Provisions for pensions and similar obligations 
declined significantly from €6,221 million to €5,580 million, 
with actuarial losses increasing this item and the partial 
funding of pension obligations in particular serving to re-
duce  it.  Financial  liabilities  rose  from  €5,178 million  to 
€6,035 million, primarily as a result of the bond placement 
in April.

net debt increases to €2,261 million

Our net debt rose considerably from €1,093 million as at 
31 December 2015 to €2,261 million as at 31 December 2016, 
mainly because we issued bonds in a total principal amount 
of €1.25 billion. At 29.6 %, the equity ratio – the ratio of 
equity to total assets – was at the level of that at 31 Decem-
ber 2015 (29.8 %). The net interest cover ratio – the extent 
to which net interest obligations are covered by EBIT – was 
39.7 as at 31 December. The net gearing ratio is the ratio of 
net debt to total equity and net debt and amounted to 16.6 % 
as at 31 December.

net debt 

€ m

Non-current financial liabilities

 Current financial liabilities

 Financial liabilities 1

 Cash and cash equivalents

 Current financial assets

  Positive fair value of non-current financial 
derivatives 2

 Financial assets

net debt

  01 / 41

31 Dec. 2015

31 Dec. 2016

4,578

440

5,018

3,608

179

138

3,925

1,093

4,516

1,381

5,897

3,107

374

155

3,636

2,261

1  Less financial liabilities with an operational nature 
2  Reported in non-current financial assets in the balance sheet.

 note 33.4.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
59

  01 / 42

Group Management Report — REPORt On ECOnOMIC POSItIOn — Financial position — Net assets — Business performance in the divisions

Business performance in the divisions

POST - ECOMMERCE - PARCEL DIVISION

Key figures Post - eCommerce - Parcel division 

€ m

Revenue

of which Post

eCommerce - Parcel

Profit from operating activities (EBIT)

of which Germany

International Parcel and eCommerce

Return on sales (%) 1

Operating cash flow

1  EBIT / revenue.

2015

16,131

9,784

6,347

1,103

1,089

14

6.8

1,337

2016

16,797

9,742

7,055

1,443

1,448

– 5

8.6

361

+ / – %

Q 4 2015

Q 4 2016

+ / – %

4.1

– 0.4

11.2

30.8

33.0

< –100

–

–73.0

4,513

2,650

1,863

487

488

–1

10.8

797

4,640

2,582

2,058

489

496

–7

10.5

603

2.8

–2.6

10.5

0.4

1.6

< –100

–

–24.3

Revenue increases by 4.1 %

In the reporting year, with one additional working day in 
Germany, revenue in the division was €16,797 million, 4.1 % 
above the prior-year figure of €16,131 million. Most of the 
growth originated in the eCommerce - Parcel business unit. 
Excluding negative currency effects of €38 million, the rev-
enue increase was 4.4 % in the reporting year. In the fourth 
quarter of 2016, despite 0.8 fewer working days, revenue in 
the division increased year-on-year by 2.8 %.

Price increases compensate decline in volume in the Post 
business unit

In the Post business unit, revenue was €9,742 million in 
the  reporting  year,  0.4 %  below  the  prior-year  figure  of 
€9,784 mil lion. Volumes witnessed a more significant de-
cline, falling by 3.6 %. In the fourth quarter of 2016, revenue 
was €2,582 mil lion (previous year: €2,650 million).

The price increases for Standardbrief and Maxibrief let-
ter items and for additional services on 1 January 2016 more 
than offset the decrease in revenue resulting from the over-
all decline in Mail Communication volumes. Furthermore, 
compared with the previous year, 2016 included additional 
mail volumes as a result of regional parliamentary elections. 
The cross-border mail business saw a slight decline in 
2016. The increase in small-goods shipments and the price 
increases for the Standardbrief and Großbrief International 
products at the beginning of the year were unable to offset 
the effects of the decline in volumes experienced, in particu-
lar, in the sending of documents and dialogue marketing 
products.

Revenue in the Dialogue Marketing business was below 
the prior-year level. Volumes fell by 3.7 %, especially in un-
addressed advertising mail.

Post: revenue 

€ m

Mail Communication

Dialogue Marketing

Other

total

2015 
adjusted

6,537

2,200

1,047

9,784

2016 

+ / – % 

6,597

2,154

991

9,742

0.9

–2.1

– 5.3

– 0.4

Q 4 2015 
adjusted

1,768

613

269

2,650

Q 4 2016 

1,757

586

239

2,582

  01 / 43

+ / – % 

– 0.6

– 4.4

–11.2

–2.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
60

Post: volumes 

Mail items (millions)

Total

of which Mail Communication

of which Dialogue Marketing

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

2015 
adjusted

19,320

8,552

8,846

2016 

+ / – % 

18,628

8,242

8,521

–3.6

–3.6

–3.7

Q 4 2015 
adjusted

5,216

2,231

2,473

Q 4 2016 

4,987

2,189

2,320

  01 / 44

+ / – % 

– 4.4

–1.9

– 6.2

eCommerce - Parcel business unit continues to grow

Revenue  in  the  eCommerce  -  Parcel  business  unit  was 
€7,055 million in the reporting year, exceeding the prior- 
year figure of €6,347 million by a robust 11.2 %. The fourth 
quarter also saw double-digit revenue growth.

The  Parcel  business  in  Germany  continued  to  grow 
steadily due to the strong e-commerce trend. Revenue in the 
Parcel Germany business increased by 10.1 % to €4,814 mil-
lion in the reporting year (previous year: €4,372 million). 
Volumes rose by 9.3 % to 1,227 million parcels.

Our  domestic  and  cross-border  parcel  business  in 
 Europe is continuing to perform well. In the Parcel Europe 
business,  revenue  grew  by  15.1 %  to  €856 million  in  the 
 reporting year (previous year: €744 million).

Revenue in the DHL eCommerce business was up by 
12.5 % to €1,385 million in 2016 (previous year: €1,231 mil-
lion), due to strong performance in the US domestic busi-
ness  as  well  as  cross-border  business  in  Asia.  Excluding 
currency effects, growth was 14.1 %.

eCommerce - Parcel: revenue 

€ m

Parcel Germany

Parcel Europe 1

DHL eCommerce 2

total

1  Excluding Germany.
2  Outside Europe.

Parcel Germany: volumes 

Parcels (millions)

Total

2015 
adjusted

4,372

744

1,231

6,347

2016 

+ / – % 

4,814

856

1,385

7,055

10.1

15.1

12.5

11.2

Q 4 2015 
adjusted

1,315

206

342

1,863

Q 4 2016 

1,421

240

397

2,058

2015

1,123

2016

1,227

+ / – %

9.3

Q 4 2015

Q 4 2016

338

368

  01 / 45

+ / – % 

8.1

16.5

16.1

10.5

  01 / 46

+ / – %

8.9

EBIT substantially exceeds prior-year figure

EBIT  in  the  division  improved  by  a  substantial  30.8 % 
to  €1,443 million  in  the  reporting  year  (previous  year: 
€1,103 million). Higher revenue and strict cost management 
contributed  to  this  EBIT  performance.  In  addition,  the 
strike and one-time effects in Germany had a negative im-
pact on the prior-year figure. The majority of our EBIT is 
still generated in Germany; earnings in our international 

business  reflect  the  investments  in  the  expansion  of  the 
 European and worldwide parcel business. Return on sales 
for the reporting year rose from 6.8 % to 8.6 %. Fourth-quar-
ter EBIT was €489 million (previous year: €487 million).

Operating cash flow decreased from €1,337 million to 
€361 million, mainly as a result of a payment of €955 million 
made to further fund pension obligations.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Group Management Report — REPORt On ECOnOMIC POSItIOn — Business performance in the divisions

EXPRESS DIVISION

Key figures EXPRESS division 

€ m

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

1  EBIT / revenue.

61

  01 / 47

2015

13,661

6,045

2,559

4,995

1,039

– 977

1,391

10.2

1,761

2016

14,030

6,317

2,741

5,194

1,054

–1,276

1,548

11.0

1,927

+ / – %

Q 4 2015

Q 4 2016

+ / – %

2.7

4.5

7.1

4.0

1.4

–30.6

11.3

–

9.4

3,638

1,637

698

1,317

268

–282

319

8.8

671

3,830

1,716

757

1,407

274

–324

435

11.4

727

5.3

4.8

8.5

6.8

2.2

–14.9

36.4

–

8.3

Momentum in international business continues

Revenue in the division improved by 2.7 % to €14,030 mil-
lion in the reporting year (previous year: €13,661 million). 
As a significant portion of our business activities take place 
outside the euro zone, we recorded negative currency effects 
of €440 million. Excluding these effects, revenue growth 
was 5.9 %. This also reflects the fact that fuel surcharges were 
lower in all regions as the price of crude oil fell compared 
with the previous year. Revenue increased by 6.3 % exclud-
ing the negative effects resulting from both foreign currency 
losses and lower fuel surcharges.

In the Time Definite International (TDI) product line, 
revenues per day increased by 6.1 % and per-day shipment 
volumes by 7.6 % in the reporting year. Revenues per day for 
the fourth quarter were up by 9.2 % and per-day shipment 
volumes by 7.4 %.

In the Time Definite Domestic (TDD) product line, rev-
enues per day increased by 10.3 % and per-day shipment 
volumes by 9.9 % in the reporting year. Growth in the fourth 
quarter amounted to 9.3 % for revenues per day and 10.6 % 
for per-day volumes.

EXPRESS: revenue by product 

€ m per day 1

Time Definite  International (TDI)

Time Definite  Domestic (TDD)

1  To improve comparability, product revenues were translated at uniform exchange rates.  

Those revenues are also the basis for the weighted calculation of working days.

2015 
adjusted

40.8

3.9

2016 

+ / – % 

43.3

4.3

6.1

10.3

Q 4 2015 
adjusted

43.3

4.3

Q 4 2016 

47.3

4.7

EXPRESS: volumes by product 

thousands of items per day 1

Time Definite  International (TDI)

Time Definite  Domestic (TDD)

1  To improve comparability, product revenues were translated at uniform exchange rates.  

Those revenues are also the basis for the weighted calculation of working days.

2015 
adjusted

752

395

2016 

+ / – % 

809

434

7.6

9.9

Q 4 2015 
adjusted

819

435

Q 4 2016 

880

481

  01 / 48

+ / – % 

9.2

9.3

  01 / 49

+ / – % 

7.4

10.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
62

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Double-digit volume growth in Europe region

Increased revenues per day in the MEA region

Revenue in the Europe region increased by 4.5 % in the re-
porting year to €6,317 million (previous year: €6,045 mil-
lion). This included negative currency effects of €184 mil-
lion, which related mainly to the UK and Russia. Excluding 
these effects, revenue growth was 7.5 %. TDI revenues per 
day rose by 7.2 % and per-day TDI shipment volumes by 
10.3 % in the reporting year. International per-day shipment 
revenues were up by 11.6 % and per-day shipment volumes 
by 12.9 % in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Revenue in the MEA region (Middle East and Africa) was 
up by 1.4 % to €1,054 million in the reporting year (previous 
year:  €1,039 million).  This  included  negative  currency 
 effects of €47 million, which resulted mainly from South 
Africa and Egypt. Excluding these effects, revenue increased 
by 6.0 %. In the TDI area, revenues per day were up by 6.1 % 
and per-day volumes by 4.7 %. Growth in the fourth quarter 
of 2016 amounted to 7.5 % for revenues per day and 4.0 % 
for per-day volumes.

Strong growth in the Americas region

EBIT and return on sales see sizable improvement

EBIT in the division rose by 11.3 % to €1,548 million in finan-
cial year 2016 (previous year: €1,391 million). Return on 
sales  rose  from  10.2 %  to  11.0 %.  Network  improvement, 
strong international business growth and pricing initiatives 
all contributed to this positive development. In the fourth 
quarter of 2016, EBIT improved by 36.4 % to €435 million 
and return on sales increased from 8.8 % to 11.4 %. Operating 
cash flow rose by 9.4 % to €1,927 million in the reporting 
year (previous year: €1,761 million).

Revenue  in  the  Americas  region  increased  by  7.1 %  to 
€2,741 million  in  the  reporting  year  (previous  year: 
€2,559 million). This figure included negative currency ef-
fects of €141 million, which resulted primarily from Mexico 
and South America. Excluding these effects, revenue growth 
was 12.6 % compared with the previous year. In the TDI area, 
revenues per day increased by 8.8 % in the reporting year 
and per-day volumes by 8.7 %. Revenues per day for the 
fourth quarter were up by 10.0 % and per-day shipment vol-
umes by 7.0 %.

Moderate volume increases in Asia Pacific region

Revenue  in  the  Asia  Pacific  region  rose  by  4.0 %  to 
€5,194 million  in  the  reporting  year  (previous  year: 
€4,995 million). This included negative currency effects of 
€67 million that related primarily to China as well as other 
countries in the region. Excluding these effects, the revenue 
increase was 5.3 % in the reporting period. Revenues per day 
in the TDI area improved by 3.9 %, due primarily to the 4.7 % 
increase in per-day shipment volumes. Growth in the fourth 
quarter amounted to 7.0 % for revenues per day and 2.4 % 
for per-day volumes.

63

  01 / 50

2015

14,890

10,827

4,238

–175

–181

–1.2

487

2016

13,737

9,626

4,274

–163

287

2.1

248

+ / – %

–7.7

–11.1

0.8

6.9

> 100

–

– 49.1

Q 4 2015

Q 4 2016

+ / – %

3,736

2,673

1,113

– 50

99

2.6

384

3,623

2,566

1,098

– 41

104

2.9

206

–3.0

– 4.0

–1.3

18.0

5.1

–

– 46.4

Ocean freight volumes exceeded the prior-year level by 
4.4 % to reach over three million TEU s in 2016, due primarily 
to growth on both the trade lanes between Asia and Europe 
as well as in intra-Asia volumes. Our ocean freight revenues 
fell by 10.2 % in the reporting year. However, gross profit 
increased by 9.7 %. Turnaround measures and transport cost 
controls are yielding positive results but are being partially 
offset by the continued weak market environment. In the 
fourth quarter, volumes were 8.4 % above and revenue 3.5 % 
below the prior-year figures.

The  performance  of  our  industrial  project  business 
(shown in the following table, reported as part of Other in 
the  Global  Forwarding  business  unit)  was  significantly 
weaker than in the previous year, due in part to the conclu-
sion of projects started in previous years and in part to low 
oil prices curbing customer demand for new projects, par-
ticularly in the Oil & Energy sector. Gross profit thus de-
clined by 24.0 % compared with the previous year.

Group Management Report — REPORt On ECOnOMIC POSItIOn — Business performance in the divisions

GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT DIVISION

Key figures GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT division 

€ m

Revenue

of which Global Forwarding

Freight

Consolidation / Other

Profit from operating activities (EBIT)

Return on sales (%) 1

Operating cash flow

1  EBIT / revenue.

Freight forwarding revenues remain under pressure 
on the whole

Impacted by negative currency effects, lower fuel surcharges 
and the generally low level of air and ocean freight rates, 
division revenue decreased by 7.7 % to €13,737 million in the 
reporting year (previous year: €14,890 million). Excluding 
negative currency effects of €330 million, revenue fell year-
on-year by 5.5 %. In the fourth quarter of 2016, revenue was 
down year-on-year by 3.0 % to €3,623 million – a decline of 
1.2 % excluding negative currency effects of €67 million.

In the Global Forwarding business unit, revenue in the 
reporting year fell significantly by 11.1 % to €9,626 million 
(previous year: €10,827 million). Excluding negative cur-
rency effects of €295 million, the decline was 8.4 %. Gross 
profit is defined as revenue from transport or other services 
less directly attributable costs. These include transport costs 
for air and ocean freight, road and rail transport, expenses 
for commissions, insurances, customs clearance and other 
revenue-related expenses. Gross profit declined by 0.6 % to 
€2,419 million (previous year: €2,434 million).

Revenue decline in air freight business continues, 
ocean freight records increasing volumes

Although air freight volumes for 2016 as a whole again de-
clined by 1.7 % compared with the previous year, they ex-
perienced an increase of 7.0 % in the fourth quarter, new 
business acquired in the first half of the year having had a 
positive effect on volumes. Air freight prices are under sub-
stantial pressure due to surplus capacities and low fuel costs, 
which reduced our air freight revenue by 12.0 % and gross 
profit by 5.9 % in the reporting year. In the fourth quarter, 
revenue declined by 4.2 %.

 
 
 
 
64

Global Forwarding: revenue 

€ m

Air freight

Ocean freight

Other

total

Global Forwarding: volumes 

thousands

Air freight

of which exports

Ocean freight

1  Twenty-foot equivalent units.

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

2015

4,990

3,685

2,152

10,827

tonnes

tonnes

TEU s 1

2015

3,712

2,109

2,930

2016

4,391

3,309

1,926

9,626

2016

3,648

2,081

3,059

+ / – %

–12.0

–10.2

–10.5

–11.1

Q 4 2015

Q 4 2016

1,247

882

544

2,673

1,195

851

520

2,566

  01 / 51

+ / – %

– 4.2

–3.5

– 4.4

– 4.0

  01 / 52

+ / – %

Q 4 2015

Q 4 2016

+ / – %

–1.7

–1.3

4.4

948

547

722

1,014

578

783

7.0

5.7

8.4

Slight revenue growth in European overland transport 
business

In  the  Freight  business  unit,  revenue  rose  by  0.8 %  to 
€4,274 million  in  2016  (previous  year:  €4,238 million), 
slowed by negative currency effects of €38 million. Trans-
port  volumes  increased  by  7.5 %,  driven  by  e-commerce 
business  in  Sweden  and  less-than-truckload  business  in 
Germany. Business restrictions with some members of the 
CIS region as well as uncertainties in the Middle East con-
tinue to impact our performance. Gross profit remained at 
the prior-year level at €1,101 million.

EBIT improves despite stagnating business performance

EBIT in the division improved significantly in the reporting 
year, rising from €–181 million to €287 million. In the pre-
vious year, EBIT was largely impacted by one-time effects 
related to NFE totalling €371 million. Gross profit margins 
in air and ocean freight continued to improve. Positive effects 
from our strategic initiatives contributed to the increase in 
earnings.  Return  on  sales  rose  to  2.1 %  (previous  year: 
–1.2 %). In the fourth quarter of 2016, EBIT increased by 5.1 % 
to €104 million and return on sales to 2.9 %.

Net  working  capital  declined  in  the  reporting  year 
thanks to a sustainable improvement in receivables man-
agement. Operating cash flow amounted to €248 million 
(previous year: €487 million).

 
 
 
 
 
65

  01 / 53

+ / – %

– 5.1

–13.9

3.7

12.1

11.1

17.0

–

–11.6

  01 / 54

25 %

24 %

13 %

12 %

10 %

7 %

5 %

4 %

52 %

32 %

16 %

Group Management Report — REPORt On ECOnOMIC POSItIOn — Business performance in the divisions

SUPPLY CHAIN DIVISION

Key figures SUPPLY CHAIN division 

€ m

Revenue

of which EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)

Americas

Asia Pacific

Consolidation / Other

Profit from operating activities (EBIT)

Return on sales (%) 1

Operating cash flow

1  EBIT / revenue.

2015

15,791

9,474

4,323

2,035

– 41

449

2.8

611

2016

13,957

7,336

4,454

2,200

–33

572

4.1

658

+ / – %

–11.6

–22.6

3.0

8.1

19.5

27.4

–

7.7

Q 4 2015

Q 4 2016

3,799

2,152

1,128

528

– 9

176

4.6

588

3,607

1,853

1,170

592

– 8

206

5.7

520

Revenue impacted by change in NHS recognition 
and  currency effects

SUPPLY CHAIN: revenue by sector and region, 2016 

total revenue: €13,957 million

Revenue in the division decreased by 11.6 % to €13,957 mil-
lion in the reporting year (previous year: €15,791 million). 
This decline was due mainly to the change in revenue rec-
ognition in connection with the UK National Health Service 
(NHS) in the fourth quarter of 2015 as a result of the revised 
terms of the contract. This reporting change reduced rev-
enue by €1,435 million in the year under review. Further-
more, negative currency effects decreased revenue in the 
reporting period by €707 million. Excluding these effects, 
revenue growth was 2.0 %. Compared with the previous year, 
the Consumer and Technology sectors achieved the highest 
revenue growth. Revenue for the fourth quarter declined by 
5.1 %, from €3,799 million to €3,607 million, impacted by 
the negative currency effects.

In the EMEA region, revenue increased in the Automo-
tive sector in the reporting year, driven by both higher vol-
umes and new business. By contrast, revenue in the Life 
Sciences & Healthcare sector declined, reflecting the change 
in NHS revenue reporting in the UK.

In the Americas region, we gained revenue from new 
business in the United States, driven predominantly by the 
Consumer sector.

The highest regional revenue growth was posted in the 
Asia Pacific region, from both new and additional business. 
In Australia, Life Sciences & Healthcare sector revenue im-
proved substantially. Revenue also increased in Japan, Hong 
Kong and Thailand, notably in the Retail and Technology 
sectors. Growth in Indonesia and Vietnam came primarily 
from the Consumer and Technology sectors.

of which Retail

Consumer

Automotive

Technology

Life Sciences & Healthcare

Others

Engineering & Manufacturing

Financial Services

of which Europe / Middle East /Africa / Consolidation

Americas

Asia Pacific

new business worth around €1,503 million secured

In 2016, the division concluded additional contracts worth 
around  €1,503 million  in  annualised  revenue  with  both 
new and existing customers. The Consumer, Retail, Life 
Sciences & Healthcare and Automotive sectors accounted 
for the majority of the gains. The annualised contract re-
newal rate remained at a consistently high level.

Strategic initiatives stimulate EBIT growth

EBIT in the division was €572 million in the reporting year 
(previous year: €449 million). The strong EBIT growth was 
due mainly to positive effects from our strategic initiatives. 
Return on sales rose to 4.1 % (previous year: 2.8 %). EBIT was 
€206 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 (previous year: 
€176 million).

Operating cash flow increased to €658 million in the 
reporting year (previous year: €611 million), due principally 
to a net improvement in EBIT adjusted for non-cash items 
and working capital levels.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
66

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

DEUTSCHE POST SHARES

Deutsche Post shares: seven-year overview 

Year-end closing price

High

Low

Number of shares as at 31 December

Market capitalisation as at 31 December

Average trading volume per day 1

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

€

€

€

millions

€ m

shares
%

%

€

€

€ m

%

€

%

  01 / 55

2016

31.24

31.35

19.73

1,240.9

38,760

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

2014

27.05

28.43

22.30

1,211.2

32,758

2015

25.96

31.08

23.15

1,212.8

31,483

5,329,779

4,898,924

4,052,323

4,114,460

4,019,689

4,351,223

3,497,213

–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

2.47

15.3

10.7

968

46.3

0.80

3.0

5.1

2.1

0.94

1.71

2.51

15.8

10.8

1,030

49.7

0.85

3.1

– 0.9

– 4.0

0.95

1.27

2.84

20.4

9.1

1,027 8

66.7 9

0.85

3.3

23.6

20.3

0.97

2.19

2.03

14.3

15.4

1,271 10

48.2

1.05 10

3.4

1  Volumes traded via the Xetra trading venue. 
4  Cash flow from operating activities. 
8  Reduction due to the share buyback. 

2  Three-year beta; Source: Bloomberg.  3  Based upon consolidated net profit after deduction of non-controlling interests 

 note 19. 

5  Year-end closing price / earnings per share. 
6  Year-end closing price / cash flow per share. 
9  Excluding one-off effects (NFE and strike-related effects, disposals and other one-off effects, some of which are based upon assumptions 

7  Adjusted to reflect the application of IAS 19 R. 

by management): 45.8 %. 

10  Proposal. 

Free float increased

The investment share of our largest investor – KfW Banken-
gruppe – is 20.5 % (previous year: 20.9 %) and the free float 
is 79.5 %. Based upon our share register’s figures, the share 
of outstanding stock held by private investors is 10.8 % (pre-
vious year: 11.3 %). In terms of the regional distribution of 
identified institutional investors, the highest percentage of 

shares (13.9 %) is held by US investors (previous year: 13.5 %), 
followed  by  the  United  Kingdom  with  a  share  of  12.6 % 
(previous year: 13.3 %). The share of institutional investors 
in Germany increased to 12.4 % (previous year: 11.7 %). Our 
25  largest  institutional  investors  held  a  total  of  41.3 %  of 
all issued shares (previous year: 38.2 %).

Shareholder structure 1 

  01 / 56

Shareholder structure by region 1 

  01 / 57

b2

a

b

b1

c

d

b

a

a  KfW Bankengruppe 
b  Free float 
b 1  Institutional investors 
b 2  Private investors 

1  As at 31 December 2016.

20.5 %
79.5 %
68.7 %
10.8 %

a  Germany 
b  Other 
c  USA 
d  UK 

1  As at 31 December 2016.

43.7 %
29.8 % 
13.9 %
12.6 % 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group Management Report — DEUtSCHE POSt SHARES — nOn-FInAnCIAl FIGURES — Employees

67

NON-FINANCIAL FIGURES

Employees

Human Resources contributes to company success

The primary goal of Human Resources at Deutsche Post DHL 
Group is to harness the potential of our employees and hire 
suitable candidates in all countries. In a nurturing work en-
vironment we offer our employees a competitive system of 
reward and recognition. It is in this way that we are able to 
boost their motivation and thus contribute to the company’s 
long-term success.

Staff levels were up in nearly all regions. We saw the 
largest percentage increase in our workforce in the Amer-
icas. However, we continue to employ most of our personnel 
in Germany.

The opportunity for part-time employment was taken 
by  18 %  of  all  employees  (previous  year:  18 %).  Over  the 
course of the year, 7.6 % of employees left the Group un-
planned (previous year: 7.0 %).

Our current planning foresees another slight increase 

in the number of employees in financial year 2017.

number of employees 

  01 / 59

2015

2016

+ / – %

Employee Opinion Survey

Our annual Group-wide Employee Opinion Survey com-
prises 41 questions categorised in ten key performance in-
dicators and one index. The results in all areas showed a 
positive trend for the year 2016, with scores at or above 
external benchmarks in nearly all instances. The response 
rate to this anonymous survey was 74 % in the reporting year, 
one percentage point higher than the prior year.

Full-time equivalents
At year-end 1

of which  Post - eCommerce - 

 Parcel

Express

 Global Forwarding, 
Freight

Supply Chain

Corporate Center / Other

Selected results from the Employee Opinion Survey 

%

Response rate

KPI Active Leadership

KPI Employee Engagement 

2015

2016

73

73

73

74

74

75

of which Germany

  01 / 58

 Europe 
( excluding  Germany)

Americas

Asia Pacific

Other regions

450,508

459,262

170,549

82,127

42,200

145,032

10,600

173,042

175,700

84,398

41,886

146,739

10,539

174,537

109,646

113,104

76,666

72,723

18,431

79,347

73,979

18,295

1.9

3.0

2.8

−0.7

1.2

−0.6

0.9

3.2

3.5

1.7

−0.7

0.9

2.1

1.1

1.8

−7.5

3.4

Average for the year 2

449,910

453,990

Headcount
At year-end 2

Average for the year

of which  hourly workers and 
salaried employees

Civil servants

Trainees

1  Excluding trainees. 
2  Including trainees.

497,745

492,865

508,036

498,459

451,882

459,990

35,669

5,314

32,976

5,493

Staff costs at prior-year level

At €19,592 million, staff costs were at the prior-year level 
 note 14 to the con-
(€19,640 million). Details can be found in 
solidated financial statements.

number of employees continues to rise slightly

As at 31 December 2016, we employed 459,262 full-time 
equivalents, 1.9 % more than in the previous year. The head-
count at the end of the year was 508,036.

In the Post - eCommerce - Parcel division, we hired new 
employees to support the continued strong growth in the 
parcel business primarily in Germany, Europe, Asia and the 
USA. In addition to organic growth, the acquisition of UK 
Mail in particular led to an increase in our workforce in 
Europe. The number of employees in the Express division 
increased compared with the previous year. This was neces-
sary mainly in operations, due to the increase in shipment 
volumes. In the Global Forwarding, Freight division, our 
workforce declined slightly in the Global Forwarding busi-
ness unit, primarily in Europe and Asia. The number of 
employees in the Supply Chain division increased due to 
new and additional business.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
68

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Adequately compensating performance

One key factor for us as an attractive employer is our per-
formance-related and market-based compensation which 
supports  the  company’s  long-term  requirements.  For 
 example,  in many countries we provide supplements for 
defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans 
and enable access to health insurance.

Using a job grading system, we ensure that our remu-
neration structures are fair and balanced. Position grades 
are based exclusively upon job category and responsibilities.

Age-based and secure working conditions

In response to the rising average age in Germany, the Gen-
erations Pact was concluded between Deutsche Post AG and 
the trade unions in 2011. The pact was again a success in the 
reporting year: 22,801 employees now have the required 
working-time accounts and 3,718 have entered partial re-
tirement.  Since  2016,  we  have  been  offering  comparable 
arrangements for civil servants, 2,923 of whom have estab-
lished a lifetime working account and 589 have entered par-
tial retirement. 

In addition, a collective agreement for modifying the 
retirement plan was reached at Deutsche Post AG during the 
reporting year: we are introducing pension fund compo-
nents for around 130,000 employees subject to collective 
agreements, which in future will offer the option of receiv-
ing an annuity or a lump-sum payment.

targeted employee development

We are developing our employees into certified specialists 
through our Group initiative “Certified”. The modular pro-
gramme ranges from basic Group and industry knowledge 
to specific skills associated with a division and function. By 
2020, we aim to have certified around 80 % of our workforce.

Our  cross-divisional  Certified  Logistics  Leader  Pro-
gramme is specially designed for managers. It promotes the 
exchange  of  dialogue  about  the  future  challenges  of  the 
company as well as the role the managers play in shaping 
the future.

Deutsche Post DHL Group offers young people in Ger-
many  training  opportunities  in  over  15  state-accredited 
 apprenticeship schemes as well as twelve dual-study pro-
grammes. In 2016, we offered 2,458 apprenticeships and 
study opportunities; in 2017, we shall increase this offer 
to 2,472.

living diversity

People from various cultures, with different points of view 
and skills, work together at all levels of our Group. This 
 diversity makes us attractive for customers and employees 
and  bolsters  our  innovative  strength.  As  set  out  in  our 
Code of Conduct, we place value on inclusion and equal 
opportunity.

In the reporting year, we enhanced our diversity KPI 
monitoring system and illustrated the contribution diversity 
makes to our company’s success by means of individual ex-
amples. The Diversity Council met regularly and, amongst 
other things, discussed measures that are suitable for in-
creasing the number of women in executive positions.

As at 31 December 2016, the proportion of women in 
management worldwide was 21.1 % (previous year: 20.7 %), 
a  figure  we  intend  to  raise  continuously.  Divisional  pro-
grammes,  the  annual  process  to  identify  high-potential 
individuals,  women’s  networks  as  well  as  options  for  im-
proving work- family balance, will contribute to this.

Group Management Report — nOn-FInAnCIAl FIGURES — Employees — Health and safety — Corporate responsibility

69

Health and safety

Bolstering health

Our business success depends largely on the potential of our 
employees to perform to the best of their abilities. Therefore, 
we  want  to  strengthen  their  physical,  mental  and  social 
well-being, above all through prevention.

The Group-wide employee benefits programme offers 
supplements to state health insurance in many countries. 
In  some  cases  it  even  enables  initial  access  to  affordable 
 healthcare.

The worldwide illness rate was 5.1 % in the reporting year 

(previous year: 5.1 %).

Ensuring occupational safety

In order to create a culture in the workplace where safety 
always comes first, we implemented a series of preventive 
measures in the reporting year. Executives received training, 
employees were instructed in occupational safety, and over-
all awareness was raised regarding safety risks and hazard 
potential.

The OHSAS 18001 standard is our Group-wide guideline 
for the implementation of occupational health and safety 
conditions in the workplace, and we are continuously in-
creasing the number of certified locations.

  01 / 60

2016

4.0

14.8

4

2

2015

4.0

15.6

6

1

Workplace accidents 

Accident rate (number of accidents per 200,000 
hours worked) 1

Working days lost per accident 1

Number of fatalities due to workplace accidents

of which as a result of traffic accidents

1  Coverage: around 96 %.

Corporate responsibility

Responsibility as a guiding principle

As part of our corporate strategy, we have made it our goal 
to be a benchmark company for responsible business. We 
have codified responsibility in our Code of Conduct, which 
is guided by both the principles of the Universal Declaration 
of Human Rights and the United Nations Global Compact 
and adheres to recognised legal standards. We also support 
the United Nation’s sustainable development goals. The main 

focus areas of our sustainability management are  described 
in our 

 Corporate Responsibility Report, dpdhl.com/cr-report2016.
Responsible  business  practices  ensure  our  business 
 operates in compliance with applicable laws, ethical stand-
ards and international guidelines. We co-ordinate the main 
aspects and issues via our Group-wide Responsible Busi-
ness Practice network. Through on-going dialogue with our 
stakeholders, we ensure that their expectations as regards 
social and environmental issues are accounted for appropri-
ately and that our business is aligned systematically with 
their interests. In the reporting year, we established a guide-
line and process for dealing with critical issues and handling 
relevant inquiries.

We use our expertise as a mail and logistics services 
group for the benefit of society and the environment, and 
we motivate our employees to engage in volunteer work. We 
provide logistical support in the wake of natural disasters, 
are committed to the educational and professional develop-
ment of socially disadvantaged young people and support 
local environmental protection and aid projects. In 2016, we 
continued our initiative to integrate refugees in Germany 
by providing assistance with language and job skills.

Measures  to  increase  carbon  efficiency  and  environ-
mentally friendly GoGreen services help us to fulfil our re-
sponsibility towards the environment and society, and to 
create added value for our customers whilst strengthening 
our market position. During the reporting year, our efforts 
focused on efficiency measures for our vehicle fleet, small- 
series production of our StreetScooter electric vehicle and 
the introduction of a new model with twice the loading 
 capacity and a wider range than existing vehicles.

Climate protection target achieved

We have anchored climate protection throughout the entire 
Group with the help of our GoGreen environmental protec-
tion programme. Our GoGreen products and services also 
help customers achieve their own environmental targets, 
whilst concurrently opening up new business opportunities 
for the company.

In order to measure and manage our carbon efficiency, 
 page 34. 
we make use of a carbon efficiency index (CEX), 
In 2016, our direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) green-
house gas emissions amounted to 6.05 million tonnes of 
CO2e (previous year: 6.05 million tonnes of CO2e). The in-
direct greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 3) of our transport 
subcontractors amounted to 20.87 million tonnes of CO2e 
(previous year, adjusted: 20.97 million tonnes of CO2e).

 
 
70

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

In the reporting year, we adjusted the weighting of the 
carbon efficiencies of the divisions, which are included in 
the CEX calculation. As previously, the weighting is calcu-
lated using absolute CO2 emissions; but now they are ad-
justed for efficiency gains. The figures from the base year 
2007 until 2015 have been uniformly adjusted accordingly. 
For this period, the cumulative effect was four index points 
and the CEX for 2015 is therefore 29 index points. In 2016, 

we achieved our goal of increasing the CEX by one index 
point.

Thus we achieved our Group-wide target of improving 
our carbon efficiency by 30 % compared with 2007 by the 
year 2020. On this basis we have set ourselves new targets, 
which we present in detail, along with other information, 
in our 

 Corporate  Responsibility Report, dpdhl.com/cr-report2016.

CO2e emissions, 2016 
total: 26.92 million tonnes 1

  01 / 61

11 %

Ocean transport

65 %

Air transport

21 %

Ground transport

3 %
Buildings

1  Scopes 1 to 3.

Fuel and energy consumption in own fleet and buildings 

  01 / 62

Consumption by fleet

Air transport (jet fuel) 

2015 

2016

million 
kilograms

1,312.8

1,332.5

Road transport (petrol, bio-
diesel, diesel, bio-ethanol, LPG) million litres

Road transport (biogas, CNG) 

Energy for buildings and facilities 
(including electric vehicles) 

million 
kilograms

million 
kilowatt 
hours

449.1

447.2

4.9

4.5

3,113

3,489

 
 
 
 
Group Management Report — nOn-FInAnCIAl FIGURES —  Corporate responsibility — Customers and quality

Customers and quality

Facts and figures, customers and quality 

71

  01 / 63

94 % D + 1
Letters delivered within Germany the day after posting.

APPROXIMATELY 290
locations certified by the Transported Asset Protection Association  
(TAPA).

Open 53 hours 
Average weekly opening time 
of around 27,000 sales points 
in Germany.

MAIL AND  
 PARCEL BUSINESS

DHL  BUSINESS 
UNITS

net Promoter Approach
Continuously turning criticism 
into improvements.

93.8 % SATISFIED CUSTOMERS
According to independent market study Kundenmonitor Deutschland.

MYDHL PORTAL
Allowing business customers to easily send express items.

tÜV-certified
Certified external system for 
measuring mail transit times 
(end-to-end) and internal 
system for measuring parcel 
transit times.

OVER 2,000 ELECTRIC 
VEHICLES
put into operation in 2016.

Insanely Customer 
Centric Culture  
Keeping a constant eye 
on customer requirements.

CUSTOMER IMPROVE-
MENT PROJECTS
Around 100 improvement initiatives 
successfully implemented in 2016.

Sending mail and parcels quickly and reliably

Our customers rate the quality of our services based upon 
whether posted items reach their destinations quickly, reli-
ably and undamaged. According to surveys conducted by 
Quotas, a quality research institute, 94 % of the domestic 
letters posted in Germany during our daily opening hours 
or before final collection are delivered to their recipients the 
next day. Around 99 % reach their recipients within two days. 
This puts us well above the legal requirements of 80 % (D+1) 
and 95 % (D+2). The Quotas measuring system is audited 
and certified each year by TÜV Rheinland for compliance 
with EN 13850 requirements. Transit times for international 
letters  are  determined  by  the  International  Post  Corpor-
ation. Here, we rank amongst the top postal companies.

In the parcel business, 86 % of items reach their recipi-
ents the next working day. This is based upon parcels that 
were collected from business customers and that were de-
livered  the  next  day.  Our  internal  system  for  measuring 
parcel transit times has been certified by TÜV Rheinland 
since 2008.

In our mail business, we have, to date, achieved a high 
level of automation that exceeds 90 %. In our parcel network, 
we have increased our sorting capacity by 50 % since the 
launch of our Parcel Production Concept in 2012 by in-

creasing productivity in our existing facilities and expand-
ing our infrastructure nationwide. With 34 parcel centres 
now in operation, our sorting capacity is over one million 
parcels per hour. More than 70 mechanised delivery bases 
support our operations.

The average weekly opening time of our around 27,000 
sales  points  was,  as  in  the  previous  year,  53  hours.  The 
 annual survey conducted by Kundenmonitor Deutschland, 
the largest consumer study in Germany, showed a high ac-
ceptance of our exclusively partner-operated retail outlets: 
93.8 % of customers were satisfied with our quality and ser-
vice (previous year: 91.5 %). In addition, impartial mystery 
shoppers from TNS Infratest tested the postal outlets in re-
tail stores around 31,000 times over the year. The result 
showed that 93.7 % of customers were served within three 
minutes (previous year: 93.4 %).

Another  central  characteristic  of  the  quality  of  our 
products is environmental protection, which we describe 
in our 
 Corporate Responsibility Report, dpdhl.com/cr-report2016. In the 
area of electric  mobility, which is strategically important to 
us, we put over 2,000 vehicles into operation in the report-
ing year and began to transfer our delivery operations in 
Bochum, Cologne, Stuttgart and Hamburg completely to 
these vehicles.

 
72

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Service quality and the insanely customer centric culture 
in express business

Customer feedback systematically improves forwarding 
business

In the Global Forwarding business unit, we use customer 
feedback to systematically improve our offering. The on- 
going customer response that we collect via the Net Pro-
moter Approach has again generated specific feedback. In 
2016, we expanded the contents of the survey and imple-
mented it in over 50 countries.

We have more than 200 initiatives to improve the ser-
vice we provide. In the reporting year, around 100 of these 
Customer  Improvement  Projects  visibly  improved  our 
punctuality,  reporting  and  invoicing.  Various  measures 
were implemented to ensure that our operating perform-
ance in the Global Forwarding business unit is reviewed and 
improved continuously. For example, we have already intro-
duced routine performance dialogues for more than 80 % of 
our  core  team.  These  dialogues  help  us  detect  problems 
early and resolve them using structured problem- solving 
techniques.

In light of our goal of delivering the best customer ex-
perience in the industry, the Freight business unit has tested 
a new website, with a special focus on accessibility for cus-
tomers  and  partners  via  mobile  devices.  We  further  en-
hanced  our  product  portfolio,  especially  in  the  area  of 
multi modal solutions.

Quality leader in contract logistics

We aim to be the quality leader in contract logistics. By ap-
plying standardised operations and solutions supported by 
champions in all our sites, we ensure that we meet and ex-
ceed customers’ quality expectations.

In the reporting year we replaced our annual telephone 
surveys regarding customer satisfaction with shorter, more 
frequent online surveys.

As part of our operations excellence programme, we 
have defined uniform operating standards and introduced 
a Service Quality KPI that routinely measures whether our 
locations are meeting service level commitments.

As a global network operator that applies standardised pro-
cesses, we are consistently optimising our service to keep 
customer commitments, respond specifically to their wishes 
and always deliver the best possible quality. Therefore, we 
keep a constant eye on the changing requirements of our 
customers, for example, through our Insanely Customer 
Centric Culture (ICCC) programme and as part of the Net 
Promoter Approach. Our managers talk to dissatisfied cus-
tomers personally in order to find out the root causes of 
their dissatisfaction. Customer criticism thereby translates 
continuously into improvements.

Via the MyDHL portal and the Small Business Solution 
section on our website, small and medium-sized business 
customers in particular can ship their goods with ease and 
obtain comprehensive information about shipping.

In Europe, we can provide our global customers with a 
central point of contact with our European Key Account 
Support. Upon request, shipment information can even be 
updated directly in the customers’ systems.

We  use  quality  control  centres  to  track  shipments 
worldwide and adjust our processes dynamically as required. 
All our premium products are tracked by default – for ex-
ample, Medical Express shipments – until they are delivered.
As of the reporting year, more customers can track their 
shipments as well as choose the delivery time and location 
on mobile devices. The On Demand Delivery Service in-
creases the first delivery success rate. The new Service Point 
Locator virtually directs shippers to the closest service point 
and provides information regarding its services; when used 
within the app, track and trace functionality is also available.
Our operational safety, compliance with standards and 
the quality of service at our facilities are reviewed regularly 
in  co-operation  with  government  authorities.  Approxi-
mately 290 locations – over 100 of which are in Europe – 
have been certified by the Transported Asset Protection 
Association  (TAPA),  one  of  the  world’s  most  renowned 
safety associations, making us the leader in this field. Our 
sites have had global ISO 9001:2008 certification since 2013, 
which was renewed in 2016, thus validating our policy of 
harmonising quality standards. In addition, in specific re-
gions and countries we were certified or re-certified in the 
areas of environmental protection and energy management, 
 Corporate Responsibility Report, dpdhl.com/ 
which we describe in our 
cr-report2016.

Group Management Report — nOn-FInAnCIAl FIGURES — Customers and quality — Brands

Brands

Brand architecture 

Group

73

  01 / 64

Divisions

Post - eCommerce - Parcel

Express

Global  Forwarding, Freight

Supply Chain

Brands

Strong brands as a factor for success

In 2016, independent research institutions again testified to 
the  high  reputation  enjoyed  by  the  Deutsche  Post  DHL 
Group brands. 

The DHL brand was valued at US$5.7 billion by the con-
sulting company Interbrand (previous year: US$5.4 billion). 
This moves DHL up three places to 77th on the Interbrand 
list of Best Global Brands. The study looks at financial fig-
ures as well as market and consumer research data. Market 
research institute Millward Brown uses a similar system to 
rank the world’s most valuable brands each year. The DHL 
brand was ranked 73rd (previous year: 66th place) in its list 
of the Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands with a brand 

value  of  US$13.2 billion  (previous  year:  US$16.3 billion). 
Millward Brown’s current ranking is based on the 2015 fig-
ures and a weaker dollar rate than in the previous year, and 
is comparable with the ranking from 2014 (US$13.7 billion, 
73rd place). A representative survey commissioned by the 
Group and covering twelve countries on four continents 
indicates an increase in DHL brand recognition amongst 
decision makers to 95 % (previous year: 94 %).

Consulting company Brand Finance valued our domes-
tic Deutsche Post brand at €2.9 billion in the reporting year 
(previous year: €2.7 billion). This puts the Deutsche Post 
brand in 29th place in the German Top 50 (previous year: 
28th place). Interbrand did not rank any German brands in 

Value of Group brands in 2016 

  01 / 65

DHL IS AMONGST THE TOP 100 
MOST VALUABLE GLOBAL BRANDS 1

BRAND VALUE  INCREASED AGAIN 2

73

– 7

US$5.7  
BILLION
(2016) 

US$5.4  
BILLION
(2015) 

VALUE OF DEUTSCHE POST BRAND 
IS INCREASING 3

2016 “GERMAN TOP 50” 3

€2.9 
BILLION 
(2016)

€2.7 
BILLION
(2015)

29

– 1

1  Source: Millward Brown, 2016.
2  Source: Interbrand, 2016.
3  Source: Brand Finance, 2016.

 
 
74

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

the year under review. In 2015, Deutsche Post was ranked 
30th  amongst  the  most  valuable  German  brands  with  a 
brand value of €979 million.

OPPORTUNITIES 
AND RISKS

Advertising and partnerships boost the DHL brand

Trade and logistics can improve people’s lives. This is the 
guiding theme under which DHL has continued the brand 
campaign begun in the previous year. Print and online ad-
vertising, TV commercials and social media activities serve 
to emotionalise the brand experience both worldwide and 
in key domestic markets.

DHL also acts as a partner in high-profile events with 
the objective of improving the reputation and awareness of 
its brand. During the reporting year, logistics partnerships, 
some of them long-standing, were continued such as For-
mula 1®, Formula E and the MotoGP™ world motorcycle 
racing  series.  We  also  continued  our  proven  global  DHL 
logistics  partnerships  with  FC  Bayern  Munich,  Fashion 
Week  events,  Cirque  du  Soleil  and  Gewandhausorchester 
Leipzig.

Marketing expenditures, 2016 

Volume: around €385 million

Product development and communication

Other

Public & customer relations

Corporate wear

  01 / 66

57.1 %

23.0 %

14.1 %

5.8 %

Overall Board of Management 
 assessment of the opportunity 
and risk situation

Identifying and swiftly capitalising upon opportunities and 
counteracting risks are important objectives for our Group. 
We already account for the anticipated impact of potential 
events and developments in our business plan. Opportun-
ities and risks are defined as potential deviations from pro-
jected earnings. In consideration of our current business 
plan, the Group’s overall opportunity and risk situation has 
not changed significantly compared with last year’s risk re-
port. No new risks have been identified that could have a 
potentially critical impact upon the Group’s result. Based 
upon the Group’s early warning system and in the estima-
tion 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, as found on 

 page 55.

Opportunity and risk management

Sports sponsorships put the Deutsche Post brand 
in the  public eye 

Uniform reporting standards for opportunity 
and risk  management

Deutsche Post sponsors popular national sporting events to 
increase the emotional charge of its brand. The strategic 
partnership with the Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB – Ger-
man  football  federation)  remained  the  focus  of  its  sport 
sponsoring activities in the reporting year. Deutsche Post 
was involved with the German national football team and 
the DFB tournament as well as amateur football leagues and 
the  FUSSBALL.DE  platform.  We  have  also  continued  our 
partnership with the Deutsche Tourenwagen-Masters (DTM – 
German Touring Car Masters) racing series.

As an internationally operating logistics company, we are 
facing numerous changes. Our aim is to identify the result-
ing 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 man-
agerial levels are involved in the process. Opportunities and 
risks can also be reported at any time on an ad hoc basis.

 
 
 
Group Management Report — nOn-FInAnCIAl FIGURES — Brands — OPPORtUnItIES AnD RISKS — Overall Board of Management  assessment  
of the opportunity and risk situation  — Opportunity and risk management

75

The most important steps in our opportunity and risk man-
agement process are:
1  

Identify and assess: Managers in all divisions and regions 
evaluate the opportunity and risk situation on a quar-
terly basis and document the action taken. They use 
scenarios to assess best, expected and worst cases. Each 
identified risk is assigned to one or more managers who 
assess and monitor the risk, specify possible procedures 
for going forwards and then file a report. The same ap-
plies  to  opportunities.  The  results  are  compiled  in  a 
database.

2   Aggregate and report: The controlling units 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 Group Board of Management on signifi-
cant 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 combine the respective 
 scenarios. The totals for “worst case” and “best case” in-
dicate 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 opportu-
nity and risk reports to the Board of Management. 
3   Overall strategy: The Group Board of Management de-
cides on the methodology that will be used to analyse 
and report on opportunities and risks. The reports cre-
ated by Corporate Controlling provide an additional, 
regular source of information to the Board of Manage-
ment for the overall steering of the Group.

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

The simulation is a stochastic model that takes the prob-
ability of occurrence of the underlying risks and opportun-
ities into consideration and is based upon the law of large 
numbers. One million randomly selected scenarios – one 
for each opportunity and risk – are combined on the basis 
of the distribution function of each individual opportunity 
and risk. The resulting totals are shown in a graph of fre-
quency of occurrence. The following graph shows an ex-
ample of such a simulation:

Monte Carlo simulation 

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

Bandwidth with 95 % probability

  01 / 67

– 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”) 

Opportunity and risk management process 

Internal
auditors
review
processes

  01 / 68

2  Aggregate and report
Review

Supplement and change

Aggregate

Report

3  Overall strategy /  
risk management /  
compliance
Determine

Manage

4  Operating measures
Plan

Implement

  Opportunity and risk-controlling processes 

  Board of Management   

1  Identify and assess
Assess

Define measures

Analyse

Identify

5  Control
Review results

Review  
measures

Monitor early  
warning indicators

  Divisions 
  Internal auditors

 
 
 
 
 
 
76

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

4   Operating  measures: The measures to be used to take 
advantage of opportunities and manage risks are deter-
mined 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 con-
stantly 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 oper-
ation. 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),  no. 5  of  the 
Handelsgesetzbuch (HGB – German Commercial Code) and 
explanatory report)
Deutsche Post DHL Group uses an internal control system 
(ICS) to ensure that Group accounting adheres to generally 
accepted accounting principles. The 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 must 
be entered and processed accurately and completely. Ac-
counting mistakes are to be avoided in principle and signif-
icant assessment errors uncovered promptly.

The ICS design comprises organisational and technical 
measures that extend to all companies in the Group. Cen-
trally standardised accounting guidelines govern the recon-
ciliation of the single-entity financial statements and ensure 
that international 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 
inter national accounting for relevance and announce their 

implementation in a timely manner, in monthly newsletters, 
for example. Often, accounting processes are pooled in a 
shared service 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 ICS components include 
automatic plausibility reviews and system validations of the 
accounting data. In addition, regular, manual checks are 
carried out decentrally by those responsible at the local level 
(a  chief  financial  officer,  for  example),  and  centrally  by 
 Corporate Accounting & Controlling, Taxes and Corporate 
 Finance at the Corporate Center.

Over and above ICS and risk management, Corporate 
Internal Audit is an essential component of the Group’s con-
trol and monitoring system. Using risk-based auditing pro-
cedures, Corporate Internal Audit regularly examines the 
processes related to financial reporting and reports its re-
sults to the Board of Management. The data reported are 
checked and analysed chronologically, both upstream and 
downstream. If necessary, we call in outside experts. Finally, 
the  Group’s  standardised  process  for  preparing  financial 
statements using a centrally administered financial state-
ments  calendar  guarantees  a  structured  and  efficient  ac-
counting process.

Reporting and assessing opportunities and risks

In the following, we have reported mainly on those risks and 
opportunities which, from the current standpoint, could 
have a significant impact upon the Group during the fore-
cast period beyond the impact already accounted for in the 
business  plan. The  risks  and  opportunities  have  been  as-
sessed in terms of their probability of occurrence and their 
impact. The assessment is used to classify the opportunities 
and risks into those of low, medium or high relevance. We 
characterise opportunities and risks of high or medium 
 relevance as significant, shown as black or grey in table 
01 / 69. The following assessment scale is used:

Group Management Report — OPPORtUnItIES AnD RISKS — Opportunity and risk management — Categories of opportunities and risks

Classification of risks and opportunities 

Probability of occurrence (%)

Risks

Planned Group EBIT

Opportunities

77

  01 / 69

> 50

> 15 
to  
≤ 50

≤ 15

< – 500

– 500 to – 151

– 150 to 0

0 to 150

151 to 500

> 500

Effects (€ m)

Significance for the Group: 

  Low 

  Medium 

  High

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

Opportunities and risks are identified and assessed de-
centrally at Deutsche Post DHL Group. Reporting on pos-
sible deviations from projections, including latent oppor-
tunities  and  risks,  occurs  primarily  at  the  country  or 
regional level. In view of the degree of detail provided in the 
internal reports, we have combined the decentrally reported 
opportunities and risks into the categories shown below for 
the purposes of this report. It should be noted that the un-
derlying individual reports – with the exception of oppor-
tunities and risks associated with the world economy and 
global economic output – usually exhibit a zero to minimal 
correlation. Beyond these it is unlikely that several major 
opportunities  or  risks  would  occur  systematically  at  the 
same time in a single category or across categories.

Unless otherwise specified, a low relevance is attached 
to individual opportunities and risks within the respective 
categories  and  in  the  forecast  period  under  observation 
(2017). The opportunities and risks generally apply for all 
divisions, unless indicated otherwise.

Categories of opportunities and risks

Opportunities and risks arising from political, regulatory 
or legal conditions

A  number  of  risks  arise  primarily  from  the  fact  that  the 
Group provides some of its services in a regulated market. 
Many of the postal services rendered by Deutsche Post AG 
and its subsidiaries (particularly the Post - eCommerce - 
Parcel division) are subject to sector-specific regulation by 
the Bundesnetzagentur (German federal network agency), 
 Glossary, page 181, pursuant to the Postgesetz (PostG – Ger-
man Postal Act), 
 Glossary, page 181. The Bundesnetzagentur 
approves or reviews prices, formulates the terms of down-
stream access and has special supervisory powers to combat 
market abuse.

In a judgement dated 14 July 2016, the General Court 
of the European Union (EGC) set aside the European Com-
mission’s state aid decision dated 25 January 2012 in an ac-
tion brought by the Federal Republic of Germany. In its 
state aid decision, the European Commission had argued 
that the financing of civil servant pensions in part consti-
tuted unlawful state aid that had to be repaid to the federal 
 2015 
government. We have described this in detail in the 
Annual Report in notes 49 and 51 to the consolidated financial statements, 

dpdhl.com/en/investors. In their actions, Deutsche Post AG and 
the federal government asserted that the state aid decision 

 
 
 
78

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

was unlawful. The EGC has now followed this argument in 
the action brought by the federal government. The action 
brought  by  Deutsche  Post AG  is  still  pending.  Since  the 
 European Commission did not file an appeal against the 
EGC’s judgement dated 14 July 2016, that decision is now 
legally  binding.  The  state  aid  decision  of  the  European 
 Commission is therefore null and void with final effect and 
there are no longer any grounds for the obligation to repay 
the alleged state aid under the state aid decision. The amount 
of  €378 million  deposited  in  a  trustee  account  has  been 
 released.

We  describe  other  significant  legal  proceedings  in 
 note 48. However, we do not see these proceedings posing 
a risk of significant deviation from plan for the forecast 
 period 2017.

Macroeconomic and industry-specific opportunities and risks

Macroeconomic  and  sector-specific  conditions  are  a  key 
factor in determining the success of our business. For this 
reason, we pay close attention to economic trends in the 
regions. For example, possible changes in US economic pol-
icy and the UK’s anticipated petition to leave the EU could 
have an influence that is currently not foreseeable. Despite 
the volatile economic climate, demand for logistics services 
rose in 2016, as did the related revenues.

A variety of external factors offer us numerous oppor-
tunities; indeed we believe that the global market will con-
tinue to grow. Advancing globalisation and further world 
economic growth mean that the logistics industry will con-
tinue to expand. This is especially true of Asia, where trade 
flows to other regions and in particular within the continent 
will continue to increase. As the market leader, the expan-
sion  will  benefit  us  with  our DHL  divisions  to  an  above- 
average extent. This also applies to other countries in re-
gions with strong economic growth such as South America 
and the Middle East, where we are similarly well positioned 
to take advantage of the market opportunities arising.

Whether and to what extent the logistics market will 

grow depends on a number of factors.

The trend towards outsourcing business processes con-
tinues. Supply chains are becoming more complex and more 
international, but are also more prone to disruption. Cus-
tomers are therefore calling for 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 trans-
 Glossary, 
porting documents and goods. The B2C market, 
page  181,  is  experiencing  double-digit  growth,  particularly 
due to the rapid rise in digital retail trade. This has created 
high growth potential for the domestic and international 
parcel business, which we intend to tap into by expanding 
our parcel network.

We are nonetheless unable to rule out the possibility of 
an economic downturn in specific regions or a stagnation 
or decrease in transport quantities. However, this would not 
reduce demand in all business units. Indeed, the opposite 
effect could arise in the parcel business, for example, as a 
result  of  more  frequent  online  purchasing  amongst  con-
sumers. Companies might also be forced to outsource trans-
port services in order to lower costs. Cyclical risks can affect 
our divisions differently with respect to magnitude as well 
as point in time, which may mitigate the total effect. There-
fore, we consider these to be medium-level risks. Moreover, 
we have taken measures in recent years to make costs more 
flexible and to allow us to respond quickly to a change in 
market demand.

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 fac-
tors for success are quality, customer confidence and com-
petitive prices. Thanks to the high quality we offer, along 
with the cost savings we have generated in recent years, we 
believe that we shall be able to remain competitive and keep 
any negative effects at a low level.

Group Management Report — OPPORtUnItIES AnD RISKS — Categories of opportunities and risks

79

Financial opportunities and risks

As a global operator, we are inevitably exposed to financial 
opportunities and risks. These are mainly opportunities or 
risks arising from fluctuating exchange rates, interest rates 
and commodity prices and the Group’s capital requirements. 
We attempt to reduce the volatility of our financial perform-
ance due to financial risk by implementing both operational 
and financial measures.

Opportunities and risks with respect to currencies may 
result  from  scheduled  foreign  currency  transactions  or 
those budgeted for the future. Significant currency risks 
from budgeted transactions are quantified as a net position 
over a rolling 24-month period. Highly correlated curren-
cies are consolidated in blocks. Some of the identified risks 
are hedged using derivatives. The most important net sur-
pluses are budgeted at the Group level in the “US dollar 
block”, pound sterling, Japanese yen and Indian rupee. The 
Czech crown is the only currency with a considerable net 
deficit. By offsetting the net deficit in US dollars with sur-
pluses in other highly correlated currencies, the net risk in 
the “US dollar block” at the Group level is reduced and thus 
only managed selectively. The average hedging level of all 
main currencies for the year 2017 was approximately 52 % 
as at the reporting date. 

A potential general devaluation of the euro presents an 
opportunity for the Group’s earnings position. Based upon 
current macroeconomic estimates, we consider this oppor-
tunity to be of low relevance. The main risk to the Group’s 
earnings position would be a general appreciation of the 
euro. The significance of this is deemed low when consid-
ering the individual risks arising from the performance of 
the respective currencies.

The overall risk of all these currency effects is currently 
deemed to be of low relevance for the Group. This means a 
downgrade compared with the previous year. In the 2015 
Annual Report, the risk for 2016 was considered to be of 
medium relevance.

As a logistics group, our biggest commodity price risks 
result from changes in fuel prices (kerosene, diesel and mar-
ine diesel). In the DHL divisions, most of these risks are 
passed on to customers via operating measures (fuel sur-
charges). We have entered into noteworthy hedging trans-
actions for the purchase of diesel in the Post - eCommerce - 
Parcel division.

The  key  control  parameters  for  liquidity  manage-
ment  are  the  centrally  available  liquidity  reserves. 
Deutsche Post DHL Group had central liquidity reserves of 
€3.9 billion as at the reporting date, consisting of central 
financial investments amounting to €1.9 billion plus a syn-
dicated  credit  line  of  €2 billion.  The  Group’s  liquidity  is 
therefore sound in the short and medium term. Moreover, 
the Group enjoys open access to the capital markets on ac-
count of its good ratings within the industry, and is well 
positioned to secure long-term capital requirements.

The Group’s net debt amounted to €2.3 billion at the end 
of 2016. The share of financial liabilities with short-term 
interest rate lock-ins in the total financial liabilities in the 
amount of €6.0 billion was approximately 24 %.

Further information on the Group’s financial position 
and finance strategy as well as on the management of finan-
cial risks can be found in the report on the economic posi-
tion and in 

 note 45.

Opportunities and risks arising from corporate strategy

Over the past few years, the Group has ensured that its busi-
ness activities are well positioned in the world’s fastest-grow-
ing regions and markets. We are also constantly working to 
create 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 upon our core competencies in 
the mail and logistics businesses with an eye towards grow-
ing organically and simplifying our processes for the bene-
fit of our customers. Digitalisation plays a key role in this. 
Our digital transformation involves the integration of new 
technologies into a corporate culture that uses the changing 
environment to its advantage. Opportunities arise, for ex-

80

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

ample, from new infrastructure networking possibilities as 
well as digital business models. Our earnings projections 
regularly take account of development opportunities arising 
from our strategic orientation.

Risks arising from the current corporate strategy, which 
extends over a long-term period, are considered to be of low 
relevance for the Group in the period under review. The 
divisions face the following special situations:

In the Post - eCommerce - Parcel division, we are re-
sponding  to  the  challenges  presented  by  the  structural 
change from a physical to a digital business. We are coun-
teracting the risk arising from changing demand by expand-
ing 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 possible, 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 significant poten-
tial to impact our business negatively.

In  the  Express  division,  our  future  success  depends 
above all upon general factors such as trends in the com-
petitive  environment,  costs  and  quantities  transported. 
 After having spent recent years successfully restructuring 
and further developing our business, we are focusing upon 
fostering growth in our international business. We expect a 
further increase in shipment volumes. Based upon this as-
sumption, 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 signifi-
cant strategic opportunities or risks for the Express division 
beyond those reported in the section on “Opportunities and 
risks  arising  from  macroeconomic  and  industry-specific 
conditions”.

In the Global Forwarding, Freight division, we purchase 
transport services from airlines, shipping companies and 
freight carriers rather than providing them ourselves. In the 
best-case scenario, we succeed in sourcing transport ser-
vices on a cost-effective basis. We thus have the opportunity 
of generating higher margins. In the worst-case scenario, we 
bear the risk of not being able to pass on all price increases 
to our customers. The extent of the opportunities and risks 
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 broker-
ing transport services helps us to capitalise on opportunities 
and minimise risk.

In the Supply Chain division, we provide customers in 
a variety of industries with solutions along the entire logis-
tics chain. Our success is highly dependent on our custom-
ers’ business success. Since we offer customers a widely di-
versified 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 
opportunities or risks for the Supply Chain division beyond 
those reported in the section entitled “Opportunities and 
risks  arising  from  macroeconomic  and  industry-specific 
conditions”.

Opportunities and risks arising from internal processes

For us to render our services, a number of internal processes 
must be aligned. These include – in addition to the funda-
mental operating processes – supporting functions such as 
sales and purchasing as well as the corresponding manage-
ment processes. The extent to which we succeed in aligning 
our internal processes to meet customer needs whilst simul-
taneously lowering costs correlates with potential positive 
deviations  from  the  current  projections.  We  are  steadily 
improving  internal  processes  with  the  help  of  our  First 
Choice  initiatives.  This  improves  customer  satisfaction 
whilst reducing our costs. Our earnings projection already 
incorporates expected cost savings.

Group Management Report — OPPORtUnItIES AnD RISKS — Categories of opportunities and risks

81

Logistics services are generally provided in bulk and 
require  a  complex  operational  infrastructure  with  high 
quality standards. To consistently guarantee reliability and 
punctual delivery, processes must be organised so as to pro-
ceed  smoothly  with  no  technical  or  personnel-related 
glitches. Any weaknesses with regard to the tendering, sort-
ing, transport, warehousing or delivery of shipments could 
seriously compromise our competitive position. To enable 
us to identify possible disruptions in our workflows and 
take the necessary measures at an early stage, we have de-
veloped a global IT platform that depicts and integrates our 
global supply chains and locations. Near real-time informa-
tion on incidents relevant to security flows into the system, 
which in cases of disruption also serves as a central commu-
nications platform. This poses a competitive advantage that 
has already met with a high degree of interest from both 
security agencies and customers.

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 proced-
ure  for  managing  software  upgrades  –  to  control  risks 
that could arise from outdated software or from software 
 upgrades.

Based upon the measures described above, we estimate 
the probability of experiencing a significant IT incident with 
serious consequences as highly unlikely.

In terms of our E-POST products – in particular E-Post-
brief – the E-Post platform was re-certified by the German 
Federal  Office  for  Information  Security  in  accordance 
with its standards for IT­Grundschutz following completion 
of the 2016 annual audit. The E-Post platform was also re- 
certified by TÜV Informationstechnik GmbH pursuant to 
trusted site privacy criteria and thus complies with both 
legal and data protection requirements.

Opportunities and risks arising from information technology

Opportunities and risks arising from human resources

The security of our information systems is particularly im-
portant 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 guidelines, standards and procedures based upon 
ISO 27002, the international standard for information secu-
rity management. In addition, Group Risk Management, IT 
Audit, Data Protection and Corporate Security monitor and 
assess IT risk on an on-going basis. For our processes to run 
smoothly at all times, the essential IT systems must be con-
stantly available. We ensure this by designing our systems 
to protect against complete system failures. In addition to 
third-party data centres, we operate central data centres in 
the Czech Republic, Malaysia and the United States. Our 
systems are thus geographically separate and can be repli-
cated locally.

We limit access to our systems and data such that em-
ployees can only access the data they need to perform their 
duties. All systems and data are backed up on a regular  basis, 
and critical data are replicated across data centres. 

It is essential for us to have qualified and motivated employ-
ees in order to achieve long-term success. However, demo-
graphic change could lead to a decrease in the pool of avail-
able talent in various markets. We respond to this risk with 
measures designed to motivate our employees as well as 
promote their development.

We use Strategic Resource Management to address the 
risks arising from an ageing population and the capacity 
shortages that may result from changing demographic and 
social structures. The experience gained is used to continu-
ously improve strategic resource management as an analysis 
and planning instrument. The Generations Pact, 
 page 68, 
agreed upon with trade unions in Germany also contributes 
to taking advantage of the career experience of employees 
for as long as possible, whilst, at the same time, offering 
young people long-term career perspectives.

Possible increases in both chronic and acute diseases 
pose another risk to sustaining our business operations. We 
address this risk with a systematic health management pro-
gramme, 

 page 69, and cross-divisional co-operation.

82

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

EXPECTED DEVELOPMENTS

Overall Board of Management assess-
ment of the future economic position

The Board of Management expects consolidated EBIT to 
reach around €3.75 billion in financial year 2017. The Post - 
eCommerce - Parcel division is likely to contribute around 
€1.5 billion to this figure. Compared with the previous year, 
we expect an additional improvement in overall earnings 
to around €2.6 billion in the DHL divisions. All of the DHL 
 divisions are expected to contribute to the increase. The 
Corporate Center / Other result is projected to be at the prior- 
year  level  of  around  €–0.35 billion.  In  line  with  the  pro-
jected growth in EBIT, we expect that EAC will also increase 
in 2017. Free cash flow is expected to exceed €1.4 billion.

Forecast period

The information contained in the report on expected devel-
opments generally refers to financial year 2017.

Future economic parameters

Outlook for the global economy improves

The global economy is expected to pick up moderately in 
2017. Supported by low interest rates, the economic upturn 
in the industrial countries is likely to increase slightly. In 
addition, a number of major countries are set to implement 
more expansionary financial policies. However, uncertainty 
could arise from political circumstances such as possible 
changes in US economic policy, the UK’s anticipated peti-
tion to leave the EU and the upcoming elections in many 
euro zone countries. Higher growth rates are expected in 
the emerging markets, due in the main to the severe reces-
sions experienced by some of the major threshold econo-
mies coming to an end, whilst growth trends in many re-
gions are set to continue largely unaltered. Countries that 
rely on commodities exports are seeing particular signs of 
improvement. However, there are a number of political and 
structural risks whose occurrence could impact economic 
growth in the emerging markets.

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

  01 / 70

2017

3.8

3.4

1.9

4.5

3.1

1.5

6.4

3.1

1.2

2.8

2016

1.9

3.1

1.6

4.1

2.9

– 0.1

6.3

3.8

– 0.7

1.6

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Economic Outlook, January 2017 update. 
Growth rates calculated on the basis of purchasing power parity.

The Chinese economy is likely to remain muted, with GDP 
growth expected to soften notably (IMF: 6.5 %; OECD: 6.4 %). 
The Japanese economy is forecast to continue expanding at 
a cautious pace, experiencing moderate growth similar to 
that of 2016 (IMF: 0.8 %; OECD: 1.0 %; IHS [2016]: 1.1 %).

Overall,  GDP  in  the  United  States  is  anticipated  to 
 increase more noticeably in 2017 than in the previous year 
(IMF: 2.3 %; OECD: 2.3 %; IHS [2016]: 2.3 %).

In the euro zone, the economic recovery shows every 
sign of continuing. However, GDP growth is projected to 
weaken somewhat (IMF: 1.6 %; ECB: 1.7 %; IHS [2016]: 1.5 %).
Early indicators suggest that the upswing in Germany 
will  continue.  Growth  for  2017  as  a  whole  is,  however, 
 expected to drop below that of the prior year (IMF: 1.5 %; 
 Sachverständigenrat 1.3 %; IHS [2016]: 1.9 %).

Rather than fall, crude oil listings are more likely to rise 

slightly from the current moderate level.

The likelihood is very high that the ECB will maintain 
its key interest rate at the current level in 2017, or even lower 
the rate further if the euro zone economy should weaken 
substantially. By contrast, the US Federal Reserve is expected 
to raise its key interest rate over the course of the year, which 
could moderately increase capital market interest rates.

World trade grows moderately

After favourable indications in the second half of 2016, in 
2017 we expect to see an improvement in the global trade 
flows relevant to us (air and ocean freight shipped in con-
tainers, excluding liquids and bulky goods). All in all, we 
anticipate growth of 2.5 %.

 
 
Group Management Report — ExPECtEd dEvEloPMEnts — Overall Board of Management assessment of the future economic position —  
Forecast period — Future economic parameters — Revenue and earnings forecast

83

Parcel market expected to see sustained growth

The market for paper-based mail communication continues 
to decline in Germany, although more moderately than in 
other  European  countries.  Physical  mail  volumes  are  de-
creasing, primarily because people are communicating digi-
tally  to  an  increasing  extent.  Following  the  stamp  price 
 increase for a standard letter at the beginning of 2016, we 
 will not make any further price adjustments to regulated 
mail products until the end of 2018 due to the price-cap 
mechanism.

The German advertising market is likely to maintain its 
approximate volumes in 2017. Advertising budgets will con-
tinue  to  shift  towards  online  media.  The  trend  towards 
 automated dialogue marketing campaigns is set to remain 
unchanged.

The parcel market will continue to grow in Germany, the 
rest of Europe and the world, as will cross-border services.

The  international  mail  business  is  likely  to  see  slight 
growth overall, particularly due to increasing merchandise 
shipping.

E-commerce encourages growth in international express 
market

Experience shows that growth in the international express 
market is highly dependent upon the economy. We believe 
cross-border e-commerce, which is demonstrating consid-
erable growth, will also drive growth in the international 
express market in 2017.

Market trends in freight forwarding business likely 
to  continue

In 2017, we anticipate developments in the air freight market 
to follow a similar trend to that of the reporting year. Freight 
carriers will further expand capacities with new wide-body 
passenger planes and additional cargo aircraft, especially to 
smaller destinations. The highest rise in demand will be 
seen in emerging markets. A growing middle class, espe-
cially in Asia, will be a strong driver of e-commerce and 
non-durable consumer goods. Due to higher fuel prices, 
increased freight rates are expected.

In ocean freight, we expect the market to further stabil-
ise with marginal growth. New alliances and mergers will 
allow shipping companies to better manage capacities.

In the European road transport market, the trend is 
likely to witness a marginal rise again in 2017, as long as the 
oil price level stabilises and economic activity in Europe 
gains momentum.

Contract logistics market continues to grow

The trend towards outsourcing warehousing and distribu-
tion as well as the demand for value-added logistics services 
continue, although short to mid-term growth prospects in 
some emerging markets have slowed down. Projections in-
dicate that the market for contract logistics will continue to 
experience stable growth of around 5 %. Demand for supply 
chain services is expected to see a particularly strong rise 
in rapidly growing economies such as south-east Asia and 
 India.

Revenue and earnings forecast

We expect the global economy to continue to experience 
regional variations in 2017 and to grow only moderately on 
the whole. The global trading volumes relevant to our busi-
ness are likely to perform similarly. Our business trend is 
impacted to an ever-increasing extent by structural changes 
as evidenced in the growing significance of e-commerce- 
based business models. E-commerce is even gaining rele-
vance in the emerging economies, which we anticipate to 
be reflected in our revenue trend.

Against this backdrop, we expect consolidated EBIT to 
reach around €3.75 billion in financial year 2017. The Post - 
eCommerce - Parcel division is likely to contribute around 
€1.5 billion to this figure. Compared with the previous year, 
we expect an additional improvement in overall earnings to 
around €2.6 billion in the DHL divisions. All of the DHL div-
isions are expected to contribute to the increase. The Cor-
porate Center / Other result is projected to be at the prior- 
year level of around €–0.35 billion.

In line with our Group strategy, we plan to focus upon 
organic  growth  and  anticipate  only  a  few  very  selective 
 acquisitions in 2017, as in the previous year.

Our finance strategy continues to call for a payout of 
40 % to 60 % of net profits as dividends as a general rule. At 
the Annual General Meeting on 28 April 2017, we intend to 
propose to the shareholders that a dividend per share of 
€1.05 be paid for financial year 2016 (previous year: €0.85).

84

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Expected financial position

no change in the Group’s credit rating

In light of the earnings forecast for 2017, we expect the “FFO 
to debt” indicator to remain stable on the whole and do not 
expect the rating agencies to change our credit rating from 
the present level.

liquidity to remain solid

We anticipate a reduction in our liquidity in the first half of 
2017 as a result of the annual pension prepayment due to 
the Bundesanstalt für Post und Telekommunikation as well 
as the dividend payment for financial year 2016 in May 2017. 
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.

In light of the fact that the bond issued by Deutsche 
Post Finance B. V. in the amount of €0.75 billion will fall due 
in June 2017, we shall review the refinancing options avail-
able under the Debt Issuance Programme and, if necessary, 
borrow funds on the capital market.

Capital expenditure of around €2.3 billion expected

In 2017, we plan to increase capital expenditure to around 
€2.3 billion in support of our strategic objectives and further 
growth. The focus of capital expenditure will be similar to 
that of previous years. 

Performance of further indicators 
 relevant for internal management

EAC and free cash flow increase

In line with the projected growth in EBIT, we expect that 
EAC will also grow in 2017. Divisional EAC will be affected 
by  the  same  influences  as  detailed  in  the  EBIT  outlook. 
However, as our investing activities continue and the net 
asset base increases as a result, the rise in EBIT after asset 
charge may fall slightly short of the EBIT growth. Free cash 
flow is expected to exceed €1.4 billion.

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 2017, we 
expect to see an increase to 75 % in the approval rating for 
the key performance indicator Active Leadership.

Further improve greenhouse gas efficiency

We  expect  the  Group  to  further  improve  its  carbon  effi-
ciency. Our CEX score should increase by one index point 
during financial year 2017.

This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements that relate to the business, fi-
nancial performance and results of operations 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”, “an-
ticipates”, “targets” and similar expressions. As these statements are based upon 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.

/02  CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

  86  REPORT OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD

  89  SUPERVISORY BOARD
  89  Members of the Supervisory Board
  89 

Committees of the Supervisory Board

  90  BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

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

  93  CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

C
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Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

REPORT OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD

WULF VON SCHIMMELMANN 
Chairman

DEAR SHAREHOLDERS,

Deutsche Post DHL Group was very successful in financial 
year 2016 and made considerable progress in implement-
ing Strategy 2020: Focus. Connect. Grow. The Supervisory 
Board advised the Board of Management in its management 
of the company and monitored its activities.

We were involved in all decisions of material import-
ance. The Board of Management informed us in good time 
of the facts required for us to discharge our duties properly 
and also continuously updated the Chairman of the Super-
visory Board and the Chairman of the Finance and Audit 
Committee between meetings of these bodies.

The  Board  of  Management  reported  regularly,  com-
prehensively and promptly both on its business policy and 
other fundamental corporate management issues and on 
business performance, the profitability of the company and 
the Group, and transactions and events of particular sig-
nificance to the enterprise. We discussed transactions and 
measures requiring the consent of the Supervisory Board in 
detail with the Board of Management.

All current Supervisory Board members attended more 
than half of the meetings of the plenary and of the commit-
tees to which they belong. Thomas Kunz, who left the Super-
visory Board at the end of the Annual General  Meeting on 

18 May 2016, was unable to take part in an extraordinary 
Supervisory  Board  meeting  that  was  convened  at  short 
 notice, and hence did not attend one of two meetings. The 
overall attendance rate was again around 94 %; individual 
attendance figures can be found on page 95.

Plenary meetings

The Supervisory Board held five meetings in financial year 
2016;  four  regular  and  one  extraordinary  meeting.  The 
members of the Board of Management took part in these 
unless  the  Chairman  of  the  Supervisory  Board  decided 
other wise.

In the meeting on 8 March 2016, we reviewed in depth 
and then approved the annual and consolidated financial 
statements and the management reports for financial year 
2015  on  the  recommendation  of  the  Finance  and  Audit 
Committee and in the presence of the auditors of the finan-
cial statements, and concurred with the Board of Manage-
ment’s proposal for the appropriation of the net retained 
profit for financial year 2015. Furthermore, the Supervisory 
Board determined the remuneration to be paid to the mem-
bers of the Board of Management for financial year 2015, 
based on the target achievement figures that had been estab-
lished, and also adopted the report of the Supervisory Board, 
the Corporate Governance Report and the remuneration 

Corporate Governance — REPORt OF tHE SUPERVISORy BOARD

87

report. Additionally, we addressed the proposed resolutions 
for the 2016 Annual General Meeting and the results of the 
efficiency review of our activities.

The  Executive  Committee  met  on  five  occasions.  It 
 focused primarily on Board of Management issues and on 
preparing the Supervisory Board meetings.

At the extraordinary meeting on 17 May 2016, we ap-
pointed Tim Scharwath as the member of the Board of Man-
agement responsible for Global Forwarding, Freight who will 
have assumed office by June of this year. We also discussed 
the takeover of UK Mail Group plc, in the United Kingdom.
In  the  meeting  on  24 June 2016,  we  extended  John 
 Gilbert’s appointment as a member of the Board of Manage-
ment  for  a  further  five  years  and,  following  Lawrence 
Rosen’s resignation, appointed Melanie Kreis as the Board 
of Management member responsible for  Finance, Global 
Business Services in addition to her role as Board Member 
for Human Resources and Labour Director. We also exam-
ined the changes to the legal requirements resulting from 
the EU’s Audit Regulation and the Abschlussprüfungsreform­
gesetz (AReG – German Audit Reform Act) and resolved 
an amendment to the rules of procedure in line with this.

In our meeting on 26 September 2016, we approved 
the takeover of UK Mail Group plc. The subsequent closed 
meeting looked at the Group’s profile from a customer per-
spective, supplemented by presentations by guest speakers. 
We intensively discussed the progress made in implement-
ing our Strategy 2020 as well as future challenges together 
with the Board of Management.

In the last Supervisory Board meeting for 2016, which 
was held on 9 December, we extended Frank Appel’s term of 
office as CEO and contract of service for five years and also 
entrusted him with acting responsibility for a large number 
of Global Business Services functions. We also discussed 
strategic issues, approved the Group’s 2017 business plan 
and formally adopted the 2017 targets agreed with the Board 
of Management. We confirmed that we have complied with 
the recommendations of the Government Commission on 
the German Corporate Governance Code as amended on 
5 May 2015 in the period since the Declaration of Conform-
ity was issued in December 2015, and that we also intend to 
comply with all recommendations of the code as amended 
on 5 May 2015 in the future.

Committee work

The Supervisory Board’s six committees prepare decisions 
by the full Supervisory Board and resolve issues that they 
have been delegated to decide. The chairs of the commit-
tees report to the next plenary meeting on the work of the 
committees.

The Personnel Committee held four meetings. Items 
discussed  included  the  strategic  human  resources  prior-
ities,  personnel  development,  increasing  the  number  of 
women in executive positions, the further development of 
the Group-wide “Certified” initiative, which promotes em-
ployee commitment and changes in corporate culture, and 
the annual Employee Opinion Survey.

The Finance and Audit Committee met seven times. Its 
shareholder representatives have the accounting and audit-
ing expertise required by the Aktiengesetz (AktG –  German 
Stock Corporation Act). The committee examined the an-
nual financial statements and the management reports for 
Deutsche Post AG and the Group in the presence of the 
auditors, the CEO and the CFO. It discussed the quarterly 
reports and the interim report for the first half of the year, 
which were reviewed by the auditors, before their publica-
tion with the Board of Management and the auditors. The 
Audit Committee recommended to the Supervisory Board 
that it propose PricewaterhouseCoopers Aktiengesellschaft 
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft (PwC), Düsseldorf, to the 
Annual General Meeting for election as the auditors of the 
financial statements of Deutsche Post AG and the Group, 
and  as  the  auditors  providing  reviews  of  any  interim  re-
ports; in addition, it issued the audit engagement for the 
auditors for financial year 2016 and specified the key audit 
priorities. The committee also addressed the enterprise’s 
accounting process and risk management system and dis-
cussed the findings of internal audits. It obtained detailed 
reports from the Chief Compliance Officer on compliance 
and on updates to the compliance organisation and com-
pliance management.

The  Strategy  Committee  met  five  times  in  2016  and, 
above  all,  discussed  the  strategic  positioning  of  the  div-
isions in their respective market segments and the imple-
mentation of our Strategy 2020. The primary focus was on 
developments at the Global Forwarding and eCommerce - 
Parcel business units, as well as on strategies and measures 
for digitally transforming the enterprise.

The Nomination Committee met once, addressing suc-
cession planning for the Supervisory Board and the election 
proposals for the 2016 Annual General Meeting. 

The  Mediation  Committee  did  not  meet  during  the 

course of the past financial year.

88

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Changes to the Supervisory Board and Board of Management

The Annual General Meeting on 18 May 2016 elected Ingrid 
Deltenre and Nikolaus von Bomhard as new Supervisory 
Board members, and Katja Windt and Werner Gatzer were 
re-elected. Thomas Kunz and Elmar Toime left the Super-
visory  Board  at  the  end  of  the  Annual  General  Meeting. 
There were no changes to the employee representatives dur-
ing the period under review. The Supervisory Board would 
like to thank its former members for their hard work and 
support, and for their constructive contribution.

Lawrence Rosen resigned as CFO effective 30 Septem-
ber 2016. The Supervisory Board appointed Melanie Kreis, 
Deutsche Post AG’s Board Member for Human Resources 
and Labour Director since 2014, as his successor in this 
position. She will continue to be responsible for Human 
Resources and act as Labour Director until further notice.

Managing conflicts of interest

None of the Supervisory Board members hold positions on 
the governing bodies of, or provide consultancy services 
to, the Group’s main competitors. The Supervisory Board 
has not been informed of any conflicts of interest affecting 
individual members during the year under review.

Compliance with all recommendations of the German 
 Corporate Governance Code

In  December 2016,  the  Board  of  Management  and  the 
Super visory  Board  issued  an  unqualified  Declaration  of 
Conformity pursuant to section 161 of the AktG, which was 
also published on the company’s website. The declarations 
from previous years are also available there. In financial 
year 2016, Deutsche Post AG complied with all recommen-
dations of the Government Commission for the German 
Corporate Governance Code as amended on 5 May 2015. 
We also intend to continue to comply with all recommen-
dations of the Code as amended on 5 May 2015, together 
with all the suggestions except that of broadcasting the full 
AGM on the internet. Further information regarding corpor-
ate governance within the enterprise can be found in the 
Corporate  Governance  Report  (page  93 ff.).  Information 
on the remuneration of the Board of Management and the 
Supervisory Board is available in the Group Management 
Report on page 38 ff.

Düsseldorf, audited the annual and consolidated financial 
statements for financial year 2016, including the respective 
management reports, and issued unqualified audit opinions. 
PwC also reviewed 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 ex-
amined the annual and consolidated financial statements 
and the management reports for financial year 2016, in-
cluding the proposal by the Board of Management on the 
appropriation of the net retained profit, at its meeting on 
7 March 2017.  All  Supervisory  Board  members  received 
copies of the annual and consolidated financial statements, 
the auditors’ reports and the Board of Management’s pro-
posal for the appropriation of the net retained profit in good 
time before the meeting. The documents were discussed in 
detail with the Board of Management and the auditors, who 
were present. The auditors reported on the audit findings 
and were also available to answer questions and provide 
additional information. The Supervisory Board concurred 
with the results of the audit and approved the annual and 
consolidated financial statements for financial year 2016, as 
recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee. No ob-
jections were raised on the basis of the final outcome of the 
examination by the Supervisory Board and the  Finance and 
Audit Committee of the annual and consolidated  financial 
statements, the management reports and the proposal for 
the appropriation of the net retained profit. The Supervisory 
Board endorsed the Board of Management’s proposal for 
the appropriation of the net retained profit and the payment 
of a dividend of €1.05 per share.

We would like to thank the members of the Board of 
Management and the employees of Deutsche Post AG as well 
as all Group companies for their dedication and construct ive 
work in the past financial year. They made a major contribu-
tion to our ability to look back on a successful financial year.

Bonn, 7 March 2017
The Supervisory Board

2016 annual and consolidated financial statements examined

The auditors elected by the AGM, PricewaterhouseCoopers 
Aktiengesellschaft Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft (PwC), 

Wulf von Schimmelmann
Chairman

Corporate Governance — REPORt OF tHE SUPERVISORy BOARD — SUPERVISORy BOARD — Members of the Supervisory Board —  
Committees of the Supervisory Board

89

SUPERVISORY BOARD

Members of the Supervisory Board 

Committees of the Supervisory Board 

  02 / 01

  02 / 02

Shareholder representatives

Employee representatives

Executive Committee

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

Dr nikolaus von Bomhard 
( since 18 May 2016)
Chair of the Board of Management, 
Münchener Rückversicherungs- 
Gesellschaft AG (Munich Re)

Ingrid Deltenre (since 18 May 2016)
Director General of the European 
Broadcasting Union

Werner Gatzer
State Secretary, Federal Ministry 
of Finance

Prof. Dr Henning Kagermann
Former CEO of SAP AG

thomas Kunz (until 18 May 2016)
Independent entrepreneur, former member 
of the Executive Board, Danone S.A., 
France

Simone Menne 
Member of the Executive Board, Deutsche 
Lufthansa AG (until 31 August 2016)

Member of the Board of Managing 
Directors, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH 
(since 1 September 2016)

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 (until 18 May 2016)
Managing Director, E Toime Consulting Ltd.

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

President / member of the Executive Board 
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 
Administration

Jörg von Dosky 
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
Chair of the Works Council, DHL Global 
Forwarding GmbH, Hamburg 

Andreas Schädler
Business Division Sales Post, Deutsche 
Post AG (since 1 January 2016)

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

Stephan teuscher
Head of Wage, Civil Servant and Social 
Policies in the Postal Services, Forwarding 
Companies and Logistics Department,  
ver.di National Administration

Helga thiel
Deputy Chair of the Central 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

Personnel Committee

Andrea Kocsis (Chair)

Prof. Dr Wulf von Schimmelmann 
(Deputy Chair)

Thomas Koczelnik

Roland Oetker

Finance and Audit Committee

Dr Stefan Schulte (Chair) 

Stephan Teuscher (Deputy Chair)

Werner Gatzer

Thomas Koczelnik

Simone Menne 

Helga Thiel

Strategy Committee

Prof. Dr Wulf von Schimmelmann (Chair)

Andrea Kocsis (Deputy Chair)

Rolf Bauermeister

Prof. Dr Henning Kagermann

Thomas Koczelnik

Dr Ulrich Schröder

nomination Committee

Prof. Dr Wulf von Schimmelmann (Chair)

Werner Gatzer 

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

 
 
 
 
90

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

DR FRANK APPEL 
Chief Executive Officer

Global Business Services 
(since 1 January 2017)

(Dr Frank Appel is also responsible 
for Global Forwarding, Freight 
until further notice.)

Born in 1961  
Member since November 2002  
CEO since February 2008  
Appointed until October 2022

MELANIE KREIS 
Finance

Human  Resources

(Melanie Kreis has been responsible 
for Finance since October 2016 and 
will continue to be responsible 
for Human Resources until further 
notice.)

Born in 1971  
Member since October 2014  
Appointed until June 2022

Left the company during the reporting year:

Lawrence Rosen  
Finance, Global Business Services  
Born in 1957  
Member from September 2009 until 30 September 2016

Corporate Governance — BOARD OF MAnAGEMEnt

91

KEN ALLEN 
Express

Born in 1955  
Member since February 2009  
Appointed until July 2020

JOHN GILBERT 
Supply Chain

Born in 1963  
Member since March 2014  
Appointed until March 2022

JÜRGEN GERDES 
Post - eCommerce - Parcel

Born in 1964  
Member since July 2007  
Appointed until June 2020

92

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

MANDATES

Mandates held by the Board of Management 

Membership of supervisory boards  
required by law

Membership  
of comparable bodies

lawrence Rosen (until 30 September 2016)
Lanxess AG

Lanxess Deutschland GmbH

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

lawrence Rosen (until 30 September 2016)
Qiagen N. V. (Supervisory Board)

1  Group mandate.

Mandates held by the Supervisory Board 

  02 / 03

  02 / 04

Shareholder representatives

Membership of supervisory boards  
required by law

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

Maxingvest AG

Dr nikolaus von Bomhard (since 18 May 2016)
ERGO Group AG 1 (Chair)

Munich Health Holding AG 1 (Chair)

Werner Gatzer
Bundesdruckerei GmbH (until 28 April 2016)

Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH

ÖPP Deutschland AG (Chair) (renamed PD-Berater 
der öffentlichen Hand GmbH on 7 December 2016)

Prof. Dr Henning Kagermann
BMW AG

Deutsche Bank AG

Münchener Rückversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG 
(Munich Re)

Simone Menne 
Delvag Luftfahrtversicherungs-AG, Germany 
(Chair) 2 (until 31 August 2016)

LSG Lufthansa Service Holding AG, Germany 
(Chair) 2 (until 31 December 2016)

Lufthansa Cargo AG, Germany 2 
( until 31  December 2016)

Lufthansa Technik AG, Germany 2 
( until 31  December 2016)

BMW AG

Dr Ulrich Schröder
Deutsche Telekom AG

Prof. Dr-Ing. Katja Windt
Fraport AG

Membership  
of comparable bodies

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

Thomson Reuters Corp., Canada (Board 
of Directors)

Ingrid Deltenre (since 18 May 2016)
Givaudan SA, Switzerland (Board of Directors)

Banque Cantonale Vaudoise SA, Switzerland 
(Board of Directors)

Simone Menne
Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Exchange Council) 
(until 31 August 2016)

Miles & More GmbH (Advisory Council, Chair) 2 
(until 31  August 2016)

Roland Oetker
Rheinisch-Bergische Verlagsgesellschaft mbH 
(Supervisory Board)

Dr Ulrich Schröder
DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungs-
gesellschaft mbH (Supervisory Board) 

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

Dr Stefan Schulte
Fraport Regional Airports of Greece A S. A. 
(Board of Directors, Chair) 3 (since 15 March 2016)

Fraport Regional Airports of Greece B S. A. 
(Board of Directors, Chair) 3 (since 15 March 2016)

Fraport Regional Airports of Greece Management 
Company S. A. (Board of Directors, Chair) 3 
(since 15 March 2016)

Elmar toime (until 18 May 2016)
Postea Inc., USA (Non-Executive Chairman)

Blackbay Ltd., United Kingdom (Non-Executive 
Director) 

Qatar Postal Services Company, Qatar 
( Non- Executive Director)

Solution Dynamics Limited, New Zealand 
(Non-Executive Director) (since 15 February 2016)

Employee representatives

Membership of supervisory boards  
required by law

Jörg von Dosky
PSD Bank München eG

Rolf Bauermeister
Deutsche Postbank AG (until 31 March 2016)

Andreas Schädler
PSD Bank Köln eG (Chair)

Stephan teuscher
DHL Hub Leipzig GmbH (Deputy Chair)

Helga thiel
PSD Bank Köln eG (Deputy Chair)

1  Group mandates, Münchener Rückversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG (Munich Re). 

2 Group mandates, Deutsche Lufthansa AG. 

3 Group mandates, Fraport AG.

Corporate Governance — MAnDAtES — Mandates held by the Board of Management — Mandates held by the Supervisory Board —  
CORPORAtE GOVERnAnCE REPORt

93

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
REPORT

and Annual Corporate Governance Statement pursuant 
to sections 289a and 315 (5) of the  Handelsgesetzbuch 
(HGB – German Commercial Code) for Deutsche Post AG 
and the Deutsche Post DHL Group and also part of the 
Group Management Report

This  Annual  Corporate  Governance  Statement  contains 
information  about  the  main  components  of  the  corpor -
ate  governance  structures  at  Deutsche  Post  AG  and 
Deutsche  Post  DHL  Group.  These  include  the  Declar-
ation of Conformity by the Board of Management and the 
Super visory Board of Deutsche Post AG, relevant corpor-
ate  governance  practices  that  exceed  legal  requirements, 
the working methods of the Board of Management and the 
Supervisory Board, the composition and working methods 
of the committees, the percentage of women on the Super-
visory Board, Board of Management and in the top two 
executive tiers, and the targets for the composition of the 
Supervisory Board.

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

In  December 2016,  the  Board  of  Management  and  the 
Super visory Board once again issued an unqualified Declar-
ation of Conformity pursuant to section 161 of the Aktien­
gesetz  (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  Gov-
ernance Code in the version dated 5 May 2015 have been 
complied  with  since  issuance  of  the  Declaration  of  Con-
formity in December 2015 and that all recommendations 
of the Code in the version dated 5 May 2015 shall also be 
complied with in the future.”

We also intend to implement the suggestions made in 
the Code, with one exception: the Annual General Meeting 
will only be broadcast on the internet up to the end of the 
CEO’s address.

Specific corporate governance practices

Our business relationships and activities are based on re-
sponsible business practice that complies with applicable 
laws, ethical standards, and international guidelines, and 
this also forms part of our Group strategy. Equally, we re-
quire our suppliers to act in this way. We encourage and 
facilitate  long-term  relationships  with  our  stakeholders, 
whose decisions to select Deutsche Post DHL Group as a 
supplier, employer or investment of choice are increasingly 
based on the requirement that we comply with good corpor-
ate governance criteria.

Our responsible business practice contributes to society 
and allows our employees to share greatly in this by becom-
ing involved. Response levels for our annual Group-wide 
 Employee Opinion Survey, page 67 were up one percentage point 
year-on-year in 2016, at 74 %. Since the same questionnaire 
was used throughout the Group, the results for all categories 
and questions are comparable across the divisions. The re-
sults reveal a positive trend for all issues and in most cases 
are on a level with or better than external benchmarks.

Code of Conduct, diversity and compliance management

Our 
 Code of Conduct, dpdhl.com/en, which was first issued in 
2006, is firmly established in our company and is appli-
cable to all regions and divisions. The Code of Conduct 
is based on the principles set out in the Universal Declar-
ation of  Human Rights and the United Nations (UN) Global 
Compact. It is consistent with recognised legal standards, 
including  the  applicable  anti-corruption  legislation  and 
agreements.  The  Code  of  Conduct  and  all  other  Group 
guidelines,  together  with  regional  guidelines  and  proc-
edures,  provide  the  framework  for  ethical  and  environ-
mentally sound corporate conduct. The guidelines serve 
as a clear point of reference for all employees, informing 
them of our values and principles. The Code is available in 
21 languages and employees can familiarise themselves with 
its contents via webinars.

The Code of Conduct also sets out our commitment to 
the health of our employees, respect for human rights, our 
rejection of child and forced labour, and our position on 
diversity  and  inclusion.  The  Corporate  Diversity & Inclu-
sion Statement issued in 2013 reflects our belief that diver-
sity represents both a key factor for success and a distinct 

94

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

 competitive advantage. In the statement, we also undertake 
to promote an inclusive working environment and express 
our opposition to all forms of discrimination.

measures  include  developing  insurance  programmes  for 
employees in regions in which there are no or only inad-
equate healthcare systems.

Our Diversity Council is an internal forum comprising 
executives from the central functions and divisions, and is 
chaired by the Board Member for Human Resources. The 
Diversity Council met three times during the year under 
review. Discussions focused on the issues of international 
orientation, the divisions’ differing diversity management 
requirements and women in management. The members 
are also advocates for diversity within their divisions.

The Supervisory Board supports the Group’s diversity 
strategy,  placing  particular  emphasis  on  the  target  of  in-
creasing the number of women on the Board of Manage-
ment. The Supervisory Board considers anchoring diversity 
management in the company’s HR processes to be 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 candidates are 
available for vacant positions on the Board of Management. 
At 21.1 %, the number of women in upper and middle man-
agement around the world at Deutsche Post DHL Group has 
increased year-on-year as at 31 December 2016 (previous 
year: 20.7 %). The figure for Group companies in Germany 
was 20.7 %. Pursuant to the Gesetz für die gleichberechtigte 
Teilhabe von Frauen und Männern an Führungspositionen in 
der Privatwirtschaft und im öffentlichen Dienst (German Act 
regarding Equal Gender Representation in Executive Pos-
itions in the Public and Private Sectors), we also report on 
the targets set by the Board of Management and the Super-
visory Board for Deutsche Post AG in the section on the 
 number of women on the Supervisory Board, Board of Management and 
in executive positions at Deutsche Post AG, page 97. The presentation 
adopted differs from the one used to determine the propor-
tion of women in executive positions at Deutsche Post DHL 
Group.

The international composition of the Board of Manage-
ment already reflects the company’s international activities.
Our business success depends to a large extent on our 
employees’ ability to do the best possible job. This is why we 
seek to enhance their physical, mental and social well-being, 
primarily  through  preventative  action.  Our  Group-wide 

The  Chief  Compliance  Officer,  who  reports  directly 
to  the  Chief  Financial  Officer,  is  responsible  for  devel-
oping  Group-wide  standards  and  recommendations  for 
Deutsche Post DHL Group’s compliance management sys-
tem. He is supported in this task by the Global Compliance 
Office. Each of the four operating divisions has a compli-
ance officer and a network of compliance managers, who are 
responsible for implementing and executing all compliance 
management activities. The divisional compliance officers 
report regularly to the Board of Management member for 
their division and maintain close contact with the Global 
Compliance Office. The actions taken and reports prepared 
by the divisional compliance officers and the Global Com-
pliance Office are included in the quarterly reports to the 
full  Board  of  Management  and  the  annual  report  to  the 
Super visory Board’s Finance and Audit Committee.

The  main  compliance  management  activities  at 
Deutsche  Post  DHL  Group  include  systematically  iden-
tifying potential compliance risks, devising suitable train-
ing  and  communications  measures,  evaluating  business 
partner compliance, investigating cases of misconduct and 
imposing sanctions. The main purpose of the compliance 
programme is to prevent cases of non-compliance in the 
first place. Group-wide communications ensure that all em-
ployees are aware of the relevance of compliance and are in-
formed of the designated rules of conduct. Our compliance 
hotline is a key factor in reporting breaches of the law or 
guidelines. The hotline is available in around 150 countries 
and  assists  employees  in  reporting  potential  breaches  of 
the law or the Code of Conduct within the company. Com-
pliance issues are addressed and resolved in a structured 
manner. The insights gained from reported cases are used to 
continuously improve the compliance management system.

How the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board 
operate

As a listed German public limited company, Deutsche Post AG 
has a dual management system. The Board of Management 
manages  the  company.  The  Supervisory  Board  appoints, 
oversees and advises the Board of Management.

Corporate Governance — CORPORAtE GOVERnAnCE REPORt

The  Board  of  Management  comprises  the  Chief  Ex-
ecutive Officer (CEO), the Finance and Human Resources 
functions and four operating divisions: Post - eCommerce - 
Parcel;  Express;  Global  Forwarding,  Freight;  and  Supply 
Chain.  Group  management  functions  are  centralised  in 
the Corporate Center. The 
 Group Strategy, page 30, provides a 
framework for the whole Group. The Board’s rules of pro-
cedure lay down objectives for the basic internal structure 
and management of, and co-operation within, the Board 
of Management. Within this framework, Board members 
manage  their  departments  independently  and  inform 
the rest of the Board about key developments at regular 
 intervals. The Board of Management as a whole decides on 
matters of particular significance for the company or the 
Group, including all decisions that have to be presented to 
the Supervisory Board for approval, and all tasks that can-
not be delegated. The Board of Management as a whole also 
decides on matters presented to it by individual members of 
the Board of Management for decision. When making de-
cisions, members of the Board of Management may not act 
in their own personal interest or exploit corporate business 
opportunities for their own benefit. The Supervisory Board 
must be informed of any conflicts of interest without delay.
The Supervisory Board appoints, advises and oversees 
the Board of Management. It has established rules of pro-
cedure that include the basic internal structure, a catalogue 
of  Board  of  Management  transactions  requiring  Super-
visory Board approval and rules for the Supervisory Board 
committees. The  Supervisory  Board  meets  at  least  twice 
every six months of the calendar year. Extraordinary Super-
visory Board meetings are held whenever particular devel-
opments or measures need to be discussed or approved at 
short notice. In financial year 2016, the Supervisory Board 
held five plenary meetings, 22 committee meetings and one 
closed meeting, as described in the 
 Report of the Supervisory 
Board, page 86 ff. All current members attended more than half 
of the meetings of the Supervisory Board and the commit-
tees on which they serve. Thomas Kunz, who left the Super-
visory Board at the end of the Annual General Meeting on 
18 May 2016, was unable to take part in an extraordinary 
Supervisory Board meeting that was convened at short no-
tice, and hence did not attend one of two meetings. Once 
again, the overall attendance rate remained high in the year 
under review, at around 94 %.

Attendance at plenary and committee meetings 

%

Supervisory Board member

Prof. Dr Wulf von Schimmelmann (Chair)

Andrea Kocsis (Deputy Chair)

Rolf Bauermeister

Dr Nikolaus von Bomhard (since 18 May 2016)

Ingrid Deltenre (since 18 May 2016)

Jörg von Dosky

Werner Gatzer

Prof. Dr Henning Kagermann

Thomas Koczelnik

Anke Kufalt

Thomas Kunz (until 18 May 2016)

Simone Menne

Roland Oetker

Andreas Schädler

Sabine Schielmann

Dr Ulrich Schröder

Dr Stefan Schulte

Stephan Teuscher

Helga Thiel

Elmar Toime (until 18 May 2016)

Stefanie Weckesser

Prof. Dr-Ing. Katja Windt

95

  02 / 05

Attendance

100

100

100

100

67

100

89

70

100

100

50

92

100

100

80

60

100

100

92

100

100

100

The  Board  of  Management  and  the  Supervisory  Board 
 regularly discuss the Group’s strategy, the divisions’ objec-
tives and strategy, the financial position and performance of 
the company and the Group, key business transactions, the 
progress of acquisitions and investments, compliance and 
compliance management, risk exposure and risk manage-
ment, and all material planning and related implementation 
issues. The Board of Management informs the Supervisory 
Board promptly and in full about all issues of significance. 
The Chairman of the Supervisory Board and the CEO main-
tain close contact about current issues and discuss these 
regularly with other Board of Management members, in-
cluding between Supervisory Board meetings.

The Supervisory Board carries out an annual efficiency 
review of its work, which includes assessing co-operation 
with the Board of Management. The review is based on a 
questionnaire and personal discussions between the Chair-
man of the Supervisory Board and the Supervisory Board 
members. For financial year 2016, the Supervisory Board 
concluded  that  it  had  performed  its  monitoring  and  ad-
visory duties efficiently and effectively.

 
96

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

All Supervisory Board decisions, particularly ones re-
lating to transactions requiring Supervisory Board approval, 
are discussed in detail in advance by the relevant commit-
tees. Each plenary Supervisory Board meeting includes a 
detailed report on the committees’ work and decisions taken.
None of the Supervisory Board members hold positions 
on the governing bodies of, or provide consultancy services 
to, the Group’s main competitors. The Supervisory Board 
has not been informed of any conflicts of interest affecting 
individual members during the year under review.

Executive committees and Supervisory Board committees

Executive  committees  prepare  the  decisions  to  be  made 
by the entire Board of Management and take decisions on 
matters delegated to them. The duties of the executive com-
mittees include preparing for and / or approving investments 
and transactions. The Deutsche Post Executive Committee 
is responsible for the Post - eCommerce - Parcel division; 
the cross-divisional DHL Executive Committee is in charge 
of  the  Express,  Global  Forwarding,  Freight,  and  Supply 
Chain divisions; 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 commit-
tees, whilst the Board members responsible for the divisions 
are represented on the committees in relation to matters af-
fecting their divisions. Executives from the first and second 
levels immediately below the Board of Management also 
attend executive committee meetings that cover topics rele-
vant to their fields. For example, Accounting & Controlling, 
Corporate  Finance,  Corporate  Development  and  Legal 
Services are invited to take part in discussions on acquisi-
tions. The Deutsche Post Executive Committee meets once 
a month, the DHL Executive Committee twice a month and 
the CC & GBS Executive Committee usually every quarter.

Business review meetings also take place once a quar-
ter. These meetings are part of the strategic performance 
dialogue between the divisions, the CEO and the CFO. The 
business review meetings discuss strategic initiatives, oper-
ational matters and the budgetary situation in the divisions.

The 

 members of the Board of Management and the mandates held 

by them are outlined on pages 90 f. and 92.

The Supervisory Board has formed six committees to 
ensure  its  duties  are  discharged  effectively.  In  particular, 
these  committees  prepare  the  resolutions  to  be  taken  in 
the plenary Supervisory Board meetings. The Supervisory 
Board has delegated the final decisions on certain topics 
such as approvals of property purchases or sales above a 
fixed threshold to committees.

The  Executive  Committee’s  duties  include  preparing 
the appointment of members of the Board of Management, 
drawing up their contracts of service and determining the 
Board of Management remuneration for approval by the 
plenary meeting of the Supervisory Board.

The  Finance  and  Audit  Committee  oversees  the  ac-
counting process, the effectiveness of the internal control 
system, the risk management and internal auditing systems, 
and the audit of the financial statements, and particularly 
the selection of the auditors and their independence. It ap-
proves the engagement of the auditors of the financial state-
ments to perform non-audit-related services. It examines 
corporate compliance issues and discusses the half-yearly 
and quarterly financial reports with the Board of Manage-
ment before publication. Based on its own assessment, the 
committee submits proposals for the approval of the annual 
and consolidated financial statements by the Supervisory 
Board. The Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, 
Stefan Schulte, is a financial expert as defined in sections 
100 (5) and 107 (4) of the AktG.

The Personnel Committee discusses human resources 

principles for the Group.

The  Mediation  Committee  carries  out  the  duties  as-
signed  to  it  pursuant  to  the  Mitbestimmungsgesetz  (Mit-
bestG – German Co-determination Act): it makes proposals 
to the Supervisory Board on the appointment of members 
of the Board of Management in those cases in which the re-
quired majority of two-thirds of the votes of the Supervisory 
Board members is not reached. The committee did not meet 
in the past financial year.

The Nomination Committee presents the shareholder 
representatives of the Supervisory Board with recommen-
dations for shareholder candidates for election to the Super-
visory Board at the Annual General Meeting.

Corporate Governance — CORPORAtE GOVERnAnCE REPORt

97

The Strategy Committee prepares for the Supervisory 
Board’s strategy discussions and for resolutions on corpor-
ate  acquisitions  and  disposals  requiring  approval  by  the 
plenary meeting of the Supervisory Board. It also regularly 
discusses  the  competitive  position  of  the  enterprise  as  a 
whole and of the individual divisions.

Further information about the work of the Supervisory 
Board and its committees in financial year 2016 is contained 
in the 
 Report of the Supervisory Board, page 86 ff. Details of the 
members of the Supervisory Board and the composition 
of the Supervisory Board committees can be found in the 
 Com-
sections on the 
mittees of the Supervisory Board, page 89 and 

 members of the Supervisory Board, page 89, 

 Mandates, page 92.

number of women on the Supervisory Board, Board of 
Manage ment and in executive positions at Deutsche Post AG

Under  the  Gesetz  für  die  gleichberechtigte  Teilhabe  von 
Frauen und Männern an Führungspositionen in der Privat­
wirtschaft  und  im  öffentlichen  Dienst  (German  Act  on 
Equal  Gender  Representation  in  Executive  Positions  in 
the Public and Private Sectors), the Supervisory Board of 
Deutsche Post AG is required to meet the statutory gender 
quota of 30 %. It is also obliged to set a target quota for the 
number of women on the Board of Management, whilst the 
Board of Management is required to set a target quota for 
women in the top two executive levels below the Board of 
Management. Deutsche Post AG exceeds the target for the 
statutory quota for the Supervisory Board, as eight women 
(40 %) are members of the Supervisory Board. The Super-
visory Board has set a target quota of 1 : 7 for the number of 
women on the Board of Management until the end of the 
Annual General Meeting in 2018, and of 2 : 8 until the end of 
the AGM in 2021. The deadline for achieving the first target 
(1 : 7) is 30 June 2017.

The  Board  of  Management  had  set  target  quotas  for 
increasing the proportion of women at the two levels im-
mediately below the Board of Management together with 
a deadline, 31 December 2016. The target of 19 % for tier 1 
executives was almost met, at 18.4 %, while the target for 
tier 2 executives of 23 % was clearly exceeded, at 28.4 %. The 
fact that the target for tier 1 executives was narrowly missed 
is due to organisational and structural measures impacting 
the executives involved, which resulted in the figure being 
undershot by a notional 0.6 percentage points. The Board 
of Management has set new target quotas for increasing the 

number  of  women  in  management  positions  of  20 %  for 
tier 1 executives and 30 % for tier 2 executives in the period 
from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019. The two exec-
utive tiers are defined on the basis of their reporting lines: 
tier 1 comprises executives belonging to the N-1  reporting 
line, while tier 2 consists of executives from the N-2 report-
ing line.

targets for the composition of the Supervisory Board 
and qualifications required

The Supervisory Board has set itself the following targets for 
its own composition:
1   Proposals by the Supervisory Board to the Annual Gen-
eral Meeting for candidates to be elected as Supervisory 
Board members must be made purely in the interests 
of the company. Subject to this requirement, the Super-
visory Board aims to ensure that independent Super-
visory Board members as defined in number 5.4.2 of 
the German Corporate Governance Code account for 
at least 75 % of the Supervisory Board and that at least 
30 % of the Supervisory Board members are women.
2   The company’s international activities are already ad-
equately reflected in the composition of the Supervisory 
Board. The Supervisory Board aims to maintain this 
and its future proposals to the Annual General  Meeting 
will therefore consider candidates whose origins, edu-
cation or professional experience equip them with par-
ticular international knowledge and experience.

3   Conflicts of interest affecting Supervisory Board mem-
bers  are  an  obstacle  to  providing  independent  and 
efficient  advice  to,  and  supervision  of,  the  Board  of 
Management. The Supervisory Board will decide how 
to deal with potential or actual conflicts of interest on 
a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the law and 
giving  due  consideration  to  the  German  Corporate 
Governance Code.

4   In accordance with the age limit adopted by the Super-
visory Board and laid down in the rules of procedure 
for the Supervisory Board, proposals for the election 
of Supervisory Board members must ensure that their 
term of office ends no later than the close of the next 
Annual  General  Meeting  to  be  held  after  the  Super-
visory Board member reaches the age of 72. As a gen-
eral rule, Super visory Board members should not serve 
more than three full terms of office.

98

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

The  members  of  the  Supervisory  Board  and  of  its 
 Finance and Audit Committee are also familiar in the ag-
gregate with the sector in which the company operates. In 
particular the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Wulf 
von Schimmelmann, and the Chairman of the Finance and 
Audit Committee, Stefan Schulte, as well as a number of 
shareholder representatives have specific knowledge of the 
sector due to their current or past membership of the boards 
of management and/or supervisory boards of companies in 
the sector, or relevant research activities. The  employee rep-
resentatives on the Supervisory Board also have extensive 
sector-specific experience.

Remuneration of the Board of Management and 
the  Super visory Board

The remuneration of the Board of Management and the 
 Group Management 
Supervisory Board can be found in the 
Report, page 38 ff.

The  current  Supervisory  Board  meets  these  targets.  The 
professional careers of Ingrid Deltenre and Nikolaus von 
Bomhard – both of whom were elected to the Supervisory 
Board for the first time by the 2016 Annual General Meet-
ing – have given them extensive international experience 
of managing medium-sized and large organisations. With 
the election of Ingrid Deltenre, the proportion of women 
on the Supervisory Board increased to 40 %. This means 
that we currently exceed the 30 % target quota for women 
on the Supervisory Board, which is in line with the statu-
tory requirements. The number of independent members 
of the Supervisory Board also currently exceeds the target. 
All Supervisory Board members are independent members 
as defined by the German Corporate Governance Code. In 
light of the European Commission’s recommendation on 
the independence of non-executive or supervisory direct-
ors and the wide-ranging protection against summary dis-
missal and ban on discrimination contained in the Betriebs­
verfassungsgesetz (German Works Constitution Act) and 
Mitbestimmungsgesetz  (German  Co-Determination  Act), 
being an employee of the company is not inconsistent with 
the requirement for independence as defined by the Code. 
The  largest  shareholder  in  the  company,  KfW  Banken-
gruppe, currently holds approximately 21 % of the shares in 
Deutsche Post AG. There are therefore no controlling share-
holders as defined in the Code with whom relationships 
might exist that could call into question the Supervisory 
Board’s independence. In line with the international nature 
of the company’s business, a large number of Supervisory 
Board  members  have  extensive  international  experience. 
All current appointment periods for the members of the 
Supervisory Board elected by the Annual General Meeting 
reflect the age limit that has been set and the limit on the 
number of terms that can be served.

/03  CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 100 

INCOME STATEMENT

 129  BALANCE SHEET DISCLOSURES

 101  STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE 

INCOME

 102  BALANCE SHEET

 103  CASH FLOW STATEMENT

 104  STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 105  NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF 
 DEUTSCHE POST AG

 105  BASIS OF PREPARATION

 105 
 105 
 108 
 108 
 108 
 111 
 112 
 119 
 120 

  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
  6 – Currency translation
  7 – Accounting policies
  8 – Exercise of judgement in applying the accounting policies
  9 – Consolidation methods

 121  SEGMENT REPORTING

 121 

 10 – Segment reporting

 124 

INCOME STATEMENT DISCLOSURES

 124 
 124 
 124 
 125 
 125 
 126 
 127 
 127 
 128 
 128 

 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 finance costs
 18 – Income taxes
 19 – Earnings per share
 20 – Dividend per share

 129 
 131 
 132 
 132 
 133 
 133 
 134 
 134 
 134 
 134 
 135 
 135 

 135 
 137 
 138 
 138 
 139 
 139 
 141 
 146 
 147 
 149 
 150 

 21 – Intangible assets
 22 – Property, plant and equipment
 23 – Investment property
 24 – Investments accounted for using the equity method
 25 – Financial assets
 26 – Other assets
 27 – Deferred taxes
 28 – Inventories
 29 – Trade receivables
 30 – Income tax assets and liabilities
 31 – Cash and cash equivalents
 32 – Assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets 

held for sale

 33 – Issued capital and purchase of treasury shares
 34 – Capital reserves
 35 – Other reserves
 36 – Retained earnings
 37 – Equity attributable to Deutsche Post AG shareholders
 38 – Non-controlling interests
 39 – Provisions for pensions and similar obligations
 40 – Other provisions
 41 – Financial liabilities
 42 – Other liabilities
 43 – Trade payables

 150  CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES

 150 

 44 – Cash flow disclosures

 152  OTHER DISCLOSURES

 152 
 162 
 162 
 162 
 163 
 166 
 169 
 169 
 171 

 45 – Risks and financial instruments of the Group
 46 – Contingent liabilities
 47 – Other financial obligations
 48 – Litigation
 49 – Share-based payment
 50 – Related party disclosures
 51 – Auditor’s fees
 52 – Exemptions under the HGB and local foreign legislation
 53 – Declaration of Conformity with the German Corporate 

 Governance Code

 171 

 54 – Significant events after the reporting date and other 

 disclosures

 171  RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

 172 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

C
o
n
s
o
l
i
d
a
t
e
d
 F
i
n
a
n
c
i
a
l
 S
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

/
 0
4

/ 03100

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

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

Net income from investments accounted for using the equity method

Profit from operating activities (EBIT)

Financial income

Finance costs

Foreign currency result

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 (€)

Note

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

19

2015

59,230

2,394

61,624

–33,170

–19,640

–1,665

– 4,740

– 59,215

2

2,411

94

– 410

–38

–354

2,057

–338

1,719

1,540

179

1.27

1.22

  03 / 01

2016

57,334

2,156

59,490

–30,620

–19,592

–1,377

– 4,414

– 56,003

4

3,491

90

–384

– 65

–359

3,132

–351

2,781

2,639

142

2.19

2.10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — InCOME StAtEMEnt —  StAtEMEnt OF COMPREHEnSIVE InCOME

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

Other changes in retained earnings

Income taxes relating to components of other comprehensive income

Share of other comprehensive income of investments accounted for using the equity method (after tax)

Note

39

18

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

18

Share of other comprehensive income of investments accounted for using the equity method (after tax)

total (after tax)

Other comprehensive income (after tax)

total comprehensive income

attributable to Deutsche Post AG shareholders

attributable to non-controlling interests

101

  03 / 02

2016

2,781

– 876

0

8

0

– 868

– 6

– 63

46

17

–291

0

– 6

3

–300

–1,168

1,613

1,478

135

2015

1,719 

833

0

– 65

0

768

62

–172

–120

102

472

0

12

5

361

1,129

2,848

2,665

183

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
102

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

BALANCE SHEET

€ m

ASSETS
Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Investment property

Investments accounted for using the equity method

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

  03 / 03

Note

31 Dec. 2015

31 Dec. 2016

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

25

29

26

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

27

40

41

42

40

41

43

42

30

32

12,490

7,795

25

76

1,113

221

2,007

12,554

8,389

23

97

689

222

2,192

23,727

24,166

281

179

7,694

2,172

197

3,608

12

275

374

7,965

2,176

232

3,107

0

14,143

14,129

37,870

38,295

1,211

2,385

11

7,427

11,034

261

1,211

2,932

–284

7,228

11,087

263

11,295

11,350

6,221

142

1,512

7,875

4,625

234

4,859

5,580

106

1,498

7,184

4,571

372

4,943

12,734

12,127

1,486

553

7,069

4,255

476

2

1,323

1,464

7,178

4,292

561

0

12,355

13,495

13,841

14,818

37,870

38,295

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — BAlAnCE SHEEt —  CASH FlOW StAtEMEnt

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 finance costs

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

Dividend received

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 from operating activities

Subsidiaries and other business units

Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

Investments accounted for using the equity method and other investments

Other non-current financial assets

Proceeds from disposal of non-current assets

Subsidiaries and other business units

Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

Investments accounted for using the equity method and other investments

Other non-current financial assets

Cash paid to acquire non-current assets

Interest 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

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 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

103

  03 / 04

2016

2,639

142

351

359

3,491

1,377

–113

– 40

–1,799

120

6

– 528

2,514

3

–377

299

2,439

35

265

82

456

838

–304

–1,966

–19

–33

Note

2015

1,540

179

338

354

2,411

1,665

–261

– 68

– 495

–12

1

– 585

2,656

80

460

248

44.1

3,444

15

175

223

24

437

0

–2,104

0

– 47

–2,151

–2,322

47

205

50

–209

44.2

–1,462

–1,643

14

–33

– 50

–22

0

–15

–1,030

–124

–70

39

–76

44.3

–1,367

615

16

–1

0

2,978

3,608

44.4

1,263

– 95

– 58

–205

0

– 9

–1,027

–128

– 836

0

–138

–1,233

– 437

– 66

1

1

3,608

3,107

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
104

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

1 January to 31 December 

€ m

Note

Balance at 1 January 2015

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-based payment schemes (issuance)

Share-based payment schemes (exercise)

total comprehensive income
Consolidated net profit for the period

Currency translation differences

Change due to remeasurements of net pension 
provisions

Other reserves

Issued 
capital

33

1,210

Capital 
reserves

34

2,339

IAS 39 
revaluation 
reserve

IAS 39 
 hedging 
reserve

Currency 
translation 
reserve

35.1

170

35.2

–28

35.3

– 483

Retained 
earnings

36

6,168

Equity 
attributable 
to Deutsche 
Post AG 
shareholders

37

9,376

–1,030

–1,030

0

0

0

–3

2

–3

0

2

37

0

57

– 48

  03 / 05

Non- 
controlling 
interests

Total equity

38

204

–123

–3

0

0

0

0

0

9,580

–1,153

– 6

0

39

–70

57

0

–1,007

–126

–1,133

468

–15

–15

–13

– 41

– 41

0

0

0

– 67

0

46

1,540

0

773

0

7,427

11,034

7,427

11,034

–1,027

–1,027

4

0

4

0

0

–1,000

–1,031

–3

0

39

–70

57

0

1,540

468

773

–116

2,665

559

70

0

2,639

–283

– 866

–12

1,478

0

0

51

2,639

0

– 866

0

–283

179

9

– 5

0

183

261

261

–129

– 4

0

0

0

0

0

0

1,719

477

768

–116

2,848

11,295

11,295

–1,156

0

0

0

–1,031

559

70

0

142

– 5

–2

0

135

263

2,781

–288

– 868

–12

1,613

11,350

–1,425

–133

–1,558

Other changes

0

0

–103

67

67

0

Balance at 31 December 2015

Balance at 1 January 2016

1,211

1,211

2,385

2,385

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

Convertible bond

Share-based payment schemes (issuance)

Share-based payment schemes (exercise)

total comprehensive income
Consolidated net profit for the period

Currency translation differences

Change due to remeasurements of net pension 
provisions

0

–31

28

0

3

0

0

531

70

– 54

Other changes

0

0

– 56

Balance at 31 December 2016

1,211

2,932

11

44

3

–298

7,228

11,087

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — StAtEMEnt OF CHAnGES In EQUIty — nOtES — Basis of preparation

105

Consolidated group

2 
The  consolidated  group  includes  all  companies  controlled  by 
Deutsche Post AG. Control exists if Deutsche Post AG has decision- 
making powers, is exposed, and has rights, to variable returns, and 
is able to use its decision-making powers to affect the amount of the 
variable returns. The Group companies are consolidated from the 
date on which Deutsche Post DHL Group is able to exercise control. 
When Deutsche Post DHL Group holds less than the majority 
of voting rights, other contractual arrangements may result in the 
Group controlling the investee.

DHL  Sinotrans  International  Air  Courier  Ltd.  (Sinotrans), 
China, is a significant company that has been consolidated despite 
Deutsche Post DHL Group not having a majority of voting rights. 
Sinotrans provides domestic and international express delivery and 
transport services and has been assigned to the Express segment. 
The company is fully integrated into the global DHL network and 
operates exclusively for Deutsche Post DHL Group. Due to the arrange-
ments in the Network Agreement, DHL is able to prevail in decisions 
concerning Sinotrans’ relevant activities. Sinotrans has therefore 
been consolidated although Deutsche Post DHL Group holds no 
more than 50 % of the company’s share capital. 

The complete list of the Group’s shareholdings in accordance 
with section 313 (2) nos. 1 to 5 and section 313 (3) of the HGB can be 
accessed online at 

 dpdhl.com/en/investors.

The companies listed in the following table are consolidated in 

addition to the parent company Deutsche Post AG:

Consolidated group

number of fully consolidated companies 
(subsidiaries)
German

Foreign

number of joint operations
German

Foreign

number of investments accounted for 
using the equity method
German

Foreign

2015

2016

139

658

1

1

1

15

132

655

1

1

0

12

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF 
DEUTSCHE POST AG

BASIS OF PREPARATION

Deutsche Post DHL Group 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.

Basis of accounting

1 
As a listed company, Deutsche Post AG prepared its consolidated 
financial statements in accordance with the International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs), as adopted by the European Union 
(EU), and the provisions of commercial law to be additionally ap-
plied in accordance with section 315 a (1) of the Handelsgesetzbuch 
(HGB – German Commercial Code). 

The requirements of the Standards applied have been satisfied 
in full, and the consolidated 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 disclos-
ures in the notes to the IFRS consolidated financial statements for 
financial year 2016, are generally based on the same accounting 
policies used in the 2015 consolidated financial statements. Excep-
tions to this are the changes in international financial reporting 
under IFRS s described in 
 note 5 that have been required to be 
applied by the Group since 1 January 2016. 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 16 February 2017.

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in euros (€). 
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts are given in millions of euros 
(€ million, € m).

 
 
106

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

In January 2016, Deutsche Post DHL Group acquired a minority 
interest of 27.5 % in French e-commerce logistics specialist Relais 
Colis SAS. Relais Colis is accounted for in the consolidated financial 
statements using the equity method. The companies Güll GmbH, 
Germany, and Presse-Service Güll GmbH, Switzerland, which had 
been accounted for using the equity method, were sold in the third 
quarter of 2016.

2.1  Acquisitions in 2016

The following companies were acquired in financial year 2016:

Acquisitions, 2016

Name

DHL eCommerce (Malaysia) 
Sdn. Bhd. 

Country

Malaysia 

Mitsafetrans S. r. l.  
(including Mitradiopharma S. r. l.)

UK Mail Group plc 
( including UK Mail Limited)

Italy

UK

Segment

Global 
Forwarding, 
Freight

Supply Chain

PeP

Share 
of capital /  
voting rights  

%

100  
(step 
acquisition)

100

100

The final purchase price allocation is as follows:

net assets of Mitsafetrans

€ m

30 September 2016

Non-current assets

Customer relationship

Brand name

Deferred tax assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

ASSETS

Non-current provisions 
and  liabilities

Non-current provisions

Deferred tax liabilities

Current liabilities and provisions

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

net assets

Carrying 
amount

Adjustment

Fair value

3

–

–

–

15

8

26

3

2

1

9

12

10

8

1

1

–

–

10

6

3

3

–

6

13

8 

1 

1 

15

8 

36

9

5

4

9 

18

18

Customer  relationships  are  amortised  over  five  years  using  the 
straight- line method, the brand name is amortised over three years.

The remaining 51 % interest in DHL eCommerce (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., 
which was previously accounted for using the equity method, was 
acquired in the third quarter of 2016. This company is now consoli-
dated. No tabular presentation is provided as all amounts were less 
than €1 million.

On 30 September 2016, DHL Supply Chain (Italy) S. p. A. ac-
quired the Italian company Mitsafetrans S. r. l., including its sub-
sidiary  Mitradiopharma  S. r. l.,  referred  to  collectively  below  as 
Mitsafetrans. These  companies  provide  logistics  services  for  the 
technology, pharma and high-tech sectors in Italy. The acquisition 
will provide access to highly specialised logistics services in niche 
markets.

Calculation of goodwill

€ m

30 September 2016

Cost

Less net assets

Goodwill

Mitsafetrans

53

18

35

A variable purchase price was agreed for the acquisition, in addition 
to the cash purchase price paid in the amount of €38 million, of 
which €4 million was reported as a liability:

Contingent consideration

Basis

EBITDA

Period for financial 
years from / to

Results range  

Fair value  

from / to

of total obligation

Remaining 
payment obligation 
at 31 Dec. 2016

2016 to 2018

€0 to 19 million

€15 million

€15 million

On 22 December 2016, the Group acquired the companies UK Mail 
Group plc and UK Mail Limited, UK, referred to below as UK Mail 
Group for short. The companies operate one of the largest integrated 
networks for processing parcels and mail items in the UK. A takeover 
offer had been submitted to UK Mail Group in September 2016. As 
a result of this acquisition, Deutsche Post DHL Group can offer its 
customers an integrated delivery service for cross-border shipments 

to and from the UK, allowing it to expand its presence in the UK, 
Europe’s biggest e-commerce market.

The final purchase price allocation will be presented in a sub-
sequent financial report, as not all the necessary information is 
currently available. All the assets and liabilities and the goodwill 
calculated are therefore preliminary.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Basis of preparation

107

Preliminary net assets of UK Mail Group

€ m

31 December 2016

Non-current assets

Customer relationship

Brand name

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

ASSETS

Non-current provisions 
and  liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Current liabilities and provisions

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

net assets

Carrying 
amount

Adjustment

Fair value

98

–

–

82

7

187

3

3

109

112

12

9

3

–

–

12

3

3

–

3

110

9 

3 

82

7 

199

6

6

109 

115

84

Customer relationships are amortised over five years at Mail and 
over two years at Parcel, using the straight-line method. The brand 
name has a useful life of one year.

Consolidation resulted in preliminary goodwill of €201 million 
which is attributable mainly to the synergy and network effects ex-
pected to be generated with the company’s own European parcel 
business. 

Preliminary calculation of goodwill

€ m

31 December 2016

Cost

Less net assets

Goodwill

UK Mail Group

285

84

201

Following their consolidation, the companies acquired in financial 
year  2016  contributed  €11 million  to  consolidated  revenue  and 
€0 million to consolidated EBIT. If the companies had already been 
acquired as at 1 January 2016, they would have contributed an add-
itional  €611 million  to  consolidated  revenue  and  €15 million  to 
 consolidated EBIT in 2016.

Transaction costs amounted to €4 million and are reported 

in other operating expenses.

In 2016, €319 million was paid for companies acquired in the 
financial year. The purchase price for the companies acquired was 
paid by transferring cash funds.

2.2  Disposal and deconsolidation effects in 2016

Gains are shown in other operating income; losses are reported in 
other operating expenses.

The e-commerce company nugg.ad GmbH, Germany, was sold 
in January 2016. In addition, the sales of IntelliAd Media GmbH, 
Germany, a company active in the area of search engine advertising, 
and the joint ventures Güll GmbH, Germany, and Presse-Service 
Güll GmbH, Switzerland, which were accounted for using the equity 
method, were completed in July 2016. All shares of optivo GmbH, 
Germany, a provider of technical e-mail marketing services, were 
sold at the end of September 2016.

The  disposal  and  deconsolidation  effects  were  attributable 

solely to the Post - eCommerce - Parcel segment.

Disposal and deconsolidation effects

€ m

1 January to 31 December 2016

Non-current assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

ASSETS

Non-current provisions and liabilities

Current provisions and liabilities

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

net assets

Total consideration received

Gains/losses from the currency translation reserve

Non-controlling interests

Deconsolidation gain (+) / loss (–)

Güll Group  
(equity 
accounted)

nugg.ad  
GmbH

IntelliAd 
Media GmbH

optivo  
GmbH

Total

2

0

0

2

0

0

0

2

2

0

0

0

0

2

3

5

0

2

2

3

3

0

0

0

0

2

1

3

0

1

1

2

2

0

0

0

3

2

1

6

0

2

2

4

25

0

0

21

5

6

5

16

0

5

5

11

32

0

0

21

 
 
 
 
 
108

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

2.3 

Joint operations

Joint operations are consolidated in accordance with IFRS 11, based 
on the interest held. 

A significant joint operation is Aerologic GmbH (Aerologic), 
Germany, a cargo airline domiciled in Leipzig. It was jointly estab-
lished  by  Lufthansa  Cargo AG  and  Deutsche  Post  Beteiligungen 
Holding  GmbH,  which  each  hold  50 %  of  its  capital  and  voting 
rights. Aerologic has been assigned to the Express segment. Aero-
logic’s shareholders are simultaneously its customers, giving them 
access to its freight aircraft capacity. Aerologic exclusively serves the 
DHL Express network from Monday to Friday, whilst it flies for the 
Lufthansa Cargo network at weekends. In contrast to its capital and 
voting rights, the company’s assets and liabilities, as well as its in-
come and expenses, are allocated based on this user relationship.

Significant transactions

3 
In  addition  to  the  acquisition  of  UK  Mail  Group  mentioned  in 
 note 2, the following significant transactions were entered into in 

As a result, pension provisions declined in the financial year 
despite the significant decrease in discount rates. A measurement- 
related reversal had already been recognised in the first quarter of 
2016, due to changes in the occupational retirement arrangement 
in Germany. This was offset by a number of other human resources 
measures (early retirement scheme for civil servants, etc.) with the 
result that, overall, there was no effect on earnings. Further details 
on pension provisions can be found in 

 note 39.

On 1 March 2016, the Board of Management of Deutsche Post AG 
resolved a share buyback programme with a total volume of up to 
€1 billion to be initiated on 1 April 2016, 

 notes 33 and 36. 

The state aid decision of the European Commission is null and 
void with final effect and any grounds for the obligation to repay the 
alleged state aid have been removed. The amount of €378 million 
deposited in a trustee account was released and the obligation rec-
ognised as a contingent liability was reversed, 

 notes 46 and 48.

Various holders of the convertible bond issued on 6 Decem-
ber 2012  exercised  their  conversion  right  in  financial  year  2016, 

financial year 2016:

 notes 34 and 41.

In the first quarter of 2016, the remaining shares in the prop-
erty development companies King’s Cross Central Property Trust 
and King’s Cross Central General Partner Ltd. (King’s Cross com-
panies), UK, were sold. The gains on the disposal of the shares are 
reported in other operating income, 

 note 12.

On 1 April 2016, the Group placed two senior bonds with a 
total volume of €1.25 billion on the capital market, 
 note 41. Of the 
capital raised, €1 billion was used for the further funding of pension 
obligations.

4  Adjustment of prior-period amounts
No prior-period amounts were adjusted in financial year 2016.

5  new developments in international accounting under IFRS s

new Standards required to be applied in financial year 2016

The following Standards, changes to Standards and Interpretations 
are required to be applied from 1 January 2016:

Standard

Subject matter and significance

Amendments to IAS 19, 
Defined Benefit Plans: 
Employee Contributions

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 has not led to any material effects.

Annual Improvements 
to IFRS s (2010 – 2012 Cycle) 

The annual improvement process refers to the following Standards: IFRS 2, IFRS 3, IFRS 8, IFRS 13, IAS 16, IAS 24, IAS 37, IAS 38 and IAS 39. The amend-
ments will not have a material influence on the consolidated financial statements.

Amendments to IAS 16, 
Property, Plant and 
Equipment, and IAS 38, 
Intangible Assets: 
Clarification of Acceptable 
Methods of Depreciation 
and Amortisation

Amendments to IFRS 11, 
Joint Arrangements – 
 Acquisition of Interests 
in Joint Operations 

The amendments expand the existing requirements relating to the permitted depreciation and amortisation methods. The amendments specify that 
revenue-based depreciation methods are not permitted for property, plant and equipment, and revenue-based amortisation methods may only be 
used for intangible assets in certain exceptional circumstances. In addition, the amendments clarify that a reduction in the selling price of goods and 
services could signal obsolescence, which could in turn reflect a reduction in the economic benefits available from the asset. The requirements are 
applicable prospectively. Application will not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. 

The amendment clarifies that the acquisition and additional acquisition of interests in joint operations in which the activity constitutes a business, 
as defined in IFRS 3, Business Combinations, must be recognised in accordance with the principles governing business combinations accounting 
in IFRS 3 and other relevant IFRS s, providing that those principles do not conflict with the requirements of IFRS 11. The amendments do not apply if 
the reporting entity and the other parties involved are under the common control of the same ultimate controlling party. The new requirements are 
applicable prospectively. The amendment will not have a material effect on the Group.

 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Basis of preparation

109

Standard

Subject matter and significance

Annual Improvements 
to IFRS s (2012 – 2014 Cycle) 

The annual improvement process relates to the following Standards: IFRS 5, IFRS 7, IAS 19 and IAS 34. The amendments will not have a material 
influence on the consolidated financial statements.

Amendments to IAS 1, 
Presentation of Financial 
Statements: Disclosure 
Initiative 

The changes comprise clarifications relating to the materiality of the items presented in all components of the IFRS financial statements. Information 
that is not material need not be presented. This applies even if disclosure is explicitly required in other Standards. In addition, the revised version 
of IAS 1 includes new rules or clarifications of existing requirements concerning the presentation of subtotals, the structure of the notes and the 
disclosures on accounting policies. The presentation of the interest in equity-accounted investments in other comprehensive income is also clarified. 
The amendments do not have a material effect on the financial statements.

The following are not relevant for the consolidated financial statements:  
amendments to IAS 27, Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements; amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28,  
Investment Entities: Applying the Consolidation Exception.

new accounting pronouncements adopted by the EU but only required 
to be applied in future periods

The following Standards, changes to Standards and Interpretations 
have already been endorsed by the EU. However, they will only be 
required to be applied in future periods.

Effective for 
financial years 
beginning 
on or after Subject matter and significance

1 January 2018 

Standard  
(issue date)

IFRS 15, Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers 
(28 May 2014) including 
the amendment to IFRS 15 
(11 September 2015) 

IFRS 9, Financial Instruments 
(24 July 2014) 

1 January 2018 

This Standard will in future replace the existing requirements governing revenue recognition under IAS 18, Revenue, and IAS 11, 
Construction Contracts, and related interpretations. The new Standard establishes uniform requirements regarding the 
amount, timing and time period of revenue recognition. It provides a principle-based five-step model that must be applied to 
all categories of contracts with customers. The Group will apply IFRS 15 for the first time for the financial year beginning on 
1 January 2018. A Group-wide project to introduce IFRS 15 is underway. In various divisions, customer contracts are being 
reviewed and analysed using the five-step model in IFRS 15. The timing of revenue from certain types of contracts will change 
because, in future, revenue will be recognised over time rather than at a point in time, and because variable remuneration 
components will be recognised sooner. There will be changes in the balance sheet due to the separate disclosure of contract 
assets and liabilities, as well as in the notes due to expanded quantitative and qualitative disclosures. On the whole, the Group 
does not expect any material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

IFRS 9 contains requirements governing the recognition and measurement of financial instruments, derecognition and hedge 
accounting. It thus replaces the previously applicable IAS 39. Initial application is in principle retrospective, although transition 
relief is provided. In future, financial assets must be classified on the basis of the business model in which they are held and 
their cash flow characteristics. The reclassification of financial instruments will not have a material effect on the consolidated 
financial statements because the Group mainly reports trade receivables. Only 2 % of financial assets will have to be reclassified; 
the rest have already been assigned to the new category and are measured at fair value through profit or loss. The change in 
recognition of impairment losses on financial assets from the incurred loss model (in which anticipated losses are not recognised 
until a credit loss event actually occurs) to the expected loss model will have a one-time effect to be recognised in other 
comprehensive income. This effect is expected to be immaterial, because sufficient loss allowances are already recognised for 
the risk of default on trade receivables. Following the introduction of the Standard, the loss allowances to be recognised on 
trade receivables will be determined using the full lifetime expected loss model (simplified approach). The default rates will be 
based on historical and forward-looking data. IFRS 9 will also more closely align hedge accounting with risk management 
objectives. In particular, the new requirements on hedging individual risk components, which are applicable for both non- 
financial and financial items, will considerably simplify the designation and presentation of hedging relationships. The range of 
hedged items permitted will, in future, be extended to cover combinations of derivative and non-derivative financial instruments, 
and parts or tranches of individual financial and non-financial items. The requirements for assessing hedge effectiveness, 
rebalancing hedging relationships and the de-designation of hedging relationships will also be simplified. Overall, the new 
hedge accounting requirements will result in greater flexibility with regard to hedging individual risks. They are not expected 
to have a material effect on the Group’s results. The new requirements will more transparently reflect the risk management 
approach of Deutsche Post DHL Group.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
110

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

new accounting requirements not yet adopted by the EU 
( endorsement procedure)

The IASB and the IFRIC issued further Standards, amendments to 
Standards and Interpretations in financial year 2016 and in previous 
years whose application is not yet mandatory for financial year 2016. 
The application of these IFRS s is dependent on their adoption by 
the EU.

Standard  
(issue date)

Clarifications to IFRS 15 
(12 April 2016)

IFRS 16, Leases 
(13  January 2016) 

Effective for 
financial years 
beginning 
on or after Subject matter and significance

1 January 2018  The clarifications principally address the following issues: identification of performance obligations, principal versus agent 

considerations, licensing and transition relief.

1 January 2019 

IFRS 16, Leases, replaces the existing standard on accounting for leases, IAS 17, and the related interpretations. IFRS 16 requires 
lessees to adopt a uniform approach to the presentation of leases. In future, assets must be recognised for the right of use 
received and liabilities must be recognised for the payment obligations entered into for all leases. Exemptions are provided for 
low-value lease assets and short-term leases (shorter than twelve months). In contrast, the accounting requirements for lessors 
remain largely unchanged, particularly with regard to the continued requirement to classify leases according to IAS 17. The 
Standard must be applied for the first time for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. Voluntary early application 
is permitted, provided that IFRS 15 is also applied. The Group expects the introduction of IFRS 16 to have a material effect on 
components of the consolidated financial statements and the presentation of its net assets, financial position and results of 
operations: 
•  Balance sheet: With regard to the financial obligations reported as operating lease liabilities under note 47, initial application 
of the Standard will result in significant increases in non-current assets (accounting for rights of use) and financial liabilities 
(disclosure of the corresponding lease liabilities). As a result of this increase in total assets and liabilities, the Group’s equity 
ratio will decline and net debt will rise accordingly (see also note 33.4 Disclosures on corporate capital). 

•  Income statement: In contrast to the presentation to date of operating lease expenses, in future depreciation charges 

on right-of-use assets and the interest expense from unwinding of the discount on the lease liabilities will be recognised. 
This improves the profit from operating activities (EBIT).

•  Cash flow statement: The change in presentation of operating lease expenses results in an improvement in net cash from /  

used in operating activities and a decline in net cash from / used in financing activities.

A Group-wide project to implement IFRS 16 is underway. The existing leases held by all divisions are being inventoried, reviewed 
and recognised according to IFRS 16. 

Amendments to IAS 12, 
Income Taxes – Recognition 
of Deferred Tax Assets 
for Unrealised Losses 
(16 January 2016)

Amendments to IAS 7, 
Statement of Cash Flows – 
Disclosure Initiative 
(29 January 2016)

Amendments to IFRS 2, 
Share-based Payment – 
 Clarifications of Classification 
and Measurement of Share - 
based Payment Transactions  
(20 June 2016) 

Amendments to IFRS 4, 
Insurance Contracts – 
 Applying IFRS 9, Financial 
Instruments, with IFRS 4, 
Insurance Contracts 
(12 September 2016) 

1 January 2017 

The amendment of IAS 12 clarifies that unrealised losses on debt instruments measured at fair value result in deductible 
temporary differences. It also clarifies that an assessment must be made for the aggregate of all deductible temporary 
differences as to whether it is probable that sufficient taxable income will be available in future, to allow the temporary 
differences to be used and recognised. Rules and examples supplementing IAS 12 clarify how future taxable income is to be 
determined for recognition of deferred tax assets. The effects on the Group will be immaterial.

1 January 2017 

The amendments provide clarifications regarding an entity’s financing activities. Their objective is to make it easier for users of 
financial statements to assess an entity’s financial liabilities. The disclosures are generally relevant and, in future, will be 
incorporated into the consolidated financial statements. 

1 January 2018 

1 January 2018 

The amendments clarify the accounting for cash-settled share-based payment transactions that include a performance condition. 
The measurement rules follow the same approach as when accounting for equity-settled awards. An exception was also included 
for the classification of share-based payment transactions with net settlement features for withholding tax obligations. Such 
commitments are required to be classified in their entirety as equity-settled share-based payment transactions if they would have 
been classified in this way in the absence of the net settlement feature. The amendments further include clarifications regarding 
modifications of the terms and conditions of share-based payment arrangements that change their classification from cash-settled 
to equity-settled. Early application is permitted. The amendments will not have any effect on the Group.

The objective of the amendments to IFRS 4 is to minimise the accounting impact of different effective dates for IFRS 9 and the 
future new Standard on accounting for insurance contracts (IFRS 17). Entities can choose from two options. The deferral approach 
allows entities whose primary activity is issuing insurance contracts to delay the initial application of IFRS 9. Alternatively, the 
overlay approach is available to entities that apply IFRS 4 to existing insurance contracts and enables them to reclassify, from 
profit or loss to other comprehensive income, an amount equal to the difference between the amount reported in profit or loss 
for designated financial assets applying IFRS 9 and the amount that would have been reported in profit or loss under IAS 39. 
Both approaches are optional. The effect on the consolidated financial statements is currently being reviewed.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Basis of preparation

111

Standard  
(issue date)

Annual Improvements 
to IFRS s (2014 – 2016 Cycle) 
(8 December 2016) 

IFRIC 22, Foreign Currency 
Transactions and 
 Advance Consideration 
(8  December 2016)

Amendments to IAS 40, 
Investment Property 
(8 December 2016)

Effective for 
financial years 
beginning 
on or after Subject matter and significance

1 January 2017/ 
1 January 2018 

The improvements relate to IAS 28, Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures, and IFRS 12, Disclosure of Interests in Other 
Entities. IAS 28 clarifies that entities can decide on an investment-by-investment basis on measuring certain associates or 
joint ventures at fair value through profit or loss. The amendments to IFRS 12 make it clear that the disclosure requirements in 
IFRS 12 also apply to interests in other entities that are classified as held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5. Changes were 
also made to IFRS 1, First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards. The effective date for the amendments 
to IFRS 1 and IAS 28 is 1 January 2018 (with voluntary early application of IAS 28 permitted) and for the amendments to IFRS 12 
is 1 January 2017. The amendments will not have a material influence on the consolidated financial statements.

1 January 2018 

IFRIC 22 clarifies the date to be used to determine the exchange rate for transactions that include the receipt or payment 
of advance consideration in a foreign currency. The effective date of the interpretation is 1 January 2018. Early application 
is permitted. The effect is currently being reviewed. 

1 January 2018 

The amendment provides clarity on the classification of property under construction or development. The consolidated financial 
statements will not be affected. 

The following are not relevant for the consolidated financial statements:  
IFRS 14, Regulatory Deferral Accounts; amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28,  
Sales or Contributions of Assets between an Investor and its Associate / Joint Venture.

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 cur-
rency of foreign companies is determined by the primary economic 
environment in which they mainly generate and use cash. Within 
the Group, the functional currency is predominantly the local cur-
rency. 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 closing rates. 
The  resulting  currency  translation  differences  are  recognised  in 
other  comprehensive  income.  In  financial  year  2016,  currency 
translation differences amounting to €288 million (previous year: 
€477 million) were recognised in other comprehensive income (see 
the statement of comprehensive income).

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.

The exchange rates for the currencies that are significant for the 

Group were as follows:

Closing rates

Average rates

2015  

2016  

2015  

2016  

EUR 1 =

EUR 1 =

EUR 1 =

EUR 1 =

1.4905

7.0687

0.7345

1.4602

7.3534

0.8560

1.4771

6.9773

0.7264

1.4886

7.3525

0.8187

131.0778

123.4555

134.3334

120.3110

9.1879

1.0823

1.0886

9.5601

1.0744

1.0550

9.3523

1.0680

1.1105

9.4672

1.0899

1.1068

Country

Australia

China

United Kingdom

Japan

Sweden

Switzerland

USA

Currency

AUD

CNY

GBP

JPY

SEK

CHF

USD

The carrying amounts of non-monetary assets recognised at signifi-
cant consolidated companies operating in hyperinflationary econ-
omies are generally indexed in accordance with IAS 29 and thus 
reflect the current purchasing power at the balance sheet date.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
112

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Intangible assets are amortised using the straight-line method 
over their useful lives. Impairment losses are recognised in accord-
ance with the principles described in the section headed Impair-
ment. The useful lives of significant intangible assets are presented 
in the table below:

Useful lives

Internally developed software

Purchased software

Licences

Customer relationships

Years 1

up to 10

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, contrac-
tual or other factors that might restrict their useful lives are consid-
ered to have indefinite useful lives. They are not amortised but are 
tested for impairment annually or whenever there are indications 
of impairment. They generally include brand names from business 
combinations and goodwill, for example. Impairment testing is car-
ried 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 accu-
mulated depreciation and valuation allowances. In addition to dir-
ect 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 con-
junction with the acquisition or production of items of property, 
plant or equipment is included in the cost if it cannot be deducted 
as input tax. Depreciation is charged using the straight-line method. 
The estimated useful lives applied to the major asset classes are pre-
sented in the table below:

In accordance with IAS 21, receivables and liabilities in the fi-
nancial statements of consolidated companies that have been pre-
pared 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  2016,  income  of  €222 million  (previous  year: 
€280 million) and expenses of €222 million (previous year: €267 mil-
lion)  resulted  from  currency  translation  differences.  In  contrast, 
currency translation differences relating to net investments in a 
foreign operation are recognised in other comprehensive income.

7  Accounting policies
Uniform  accounting  policies  are  applied  to  the  annual  financial 
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 Group’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. Rev-
enue and other operating income are 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 rec-
ognised in income when the service is utilised or when the expenses 
are incurred.

Intangible assets

Intangible  assets,  which  comprise  internally  generated  and  pur-
chased intangible assets and purchased goodwill, are measured at 
amortised cost.

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 immedi-
ately in income in the year in which they are incurred. In addition 
to direct costs, the production cost of internally developed software 
includes  an  appropriate  share  of  allocable  production  overhead 
costs. Any borrowing costs incurred for qualifying assets are in-
cluded in the production cost. Value added tax arising in conjunc-
tion with the acquisition or production of intangible assets is in-
cluded in the cost if it cannot be deducted as input tax. Capitalised 
software is amortised over its useful life.

 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Basis of preparation

113

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 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.

If there are indications of impairment, an impairment test must be 
carried out; see section headed Impairment.

Impairment

At each balance sheet date, the carrying amounts of intangible assets, 
property,  plant  and  equipment  and  investment  property  are  re-
viewed for indications of impairment. If there are any such indica-
tions, an impairment test is 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 (present value of the 
pre-tax free cash flows expected to be derived from the asset in 
future), whichever is higher. The discount rate used for the value in 
use 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 iden-
tifiable group of assets to which the asset in question can be allo-
cated 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 reversal 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 reversal of the impairment loss is recog-
nised 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 stipu-
lates that goodwill must be subsequently measured at cost, less any 
cumulative adjustments from impairment losses. Purchased good-
will is therefore no longer amortised and instead is tested for im-
pairment annually in accordance with IAS 36, regardless of whether 
any indication of possible impairment exists, as in the case of intan-
gible assets with an indefinite useful life. In addition, the obligation 
remains to conduct an impairment test if there is any indication of 
impairment. Goodwill resulting from company acquisitions is allo-
cated 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 good-
will is monitored for internal management purposes. 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.

Finance leases

A lease is an agreement in which the lessor conveys to the lessee the 
right to use an asset for a specified period in return for a payment 
or a number of payments. In accordance with IAS 17, beneficial 
owner ship of leased assets is attributed to the lessee if the lessee 
substantially bears all risks and rewards incidental to ownership of 
the leased asset. To the extent that beneficial ownership is attribut-
able 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 liabil-
ities. 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 received in the period are shown under 
other operating income. Where the Group is the lessee, the lease 
payments made are recognised as lease expenses under materials 
expense.  Lease  expenses  and  income  are  recognised  using  the 
straight-line method.

 
 
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Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Investments accounted for using the equity method

AvAILABLE-FOR-SALE FINANCIAL ASSETS

Investments accounted for using the equity method cover associates 
and joint ventures. These are recognised using the equity method 
in accordance with IAS 28, Investments in Associates and Joint Ven-
tures. Based on the cost of acquisition at the time of purchase of the 
investments, the carrying amount of the investment is increased or 
reduced annually to reflect the share of earnings, dividends distrib-
uted and other changes in the equity of the associates and joint 
ventures attributable to the investments of Deutsche Post AG or its 
consolidated subsidiaries. An impairment loss is recognised on in-
vestments accounted for using the equity method, including the 
goodwill in the carrying amount of the investment, if the recover-
able amount falls below the carrying amount. Gains and losses from 
the disposal of investments accounted for using the equity method, 
as well as impairment losses and their reversals, are recognised in 
other operating income or other operating expenses.

Financial instruments

A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial 
asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument 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. Financial liabilities in-
clude contractual obligations to deliver cash or another financial 
asset to another entity. These mainly comprise trade payables, li-
abilities to banks, liabilities arising from bonds and finance leases, 
and derivative financial liabilities.

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 rec-
ognition 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.

These financial instruments are non-derivative financial assets and 
are carried at their fair value, where this can be measured reliably. 
If  a  fair  value  cannot  be  determined,  they  are  carried  at  cost. 
Changes in fair value between reporting dates are generally recog-
nised 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, i.e., the drop is significant or 
prolonged. 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 rec-
ognised on equity instruments 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  twelve 
months of the balance sheet date. In particular, investments in un-
consolidated subsidiaries, 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 con-
ditions  for  doing  so  are  met.  These  financial  instruments  are 
non-derivative financial assets that are measured at amortised cost 
using the effective interest method.

LOANS AND RECEIvABLES

These are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable 
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 cor-
respond approximately to their fair values due to their short matur-
ity.  Loans  and  receivables  are  considered  current  assets  if  they 
 mature not more than twelve months after the balance sheet date; 
otherwise, they are recognised as non-current assets. If the recov-
erability 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 state-
ment via a valuation account.

Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Basis of preparation

115

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 twelve 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 indications 
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 object-
ive 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 determined (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  difficulties,  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 finan-
cial 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 unrecognised 
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 recog-
nised  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 rec-
ognised 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 45.3.
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 ex-
pired. 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 aris-
ing from them have expired.

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Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

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 measured in ac-
cordance 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 in the section headed Impairment.

held for sale are reported in profit or loss from discontinued oper-
ations. 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 maturity of 
up  to  three  months;  they  are  carried  at  their  principal  amount. 
Overdraft  facilities  used  are  recognised  in  the  balance  sheet  as 
amounts due to banks.

Inventories

non-controlling interests

Inventories are assets that are held for sale in the ordinary course of 
business, are in the process of production, or are consumed in the 
production process or in the rendering of services. They are meas-
ured at the lower of cost or net realisable value. Valuation allow-
ances 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 state-
ment 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 state-
ment 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 present con-
dition 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 consist of individual 
non-current assets, groups of assets (disposal groups), components 
of an entity or a subsidiary acquired exclusively for resale (discon-
tinued 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  remeasurement  of  individual 
non-current assets or disposal groups classified 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 discontinued operations classified as 

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  share-
holders without this impacting the existing control relationship, this 
is presented as an equity transaction. The difference between the 
proportionate net assets acquired from, or sold to, another share-
holder / other shareholders and the purchase price is recognised in 
other comprehensive income. If non-controlling interests are in-
creased 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 measured at 
fair value at the grant date. The fair value of the obligation is recog-
nised in staff costs over the vesting period. The fair value of equity- 
settled share-based payment transactions is determined using inter-
nationally recognised valuation techniques. 

Stock appreciation rights are measured on the basis of an op-
tion 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 (plans) in many countries under which the 
Group grants post-employment benefits to its hourly workers and 
salaried  employees.  These  benefits  include  pensions,  lump-sum 
payments on retirement and other post-employment benefits and 
are referred to as retirement benefits, pensions and similar benefits, 
or simply pensions, in these disclosures. A distinction must be made 
between defined benefit and defined contribution plans. 

Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Basis of preparation

117

THE GROUP’S DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLANS 

Defined benefit 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 
liabilities are funded by provisions for pensions and similar obliga-
tions; net assets are presented separately as pension assets. Where 
necessary, an asset ceiling must be applied when recognising pen-
sion assets. With regard to the cost components, the service cost is 
recognised in staff costs, the net interest cost in net financial in-
come / net finance costs and any remeasurement outside profit and 
loss in other comprehensive income. Any rights to reimbursement 
are reported separately in financial assets. 

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION RETIREMENT PLANS FOR CIvIL SERvANT 
EMPLOYEES IN GERMANY 

In accordance with statutory provisions, Deutsche Post AG pays 
contributions to retirement plans in Germany which are defined 
contribution retirement plans for the company. These contributions 
are recognised in staff costs. 

Under  the  provisions  of  the  Gesetz  zum  Personalrecht  der 
 Beschäftigten  der  früheren  Deutschen  Bundespost  (PostPersRG  – 
Former Deutsche Bundespost Employees Act), Deutsche Post AG 
provides benefit and assistance payments through the Postbeamten­
versorgungskasse (PVK) (postal civil servant pension fund) at the 
Bundesanstalt für Post und Telekommunikation (BAnstPT – German 
federal post and telecommunications agency) to retired employees 
or their surviving dependants who are entitled to benefits on the 
basis of a civil service appointment. The amount of Deutsche Post AG’s 
payment obligations is governed by section 16 of the PostPersRG. 
This Act obliges Deutsche Post AG to pay into the PVK 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 obligations 
of the PVK on the one hand, and the funding companies’ current 
contributions or other return on assets on the other, and guarantees 
that the PVK 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 PVK under the terms of this 
guarantee, it cannot claim reimbursement from Deutsche Post AG.

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION RETIREMENT PLANS FOR THE GROUP’S 
HOURLY WORKERS AND SALARIED EMPLOYEES

Defined contribution retirement plans are in place for the Group’s 
hourly workers and salaried employees, particularly in the UK, the 
USA and the Netherlands. The contributions to these plans are also 
reported in staff costs. 

This  also  includes  contributions  to  certain  multi-employer 
plans which are basically defined benefit plans, especially in the USA 
and the Netherlands. However, the relevant institutions do not pro-
vide the participating companies with sufficient information to use 
defined benefit accounting. The plans are therefore accounted for 
as if they were defined contribution plans.

Regarding these multi-employer plans in the USA, contribu-
tions are made based on collective agreements between the  employer 
and the local union. There is no employer liability to any of the plans 
beyond the normal bargained contribution rates except in the event 
of a withdrawal meeting specified criteria. Such a withdrawal could 
involve liability for other entities’ obligations as governed by US 
 federal law. The expected employer contributions to the funds for 
2017 are €40 million (actual employer contributions in the report-
ing year: €35 million, in the previous year: €32 million). Some of 
the  plans  in  which  Deutsche  Post  DHL  Group  participates  are 
under funded  according  to  information  provided  by  the  funds. 
There is no information from the plans that would indicate any 
change from the contribution rates set by current collective agree-
ments. Deutsche Post DHL Group does not represent a significant 
level to any fund in terms of contributions, with the exception of 
one fund where the Group represents the largest employer in terms 
of contributions. 

Regarding one multi-employer plan in the Netherlands, cost 
coverage-based contribution rates are set annually by the board of 
the pension fund with the involvement of the Central Bank of the 
Netherlands; the individual contribution rates are equal for all par-
ticipating employers and employees. There is no liability for the 
employer towards the fund beyond the contributions set, even in 
the case of withdrawal or obligations not met by other entities. Any 
subsequent underfunding ultimately results in the rights of mem-
bers being cut and/or no indexation of their rights. The expected 
employer contributions to the fund for 2017 are €21 million (actual 
employer contributions in the reporting year: €21 million, in the 
previous year: €21 million). As at 31 December 2016, the coverage 
degree of plan funding was higher than 100 %, but lower than 105 % 
(a required minimum), according to information provided by the 
fund. Deutsche Post DHL Group does not represent a significant 
portion of the fund in terms of contributions.

118

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Other provisions

Financial liabilities

Other provisions are recognised for all legal or constructive obliga-
tions 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 dis-
counted at market rates of interest that reflect the region and time 
to settlement of the obligation. The discount rates used in the finan-
cial year were between 0.0 % and 11.00 % (previous year: 0.0 % and 
13.75 %). The effects arising from changes in interest rates are recog-
nised 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 outstand-
ing loss reserves and IBNR (incurred but not reported claims) re-
serves. Outstanding loss reserves represent estimates of obligations 
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 re-
serves 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 out-
standing loss reserves. The company carries out its own assessment 
of ultimate loss liabilities using actuarial methods and also commis-
sions an independent actuarial study of these each year in order to 
verify the reasonableness of its estimates.

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 arrange-
ments. 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 component in accord-
ance with IAS 32.31. The conversion right is classified 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 calculated 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 tempor-
ary 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 carryforwards and 
which are likely to be realised. The recoverability of the tax reduc-
tion claims is assessed on the basis of each entity’s earnings projec-
tions, which are derived from the Group projections and take any 
tax adjustments into account. The planning horizon is five years.

Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Basis of preparation

119

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 recog-
nised 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 27.

In accordance with IAS 12, deferred tax assets and liabilities are 
calculated using the tax rates applicable in the individual countries 
at the balance sheet date or announced for the time when the de-
ferred tax assets and liabilities are realised. The tax rate applied to 
German Group companies is unchanged at 30.2 %. It comprises the 
corporation tax rate plus the solidarity surcharge, as well as a mu-
nicipal trade tax rate that is calculated as the average of the different 
municipal trade tax rates. Foreign Group companies use their indi-
vidual income tax rates to calculate deferred tax items. The income 
tax rates applied for foreign companies amount to up to 38 % (pre-
vious year: 38 %).

Income taxes

Income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amounts for 
which repayments from, or payments to, the tax authorities are ex-
pected to be received or made. Tax-related fines are recognised in 
income taxes if they are included in the calculation of income tax 
liabilities, due to their inclusion in the tax base and / or tax rate.

Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities represent possible obligations whose existence 
will be confirmed only by the occurrence, or non-occurrence, of 
one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the control 
of the enterprise. Contingent liabilities also include certain obliga-
tions that will probably not lead to an outflow of resources embody-
ing economic benefits, or where the amount of the outflow of re-
sources embodying economic benefits cannot be measured with 
sufficient reliability. In accordance with IAS 37, contingent liabilities 
are not recognised as liabilities, 

 note 46.

Exercise of judgement in applying the accounting policies

8 
The  preparation  of  IFRS-compliant  consolidated  financial  state-
ments requires the exercise of judgement by management. All esti-
mates 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  present  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 accord-
ance with IFRS s requires management to make certain assumptions 
and estimates that may affect the amounts of the assets and liabil-
ities included in the balance sheet, the amounts of income and ex-
penses, and the disclosures relating to contingent liabilities. Ex-
amples 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 the Group’s defined benefit retirement plans can be found in 

 note 39.

The Group has operating activities around the globe and is sub-
ject 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 reason-
able 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 estimate made could 
have an effect on tax liabilities and deferred taxes in the period in 
which the matter is finally decided. The amount recognised for de-
ferred tax assets could be reduced if the estimates of planned taxable 
income or 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 us-
ing appropriate valuation techniques, normally based on expected 
future cash flows. In addition to the assumptions about the devel-
opment of future cash flows, these valuations are also significantly 
affected by the discount rates used.

120

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

9  Consolidation methods
The consolidated financial statements are based on the IFRS finan-
cial statements of Deutsche Post AG and the subsidiaries, joint op-
erations and investments accounted for using the equity method 
included in the consolidated financial statements and prepared in 
accordance  with  uniform  accounting  policies  as  at  31 Decem-
ber 2016.

Acquisition accounting for subsidiaries included in the consoli-
dated 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 liabilities 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.

The assets and liabilities, as well as income and expenses, of 
joint  operations  are  included  in  the  consolidated  financial  state-
ments  in  proportion  to  the  interest  held  in  these  operations,  in 
 accordance with IFRS 11. Accounting for the joint operators’ share 
of the assets and liabilities, as well as recognition and measurement 
of goodwill, use the same methods as applied to the consolidation 
of subsidiaries.

In accordance with IAS 28, joint ventures and companies on 
which the parent can exercise significant influence (associates) are 
accounted for in accordance with the equity method using the pur-
chase  method  of  accounting.  Any  goodwill  is  recognised  under 
investments accounted for using the equity method.

In the case of step acquisitions, the equity portion previously 
held is remeasured at the fair value applicable on the date of acqui-
sition 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  elim-
inated. 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 invest-
ments accounted for using the equity method are eliminated on a 
proportionate basis.

Impairment testing for goodwill is based on assumptions about 
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 calculated. This 
amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. 
Determining value in use requires assumptions 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 recoverable amount are 
appropriate, possible unforeseeable changes in these assumptions – 
e. g., a reduction in the EBIT margin, an increase in the cost of capit al 
or a decline in the long-term growth rate – could result in an im-
pairment loss that could negatively affect the Group’s net assets, 
 financial position and results of operations.

Pending legal proceedings in which the Group is involved are 
 note 48. The outcome of these proceedings could have 
disclosed in 
a significant effect on the net assets, financial position and results 
of operations of the Group. Management regularly analyses the in-
formation currently available about these proceedings and recog-
nises provisions for probable obligations including estimated legal 
costs. Internal and external legal advisers participate in making this 
assessment. 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 estimated with 
sufficient reliability. The fact that an action has been launched or a 
claim asserted against the Group, or that a legal dispute 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 circumstances 
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 en-
vironment 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 estimated amounts. 
In  such  cases,  the  assumptions  made  and,  where  necessary,  the 
 carrying amounts of the relevant assets and liabilities are adjusted 
accordingly.

At the date of preparation of the consolidated financial state-
ments, there is no indication that any significant change in the as-
sumptions and estimates made will be required, so that on the basis 
of the information currently available it is not expected that there 
will be significant adjustments in financial year 2017 to the carrying 
amounts of the assets and liabilities recognised in the financial state-
ments.

Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Basis of preparation — Segment reporting

121

SEGMENT REPORTING

10  Segment reporting

Segments by division

€ m

PeP

Express

Global  Forwarding, 
Freight

Supply Chain

Corporate Center /
Other

Consolidation 1

Group

1 Jan. to 31 Dec. 

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

External revenue

15,996

16,686

13,283

13,670

14,183

13,027

15,681

13,828

Internal revenue

135

111

378

360

707

710

110

129

Total revenue

16,131

16,797

13,661

14,030

14,890

13,737

15,791

13,957

2015

87

1,182

1,269

2016

123

1,156

1,279

2015

2016

2015

2016

0

0

59,230

57,334

–2,512

–2,466

0

0

–2,512

–2,466

59,230

57,334

1,103

1,443

1,391

1,548

–181

287

449

572

–351

–359

0

0

2,411

3,491

Profit / loss from 
operating activities 
(EBIT)

of which net 
income / loss from 
investments 
accounted for 
using the equity 
method

0

– 83

1

– 59

0

2

4

–79

30,773

31,733

1

76

97

– 58

14,155

14,262

–24

–21

16,618

17,471

2

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

2,024

2,074

1,330

1,346

335

31

1,665

1,377

–1

1,333

1,170

0

449,910

453,990

0

1

1

1

–1

0

2

2

0

0

Segment assets 2

5,532

6,309

9,337

9,895

7,998

7,798

6,418

6,253

1,571

1,557

of which invest-
ments accounted 
for using the equity 
method

1

20

46

48

25

25

3

3

0

0

Segment liabilities 2

2,697

3,035

3,508

3,579

3,141

2,930

3,372

3,290

1,496

1,486

Net segment 
assets / liabilities 2

Capex

Depreciation 
and amortisa-
tion

Impairment 
losses

Total depreciation, 
amortisation and 
impairment losses

Other non-cash 
income and 
expenses 2

2,835

533

3,274

590

5,829

856

6,316

902

4,857

123

4,868

55

3,046

318

2,963

328

75

192

71

199

318

333

391

442

86

1

1

13

27

310

79

0

306

291

229

201

7

3

4

0

319

334

404

469

396

79

313

294

233

201

506

428

240

308

261

93

256

240

69

102

Employees

169,430

171,099

79,318

83,232

44,588

43,060

145,827

145,788

10,747

10,811

1  Including rounding.
2  Prior-period amounts adjusted.

Adjustment of prior-period amounts

Segment reporting has been adapted in line with internal reporting. 
The prior-period amounts have been adjusted accordingly.

The employee numbers are expressed as average numbers of 

FTE s.

Information about geographical regions

€ m

1 Jan. to 31 Dec. 

External revenue

Non-current assets

Capex

Germany

Europe 
( excluding Germany)

Americas

Asia Pacific

Other regions

Group

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

17,493

17,910

19,013

17,006

10,294

10,171

10,063

10,003

5,298

911

5,498

940

7,264

574

7,328

512

3,876

267

4,279

422

3,553

223

3,562

165

2015

2,367

390

49

2016

2,244

377

35

2015

2016

59,230

20,381

2,024

57,334

21,044

2,074

 
 
122

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

10.1  Segment reporting disclosures

EXPRESS

The Express division offers time-definite courier and express ser-
vices to business and private customers. The division comprises the 
Europe, Americas, Asia Pacific and MEA (Middle East and Africa) 
regions. 

GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT

The activities of the Global Forwarding, Freight division comprise 
the transport of goods by rail, road, air and sea. The division’s busi-
ness units are Global Forwarding and Freight.

SUPPLY CHAIN

The Supply Chain division delivers customised supply chain solu-
tions to its customers based on globally standardised modular com-
ponents including warehousing, transport and value-added services. 

In addition to the reportable segments given above, segment report-
ing comprises the following categories:

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 oper-
ating segments, whilst its assets and liabilities remain with GBS 
(asymmetrical allocation).

Consolidation

The data for the divisions are presented following consolidation of 
interdivisional transactions. The transactions between the divisions 
are eliminated in the Consolidation column.

10.3  Information about geographical regions

The main geographical regions 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.

Deutsche Post DHL Group 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. Com-
ponents 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 Group’s top management.

External revenue is the revenue generated by the divisions from 
non-Group third parties. Internal revenue is revenue generated with 
other divisions. If comparable external market prices exist for ser-
vices 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 ex-
ternal market exists are generally based on incremental costs.

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 PeP 
division.

As part of the central management of currency risk, Corporate 
Treasury is responsible for deciding on the central absorption of 
fluctuations between projected and actual exchange rates 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. De-
preciation, amortisation and impairment losses relate to the segment 
assets allocated to the individual divisions. Other non-cash expenses 
relate primarily to expenses from the recognition of provisions.

The profitability of the Group’s operating divisions is measured 

using profit / loss from operating activities (EBIT).

10.2  Segments by division

Reflecting the Group’s predominant organisational structure, the 
primary reporting format is based on the divisions. The Group dis-
tinguishes between the following divisions:

POST - ECOMMERCE - PARCEL 

The Post - eCommerce - Parcel (PeP) division handles both domes-
tic and international mail and is a specialist in dialogue marketing, 
nationwide press distribution services and all the electronic services 
associated with mail delivery. The division offers parcel and e-com-
merce services not only in Germany, but worldwide. It is divided 
into two business units: Post, and eCommerce - Parcel. 

Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Segment reporting

123

10.4  Reconciliation of segment amounts

Reconciliation of segment amounts to consolidated amounts

Reconciliation to the income statement

€ m

External revenue

Internal revenue

total revenue

Other operating income

Materials expense

Staff costs

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 
losses

Other operating expenses

Net income from investments accounted for 
using the equity method

Profit / loss from operating activities (EBIT)

Net 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  Including rounding.

Total for reportable  

segments

Corporate Center / 
Other

Reconciliation to Group /
Consolidation 1

2015

59,143

1,330

60,473

2,333

–34,583

–18,749

–1,432

– 5,282

2

2,762

2016

57,211

1,310

58,521

2,097

–32,046

–18,689

–1,176

– 4,861

4

3,850

2015

87

1,182

1,269

1,340

–1,287

– 902

–233

– 538

0

–351

2016

123

1,156

1,279

1,454

–1,330

– 917

–201

– 644

0

–359

2015

0

–2,512

–2,512

–1,279

2,700

11

0

2016

0

–2,466

–2,466

–1,395

2,756

14

0

1,080

1,091

0

0

0

0

Consolidated  

amount

2016

57,334

0

57,334

2,156

–30,620

–19,592

–1,377

– 4,414

4

3,491

–359

3,132

–351

2,781

2,639

142

2015

59,230

0

59,230

2,394

–33,170

–19,640

–1,665

– 4,740

2

2,411

–354

2,057

–338

1,719

1,540

179

The following table shows the reconciliation of Deutsche Post DHL 
Group’s total assets to the segment assets. Financial assets, income 
tax assets, deferred taxes, cash and cash equivalents and other asset 
components are deducted.

The following table shows the reconciliation of Deutsche Post DHL 
Group’s total liabilities to the segment liabilities. Components of the 
provisions and liabilities as well as income tax liabilities and de-
ferred taxes are deducted.

Reconciliation to segment assets

Reconciliation to segment liabilities

€ m

Total assets

Investment property

Non-current financial assets 1

Other non-current assets

Deferred tax assets

Income tax assets

Receivables and other current assets 1

Current financial assets 1

Cash and cash equivalents

Segment assets 1

of which Corporate Center / Other

Total for reportable segments

Consolidation 2

1  Prior-period amounts adjusted.
2  Including rounding.

2015

37,870

–25

– 931

–151

2016

38,295

–23

– 488

–143

€ m

Total equity and liabilities

Equity

Consolidated liabilities

Non-current provisions 1

–2,007

–2,192

Non-current liabilities 1

–197

–10

–168

–3,608

30,773

1,571

29,285

– 83

–232

–16

–361

–3,107

31,733

1,557

30,255

–79

Current provisions 1

Current liabilities 1

Segment liabilities 1

of which Corporate Center / Other

Total for reportable segments

Consolidation 2

1  Prior-period amounts adjusted.
2  Including rounding.

2015

37,870

2016

38,295

–11,295

–11,350

26,575

– 6,625

– 4,719

–132

– 944

14,155

1,496

12,718

– 59

26,945

– 5,990

– 4,622

– 98

–1,973

14,262

1,486

12,834

– 58

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
124

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

INCOME STATEMENT DISCLOSURES

11  Revenue
Revenue decreased by €1,896 million (3.2 %) from €59,230 million 
to €57,334 million. The change in revenue was due to the following 
factors:

Factors affecting revenue decrease, 2016

€ m

Organic growth

Portfolio changes 1

Currency translation effects

total

1 

 note 2.

– 414

12

–1,494

–1,896

Negative organic growth is attributable, in particular, to the contract 
with the UK National Health Service (NHS) which was modified in 
the fourth quarter of 2015. The changed recognition of revenue and 
expenses resulted in a decrease in revenue of €1,435 million.

As in the prior period, there was no revenue in financial year 

2016 that was generated on the basis of barter transactions.

The further classification of revenue by division and the allo-
cation of revenue to geographical regions are presented in the seg-
ment reporting.

12  Other operating income

€ m

Income from the reversal of provisions

Income from currency translation differences

Gains on disposal of non-current assets

Insurance income

Income from fees and reimbursements

Income from work performed and capitalised

Commission income

Income from the remeasurement of liabilities

Reversals of impairment losses on receivables 
and other assets

Rental and lease income

Income from derivatives

Income from loss compensation

Income from prior-period billings

Income from the derecognition of liabilities

Recoveries on receivables previously written off

Subsidies

Miscellaneous

Other operating income

2015

2016

215

280

338

184

145

122

112

76

217

111

33

25

30

81

10

14

231

222

205

202

136

132

122

122

120

99

68

44

31

26

13

11

401

2,394

372

2,156

Of the gains on the disposal of non-current assets, €63 million re-
lates to the sale of the remaining shares in the King’s Cross com-
panies in the UK. The prior-year disposal gains included €99 million 
from  the  sale  of  equity  interests  in  Sinotrans  Ltd.,  China,  and 
€74 million from the sale of shares in the King’s Cross companies.
The decline in other operating income is also attributable to the 
change in the exchange rate of the euro and the prior-year reversal 
of impairment losses on assets in the US express business in the 
amount of €90 million. 

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 number 

of smaller individual items.

13  Materials expense

€ m

Cost of raw materials, consumables and supplies, 
and of goods purchased and held for resale
Aircraft fuel

Fuel

Packaging material

Goods purchased and held for resale

Spare parts and repair materials

Office supplies

Other expenses

Cost of purchased services
Transport costs

Cost of temporary staff and services

Expenses from non-cancellable leases

Maintenance costs

Commissions paid

IT services

Expenses from cancellable leases

Other lease expenses (incidental expenses)

Other purchased services

Materials expense

2015

2016

1,047

755

421

1,761

110

60

136

885

708

419

350

110

65

186

4,290

2,723

19,754

2,521

2,096

1,117

557

612

493

393

1,337

28,880

33,170

18,752

2,490

2,143

1,158

570

538

492

384

1,370

27,897

30,620

The reduction in goods purchased and held for resale is largely at-
tributable to the October 2015 revision of the terms of the procure-
ment and logistics contract with the UK National Health Service 
(NHS), United Kingdom. Other factors contributing to the reduction 
in materials expenses were currency effects and lower transport and 
fuel costs.

Other expenses include a large number of individual items.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — NOTES — Income statement disclosures

125

14  Staff costs/employees

€ m

Wages, salaries and compensation

of which expenses under Share Matching Scheme 1

expenses under Performance Share Plan 2

expenses under SAR Plan 2006 / LTIP 3

Social security contributions

Retirement benefit expenses

Expenses for other employee benefits

Staff costs

1  Equity-settled and cash-settled.
2  Equity-settled.
3  Cash-settled.

The average number of Group employees in the year under 

review, broken down by employee group, was as follows:

2015

15,723

99

10

33

2,300

1,031

586

2016

16,092

95

17

94

2,324

607

569

19,640

19,592

Employees (annual average)

Headcount

Hourly workers and salaried employees

Civil servants

Trainees

Employees

2015

451,882

35,669

5,314

492,865

2016

459,990

32,976

5,493

498,459

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.

Assuming that rights to shares are converted in full in the re-
spective  subsequent  year,  a  maximum  of  €67 million  of  the  ex-
penses under the Share Matching Scheme in the reporting year 
(previous year: €72 million) is attributable to cash-settled share-
based payments. The obligation at the balance sheet date was €60 mil-
lion (previous year: €56 million). In addition, expenses of €28 mil-
lion (previous year: €27 million) were incurred for equity- settled 
share-based payments.

Social security contributions relate, in particular, to statutory 

social security contributions paid by employers.

Retirement benefit expenses include the service cost related to 
 note 39. These expenses also 
the defined benefit retirement plans, 
include contributions to defined contribution retirement plans for 
civil servants in Germany in the amount of €493 million (previous 
year: €516 million), as well as for the Group’s hourly workers and 
salaried employees, totalling €305 million (previous year: €317 mil-
 note 7. For the changes in retirement benefit expenses, see 
lion), 

 note 39 in particular.

The employees of companies acquired or disposed of during the year 
under review were included rateably. The average number of full-
time  equivalents  during  the  year  was  453,990  (previous  year: 
449,910), and the number of full-time equivalents (excluding train-
ees) as at 31 December 2016 amounted to 459,262 (previous year: 
450,508). The number of employees at joint operations included in 
the consolidated financial statements amounted to 217 on a propor-
tionate basis (previous year: 208).

15  Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses

€ m

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, transport equipment

Aircraft

Total depreciation and impairment losses 
on property, plant and equipment 

Depreciation of and impairment losses 
on  investment property

Impairment of goodwill

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 
losses

2015

578

179

268

219

233

187

2016

247

176

290

236

200

228

1,086

1,130

1

0

0

0

1,665

1,377

Depreciation,  amortisation  and  impairment  losses  decreased  by 
€288 million year-on-year to €1,377 million. This was attributable 
to the impairment losses on the NFE transformation programme of 
€310 million included in this item in the prior year.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
126

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

The  impairment  losses  are  attributable  to  the  segments  as 

16  Other operating expenses

€ m

2015

2016

 follows:

Impairment losses

€ m

Post - eCommerce - Parcel
Property, plant and equipment

Express
Property, plant and equipment

Global Forwarding, Freight
Software

Supply Chain
Software

Property, plant and equipment

Corporate Center/Other
Property, plant and equipment

Investment property

Impairment losses

2015

2016

Cost of purchased cleaning and security services

Expenses for advertising and public relations

1

13

310

3

4

3

1

Insurance costs

Travel and training costs

Warranty expenses, refunds and compensation 
payments

Other business taxes

Telecommunication costs

Write-downs of current assets

Currency translation expenses

Office supplies

Entertainment and corporate hospitality expenses

Consulting costs (including tax advice)

Services provided by the Bundesanstalt für Post 
und Telekommunikation (German federal post 
and telecommunications agency)

1

27

0

0

3

0

0

335

31

Customs clearance-related charges

Impairment losses in the financial year were recognised mainly for 
the Express division and, as in the previous year, related to aircraft 
and aircraft parts in particular. 

Contributions and fees

Voluntary social benefits

Losses on disposal of assets

Legal costs

Expenses from derivatives

Commissions paid

Monetary transaction costs

Audit costs

Expenses from prior-period billings

Donations

Miscellaneous

Other operating expenses

429

357

335

348

266

231

237

302

267

190

169

179

148

114

95

83

46

107

120

64

47

38

14

24

385

360

331

315

301

267

230

223

222

167

166

134

126

115

98

81

76

75

65

63

48

32

27

24

530

4,740

483

4,414

Taxes other than income taxes are either recognised in the related 
expense item or, if no specific allocation is possible, in other oper-
ating expenses.

Miscellaneous other operating expenses include a large num-

ber of smaller individual items.

 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Income statement disclosures

17  net finance costs

€ m

Financial income
Interest income

Income from other equity investments and financial 
assets

Other financial income

Finance costs
Interest expenses

of which  unwinding of discounts for net pension 
provisions and other provisions

Other finance costs

Foreign currency result

net finance costs

Reconciliation

€ m

2015

2016

Profit before income taxes

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

46

4

44

94

–335

–189

–75

– 410

–38

–354

54

1

35

90

–302

–156

– 82

–384

– 65

–359

2015

2,057

– 621

– 5

349

90

–10

–204

63

–338

127

2016

3,132

– 946

12

569

168

–26

–205

77

–351

Interest income and interest expenses result from financial assets and 
liabilities that were not measured at fair value through profit or loss.
Information on the unwinding of discounted net pension pro-

visions can be found in 

 note 39.

18  Income taxes

€ m

Current income tax expense

Current recoverable income tax

Deferred tax income from temporary differences

Deferred tax income from tax loss carryforwards

Income taxes

2015

– 625

63

– 562

75

149

224

–338

2016

– 607

40

– 567

84

132

216

–351

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:

The difference from deferred tax assets not recognised for initial 
differences is due to differences between the carrying amounts in 
the opening tax accounts of Deutsche Post AG and the carrying 
amounts in the IFRS financial statements as at 1 January 1995 (initial 
differences). 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 obliga-
tions. The remaining temporary differences between the original 
IFRS carrying amounts, net of accumulated depreciation or amorti-
sation, and the tax base amounted to €295 million as at 31 Decem-
ber 2016 (previous year: €334 million).

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 foreign 
companies not recognised for tax loss carryforwards and temporary 
differences relate primarily to the Americas region.

€679 million (previous year: €252 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, and results mainly from Germany. In 
addition, the recognition of deferred tax assets previously not re c-
ognised for tax loss carryforwards and of deductible temporary 
differences from a prior period reduced the deferred tax expense by 
€154 million (previous year: €267 million). Effects from unrecog-
nised deferred tax assets amounting to €1 million (previous year: 
€29 million) were due to a valuation allowance recognised for a 
deferred tax asset. Other effects from unrecognised deferred tax 
assets  relate  primarily  to  tax  loss  carry forwards  for  which  no 
 deferred taxes were recognised.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
128

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

A deferred tax asset in the amount of €1.4 billion was recog-
nised in the balance sheet for companies 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 2016, there were no changes in tax rates affect-
ing German Group companies. 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 
€26 million (tax expense) (previous year: expense of €10 million).
The following table presents the tax effects on the components 

of other comprehensive income:

Before taxes

Income taxes

After taxes

Other comprehensive income

€ m

2016
Change due to remeasurements 
of net pension provisions

IAS 39 revaluation reserve

IAS 39 hedging reserve

Currency translation reserve

Other changes in retained earnings

Share of other comprehensive 
income of investments accounted 
for using the equity method

– 876

– 69

63

–291

0

3

Other comprehensive income

–1,170

2015
Change due to remeasurements 
of net pension provisions

IAS 39 revaluation reserve

IAS 39 hedging reserve

Currency translation reserve

Other changes in retained earnings

Share of other comprehensive 
income of investments accounted 
for using the equity method

833

–110

–18

472

0

5

8

13

–19

0

0

0

2

– 65

7

5

0

0

0

– 868

– 56

44

–291

0

3

–1,168

768

–103

–13

472

0

5

Other comprehensive income

1,182

– 53

1,129

19  Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share are computed in accordance with IAS 33, 
Earnings per Share, by dividing consolidated net profit by the aver-
age number of shares outstanding. Outstanding shares relate to 
issued capital less any treasury shares held. Basic earnings per share 
for financial year 2016 were €2.19 (previous year: €1.27). 

Basic earnings per share

Consolidated net profit for the 
period attributable to Deutsche 
Post AG shareholders

Weighted average number 
of shares outstanding

Basic earnings per share

2015

2016

€ m

1,540

2,639

number 1,210,620,132

1,203,092,606

€

1.27

2.19 

To compute diluted earnings per share, the average number of shares 
outstanding is adjusted for the number of all potentially dilutive 
shares. This item includes the executives’ rights to shares under the 
Performance Share Plan and Share Matching Scheme share-based 
payment systems (as at 31 December 2016: 8,045,621 shares; previ-
ous  year:  5,423,718  shares),  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, as well as the 
shares from the share buyback programme that have not yet been 
acquired.  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 in the reporting period were €2.10 

(previous year: €1.22). 

Diluted earnings per share

Consolidated net profit for the 
period attributable to Deutsche 
Post AG shareholders

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

Potentially dilutive shares

Weighted average number 
of shares for diluted earnings

Diluted earnings per share

2015

2016

1,540

2,639

6 

1 

6 

1 

1,545

2,644

€ m

€ m

€ m

€ m

number 1,210,620,132

1,203,092,606

number

51,901,142

54,232,677

number 1,262,521,274

1,257,325,283

€

1.22 

2.10 

20  Dividend per share
A dividend per share of €1.05 is being proposed for financial year 
2016 (previous year: €0.85). Further details on the dividend distri-
bution can be found in 

 note 37.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Income statement disclosures — Balance sheet disclosures

129

BALANCE SHEET DISCLOSURES

21  Intangible assets

21.1  Overview

€ m

Cost
Balance at 1 January 2015

Additions from business combinations

Additions 

Reclassifications

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance at 31 December 2015 / 1 January 2016

Additions from business combinations

Additions

Reclassifications

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance at 31 December 2016

Amortisation and impairment losses
Balance at 1 January 2015

Additions from business combinations

Amortisation

Impairment losses

Reclassifications

Reversals of impairment losses

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance at 31 December 2015 / 1 January 2016

Additions from business combinations

Amortisation

Impairment losses

Reclassifications

Reversals of impairment losses

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance at 31 December 2016

Carrying amount at 31 December 2016

Carrying amount at 31 December 2015

Internally 
generated 
intangible 
assets

Purchased 
brand names

Purchased 
customer lists

Other 
purchased 
intangible 
assets

Advance 
payments and 
intangible 
assets under 
development

Goodwill

1,151

544

975

1,534

12,247

0

26

73

–12

2

1,240

0

27

58

–12

–2

1,311

979

0

80

3

2

–1

–11

1

1,053

0

80

0

3

0

– 9

–2

1,125

186

187

0

0

0

0

35

579

4

0

0

0

–77

506

478

0

0

0

0

0

0

30

508

0

0

0

0

0

0

–72

436

70

71

0

0

0

0

64

1,039

17

0

0

0

– 50

1,006

690

0

53

0

0

0

0

44

787

0

42

0

0

0

0

–35

794

212

252

0

63

84

– 69

22

1,634

25

57

59

– 83

– 6

1,686

1,204

0

131

3

0

0

– 66

17

1,289

13

125

0

–2

0

–70

– 6

1,349

337

345

0

0

0

– 4

461

12,704

236

0

0

– 4

–145

12,791

1,138

0

0

0

0

0

–1

22

1,159

0

0

0

0

0

0

–26

1,133

11,658

11,545

392

0

135

–126

–311

0

90

0

101

– 95

–2

–3

91

2

0

0

308

–2

0

–308

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

91

90

Total

16,843

0

224

31

–396

584

17,286

282

185

22

–101

–283

17,391

4,491

0

264

314

0

–1

–386

114

4,796

13

247

0

1

0

–79

–141

4,837

12,554

12,490

The additions to goodwill relate to UK Mail Group (€201 million) 
and Mitsafetrans (€35 million), see also 
 note 2. In the previous 
year, impairment losses of €310 million were recognised for the NFE 
transformation programme. This figure included capitalised bor-
rowing costs of €10 million. 

Purchased software, concessions, industrial rights, licences and 
similar rights and assets are reported under purchased intangible 
assets. Internally generated intangible assets relate to development 
costs for internally developed software. 

Other than goodwill, only brand names that are acquired in 

their entirety are considered to have indefinite useful lives.

 
 
 
130

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

21.2  Allocation of goodwill to CGU s

€ m

total goodwill

Post - eCommerce - Parcel

Express

Global Forwarding, Freight
DHL Global Forwarding

DHL Freight

Supply Chain

2015

2016

11,545

11,658

934

3,939

4,163

277

2,232

1,135

3,945

4,156

277

2,145

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 correspond-
ing 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 2017 to 
2019. It is supplemented by a perpetual annuity representing the 
value added from 2020 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 economies, 
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 geographical submarkets 
and in global trade, and the ongoing trend towards outsourcing 
logistics activities. Cost trend forecasts for the transport network 
and services also have an impact on value in use. Another key plan-
ning assumption for the impairment test is the EBIT margin for the 
perpetual annuity.

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 annuity are 
shown in the following table:

%

Supply Chain

Global Forwarding, Freight
DHL Freight

DHL Global Forwarding

Post - eCommerce - Parcel

Express

Discount rates

Growth rates

2015

9.0 

9.1

8.9

8.1

8.3

2016

8.2 

8.4

8.1

7.5

7.6

2015

2.5

2.0

2.5

0.5

2.0

2016

2.5 

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 allocated, it was 
established that the recoverable amounts for all CGU s exceed their 
carrying amounts. No impairment losses were recognised on good-
will in any of the CGU s as at 31 December 2016.

When  performing  the  impairment  test,  Deutsche  Post  DHL 
Group conducted sensitivity analyses as required by IAS 36.134 for 
the EBIT margin, the discount rate and the growth rate. These ana-
lyses – which included varying the essential valuation parameters 
within an appropriate range – did not reveal any risk of impairment 
to goodwill.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Balance sheet disclosures

131

22  Property, plant and equipment

22.1  Overview

€ m

Cost
Balance at 1 January 2015

Additions from business combinations

Additions 

Reclassifications

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance at 31 December 2015 / 1 January 2016

Additions from business combinations

Additions 

Reclassifications

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance at 31 December 2016

Depreciation and impairment losses
Balance at 1 January 2015

Additions from business combinations

Depreciation

Impairment losses

Reclassifications

Reversals of impairment losses

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance at 31 December 2015 / 1 January 2016

Additions from business combinations

Depreciation

Impairment losses

Reclassifications

Reversals of impairment losses

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance at 31 December 2016

Carrying amount at 31 December 2016

Carrying amount at 31 December 2015

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

4,676

4,403

2,474

1,853

2,326

0

54

129

–132

20

1,924

0

94

292

–243

15

2,082

809

0

175

12

0

0

–124

8

880

0

201

27

0

0

–233

4

879

1,203

1,044

0

179

33

–153

15

2,400

16

221

27

–229

–28

2,407

1,079

0

233

0

1

0

–130

7

1,190

7

200

0

0

0

–187

–19

1,191

1,216

1,210

0

124

92

– 404

76

4,564

60

192

276

–230

–26

4,836

0

114

415

–143

68

4,857

52

126

533

–166

–12

5,390

0

196

89

–233

36

2,562

19

211

90

–207

– 5

2,670

2,325

2,942

1,932

0

175

4

– 4

– 59

–233

50

2,258

10

175

1

14

0

–128

–11

2,319

2,517

2,306

0

219

0

1

–1

–221

29

1,959

14

236

0

4

0

–197

– 4

2,012

658

603

0

264

4

–1

–30

–126

46

3,099

28

287

3

–16

0

–141

–11

3,249

2,141

1,758

€ m

Total

16,265

0

1,800

–34

–1,081

231

17,181

147

1,889

–23

–1,087

– 68

18,039

9,088

0

1,066

20

– 4

– 90

– 834

140

9,386

59

1,099

31

2

0

– 886

– 41

9,650

8,389

7,795

2016

180

1

16

2

4

203

533

0

1,133

–792

–16

16

874

0

1,045

–1,241

–12

–12

654

1

0

0

0

–1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

654

874

2015

137

2

24

0

1

164

Advance payments relate only to advance payments on items of 
property, plant and equipment for which the Group has paid ad-
vances in connection with uncompleted transactions. Assets under 
development relate to items of property, plant and equipment in 
progress at the balance sheet date for whose production internal or 
third-party costs have already been incurred.

22.2  Finance leases

The following assets are carried as non-current assets resulting from 
finance leases:

Land and buildings

Technical equipment and machinery

Other equipment, operating and office equipment

Aircraft

Vehicle fleet and transport equipment

Finance leases

 
 
 
 
 
 
132

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Information on the corresponding liabilities can be found under 
financial liabilities, 

 note 41.2.

ance with section 313 (2) nos. 1 to 5 and section 313 (3) of the HGB, 
which can be accessed online at 

 dpdhl.com/en/investors. 

23  Investment property
The investment property largely comprises leased property encum-
bered by heritable building rights, and developed and undeveloped 
land.

€ m

Cost
At 1 January

Additions

Reclassifications

Disposals

Currency translation differences

At 31 December

Depreciation and impairment losses
At 1 January

Additions

Impairment losses

Disposals

Reclassifications

Currency translation differences

At 31 December

Carrying amount at 31 December

2015

2016

42

0

4

– 8

1

39

10

0

1

0

3

0

14

25

39

2

0

–7

0

34

14

0

0

–2

–1

0

11

23

24.1  Investments in associates 

The following table gives an aggregated overview of the carrying 
amount in the consolidated financial statements and selected finan-
cial data (based on the interest held) for those associates which, both 
individually and in the aggregate, are not of material significance 
for the Group. 

Aggregate financial data for associates

€ m

Carrying amount in the consolidated financial 
statements

Profit / loss before income taxes

Profit / loss after income taxes

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

2015

2016

75

3

2

5

7

95

4

3

3

6

24.2  Joint ventures 

The following table presents in aggregated form the carrying amount 
and selected financial data of all interests in all joint ventures which, 
both individually and in the aggregate, are immaterial. The figures 
represent the Group’s interests. 

Rental income for investment property amounted to €1 million 
(previous year: €2 million), whilst the related expenses were €0 mil-
lion (previous year: €1 million). The fair value amounted to €58 mil-
lion (previous year: €58 million).

24  Investments accounted for using the equity method
Investments accounted for using the equity method changed as 
shown in the table below.

The additions relate to the 27.5 % non-controlling interest in 

Relais Colis SAS, France, acquired in January 2016. 

The complete list of investments in associates and joint ven-
tures can be found in the list of the Group’s shareholdings in accord-

Aggregate financial data for joint ventures

€ m

Carrying amount in the consolidated financial 
statements

Profit / loss before income taxes

Profit / loss after income taxes

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

€ m

Balance at 1 January

Additions

Disposals

Impairment losses

Changes in the Group’s share of equity
Changes recognised in profit or loss

Profit distributions

Changes recognised in other comprehensive income

Balance at 31 December

Associates

Joint ventures

2016

2015

2016

2015

75

19

–3

0

3

–2

3

95

6

0

–3

–2

0

0

0

1

1

0

0

0

1

0

0

2

75

0

–3

–2

2

–1

5

76

2015

69

0

0

0

2

–1

5

75

2015

2016

1

1

0

0

0

2

1

1

0

1

Total

2016

76

19

–3

0

4

–2

3

97

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Balance sheet disclosures

25  Financial assets

€ m

Available-for-sale financial assets

of which measured at fair value

Loans and receivables

Assets at fair value through profit or loss

Lease receivables

Financial assets

The change in financial assets is attributable primarily to the sale of 
the remaining shares held in the King’s Cross companies as well 
as the release of an amount of €378 million deposited in a trustee 
account for the EU state aid decision, see also 

 notes 46 and 48.

Write-downs  of  non-current  financial  assets  at  fair  value 
through  profit  or  loss  amounting  to  €12 million  (previous  year: 
€17 million)  were  recognised  in  the  income  statement,  whilst  a 
write-up in the same amount was recognised for liabilities at fair 
value through profit or loss.

Compared with the market rates of interest prevailing at 31 De-
cember 2016 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 €6 mil-
lion  (previous  year:  €8 million).  The  principal  amount  of  these 
loans totals €6 million (previous year: €8 million).

Details on restraints on disposal are contained in 

 note 45.2.

133

Total

2016

232

221

531

249

51

2015

146

135

911

180

55

1,292

1,063

2015

221

2,172

2,393

2016

222

2,176

2,398

2015

630

477

151

126

99

40

38

30

27

5

770

2,393

2016

705

463

143

127

86

39

35

32

32

4

732

2,398

Non-current

Current

2015

2016

2015

119

108

806

138

50

1,113

32

21

458

155

44

689

27

27

105

42

5

179

2016

200

200

73

94

7

374

26  Other assets

26.1  Overview

€ m

Other non-current assets

Other current assets

Other assets

26.2  Breakdown of other assets

€ m

Prepaid expenses

Current tax receivables

Pension assets, non-current only

Receivables from private postal agencies

Income from cost absorption

Creditors with debit balances

Receivables from insurance business

Receivables from loss compensation 
( recourse claims)

Receivables from employees

Receivables from cash-on-delivery

Other assets,  
of which non-current: 79 ( previous year: 70)

Other assets

Information on pension assets can be found in 

 note 39.

Of the tax receivables, €346 million (previous year: €356 mil-
lion) relates to VAT, €62 million (previous year: €72 million) to cus-
toms and duties, and €55 million (previous year: €49 million) to 
other tax receivables. Miscellaneous other assets include a large 
number of individual items.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
134

27  Deferred taxes

27.1  Overview

€ m

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

2015

2,007

142

2016

2,192

106

27.2   Breakdown by balance sheet item

€ 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

2015

2016

Assets

Liabilities

Assets

Liabilities

52

119

1

76

37

640

2

137

1,206

2,270

–263

2,007

156

71

22

8

31

62

46

9

 –

405

–263

142

25

140

5

77

24

580

93

143

1,337

2,424

–232

2,192

131

98

11

7

56

20

13

2

–

338

–232

106

€1,110 million (previous year: €1,101 million) of the deferred taxes 
on tax loss carryforwards relates to tax loss carryforwards in Ger-
many and €227 million (previous year: €105 million) to foreign tax 
loss carryforwards. 

No deferred tax assets were recognised for tax loss carryfor-
wards of around €10.1 billion (previous year: €10.0 billion) and for 
temporary differences of around €3.0 billion (previous year: €4.1 bil-
lion), as it can be assumed that the Group will probably not be able 
to use these tax loss carryforwards and temporary differences in its 
tax planning.

Most of the tax loss carryforwards in Germany are attributable 
to Deutsche Post AG. It will be possible to utilise them for an in-
definite period of time. In the case of the foreign companies, the 
significant tax loss carryforwards will not lapse before 2023.

Deferred taxes have not been recognised for temporary differ-
ences of €813 million (previous year: €802 million) relating to earn-
ings of German and foreign subsidiaries because these temporary 
differences will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

27.3  Maturity structure

Short-term

Long-term

Netting

Total

860

119

665

98

1,564

219

1,605

307

€ m

2016
Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax 
liabilities

2015
Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax 
liabilities

28  Inventories

€ m

Raw materials, consumables and supplies

Finished goods and goods purchased and held 
for resale

Work in progress

Advance payments

Inventories

–232

–232

–263

–263

2015

137

65

66

13

281

2,192

106

2,007

142

2016

150

61

59

5

275

There was no requirement to charge significant valuation allowances 
on these inventories.

29  trade receivables

€ m

Trade receivables

Deferred revenue

Receivables from Group companies

trade receivables

2015

7,049

636

9

7,694

2016

7,290

659

16

7,965

30  Income tax assets and liabilities
All income tax assets and liabilities are current and have maturities 
of less than one year.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Balance sheet disclosures

135

31  Cash and cash equivalents

€ m

Cash equivalents

Bank balances / cash in transit

Cash

Other cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

Of the €3,107 million in cash and cash equivalents, €955 million was 
not available for general use by the Group as at the balance sheet 
date (previous year: €838 million). Of this amount, €886 million 
(previous year: €766 million) was attributable to countries where 
exchange controls or other legal restrictions apply (mostly China, 
India and Thailand) and €69 million primarily to companies with 
non-controlling interest holders (previous year: €72 million). 

2015

2,353

1,182

20

53

2016

1,198

1,837

19

53

3,608

3,107

32  Assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets 

held for sale

The amounts reported in this item mainly relate to the following 
items:

€ m

Exel Inc., USA – real estate (Supply Chain segment)

nugg.ad GmbH, Germany – equity interest (PeP segment)

Güll GmbH, Germany, and Presse-Service Güll GmbH, Switzerland – equity interests (PeP segment)

Other

Assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale

2015

6 

3 

3 

0 

12

Assets

2016

Liabilities

2015

2016

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

0 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

The sale plan for properties of Exel Inc., USA, reported in the pre-
vious year was withdrawn. The real estate was reclassified as invest-
ment  property. The  sale  of  nugg.ad  GmbH,  Germany,  and  Güll 
GmbH, Germany, as well as Presse-Service Güll GmbH, Switzerland, 
was completed during the year under review.

The “other” item relates to legacy aircraft held for sale. Another 
five aircraft with a carrying amount of €1.00 each were reclassified 
to this balance sheet item during the financial year. The most recent 
measurement prior to reclassification led to an impairment loss of 
€26 million.

33  Issued capital and purchase of treasury shares
As  at  31 December 2016,  KfW  Bankengruppe  (KfW)  held  a 
20.5 %  (previous  year:  20.9 %)  interest  in  the  share  capital  of 
Deutsche  Post  AG.  The  remaining  79.5 %  (previous  year:  79.1 %) 
of the shares were in free float. KfW holds the shares in trust for 
the Federal Republic of Germany.

33.1  Changes in issued capital

The  issued  capital  amounts  to  €1,241 million.  It  is  composed  of 
1,240,915,883 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 and treasury shares

€

Issued capital
Balance at 1 January

2015

2016

1,211,180,262

1,212,753,687

Addition due to capital increase

1,568,593

0

Addition due to contingent capital increase 
(convertible bond)

Balance at 31 December 
( according to  commercial register)

4,832

28,162,196

1,212,753,687

1,240,915,883

treasury shares
Balance at 1 January 

Purchase of treasury shares

Sale of treasury shares

Issue of treasury shares

Balance at 31 December

–1,507,473

–1,568,593

–2,628,575

–30,896,650

14,992

48,106

2,552,463

2,829,908

–1,568,593

–29,587,229

total at 31 December 

1,211,185,094

1,211,328,654

The contingent capital increase in December 2016 resulted from 
various bond holders exercising conversion options. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
136

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

33.2  Authorised and contingent capital

Contingent Capital 2011

Authorised / contingent capital at 31 December 2016

Authorised Capital 2013 

Contingent Capital 2011 

Contingent Capital 2013 

Contingent Capital 2014 

Amount  

€ m Purpose

236 

Increase in share capital 
against cash /  
non-cash contributions  
(until 28 May 2018)

47 

75 

40 

Issue of options /  
conversion rights  
(until 24 May 2016)

Issue of options  /  
 conversion rights  
(until 28 May 2018)

Issue of subscription  
rights to executives 
( until 26 May 2019)

Authorised Capital 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 May 2018 in exchange for cash and/or 
non-cash contributions and thereby increase the company’s share 
capital. The authorisation may be used in full or for partial amounts. 
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. 

Capital increases

Registered on

12 March 2014

11 December 2014

10 December 2015

Total

Number 
of shares

656,915

1,507,473

1,568,593

3,732,981

In  financial  years  2014  and  2015,  Deutsche  Post  AG’s  Board  of 
Manage ment made partial use of the authorisation granted to it 
in accordance with article 5 (2) of the Articles of Association of 
Deutsche Post AG, to increase Deutsche Post AG’s share capital by a 
total of €3,732,981.00 by issuing 3,732,981 new no-par value regis-
tered shares with a notional interest in the share capital of €1.00 
per  share  in  exchange  for  cash  contributions.  In  financial  year 
2016, the authorised capital was not utilised. Authorised  capital, 
which  originally  amounted  to  €240 million,  now  amounts  to 
€236 million. 

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 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 
with  a  proportionate  interest  in  the  share  capital  not  to  exceed 
€75 million. 

Full use was made of the authorisation in December 2012 by 
issuing  a  €1 billion  convertible  bond.  The  share  capital  was  in-
creased on a contingent basis by up to €75 million. Contingent cap-
ital was reduced through the issue of new shares, by €4,832.00 in 
2015 and by €28,162,196.00 in 2016. 

Contingent 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 participation certificates, or 
a combination thereof, 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  proportionate  interest  in  the  share  capital  not  to  exceed 
€75 million. The share capital was increased on a contingent basis 
by up to €75 million. No use was made of the authorisation in the 
reporting year.

Contingent Capital 2014

In its resolution dated 27 May 2014, the Annual General Meeting 
authorised the Board of Management to contingently increase the 
share capital by up to €40 million through the issue of up to 40 mil-
lion new no-par value registered shares. The contingent capital in-
crease serves to grant subscription rights to selected Group execu-
tives.  The  subscription  rights  may  only  be  issued  based  on  the 
aforementioned Annual General Meeting resolution of 27 May 2014. 
The contingent capital increase will only be implemented to the 
extent that shares are issued based on the subscription rights granted 
and the company does not settle the subscription rights by cash 
payment or delivery of treasury shares. The new shares participate 
in profit from the beginning of the financial year in which they are 
issued. The share capital was increased on a contingent basis by up 
to €40 million. No use was made of the authorisation in the report-
ing year.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Balance sheet disclosures

137

33.3  Authorisation to acquire treasury shares

By way of a resolution adopted by the Annual General Meeting on 
27 May 2014, the company is authorised to acquire treasury shares 
in the period to 26 May 2019 of up to 10 % of the share capital ex-
isting when the resolution was adopted. The authorisation permits 
the Board of Management to exercise it for every purpose permitted 
by law, and in particular to pursue the goals mentioned in the reso-
lution by the Annual General Meeting. 

Treasury shares acquired on the basis of the authorisation, with 
shareholders’ subscription rights disapplied, may continue to be 
used for the purposes of listing on a stock exchange outside Ger-
many. In addition, the Board of Management remains authorised 
to acquire treasury shares using derivatives.

Deutsche Post AG acquired treasury shares for the total amount 
of €32 million (average price of €24.62 per share) in order to settle 
the 2015 tranche of the Share Matching Scheme. To settle the 2011 
tranche of the Share Matching Scheme, treasury shares had been 
purchased for a total price of €39 million (average price of €24.80 
per share) in December 2015. The treasury shares were issued to the 
executives concerned in April 2016. 

On 1 March 2016, the Board of Management resolved a share 
buyback programme for up to 60 million shares of Deutsche Post AG 
at a total purchase price (not including transaction costs) of up to 
€1 billion. The repurchased shares will either be retired, used to 
 service long-term executive remuneration plans or used to meet 
potential obligations if rights accruing under the 2012 / 2019 con-
vertible bond are exercised. The buyback via the stock exchange 
began on 1 April 2016 and will last for a maximum of one year. The 
first tranche of the share buyback programme with a total volume 
of €100 million was implemented in the period between 1 April 2016 
and 3 May 2016. The second tranche with a total volume of €250 mil-
lion  was  implemented  in  the  period  between  30 May 2016  and 
26 August 2016. The volume bought back in the third tranche be-
tween 29 August 2016 and 31 December 2016 amounted to €455 mil-
lion. The total maximum volume of this tranche is €650 million and 
the buyback period ends on 6 March 2017. By 31 December 2016, a 
total of 29,587,229 shares had been repurchased for €805 million at 
an average price of €27.22 per share.

As  at  31 December 2016,  Deutsche  Post AG  held  29,587,229 

treasury shares (previous year: 1,568,593 treasury shares).

33.4  Disclosures on corporate capital

The equity ratio was 29.6 % in financial year 2016 (previous year: 
29.8 %). 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. 

Corporate capital

€ m

Financial liabilities

Less operating financial liabilities 1

Less cash and cash equivalents

Less current financial assets

Less non-current derivative financial instruments

net debt

Plus total equity

total capital

Net gearing ratio (%)

1  Relates to, e. g., liabilities from leases, overpayments.

2015

5,178

–160

2016

6,035

–138

–3,608

–3,107

–179

–138

1,093

11,295

12,388

8.8

–374

–155

2,261

11,350

13,611

16.6

34  Capital reserves
An amount of €601 million was transferred to the capital reserves 
in financial year 2016 (previous year: €94 million).

€ m

Capital reserves at 1 January

Addition / issue of rights under Share Matching 
Scheme

2015

2,339

2016

2,385

2010 tranche

2011 tranche

2012 tranche

2013 tranche

2014 tranche

2015 tranche

2016 tranche

Total additions

Exercise of rights under Share Matching Scheme

2010 tranche – matching shares

2011 tranche – matching shares

2014 tranche – investment and incentive shares

2015 tranche – investment and incentive shares

Total exercised

total for Share Matching Scheme

Addition / issue of rights under Performance Share 
Plan

2014 tranche

2015 tranche

2016 tranche

total for Performance Share Plan

Capital increase through exercise of conversion 
rights under convertible bond

Capital increases

1

4

3

4

27

8

0

47

–20

0

–28

0

– 48

–1

8

2

0

10

0

37

Capital reserves at 31 December

2,385

0

1

3

4

5

32

8

53

0

–21

0

–33

– 54

–1

7

7

3

17

531

0

2,932

 
 
 
 
 
138

35  Other reserves

€ m

IAS 39 revaluation reserve

IAS 39 hedging reserve

Currency translation reserve

Other reserves

35.1  IAS 39 revaluation reserve

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

2015

67

– 41

–15

11

€ m

2016

At 1 January

11 

3

–298

–284

Currency translation differences

Total comprehensive income

Changes from unrealised gains and losses

Changes from realised gains and losses

IAS 39 hedging reserve at 31 December before tax

Deferred taxes

IAS 39 hedging reserve at 31 December after tax

2015

–33

0

–120

102

– 51

10

– 41

2016

– 51

0

46

17

12

– 9

3

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 otherwise disposed 
of, or if their value is significantly or permanently impaired.

€ m

At 1 January

Currency translation differences

Total comprehensive income

Changes from unrealised gains and losses

Changes from realised gains and losses

IAS 39 revaluation reserve at 31 December 
before tax

Deferred taxes

IAS 39 revaluation reserve at 31 December 
after tax

2015

190

8

54

–172

80

–13

67

2016

80

–2

– 4

– 63

11

0

11

The change in the hedging reserve is mainly the result of the recog-
nition of previously unrealised gains and losses from hedging future 
operating currency transactions. In the financial year, realised losses 
of €86 million and realised gains of €69 million were recognised in 
other  comprehensive  income  (previous  year:  realised  losses  of 
€137 million and realised gains of €35 million).

35.3  Currency translation reserve

€ m

At 1 January

Transactions with non-controlling interests

Total comprehensive income

Changes from unrealised gains and losses

Changes from realised gains and losses

Currency translation reserve at 31 December

2015

– 483

0

468

0

–15

2016

–15

0

–283

0

–298

The change resulted from the sale of shares in the King’s Cross com-
panies in the UK.

35.2  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.

36  Retained earnings
As well as the undistributed consolidated net profits generated in 
prior periods, retained earnings also contain the effects from trans-
actions with non-controlling interests.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — NOTES — Balance sheet disclosures

139

€ m

At 1 January

Dividend payment

Consolidated net profit for the period

Change due to remeasurements of net pension 
provisions

Transactions with non-controlling interests

Miscellaneous other changes, of which

Share buyback under tranches I to III

Obligation to repurchase shares under tranche III

Purchase / sale – treasury shares under Share 
Matching Scheme

Exercise – treasury shares under Share 
Matching Scheme

Retained earnings at 31 December

2015

6,168

–1,030

1,540

773

–3

–21

0

0

– 67

46

7,427

2016

7,427

–1,027

2,639

– 866

4

– 949

–775

–195

–30

51

7,228

The  dividend  payment  to  Deutsche  Post  AG  shareholders  of 
€1,027 mil lion was made in May 2016. This corresponds to a divi­
dend of €0.85 per share.

The third tranche of the share buyback programme, with a total 
volume of up to €650 million, is being implemented by an independ­
ent  financial  services  provider  between  29 August 2016  and 
6 March 2017 on the basis of an irrevocable agreement dated 25 Au­
gust 2016. At the time the contract was concluded, the resulting 
obligation was charged in full to retained earnings and recognised 
as a financial liability. It was reduced by the buyback trans actions 
carried  out  by  31 December 2016.  The  amounts  from  the  third 
tranche of the share buyback programme are included in miscel­
laneous other changes. Of these amounts, €195 million is attributable 
to the buyback transactions to be carried out after 31 December 
2016. In addition, €775 million of the acquisition costs of €805 mil­
lion incurred to date for the share repurchases of tranches I to III of 
the share buyback programme was also recognised in miscellaneous 
other changes. The remaining €30 million relates to the notional 
value of the repurchased shares and was recognised in issued capital. 
The miscellaneous other changes also include the amounts related 
to settlement of the tranches under the Share Matching Scheme.

The  changes  in  transactions  with  non­controlling  interests 

37  Equity attributable to Deutsche Post AG shareholders
The equity attributable to Deutsche Post AG shareholders in finan­
cial  year  2016  amounted  to  €11,087 million  (previous  year: 
€11,034 million).

Dividends

Dividends  paid  to  the  shareholders  of  Deutsche  Post  AG  are 
based  on  the  net  retained  profit  of  €5,487 million  reported  in 
Deutsche Post AG’s annual financial statements in accordance with 
the HGB. The Board of Management is proposing a dividend of €1.05 
per no­par value share carrying dividend rights. This corresponds 
to a total dividend of €1,271 million, based on an estimated number 
of  shares  carrying  dividend  rights  for  financial  year  2016.  The 
amount of €4,216 million remaining after deduction of the planned 
total dividend will be carried forward to new account.

Dividend distributed in financial year 2016 
for the year 2015

Dividend distributed in financial year 2015 
for the year 2014

Total dividend  

€ m

1,027

1,030

Dividend  
per share 
€

0.85

0.85

As the dividend is paid in full from the tax­specific capital contri­
bution account (steuerliches Einlagekonto as defined by section 27 
of the Körperschaftssteuergesetz (KStG – German Corporation Tax 
Act)) (contributions not made to subscribed capital), payment will 
be made without the deduction of capital gains tax or the solidarity 
surcharge. The dividend is tax exempt for shareholders resident in 
Germany. It does not entitle recipients to a tax refund or a tax credit. 
In terms of taxation, the dividend distribution is considered as a 
repayment of contributions from the capital contribution account 
and – in the opinion of the tax authorities – serves to reduce the 
cost of acquiring the shares.

38  Non-controlling interests
This balance sheet item includes adjustments for the interests of 
non­Group shareholders in the consolidated equity from acquisi­
tion accounting, as well as their interests in profit or loss. 

without change of control are presented in the following table.

The following table shows the companies to which the material 

non­controlling interests relate:

Transactions with non-controlling interests

€ m

Blue Dart Express Limited, India

DHL Korea Limited, Korea

Other

Total

2015

2016

€ m

1

– 5

1

–3

1

0

3

4

DHL Sinotrans International Air Courier Ltd., China

Blue Dart Express Limited, India

Exel Saudia LLC, Saudi Arabia

Other companies

Non-controlling interests

2015

176 

12 

9 

64 

261 

2016

162 

14 

11 

76 

263 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
140

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Material non-controlling interests exist in the following two com-
panies: 

DHL Sinotrans International Air Courier Ltd., China, which 
has  been  assigned  to  the  Express  segment,  provides  domestic 
and  international  express  delivery  and  transport  services. 
Deutsche Post DHL Group holds a 50 % share in the company. Blue 

Dart Express Limited (Blue Dart), India, is a courier service pro-
vider which has been assigned to the PeP segment. Deutsche Post AG 
holds a share of 75 % in Blue Dart. The following table gives an over-
view of the aggregated financial data of significant companies with 
non-controlling interests:

Financial data for material non-controlling interests

€ m

Balance sheet
ASSETS
Non-current assets

Current assets

total ASSETS

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Non-current provisions and liabilities

Current provisions and liabilities

total EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

net assets

Non-controlling interests

Income statement
Revenue

Profit before income taxes

Income taxes

Profit after income taxes

Other comprehensive income 

total comprehensive income

attributable to non-controlling interests

Dividend distributed to non-controlling interests

Consolidated net profit attributable to non-controlling interests

Cash flow statement
Net cash from operating activities

Net cash used in / from investing activities

Net cash used in financing activities

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January

Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 

Sinotrans

Blue Dart

2015

2016

2015

2016

170

388

558

9

198

207

351

176

115

433

548

8

216

224

324

162

1,364

1,335

362

84

278

10

288

144

112

139

301

–21

–225

55

145

4

204

293

74

219

–15

204

102

116

109

262

–12

–231

19

204

– 9

214

79

93

172

50

58

108

64

12

349

36

15

21

1

22

6

2

5

35

–18

–15

2

6

–1

7

80

103

183

28

78

106

77

14

354

32

12

20

0

20

5

2

5

22

16

–23

15

7

0

22

The portion of other comprehensive income attributable to non-con-
trolling 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

Total comprehensive income

Changes from unrealised gains and losses

Changes from realised gains and losses

Currency translation reserve at 31 December

2015

2016

6

0

9

0

15

15

0

– 5

0

10

 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Balance sheet disclosures

141

39  Provisions for pensions and similar obligations

39.1  Plan features

The Group’s most significant defined benefit retirement plans are in 
Germany and the UK. 

In Germany, Deutsche Post AG has occupational retirement 
arrangements based on a collective agreement, which are open to 
new hourly workers and salaried employees. This system was re-
placed in the year under review by entering into a new collective 
agreement. As from 1 January 2016, depending on the weekly work-
ing hours and wage/salary group, retirement benefit components 
are calculated annually for each hourly worker and salaried em-
ployee and credited to an individual pension account. The allocated 
retirement benefit components are subject to an annual rate of in-
crease of 2.5 %. When the statutory pension falls due, the hourly 
workers and salaried employees can choose whether to receive pay-
ment as a lump sum or in instalments, or life-long monthly benefit 
payments that increase by 1 % each year. Employees on the payroll 
at 31 December 2015/1 January 2016 receive an initial benefit com-
ponent for the entitlements already accrued. This component is 
credited to the pension account on a one-time basis. The large ma-
jority of Deutsche Post AG’s obligations relates to older vested entitle-
ments of hourly workers and salaried employees, and to legacy 
pension commitments towards former hourly workers and salaried 
employees who have left or retired from the company. In addition, 
retirement arrangements are available to executives below the man-
agement board level and to specific employee groups through de-
ferred compensation. 

The prime source of external funding for Deutsche Post AG’s 
overall pension plan is a contractual trust arrangement, which also 
includes a pension fund. A support fund that was previously also 
included was liquidated in 2016 and its assets were transferred to 
the trust. The trust is funded on a case-by-case basis in line with the 
Group’s finance strategy. In the case of the pension fund, the regu-
latory funding requirements can, in principle, be met without add-
itional employer contributions. Part of the plan assets consists of 
real estate that is leased out to the Group on a long-term basis. In 
addition, some of the legacy pension commitments use the Versor­
gungsanstalt 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. New contractual trust 
arrangements were agreed and implemented for three subsidiaries 
in the previous year.

In the UK, the Group’s defined benefit pension arrangements 
are largely closed to new entrants and for further service accrual. 
One exceptional arrangement exists which is open to further service 
accrual and a limited number of existing employees who have not 
yet chosen to join. It provides for monthly payments from retire-
ment, depending on length of service and final salary. In addition, 
a pension commencement lump sum payment must be made. An-
nual increases in pension payments are linked to inflation. 

The majority of the Group’s (defined benefit) arrangements in 
the UK have been consolidated into a group plan with different sec-
tions for the participating divisions. These are largely funded via a 
group trust. The amount of the employer contributions must be 
negotiated with the trustee in the course of funding valuations. Em-
ployee beneficiaries make their own funding contributions in the 
case of the remaining open defined benefit arrangement. 

A wide variety of other defined benefit retirement 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 retirement plan, which provides for 
annual accruals. In addition, a pensionable salary cap is applied. The 
plan provides for monthly benefit payments that increase in line 
with the agreed wage and salary increases, on the one hand, and the 
funds available for such increases, on the other. In Switzerland, em-
ployees receive an occupational pension in line with statutory re-
quirements, depending on the contributions paid, an interest rate 
that is fixed each year, certain annuity factors and any pension in-
creases specified. A separate plan providing for lump sum payments 
instead of annuities exists for specific higher wage components. In 
the USA, the companies’ defined benefit plans have been closed to 
new entrants and accrued entitlements have been frozen. 

The Group companies primarily fund their dedicated defined 
benefit retirement plans in these three countries by using the re-
spective  joint  funding  institutions.  In  the  Netherlands  and  in 
Switzer land, both employers and employees contribute to plan fund-
ing. In the USA no contributions are currently made in this regard. 
Various risks arise in the context of defined benefit retirement 
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.

142

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

39.2  Financial plan performance and calculation of balance sheet items

The present value of defined benefit obligations, the fair value of 
plan assets and net pension provisions changed as follows: 

€ m

At 1 January 

Current service cost, excluding employee contributions

Past service cost

Settlement gains (–) / losses (+)

Other administration costs in accordance with IAS 19.130

Service cost 1

Interest cost on defined benefit obligations 

Interest income on plan assets

net interest cost

Income and expenses recognised in the income statement

Actuarial gains (–) / losses (+) – changes in demographic assumptions 

Actuarial gains (–) / losses (+) – changes in financial assumptions 

Actuarial gains (–) / losses (+) – experience adjustments

Return on plan assets excluding interest income

2015

18,099

193

2

–7

–

188

485 

–

485

673

–136 

–1,026 

14 

–

Remeasurements recognised in the statement of  comprehensive income

–1,148

Employer contributions

Employee contributions

Benefit payments

Settlement payments

Transfers

Acquisitions / divestitures

Currency translation effects

At 31 December

1  Including other administration costs on plan assets under IAS 19.130.

–

30 

–788 

–2 

0 

0 

408

17,272

Present value of defined 
benefit obligations

Fair value  

of plan assets

Net pension  
provisions

2016

17,272

162

–356

–7

–

–201

483 

 – 

483

282 

–16 

1,754 

– 65 

– 

1,673 

 – 

32 

–747 

–71 

0 

–2 

–716 

17,723 

2015

10,961

2016

11,202

–

–

–

–10

–10

–

317 

317

307

–

–

–

–315 

–315

497

18 

– 638 

–3 

0 

0 

375

11,202

–

–

–

–10

–10

 – 

346 

346

336 

–

–

–

797 

797 

1,162 

18 

– 481 

–71 

–12 

–1 

– 664 

12,286 

2015

7,138

193

2

–7

10

198 

485

–317

168

366

–136

–1,026

14

315

– 833

– 497

12

–150

1

0 

0 

33

6,070

2016

6,070

162

–356

–7

10

–191 

483 

–346 

137 

– 54 

–16 

1,754 

– 65 

–797 

876 

–1,162 

14 

–266 

0 

12 

–1 

– 52 

5,437 

As at 31 December 2016, the effects of asset ceilings amounted to 
€2 million. An expedient was applied to their recognition by de-
ducting  this  amount  from  the  fair  value  of  plan  assets  (1 Janu-
ary 2016 / 31 December 2015: €0 million; 1 January 2015: €3 million).
The negative past service cost in the reporting year was largely 
due  to  changes  in  the  occupational  retirement  arrangement  of 
Deutsche Post AG in Germany. The increase in employer contribu-
tions was also largely attributable to Deutsche Post AG which added 
€1 billion to pension assets in April 2016. In addition, liquidation 
of the support fund in Germany resulted in a switch from benefit 

payments from plan assets to benefit payments by the company. A 
lump-sum programme was implemented in the UK for the recipients 
of small retirement benefits, leading to settlement payments and the 
discontinuation of pension obligations.

Total payments amounting to €439 million are expected with 
regard to net pension provisions in 2017. Of this amount, €346 mil-
lion is attributable to the Group’s expected direct benefit payments 
and  €93 million  to  expected  employer  contributions  to  pension 
funds. 

 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Balance sheet disclosures

143

The breakdown of the present value of defined benefit obliga-
tions, fair value of plan assets and net pension provisions as well as 
the calculation of the balance sheet items are as follows:

€ m

2016
Present value of defined benefit obligations at 31 December

Fair value of plan assets 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

2015
Present value of defined benefit obligations at 31 December

Fair value of plan assets 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

In the Other area, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the USA ac-
count for a share in the corresponding present value of the defined 
benefit obligations of 40 %, 24 % and 13 %, respectively (previous 
year: 40 %, 24 % and 14 %). 

Additionally,  rights  to  reimbursement  from  former  Group 
companies  existed  in  the  Group  in  Germany  in  the  amount  of 
around €20 million (previous year: €18 million) which are reported 
separately. Corresponding benefit payments are being made directly 
by the former Group companies.

39.3  Additional information on the present value of defined benefit 

obligations

The significant financial assumptions are as follows:

%

31 December 2016
Discount rate (defined benefit obligations)

Expected annual rate of future salary increase

Expected annual rate of future pension increase 

31 December 2015
Discount rate (defined benefit obligations)

Expected annual rate of future salary increase

Expected annual rate of future pension increase

Germany

UK

Other

Total

9,866 

– 5,518 

4,348 

0 

4,348 

9,628 

– 4,363 

5,265 

0 

5,265 

5,270 

– 4,590 

680 

1 

681 

5,166 

– 4,774 

392 

48 

440 

2,587 

–2,178 

409 

17,723 

–12,286 

5,437 

142 

551 

143 

5,580 

2,478 

–2,065 

413 

17,272 

–11,202 

6,070 

103 

516 

151 

6,221 

Germany

UK

Other

Total

2.25 

2.50 

2.00 

2.75 

2.50 

2.00 

2.75 

3.25 

2.85 

3.75 

3.00 

2.65 

2.19 

2.02 

0.93 

2.53 

2.00 

1.06 

2.39 

2.43 

2.15 

3.02 

2.42 

2.10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
144

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

The discount rates for defined benefit obligations in the euro zone 
and the UK were each derived from an individual yield curve com-
prising the yields of AA-rated corporate bonds. Membership-related 
factors and / or duration were taken into account. For other coun-
tries, the discount rate for defined benefit obligations was deter-
mined in a similar way, provided there was a deep market for AA-
rated (or, to some extent, AA and 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 increase 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 % (previous year: 1.00 %).

The most significant demographic assumptions made relate to 
life expectancy 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 retirement 
plans  in  the  UK  was  based  on  the  S1PMA / S1PFA  tables  of  the 
 Continuous Mortality Investigation of the Institute and Faculty of 
Actuaries adjusted to reflect plan-specific mortality according to 
the current funding valuation. Other countries used their own, cur-
rent standard mortality tables.

If one of the significant financial assumptions were to change, 
the present value of the defined benefit obligations would change as 
follows: 

Change in 
assumption 
Percentage 
points

Change in present value 
of defined benefit obligations 
%

Germany

UK

Other

Total

+ 1.00 
–1.00

+ 0.50 
– 0.50

+ 0.50 
– 0.50

+ 1.00 
–1.00

+ 0.50 
– 0.50

+ 0.50 
– 0.50

–12.58 
15.91

0.18 
– 0.17

0.42 
– 0.38

–13.25 
17.06

0.17 
– 0.16

0.40 
– 0.36

–15.02 
19.62

0.08 
– 0.08

5.94 
– 5.41

–14.78 
19.27

0.07 
– 0.07

5.79 
– 5.48

–14.48 
18.67

1.08 
–1.01

6.23 
– 4.29

–14.22 
18.40

1.01 
– 0.97

6.08 
– 4.19

–13.58 
17.41

0.28 
– 0.26

2.90 
–2.44

–13.85 
17.91

0.26 
– 0.25

2.82 
–2.44

The weighted average duration of the Group’s defined benefit 
obligations at 31 December 2016 was 14.4 years in Germany (previ-
ous year: 15.4 years) and 18.0 years in the UK (previous year: 16.7 
years). In the other countries it was 17.5 years (previous year: 17.2 
years), and in total it was 15.9 years (previous year: 16.0 years). 

A total of 29.2 % (previous year: 29.6 %) of the present value of 
the defined benefit obligations was attributable to active beneficiar-
ies, 16.8 % (previous year: 16.8 %) to terminated beneficiaries and 
54.0 % (previous year: 53.6 %) to retirees.

31 December 2016
Discount rate (defined benefit obligations) 

Expected annual rate of future salary increase  

Expected annual rate of future pension increase  

31 December 2015
Discount rate (defined benefit obligations) 

Expected annual rate of future salary increase  

Expected annual rate of future pension increase  

These are effective weighted changes in the respective present value 
of  the  defined  benefit  obligations,  e. g.,  taking  into  account  the 
largely fixed nature of the pension increase for Germany.

A one-year increase in life expectancy for a 65-year-old bene-
ficiary would increase the present value of the defined benefit obli-
gations by 4.56 % in Germany (previous year: 4.56 %) and by 4.06 % 
in the UK (previous year: 4.07 %). The corresponding increase for 
other countries would be 2.56 % (previous year: 2.62 %), for a total 
increase of 4.12 % (previous year: 4.14 %). 

When determining the sensitivity disclosures, the present values 
were calculated using the same methodology used to calculate the 
present values at the reporting date. The presentation does not take 
into account interdependencies between the assumptions; rather, it 
supposes that the assumptions change in isolation. This would be 
unusual in practice, since assumptions are often correlated.

 
  
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Balance sheet disclosures

145

39.4  Additional information on the fair value of plan assets

The fair value of the plan assets can be broken down as follows: 

€ m

31 December 2016
Equities

Fixed income securities

Real estate

Alternatives

Insurances

Cash

Other

Fair value of plan assets

31 December 2015
Equities

Fixed income securities

Real estate

Alternatives

Insurances

Cash

Other

Germany

UK

Other

Total

1,053 

1,986 

1,377 

434 

562 

99 

7 

662 

3,173 

183 

457 

0 

103 

12 

742 

910 

262 

33 

119 

20 

92 

2,457 

6,069 

1,822 

924 

681 

222 

111 

5,518 

4,590 

2,178 

12,286 

753 

1,461 

1,322 

236 

570 

14 

7 

968 

3,091 

199 

462 

0 

39 

15 

728 

833 

240 

44 

110 

35 

75 

2,449 

5,385 

1,761 

742 

680 

88 

97 

Fair value of plan assets

4,363 

4,774 

2,065 

11,202 

Quoted market prices in an active market exist for around 80 % 
(previous year: 79 %) 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: 13 % (previous year: 14 %) to real estate, 
6 % (previous year: 6 %) to insurances and 1 % (previous year: 1 %) to 
alternatives. The majority of the investments on the active markets 
are globally diversified, with certain country-specific focus areas. 

Real estate in Germany with a fair value of €1,358 million (pre-

vious year: €1,305 million) is used by Deutsche Post AG itself.

Asset-liability studies are performed at regular intervals in Ger-
many, the UK and, amongst other places, the Netherlands, 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. 

39.5  Risk

A number of risks that are material to the company and the plans 
exist in relation to the defined benefit retirement plans. Opportun-
ities for risk mitigation are used in line with the specifics of the plans 
concerned.

INTEREST RATE RISK

A decrease (increase) in the respective 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.

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. The risk of increasing in-
flation rates with regard to the present value of the defined benefit 
obligations has been mitigated in the case of Germany, for example, 
by switching to a component-based retirement benefit system and, 
in the case of the UK, by largely closing the defined benefit arrange-
ments. In addition, fixed rates of increase have been set or increases 
partially capped and/or lump sum payments provided for. There is 
also a positive correlation with interest rates.

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 diversification and the 
use of hedging instruments. 

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 miti-
gated in particular by using current standard mortality tables when 
calculating the present value of the defined benefit obligations. The 
mortality tables used in Germany and the UK, for example, include 
an allowance for expected future increases in life expectancy.

 
 
 
 
146

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

40  Other provisions
Other provisions break down into the following main types of pro-
vision:

€ m

Other employee benefits

Restructuring provisions

Technical reserves (insurance)

Postage stamps

Tax provisions

Miscellaneous provisions

Other provisions

40.1  Changes in other provisions

€ m

Balance at 1 January 2016

Changes in consolidated group

Utilisation

Currency translation differences

Reversal

Unwinding of discount / changes in discount rate

Reclassification

Additions

Balance at 31 December 2016

Non-current

2016

541

72

435

0

0

450

1,498

2015

567

98

454

0

0

393

1,512

Current

2016

230

181

235

242

113

322

2015

262

246

215

252

73

438

2015

829

344

669

252

73

831

Total

2016

771

253

670

242

113

772

1,486

1,323

2,998

2,821

Other 
employee 
benefits

Restructuring 
provisions

Technical 
reserves 
(insurance)

Postage 
stamps

Tax 
provisions

Miscellaneous 
provisions

829

0

–727

8

–25

7

–1

680

771

344

0

–122

2

– 50

0

0

79

253

669

0

– 62

–14

–39

4

0

112

670

252

0

–252

0

0

0

0

242

242

73

–1

–32

–1

– 4

0

0

78

113

831

4

–359

4

–113

8

0

397

772

Total

2,998

3

–1,554

–1

–231

19

–1

1,588

2,821

The provision for other employee benefits primarily covers work-
force reduction expenses (severance payments, transitional benefits, 
partial retirement etc.), stock appreciation rights (SAR s) and jubilee 
payments.

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 rentals for idle plant, litigation risks and expenses from the clos-
ure of terminals, for example. 

Technical reserves (insurance) mainly consist of outstanding 
loss reserves and IBNR reserves; further details can be found in 

 note 7.

The provision for postage stamps covers outstanding obliga-
tions to customers for letter and parcel deliveries from postage 
stamps sold but still unused by customers. It is based on external 
expert reports and extrapolations made on the basis of internal data. 
The provision is measured at the nominal value of the stamps issued.
Of the tax provisions, €47 million (previous year: €28 million) 
relates to VAT, €22 million (previous year: €7 million) to customs 
and duties and €44 million (previous year: €38 million) to other tax 
provisions.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Balance sheet disclosures

147

40.2  Miscellaneous provisions

The miscellaneous provisions break down as follows:

€ m

Aircraft maintenance

Litigation costs

Risks from business activities

Miscellaneous other provisions

Miscellaneous provisions

2015

118

231

69

413

831

2016

149

127

42

454

772

Miscellaneous other provisions include a large number of individual 
items.

40.3  Maturity structure

The maturity structure of the provisions recognised in financial year 
2016 is as follows:

€ m

2016
Other employee benefits

Restructuring provisions

Technical reserves (insurance)

Postage stamps

Tax provisions

Miscellaneous provisions

total

41  Financial liabilities

€ m

Bonds

Amounts due to banks

Finance lease liabilities

Liabilities to Group companies

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Other financial liabilities

Financial liabilities

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

Total

Up to 1 year

230

181

235

242

113

322

1,323

153

7

219

0

0

163

542

72

14

90

0

0

95

271

Non-current

2016

4,217

20

181

0

23

130

4,571

2015

4,304

11

141

0

17

152

4,625

54

12

54

0

0

73

193

2015

0

155

26

26

108

238

553

47

8

5

0

0

35

95

Current

2016

773

138

28

28

98

399

1,464

215

31

67

0

0

84

397

2015

4,304

166

167

26

125

390

771

253

670

242

113

772

2,821

Total

2016

4,990

158

209

28

121

529

5,178

6,035

The amounts due to banks mainly comprise current overdraft facil-
ities due to various banks.

The amounts reported under financial liabilities at fair value 
through profit or loss relate to the negative fair values of derivative 
financial instruments.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
148

41.1  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.

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Significant bonds

Bond 2012 / 2017

Bond 2012 / 2022

Bond 2012 / 2020

Bond 2012 / 2024

Bond 2013 / 2018

Bond 2013 / 2023

Bond 2016 / 2021

Bond 2016 / 2026

Convertible bond 2012 / 2019 1

Nominal 
coupon 
%

Issue  
volume 

€ m Issuer

2015

2016

Carrying 
amount 
€ m

Fair value 
€ m

Carrying 
amount 
€ m

Fair value 
€ m

1.875

2.950

1.875

2.875

1.500

2.750

0.375

1.250

0.600

750 Deutsche Post Finance B. V.

500 Deutsche Post Finance B. V.

300 Deutsche Post AG

700 Deutsche Post AG

500 Deutsche Post AG

500 Deutsche Post AG

750 Deutsche Post AG

500 Deutsche Post AG

748

497

298

697

497

496

–

–

769

562

318

786

517

557

–

–

1,000 Deutsche Post AG

954

1,004

749

497

298

697

498

496

744

496

405

758

572

322

819

514

575

760

515

428

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 €629 million at the balance sheet date (previous year: €1,318 million).

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 22 November 2019. 

Conversion price

€

Conversion price on issue

Conversion price after adjustment in 2014 1

Conversion price after adjustment in 2015 2

Conversion price after adjustment in 2016 3

1  Adjustment after payment of a dividend of €0.80 per share.
2  Adjustment after payment of a dividend of €0.85 per share.
3  Adjustment after payment of a dividend of €0.85 per share.

20.74

20.69

20.63

20.60

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 com-
ponent and an equity component. The equity instrument in the 
amount of €74 million is reported under capital reserves. The value 
of the debt component 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 
and recognised in profit or loss.

Various bond holders exercised their conversion right in De-
cember 2016. In total, bonds with a notional volume of €580 mil-
lion were converted, resulting in 28 million new shares that carry 
dividend rights in financial year 2016.

 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Balance sheet disclosures

41.2  Finance lease liabilities

Finance lease liabilities relate mainly to the following items:

Leasing partner

Interest rate 
%

End of term Asset

Deutsche Post Immobilien GmbH, Germany

Various leasing partners

5.09 / 5.23

2023 / 2028 Real estate

DHL Aviation NV / SA, Belgium

Cercis Parc

DHL International (UK) Limited, United Kingdom 

Deutsche Post AG, Germany

Howard Lewisham Limited; 
SEGRO Airport Property Partnership

T-Systems International GmbH

DHL Express (Austria) GmbH, Austria

Raiffeisen Impuls Immobilien GmbH

4.25 

5.00

4.25 

3.62

2031 Real estate

2030 / 2031 Real estate

2019 IT equipment

2019 Real estate

2015 
€ m

103

0

6

17

9

149

2016 
€ m

97

38

23

13

9

Leased assets are recognised in property, plant and equipment at 
carrying  amounts  of  €203 million  (previous  year:  €164 million). 
The  notional  amount  of  the  minimum  lease  payments  totals 
€259 million (previous year: €210 million).

Present value  

(finance lease liabilities)

Minimum lease payments 
(notional amount)

Maturity structure

€ m

Up to 1 year

More than 1 year 
to 5 years

More than 5 years

total

2015

26

64

77

167

2016

28

74

107

209

41.3  Other financial liabilities

€ m

Obligation from the third tranche of the share 
buyback programme

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

2015

32

86

92

210

2015

0

27 

63 

18 

282 

390 

2016

30

102

127

259

2016

195

41 

0 

14 

279 

529 

42  Other liabilities

42.1  Overview

€ m

Other non-current liabilities

Other current liabilities

Other liabilities

42.2  Breakdown of other liabilities

€ m

Tax liabilities

Incentive bonuses

Deferred income,  
of which non-current: 116 (previous year: 86)

Wages, salaries, severance payments

Compensated absences

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: 123 (previous year: 142)

Overtime claims

COD liabilities

Accrued rentals

Liabilities from cheques issued

Other compensated absences

Insurance liabilities

Liabilities from loss compensation

Accrued insurance premiums for damages 
and similar liabilities

Miscellaneous other liabilities,  
of which non-current: 133 (previous year: 6)

Other liabilities

2015

234

4,255

4,489

2016

372

4,292

4,664

2015

1,146

653

2016

1,109

679

376

367

322

180

178

146

144

86

56

42

37

30

24

18

15

398

374

335

203

174

159

125

90

61

45

28

28

17

17

12

669

4,489

810

4,664

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
150

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Of the tax liabilities, €603 million (previous year: €603 million) 
relates to VAT, €330 million (previous year: €379 million) to cus-
toms and duties, and €176 million (previous year: €164 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 conjunction 
with the assignment of receivables in previous years, as well as pass-
through obligations from repayments of principal and interest for 
residential building loans sold.

Miscellaneous other liabilities include a large number of indi-

vidual items.

42.3  Maturity structure

€ m

Up to 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

Other liabilities

2015

4,255

28

33

6

6

161

4,489

2016

4,292

131

44

30

20

147

4,664

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 be-
cause most of these instruments bear floating rates of interest at 
market rates.

43  trade payables
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.

CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES

44  Cash flow disclosures
The cash flow statement is prepared in accordance with IAS 7, State-
ment of Cash Flows, and discloses the cash flows in order to present 
the source and application of cash and cash equivalents. It distin-
guishes 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 calculating cash and cash 
equivalents.

Non-cash transactions were entered into in the previous year 
which were not included in the cash flow statement in accordance 
with IAS 7.43 and 7.44. They related to 14 properties that were con-
tributed  to  Deutsche  Post  Pensions-Treuhand  GmbH & Co.  KG. 
Although income was recognised as a result of the contribution, no 
cash or cash equivalents were received. 

44.1  net cash from operating activities

Cash flows from operating activities are calculated by adjusting con-
solidated net profit/loss for tax expenses, net financial income / net 
finance costs and non-cash factors, as well as taxes paid, changes in 
provisions and in other non-current assets and liabilities (net cash 
from operating activities before changes in working capital). Ad-
justments for changes in working capital (excluding financial liabil-
ities) result in net cash from or used in operating activities.

Net cash from operating activities decreased from €3,444 mil-
lion to €2,439 million in financial year 2016, despite the €1,080 mil-
lion rise in EBIT.

The  depreciation,  amortisation  and  impairment  losses  con-
tained in EBIT are non-cash effects and are therefore eliminated. 
They declined from €1,665 million to €1,377 million in the reporting 
year: in the previous year, impairment losses of €310 million had 
been recognised in relation to NFE. The gains on the disposal of 
non-current assets of €113 million are not included in net cash from 
operating activities in the cash flow statement. 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. In the previous year, this item comprised income from 
the sale of equity interests in Sinotrans and King’s Cross; in the re-
porting period, it comprised primarily income from the sale of the 
remaining shares in King’s Cross.

 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — NOTES — Balance sheet disclosures — Cash flow disclosures

151

Non-cash  income  and  expenses,  which  increased  EBIT  by 
€40 million but did not lead to a cash inflow, were also adjusted. The 
change in provisions increased significantly from €495 million to 
€1,799 million, above all because of further funding of pension ob-
ligations, which added €1 billion.

The change in current assets and liabilities led to a net cash 
outflow of €75 million. In the previous year, the change in this item 
resulted in an inflow of €788 million. The rise in receivables and 
other current assets in the reporting year in particular contributed 
to this development.

Non-cash income and expenses

€ m

Expense from remeasurement of assets

Income from remeasurement of liabilities

Income from disposal of assets

Staff costs relating to equity-settled share-based 
payments

Other

Non-cash income

2015

60

–140

–31

37

6

– 68

2016

94

–141

–26

45

–12

– 40

44.2  Net cash used in investing activities

Cash  flows  from  investing  activities  mainly  result  from  cash  re-
ceived from disposals of non-current assets (divestitures) and cash 
paid for investments in non-current assets. 

Interest received from investing activities as well as cash inflows 
and outflows from changes in current financial assets are also in-
cluded.

At €1,643 million, net cash used in investing activities exceeded 
the previous year’s figure by €181 million. The most significant item 
was the cash paid to acquire property, plant and equipment, and 
intangible assets, which was down €138 million on the previous year, 
at €1,966 million. Investments were focused on expanding our hubs 
in Leipzig, East Midlands, Brussels and Cincinnati in the Express 
division. Proceeds from the disposal of non-current assets had an 
offsetting effect, increasing from €437 million to €838 million. In 
addition to the sale of real estate, another key factor here was the 
repayment of state aid in the amount of €378 million.

The cash inflow from the disposal of current financial assets 
totalling €205 million in the previous year was offset by a cash out-
flow of €209 million in the reporting period. In the previous year, 
money market funds of €200 million had been sold, whilst in the 
reporting year, surplus cash in the same amount was invested in 
money market funds.

The assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the course of 
company acquisitions undertaken in financial years 2016 and 2015 
are presented below, in accordance with IAS 7.40 d, 

 note 2.

€ m

Non-current assets

Current assets  
(excluding cash and cash equivalents)

Non-current provisions and liabilities

Current provisions and liabilities

2015

0

0

0

0

2016

123

97

–15

–118

The following table shows the calculation of free cash flow:

Calculation of free cash flow

€ m

Net cash 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

Disposals of investments accounted for using 
the equity method and other investments 

Acquisition of subsidiaries and other business units

Acquisition of investments accounted for using 
the equity method and other investments 

Cash inflow / outflow arising from divestitures /  
acquisitions

Interest received

Interest paid

Net interest paid

Free cash flow

2015

3,444

175

2016

2,439

265

–2,104

–1,966

–1,929

–1,701

15

223

0

0

238

47

–76

–29

1,724

35

82

–304

–19

–206

50

–138

– 88

444

Free cash flow is considered to be an indicator of how much cash is 
available to the company for dividend payments or the repayment 
of debt.

Free cash flow dropped from €1,724 million in the previous 
year to €444 million in 2016. This is attributable primarily to the 
significant decrease in net cash from operating activities due to pen-
sion obligation funding. The purchase of UK Mail mainly led to the 
cash outflow from acquisitions /divestitures rising to €206 million. 
In the previous year, the proceeds from the sale of Sinotrans and 
King’s Cross had resulted in a net cash inflow.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
152

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

44.3  net cash used in financing activities

OTHER DISCLOSURES

At €1,233 million, net cash used in financing activities was €134 mil-
lion lower than in the previous year.

At €1,239 million, the capital raised through the placement of 
two bonds in April led to an increase in non-current financial li-
abilities.  Net  cash  used  to  purchase  treasury  shares  rose  from 
€70 million to €836 million on account of the share buyback pro-
gramme. The largest payment item, at €1,027 million, was the divi-
dend payment to our shareholders. It fell by €3 million year-on-year 
due to the increase in treasury shares at the time of the Annual 
General Meeting.

By contrast, there was an increase in interest paid, to €138 mil-
lion; in the first quarter of 2015, interest rate swaps for bonds were 
unwound, leading to a cash inflow. The accounting treatment of 
these inflows is the same as for the hedged item. For this reason, 
only small interest payments of €76 million were reported in the 
previous year.

44.4  Cash and cash equivalents

After adjustment for currency effects and the changes in cash and 
cash equivalents related to assets held for sale, the cash inflows and 
outflows described above produced cash and cash equivalents of 
€3,107 million, 
 note 31. This represents a year-on-year decrease of 
€501 million.

45  Risks and financial instruments of the Group

45.1  Risk management

As a result of its operating activities, the Group is exposed to finan-
cial risks that may arise from changes in exchange rates, commodity 
prices and interest rates. Deutsche Post DHL Group manages these 
risks centrally through the use of non-derivative and derivative fi-
nancial 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 pro-
cessed using proven risk management software, which also regularly 
documents the effectiveness of hedging relationships. Portfolios of 
derivatives are regularly reconciled with the banks concerned.

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 as-
signed to the banks are reviewed on a daily basis. The Group’s Board 
of Management is informed internally at regular intervals about 
existing financial risks and the hedging instruments deployed to 
mitigate them. Financial instruments are accounted for and meas-
ured in accordance with IAS 39.

Information  on  risks  and  risk  mitigation  in  relation  to  the 
 note 39.5.

Group’s defined benefit retirement plans can be found in 

liquidity management

The ultimate objective of liquidity management is to secure the solv-
ency of Deutsche Post DHL Group and all Group companies. Con-
sequently, liquidity in the Group is centralised as much as possible 
in cash pools and managed in the Corporate Center.

The centrally available liquidity reserves (funding availability), 
consisting of central short-term financial investments and commit-
ted 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 €3.9 billion (previ-
ous year: €4.2 billion) as at 31 December 2016, consisting of central 
financial investments amounting to €1.9 billion plus a syndicated 
credit line of €2.0 billion.

Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Cash flow disclosures — Other disclosures

153

The maturity structure of non-derivative financial liabilities 

within the scope of IFRS 7 based on cash flows is as follows:

Maturity structure of financial liabilities

€ m

At 31 December 2016
Non-current financial liabilities

Other non-current liabilities

non-current liabilities

Current financial liabilities

Trade payables

Other current liabilities

Current liabilities

At 31 December 2015
Non-current financial liabilities

Other non-current liabilities

non-current liabilities

Current financial liabilities

Trade payables

Other current liabilities

Current liabilities

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

Up to 1 year

707

1

708

943

2

945

1,134

1

1,135

385

1

386

635

2

637

1,096

1

1,097

823

1

824

368

1

369

2,474

119

2,593

1,984

138

2,122

77

0

77

1,389

7,178

341

8,908

82

0

82

445

7,069

355

7,869

The maturity structure of the derivative financial instruments based 
on cash flows is as follows:

Maturity structure of derivative financial instruments

€ m

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

Up to 1 year

At 31 December 2016
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 2015
Derivative receivables – gross settlement
Cash outflows

Cash inflows

net settlement
Cash inflows

Derivative liabilities – gross settlement
Cash outflows

Cash inflows

net settlement
Cash outflows

–2,124

2,184

–231

237

6

0

–2,675

2,602

–188

175

–22

– 5

–1,527

1,553

–233

234

11

3

–3,012

2,939

–194

187

–34

–13

0

0

0

–2

1

0

0

0

0

–3

3

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

–2

1

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
154

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Derivative financial instruments entail both rights and obligations. 
The contractual arrangement defines whether these rights and ob-
ligations 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). 

In total, currency forwards and currency swaps with a notional 
amount of €5,737 million (previous year: €5,514 million) were out-
standing at the balance sheet date. The corresponding fair value was 
€1 million (previous year: €–44 million). As at the reporting date, 
there were no currency options or cross-currency swaps. 

CURRENCY RISK AND CURRENCY MANAGEMENT

The international business activities of Deutsche Post DHL Group 
expose it to currency risks from recognised or planned future trans-
actions:

Accounting-related currency risks arise from the measurement 
and settlement of items in foreign currencies that are recognised if 
the exchange rate on the measurement or settlement date differs 
from the rate on recognition. The resulting foreign exchange differ-
ences directly impact on profit or loss. In order to mitigate this 
impact as far as possible, all significant accounting-related 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 totalled €5 million (previous year: €5 million) at the reporting 
date; the current limit was a maximum of €5 million.

The notional amount of the currency forwards and currency 
swaps used to manage accounting-related currency risks amounted 
to €2,425 million at the reporting date (previous year: €3,532 mil-
lion); the fair value was €–20 million (previous year: €–29 million). 
For simplification purposes, fair value hedge accounting was not 
applied to the derivatives used, which are reported as trading de-
rivatives instead.

Currency  risks  arise  from  planned  foreign  currency  trans-
actions if the future foreign currency transactions are settled at ex-
change rates that differ from the rates originally planned or calcu-
lated. 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 around 36 % of the foreign currency risk of the currencies con-
cerned was hedged for the next 24 months. The relevant hedging 
transactions  are  recognised  using  cash  flow  hedge  accounting,  

 note 45.3, Cash flow hedges.

Currency risks also result from translating assets and liabilities 
of foreign operations into the Group’s currency (translation risk). 
The risks arising from the UK’s referendum on leaving the European 
Union and the decline in the value of the Chinese renminbi were 
hedged in part with currency forwards and currency swaps. 

Of the unrealised gains or losses from currency derivatives 
recognised in equity as at 31 December 2016 in accordance with 
IAS 39, €–30 million (previous year: €–20 million) is expected to be 
recognised in income in the course of 2017.

IFRS 7 requires the disclosure of quantitative risk data showing 
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 hypo-
thetical 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 are 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 indi-
vidual cases, Group companies are not permitted to participate in 
in-house banking for legal reasons, their currency risks from pri-
mary 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 internal 
and external loans extended by Deutsche Post AG. The foreign cur-
rency value at risk of the foreign currency items concerned was 
€5 million at the reporting date (previous year: €5 million). In add-
ition, hypothetical changes in exchange rates affect equity and the 
fair values of those derivatives used to hedge unrecognised firm 
commitments and highly probable forecast currency transactions, 
which are designated as cash flow hedges. The foreign currency 
value at risk of this risk position was €76 million as at 31 Decem-
ber 2016 (previous year: €77 million). The total foreign currency 
value at risk was €80 million at the reporting date (previous year: 
€76 million). The total amount is lower than the sum of the individ-
ual amounts given above, owing to interdependencies.

Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Other disclosures

155

INTEREST RATE RISK AND INTEREST RATE MANAGEMENT

No interest rate hedging instruments were recognised as at the bal-
ance sheet date. The proportion of financial liabilities with short-
 note 41, amounts to 24 % (previous year: 
term interest lock-ins, 
11 %) of the total financial liabilities as at the reporting date. The 
effect of potential 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. Fixed-income financial instruments measured at amort-
ised cost are not subject to interest rate risk.

If the market interest rate level as at 31 December 2016 had 
been 100 basis points higher or lower, net finance costs would not 
have been affected (previous year: decrease of €3 million). All inter-
est rate derivatives had expired or been unwound at the reporting 
date. No interest rate risk with an impact on equity was determined.

MARKET RISK

As in the previous year, most of the risks arising from commodity 
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 surcharges is de-
layed by one to two months, so that earnings may be affected tem-
porarily 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 €52 million (previous year: 
€89 million)  with  a  fair  value  of  €–4 million  (previous  year: 
€–29 million).

IFRS 7 requires the disclosure of a sensitivity analysis, present-
ing the effects of hypothetical commodity price changes on profit 
or loss and equity.

Changes in commodity prices affect the fair values of the de-
rivatives used to hedge highly probable forecast commodity pur-
chases (cash flow hedges) and the hedging reserve in equity. If, as 
at the reporting date, the commodity prices underlying the deriva-
tives had been 10 % higher than the commodity prices determined 
on the market, this would have increased the fair values and equity 
by €3 million (previous year: €4 million). A corresponding decline 
in commodity prices would have had the opposite effect.

In the interests  of simplicity, some of the commodity  price 
hedges are not recognised as cash flow hedges. For these derivatives, 
commodity price changes affect the fair values of the derivatives and, 
consequently, 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, con-
sequently, operating profit by €1 million. A corresponding decline 
in the commodity prices would have reduced the fair values of the 
derivatives and operating profit by €1 million.

CREDIT RISK

The credit risk incurred by the Group is the risk that counterparties 
fail to meet their obligations arising from operating activities 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 struc-
ture means that there is no risk concentration. Each counterparty 
is assigned an individual limit, the utilisation of which is regularly 
monitored. A test is performed at the balance sheet dates to estab-
lish 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 Decem-
ber 2016.

In 2016, a factoring agreement was in place on the basis of 
which the bank is obliged to purchase existing and future trade 
receivables. The bank’s purchase obligation is limited to a maximum 
portfolio of receivables of €265 million. Deutsche Post DHL Group 
can decide freely whether and to what extent the revolving notional 
volume is utilised. The risks relevant to the derecognition of the 
receivables include credit risk and the risk of delayed payment (late 
payment risk).

Credit risk represents primarily all the risks and rewards asso-
ciated with ownership of the receivables. This risk is transferred in 
full to the bank against payment of a fixed fee for doubtful accounts. 
A significant late payment risk does not exist. Consequently, credit 
risk is the main risk associated with the receivables, and this risk is 
transferred in full to the bank against payment of a fixed fee. The 
receivables are therefore derecognised in their entirety. In financial 
year 2016, the Group recognised programme fees (interest, allow-
ances for doubtful accounts) of €1 million as an expense in relation 
to its continuing exposure. The notional volume of receivables fac-
tored as at 31 December 2016 amounted to €159 million. 

Default risks are continuously monitored in the operating busi-
ness. The aggregate carrying amounts of financial assets represent 
the  maximum  default  risk.  Trade  receivables  amounting  to 
€7,965 million (previous year: €7,694 million) are due within one 
year. The following table gives an overview of receivables that are 
past due:

156

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Receivables that are past due

€ m

Carrying amount before impairment losses

Neither impaired nor due at the reporting date

Past due and not impaired at the reporting date

Up to 30 days

31 to 60 days

61 to 90 days

91 to 120 days

121 to 150 days

151 to 180 days

More than 180 days

2015

7,910

5,353

874

459

197

74

38

16

13

2016

8,133

5,517

1,027

426

187

70

29

11

0

Collateral of €35 million is recognised in current financial as-
sets (previous year: €84 million). €8 million (previous year: €8 mil-
lion)  of  this  amount  relates  to  collateral  deposited  for US  cross- 
border leases (QTE leases).

45.3  Derivative financial instruments

FAIR vALUE HEDGES

There were no fair value hedges as at 31 December 2016. At the 
 reporting date, the unwinding of interest rate swaps resulted in car-
rying amount adjustments of €43 million (previous year: €55 mil-
lion). The adjustments in the carrying amount will be amortised 
using the effective interest method over the remaining term of the 
liabilities and will reduce the interest expense in future. 

Trade receivables changed as follows:

CASH FLOW HEDGES

Receivables

€ m

Gross receivables
At 1 January

Changes

At 31 December

Valuation allowances
At 1 January

Changes

At 31 December

Carrying amount at 31 December 

2015

2016

8,045

–135

7,910

–220

4

–216

7,694

7,910

223

8,133

–216

48

–168

7,965

All other financial instruments are neither past due nor impaired.

Impairment losses of €23 million (previous year: €25 million) 

were recognised for other assets.

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  €28 million  at  the  reporting  date  (previous  year: 
€–15 million). The hedged items will have an impact on cash flow 
by 2018.

The risks from the purchase of diesel, which cannot be passed 
on to customers, were hedged using commodity swaps that will 
affect cash flow by 2017. The fair value of these cash flow hedges 
amounted to €–5 million (previous year: €–25 million).

NET INvESTMENT HEDGES

Currency risks resulting from the translation of foreign operations 
were hedged in 2016 with currency forwards and currency swaps 
that will have an impact on cash flow in 2017 and 2018. The fair 
value of these net investment hedges was €–7 million at the report-
ing date (previous year: €0 million).

45.4  Additional disclosures on the financial instruments used 

45.2  Collateral

in the Group

The Group classifies financial instruments in line with the respective 
balance sheet items. The following table reconciles the financial 
instruments to the categories given in IAS 39 and their respective 
fair values as at the reporting date: 

€188 million (previous year: €554 million) of collateral was recog-
nised in non-current financial assets as at the balance sheet date. In 
the previous year, €358 million related to the restricted cash trans-
ferred to a blocked account with Commerzbank AG for any pay-
ments that might have been required due to the EU state aid pro-
ceedings. The blocked account was closed following a decision of 
the General Court of the European Union dated 14 July 2016. An 
amount of €101 million relates primarily to liabilities in conjunction 
with the settlement of Deutsche Post AG’s residential building loans 
(pre vious year: €111 million), and €87 million relates to sureties paid 
(previous year: €85 million).

 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — NOTES — Other disclosures

157

Reconciliation of carrying amounts in the balance sheet at 31 December 2016

€ m

Carrying amount 
by IAS 39 measurement 
category

Other financial 
 instruments 
outside IAS 39 1

Carrying amount

Fair value  

within IFRS 7

ASSETS
Non-current financial assets at cost, of which

Available-for-sale financial assets

Loans and receivables

Non-current financial assets at fair value, of which 

Fair value option

Available-for-sale financial assets

Derivatives designated as hedges

Trade receivables at cost, of which

Loans and receivables

Other current assets at cost, of which

Loans and receivables

Other current assets outside IFRS 7

Current financial assets at cost, of which

Loans and receivables

Current financial assets at fair value, of which

Trading

Available-for-sale financial assets

Derivatives designated as hedges

Cash and cash equivalents, of which 

Loans and receivables

Total ASSETS

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Non-current financial liabilities at cost, of which 2

Other financial liabilities

Non-current financial liabilities at fair value, of which

Earn-out obligation

Derivatives designated as hedges

Other non-current liabilities at cost, of which

Other financial liabilities

Other non-current liabilities outside IFRS 7

Current financial liabilities at cost, of which

Other financial liabilities

Current financial liabilities at fair value, of which

Trading

Earn-out obligation

Derivatives designated as hedges

Trade payables at cost, of which

Other financial liabilities

Other current liabilities at cost, of which

Other financial liabilities

Other current liabilities outside IFRS 7

Total EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

513

176

7,965

852

1,324

80

294

3,107

14,311

4,548

23

123

249

1,366

98

7,178

313

3,979

17,877

469

11

458

176

145

21

10

7,965

7,965

852

852

73

73

294

75

200

19

3,107

3,107

4,367

4,367

23

11

12

123

123

1,338

1,338

98

38

4

56

7,178

7,178

313

313

44

7

181

28

513

176

n. a.

n. a.

n. a.

n. a.

294

n. a.

–

5,102

23

123

n. a.

781

98

n. a.

n. a.

n. a.

–

1  Relates to lease receivables or liabilities.
2  The Deutsche Post AG and Deutsche Post Finance B. V. bonds included in non-current financial liabilities are carried at amortised cost.  

Where required, the carrying amounts of the unwound interest rate swaps were adjusted. One of the Deutsche Post Finance B. V. bonds was designated  
as a fair value hedge as at the reporting date. A basis adjustment was recognised for the effective portion of the hedge in accordance with IAS 39.  
The bonds are therefore not recognised fully at either fair value or amortised cost. The convertible bond issued by Deutsche Post AG in December 2012  
had a fair value of €629 million as at the balance sheet date. The fair value of the debt component at the balance sheet date was €428 million.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
158

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Reconciliation of carrying amounts in the balance sheet at 31 December 2015

€ m

Carrying amount 
by IAS 39 measurement 
category

Other financial 
 instruments 
outside IAS 39 1

Carrying amount

Fair value  

within IFRS 7

ASSETS
Non-current financial assets at cost, of which

Available-for-sale financial assets

Loans and receivables

Non-current financial assets at fair value, of which 

Fair value option

Available-for-sale financial assets

Derivatives designated as hedges

Trade receivables at cost, of which

Loans and receivables

Other current assets at cost, of which

Loans and receivables

Other current assets outside IFRS 7

Current financial assets at cost, of which

Loans and receivables

Current financial assets at fair value, of which

Trading

Available-for-sale financial assets

Derivatives designated as hedges

Cash and cash equivalents, of which 

Loans and receivables

total ASSETS

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Non-current financial liabilities at cost, of which 2

Other financial liabilities

Non-current financial liabilities at fair value, of which

Derivatives designated as hedges

Other non-current liabilities at cost, of which

Other financial liabilities

Other non-current liabilities outside IFRS 7

Current financial liabilities at cost, of which

Other financial liabilities

Current financial liabilities at fair value, of which

Trading

Derivatives designated as hedges

Trade payables at cost, of which

Other financial liabilities

Other current liabilities at cost, of which

Other financial liabilities

Other current liabilities outside IFRS 7

total EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

867

246

7,694

868

1,304

110

69

3,608

14,766

4,608

17

142

92

445

108

7,069

355

3,900

16,736

817

11

806

246

128

108

10

7,694

7,694

868

868

105

105

69

7

27

35

3,608

3,608

4,467

4,467

17

17

142

142

419

419

108

46

62

7,069

7,069

355

355

50

5

867

246

n. a.

n. a.

n. a.

n. a.

69

n. a.

– 

141

5,192

26

17

142

n. a.

n. a.

108

n. a.

n. a.

n. a.

– 

1  Relates to lease receivables or liabilities.
2  The Deutsche Post AG and Deutsche Post Finance B. V. bonds are carried at amortised cost. Where required, the carrying amounts of the unwound  
interest rate swaps were adjusted. One of the Deutsche Post Finance B. V. bonds was designated as a fair value hedge as at the reporting date.  
A basis adjustment was recognised for the effective portion of the hedge in accordance with IAS 39. The bonds are therefore not recognised fully at either  
fair value or amortised cost. The convertible bond issued by Deutsche Post AG in December 2012 had a fair value of €1,318 million as at the balance  
sheet date. The fair value of the debt component at the balance sheet date was €1,004 million.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Other disclosures

159

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 mar-
ket for similar instruments or recognised valuation techniques are 
used to determine fair value. The valuation techniques used incor-
porate 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. Counterparty 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 remaining matur-
ities 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.

The financial assets classified as available for sale include shares 
in partnerships and corporations for which there is no active market 
in the amount of €11 million (previous year: €11 million).

As no future cash flows can be reliably determined, the fair 
values cannot be determined using valuation techniques. There are 
no plans to sell or derecognise significant shares of the available- for-
sale financial assets reported as at 31 December 2016 in the near 
future. 

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 se-
curities to which the fair value option was applied, in order to avoid 
accounting inconsistencies. An active market exists for the assets, 
and they are recognised at fair value.

The following table presents financial instruments recognised 
at fair value and financial instruments whose fair value is required 
to be disclosed, both presented by the level in the fair value hier-
archy to which they are assigned.

The simplification option under IFRS 7.29a was exercised for 
cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, other assets, trade pay-
ables  and  other  liabilities  with  predominantly  short  maturities. 
Their carrying amounts as at the reporting date are approximately 
equivalent to their fair values. Not included are financial invest-
ments in equity instruments for which there is no quoted price in 
an active market and which therefore have to be measured at cost.

Financial assets and liabilities

€ m

Class

31 December 2016
Non-current financial assets

Current financial assets

Financial assets

Non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Financial liabilities

31 December 2015
Non-current financial assets

Current financial assets

Financial assets

Non-current liabilities 4

Current liabilities 4

Financial liabilities

1  Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
2  Inputs other than quoted prices that are directly or indirectly observable for instruments.
3  Inputs not based on observable market data. 
4  Prior-period amounts adjusted.

Level 1 1

Level 2 2

Level 3 3

Total

166

200

366

4,730 

781 

5,511

153 

27 

180 

4,871

0

4,871

512 

94 

606

384

94  

478

866 

42 

908 

338

108

446

0 

0 

0 

11 

4 

15 

83 

0 

83 

0

0

0

678

294

972

5,125

879

6,004

1,102 

69 

1,171 

5,209

108

5,317

 
 
160

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Level 1 mainly comprises equity instruments measured at fair value 
and debt instruments measured at amortised cost.

the Black-Scholes option pricing model. All significant inputs used 
to measure derivatives are observable on the market. 

In addition to financial assets and financial liabilities measured 
at amortised cost, commodity, interest rate and currency derivatives 
are reported under Level 2. The fair values of the derivatives are 
measured on the basis of discounted expected future cash flows, 
taking into account forward rates for currencies, interest rates and 
commodities (market approach). For this purpose, price quotations 
observable on the market (exchange rates, interest rates and com-
modity prices) are imported from information platforms customary 
in  the  market  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 

Level 3 comprises mainly the fair values of equity investments 
and subsequent payments associated with M & A transactions. They 
are measured using recognised valuation models, taking plausible 
assumptions into account. Financial ratios strongly influence the 
fair values of assets and liabilities. Increasing financial ratios lead to 
higher fair values, while decreasing financial ratios result in lower 
fair values.

No financial instruments were transferred between levels in 
financial year 2016. The following 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

2015

2016

Assets

Liabilities

Assets

Liabilities

Equity instruments

Debt instruments

of which equity derivatives

Equity instruments

Debt instruments

Derivatives,  

Derivatives, 
 of which equity derivatives

1

–1

0

0

0

0

0

83

0

0

0

– 80

–3

0

0

0

0

15

0

0

15

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

The net gains and losses mainly include the effects of the fair value 
measurement, impairment and disposals (disposal gains / losses) of 
financial instruments. Dividends and interest are not taken into 
account for the financial instruments measured at fair value through 
profit or loss. Income and expenses from interest and commission 
agreements of the financial instruments not measured at fair value 
through profit or loss are explained in the income statement disclos-
ures.

The following tables show the impact of netting agreements 
based on master netting arrangements or similar agreements on 
financial assets and financial liabilities as at the reporting date:

At 1 January 

Gains and losses  
(recognised in profit or loss) 1

Gains and losses  
(recognised in OCI) 2

Additions

Disposals

Currency translation effects

At 31 December

132

0

38

0

– 95

8

83

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1  Fair value losses are presented in finance costs, fair value gains in financial income.
2  Unrealised gains and losses were recognised in the IAS 39 revaluation reserve.

The net gains and losses on financial instruments classified in ac-
cordance with the individual IAS 39 measurement categories are as 
follows:

net gains and losses by measurement category

€ m

Loans and receivables

Available-for-sale financial assets

Net gains (+) / losses (–) recognised in OCI

Net gains (+) / losses (–) reclassified to profit 
or loss 

Net gains (+) / losses (–) recognised in profit 
or loss

Financial assets and liabilities at fair value 
through profit or loss

Trading

Fair value option

Other financial liabilities

2015

–136

54

172

–10

0

0

0

2016

–127

– 4

63

– 8

4

0

–15

 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Other disclosures

Offsetting – assets

€ m

At 31 December 2016
Derivative financial assets 1

Trade receivables

Funds

At 31 December 2015
Derivative financial assets 1

Trade receivables

Funds

1  Excluding derivatives from M & A transactions.

Offsetting – liabilities

€ m

At 31 December 2016
Derivative financial liabilities 1

Trade payables

Funds

At 31 December 2015
Derivative financial liabilities 1

Trade payables

Funds

1  Excluding derivatives from M & A transactions.

Gross amount 
of assets

Gross amount 
of liabilities set off

Recognised 
net amount 
of assets set off

Liabilities that 
do not meet 
offsetting criteria

Collateral  
received

Assets and liabilities not set off  

in the balance sheet

104

8,015

384

52

7,850

528

0

50

331

0

156

185

104

7,965

53

52

7,694

343

67

0

0

51

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Gross amount 
of liabilities

Gross amount 
of assets set off

Recognised 
net amount 
of liabilities set off

Assets that 
do not meet 
offsetting criteria

Collateral  
provided

Assets and liabilities not set off  

in the balance sheet

107

7,228

331

124

7,225

185

0

50

331

0

156

185

107

7,178

0

124

7,069

0

67

0

0

51

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

161

Total

37

7,965

53

1

7,694

343

Total

40

7,178

0

73

7,069

0

Financial assets and liabilities are set off on the basis of netting 
agreements (master netting arrangements) only if an enforceable 
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 finan-
cial services institutions. These contracts are subject to a standard-
ised master agreement for financial derivative transactions. This 
agreement provides for a conditional right of set-off, resulting in 
the recognition of the gross amount of the financial derivative trans-
actions at the reporting date. The conditional right of set-off is pre-
sented in the table. 

Settlement processes arising from services related to postal 
deliveries are subject to the Universal Postal Convention and the 
Interconnect Remuneration Agreement – Europe (IRA-E). These 
agreements, particularly the settlement conditions, are binding on 
all  public  postal  operators  for  the  specified  contractual  arrange-
ments. Imports and exports between the parties to the agreement 
during a calendar year are summarised in an annual statement of 
account and presented on a net basis in the final annual statement. 
Receivables and payables covered by the Universal Postal Conven-
tion and the IRA-E agreement are presented on a net basis at the 
reporting date. In addition, funds are presented on a net basis if a 
right of set-off exists in the normal course of business. The tables 
show the receivables and payables before and after offsetting. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
162

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

46  Contingent liabilities
The Group’s contingent liabilities break down as follows:

Contingent liabilities

€ m

Guarantee obligations

Warranties

Liabilities from litigation risks

Other contingent liabilities

total

2015

87

74

69

1,068

1,298

2016

91

59

87

746

983

Maturity structure of minimum lease payments

€ m

Up to 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

total

2015

1,725

1,298

1,019

764

534

2,242

7,582

2016

1,853

1,410

1,027

826

597

2,475

8,188

The reduction in contingent liabilities is attributable primarily to 
the discontinuation of the obligation underlying the state aid deci-
sion amounting to €440 million (value at 31 December 2015). In a 
judgement dated 14 July 2016, the General Court of the European 
Union (EGC) set aside the European Commission’s decision dated 
25 January 2012 in an action brought by the Federal Republic of 
Germany (the federal government), see also 

 note 48.

Other contingent liabilities also include a potential obligation 
to make settlement payments in the USA, which had arisen mainly 
in 2014 as a result of a change in the estimated settlement payment 
obligations assumed in the context of the restructuring measures in 
the USA, and other tax-related obligations, 

 note 48. 

47  Other financial obligations
In addition to provisions, liabilities and contingent liabilities, there 
are other financial obligations amounting to €8,188 million (previ-
ous year: €7,582 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

total

2015

5,929

1,072

472

70

32

7

2016

6,657

909

495

79

41

7

7,582

8,188

The increase in lease obligations by €606 million to €8,188 million 
is mainly due to the conclusion of new real estate leases.

The  present  value  of  discounted  minimum  lease  payments  is 
€7,082 million (previous year: €6,311 million), based on a discount 
factor of 3.25 % (previous year: 4.25 %). Overall, rental and lease 
payments amounted to €3,019 million (previous year: €2,982 mil-
lion), of which €2,143 million (previous year: €2,096 million) re-
lates to non-cancellable leases. Future lease obligations from non- 
cancellable  leases  are  attributable  primarily  to  Deutsche  Post 
Immobilien GmbH in the amount of €2,789 million (previous year: 
€2,596 million).

The purchase obligation for investments in non-current assets 

amounts to €234 million (previous year: €140 million).

48  litigation
Many of the postal services rendered by Deutsche Post AG and its 
subsidiaries are subject to sector-specific regulation by the Bundes­
netzagentur (German federal network agency) pursuant to the Post­
gesetz (PostG – German Postal Act). As the regulatory authority, the 
Bundesnetzagentur approves or reviews such prices, formulates the 
terms of downstream access and has special supervisory powers to 
combat market abuse. This general regulatory risk could lead to a 
decline in revenue and earnings in the event of negative decisions. 
Legal risks arise, amongst other things, from pending admin-
istrative court appeals by an association against the price approvals 
granted by the Bundesnetzagentur under the price cap procedure for 
2016 to 2018. On 5 August 2015, the Federal Administrative Court 
decided on the appeals by the association against the price approvals 
granted by the Bundesnetzagentur under the price cap procedure 
for 2003, 2004 and 2005. The Federal Administrative Court re-
voked the price approvals concerned in relation to the association 
as a customer of Deutsche Post AG. However, the Bundes netzagentur 
price approvals concerned remain applicable to the general public 
and may no longer be contested. In 2016, the association withdrew 
its actions against the price cap approvals for 2008 and 2013.

In  its  decision  dated  14 June 2011,  the  Bundesnetzagentur 
 concluded  that  FIRST  MAIL  Düsseldorf  GmbH,  a  subsidiary  of 
Deutsche Post AG, and Deutsche Post AG had contravened the dis-
counting and discrimination prohibitions under the Postgesetz. 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 prin-

 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Other disclosures

163

cipal  proceedings.  The  Cologne  Administrative  Court  and  the 
 Münster Higher Administrative Court both dismissed this applica-
tion. FIRST MAIL Düsseldorf GmbH discontinued its mail delivery 
operations at the end of 2011 and retracted its appeal on 19 Decem-
ber 2011. Deutsche Post AG continues to pursue its appeal against 
the Bundesnetzagentur ruling.

In  its  ruling  of  30 April 2012,  the  Bundesnetzagentur  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 Bundesnetzagentur and 
appealed the ruling.

In a ruling on 28 June 2016, the Bundesnetzagentur determined 
that the prices for the Dialogpost “Impulspost” product did not 
meet the pricing standards of the Postgesetz. The agency ordered the 
prices to be adjusted immediately (adjustment request). According 
to the Bundesnetzagentur, the prices did not cover the cost of effi-
ciently providing the service and had anti-competitive effects. On 
26 July 2016, the Bundesnetzagentur barred Deutsche Post from 
charging these prices and declared the prices invalid (prohibitive 
order), since at this time Deutsche Post had not yet complied with 
the adjustment request. Deutsche Post does not share the legal opin-
ion of the Bundesnetzagentur and filed an appeal with the Cologne 
Administrative Court against the orders issued by the agency.

In a judgement dated 14 July 2016, the General Court of the 
European Union (EGC) set aside the European Commission’s state 
aid decision dated 25 January 2012 in an action brought by the Fed-
eral Republic of Germany. In its state aid decision, the European 
Commission had argued that the financing of civil servant pensions 
in part constituted unlawful state aid that had to be repaid to the 
 notes 49 and 51 
federal government; further details can be found in 
in the 2015 Annual Report. In their actions, Deutsche Post AG and the 
federal government asserted that the state aid decision was unlawful. 
The EGC has now followed this argument in the action brought by 
the federal government. The action brought by Deutsche Post AG 
is still pending. Since the European Commission did not file an 
appeal against the EGC’s judgement dated 14 July 2016, that decision 
is now legally binding. The state aid decision of the European Com-
mission is therefore null and void with final effect and there are no 
longer any grounds for the obligation to repay the alleged state aid 
under the state aid decision. It was therefore possible to release the 
amount of €378 million deposited in a trustee account.

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 indi-
vidually negotiated agreements or provided on special terms (dis-

counts, etc.). Deutsche Post AG does not believe that the legislative 
amendment fully complies with the applicable provisions of Euro-
pean Community law. Due to the legal uncertainty resulting from 
the new legislation in certain instances, Deutsche Post AG is endeav-
 note 46.
ouring to clarify certain key issues with the tax authorities, 
On 30 June 2014, DHL Express France received a statement 
of objections from the French competition authority alleging anti-
competitive conduct in the domestic express business, a business 
which  had  been  divested  in  June 2010.  On  15 December 2015, 
Deutsche Post DHL Group received the decision of the French au-
thority regarding the fuel surcharges and price fixing. The decision 
has been appealed by the Group. Further details cannot be given at 
this point in time. 

In view of the ongoing or announced legal proceedings men-
tioned above, no further details are given on their presentation in 
the financial statements.

49  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). 

49.1  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 variable 
remuneration  for  the  financial  year  in  the  form  of  shares  of 
Deutsche Post AG in the following year (deferred incentive shares). 
All Group executives can specify an increased equity component 
individually by converting a further portion of their variable remu-
neration 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 con-
version behaviour of executives with respect to their relevant bonus 
portion.  Share-based  payment  arrangements  are  entered  into 
each year, with 1 December (from financial year 2015; until 2014: 
1  January) of the respective year and 1 April of the following year 
being the grant dates for each year’s tranche. Whereas incentive 
shares and matching shares are classified as equity-settled share-
based payments, investment shares are compound financial instru-
ments  and  the  debt  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.

164

Share Matching Scheme

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Grant date of incentive shares and associated  
matching shares

2011  

tranche

2012  

tranche

2013  

tranche

2014  

tranche

2015  

tranche

2016  

tranche

1 Jan. 2011

1 Jan. 2012

1 Jan. 2013

1 Jan. 2014

1 Dec. 2015

1 Dec. 2016

Grant date of matching shares awarded for investment shares

1 Apr. 2012

1 Apr. 2013

1 Apr. 2014

1 Apr. 2015

1 Apr. 2016

1 Apr. 2017

Term

End of term

months

63

63

63

63

52

52

March 2016

March 2017

March 2018

March 2019

March 2020

March 2021

Share price at grant date (fair value)

Incentive shares and associated matching shares

Matching shares awarded for investment shares

Number of deferred incentive shares

Number of matching shares expected

Deferred incentive shares

Investment shares

Matching shares issued

€

€

thousands

thousands

thousands

thousands

12.90

14.83

660

n. a.

n. a.

1,522

1  Estimated provisional amount, will be determined on 1 April 2017.
2  Expected number.

12.13

18.22

479

431

709

17.02

27.18

337

303

567

25.91

29.12

332

299

596

27.12

23.98

366

329

848

29.04

31.50 1

245 2

220

564

The company increased its share capital in 2015 to settle claims to 
matching  shares  under  the  2011  tranche.  In  addition,  treasury 
shares  were  acquired  at  an  average  purchase  price  per  share  of 
€24.62 for a total of €32 million to settle the 2015 tranche. The treas-
ury shares were issued to the executives concerned in April and 
May 2016.

A total of €63 million (previous year: €65 million) was recog-
nised in capital reserves for the granting of variable remuneration 
components under this system, 

 note 34.

49.2  long-term Incentive Plan (2006 LTIP) for members of the Board 

of Management

Since 1 July 2006, the members of the Board of Management have 
received stock appreciation rights (SAR s) 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 personal 
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 per-
formance target is achieved at the end of the waiting period. Any 
SAR s not exercised during this two-year period will expire. To de-
termine how many – if any – of the granted SAR s can be exercised, 
the average share price or the average index is compared 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.

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 per-
formance 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 per-
formance target is met by the end of the waiting period, the SAR s 
attributable to the related tranche will expire without replacement 
or compensation. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Other disclosures

165

2006 LTIP

Issue date

Issue price (€)

2011  

tranche

1 July 2011

12.67

2012  

tranche

2013  

tranche

2014  

tranche

2015  

tranche

2016  

tranche

1 July 2012

1 August 2013

1 September 2014

1 September 2015

1 September 2016

13.26

20.49

24.14

25.89

28.18

Waiting period expires

30 June 2015

30 June 2016

31 July 2017

31 August 2018

31 August 2019

31 August 2020

The members of the Board of Management were granted a total of 
1,202,376 SAR s  in  financial  year  2016  (previous  year:  1,936,470 
SAR s) with a total value of €6.25 million at the time of issue (1 Sep-
tember 2016) (previous year: €6.66 million as at 1 September 2015). 
Further disclosures on share-based payment for members of the 
Board of Management can be found in 

 note 50.2.

A provision for the 2006 LTIP and the SAR Plan was recognised 
as at the balance sheet date in the amount of €134 million (previous 
year: €175 million), of which €41 million (previous year: €36 mil-
lion) was attributable to the Board of Management. Of the total 
provision, €24 million (previous year: €15 million) related to rights 
exercisable at the reporting date.

49.3  SAR Plan for executives

49.4  Performance Share Plan for executives

The Annual General Meeting on 27 May 2014 resolved to introduce 
the Performance Share Plan (PSP) for executives. This plan replaces 
the former share-based payment system (SAR Plan) for executives. 
Whereas the SAR Plan involved cash-settled share-based payments, 
under the PSP shares are issued to participants at the end of the 
waiting period. Under the PSP, the granting of the shares at the end 
of the waiting period is also linked to the achievement of demand-
ing performance targets. The performance targets under the PSP are 
identical to the performance targets under the LTIP for members of 
the Board of Management.

Performance Share Units (PSUs) were issued to selected execu-
tives under the PSP for the first time on 1 September 2014. It is not 
planned that members of the Board of Management will participate 
in the PSP. The Long-Term Incentive Plan (2006 LTIP) for members 
of the Board of Management remains unchanged.

In  the  consolidated  financial  statements  as  at  31 December 
2016, a total of €17 million (previous year: €10 million) has been 
added to capital reserves for the purposes of the plan, with an equal 
amount recognised in staff costs, 

 notes 14 and 34.

The value of the PSP is measured using actuarial methods based 

2011  

tranche

2012  

tranche

2013  

tranche

1 July 2011

1 July 2012 1 August 2013

on option pricing models (fair value measurement).

12.67

13.26

20.49

From July 2006 to August 2013, selected executives received annual 
tranches of SAR s under the SAR Plan. This allowed them to receive 
a cash payment within a defined period in the amount of the differ-
ence between the respective price of Deutsche Post shares and the 
fixed issue price if demanding performance targets are met (see 
disclosures on the 2006 LTIP for members of the Board of Manage-
ment). Due to the strong share price performance since SAR s were 
issued in 2012, all of the related performance targets were met on 
expiry of the waiting period on 30 June 2016. All SAR s under this 
tranche were therefore able to be exercised. Most executives exer-
cised them as early as 2016. Starting in 2014, SAR s were no longer 
issued to executives under the SAR Plan. The Performance Share 
Plan (PSP) for executives replaces the SAR Plan. All earlier tranches 
issued under the SAR Plan remain valid.

More details on the SAR Plan tranches are shown in the follow-

ing table:

SAR Plan

Issue date

Issue price (€)

Waiting period expires

30 June 2015

30 June 2016

31 July 2017

The fair value of the SAR Plan and the 2006 LTIP was determined 
using  a  stochastic  simulation  model.  As  a  result,  an  expense  of 
€94 million was recognised for financial year 2016 (previous year: 
€33 million).

 
 
 
 
166

Performance Share Plan

Grant date

Exercise price

Waiting period expires

Risk-free interest rate

Initial dividend yield of Deutsche Post shares

Yield volatility of Deutsche Post shares

Yield volatility of Dow Jones EURO STOXX 600 Index

Covariance of Deutsche Post shares to Dow Jones EURO STOXX 600 Index 

Quantity
Rights outstanding at 1 January 2016

Rights granted

Rights lapsed 

Rights outstanding at 31 December 2016

Future dividends were taken into account, based on a moderate 
increase in dividend distributions over the respective measurement 
period.

The average remaining maturity of the outstanding PSUs as at 

31 December 2016 was 32 months.

50  Related party disclosures

50.1  Related party disclosures (companies and Federal Republic 

of Germany)

All companies classified as related parties that are controlled by the 
Group or over which the Group can exercise significant influence 
are recorded in the list of shareholdings, which can be accessed on 
 dpdhl.com/en/investors, together with information on 
the website, 
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 (Federal Republic) and other com-
panies controlled by the Federal Republic of Germany.

The Federal Republic is a customer of Deutsche Post AG and as 
such uses the company’s services. Deutsche Post AG has direct busi-
ness relationships with the individual public authorities and other 
government agencies as independent individual customers. The 
services provided for these customers are insignificant in respect of 
Deutsche Post AG’s overall revenue.

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

2014  

tranche

2015  

tranche

2016  

tranche

1 Sept. 2014

1 Sept. 2015

1 Sept. 2016

€ 24.14

€ 25.89

€ 28.18

31 Aug. 2018

31 Aug. 2019

31 Aug. 2020

0.11 %

3.52 %

23.46 %

10.81 %

1.74 %

– 0.10 %

3.28 %

24.69 %

16.40 %

2.94 %

4,269,288

4,213,836

0

276,408

3,992,880

0

181,326

4,032,510

– 0.62 %

3.73 %

23.94 %

16.83 %

2.93 %

0

3,808,278

25,500

3,782,778

RELATIONSHIPS WITH KFW 

KfW supports the Federal Republic in continuing to privatise com-
panies such as Deutsche Post AG or Deutsche Telekom AG. In 1997, 
KfW, together with the Federal Republic, developed a “placeholder 
model” as a tool to privatise government-owned companies. Under 
this model, the Federal Republic sells all or part of its investments 
to KfW with the aim of fully privatising these state-owned com-
panies. On this basis, KfW has purchased shares of Deutsche Post AG 
from  the  Federal  Republic  in  several  stages  since  1997  and  exe-
cuted various capital market transactions using these shares. KfW’s 
 current  interest  in  Deutsche  Post  AG’s  share  capital  is  20.5 %. 
Deutsche Post AG is thus considered to be an associate of the Federal 
Republic.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH BUNDESANSTALT FüR 
POST UND  TELEKOMMUNIKATION

The  Bundesanstalt  für  Post  und  Telekommunikation  (BAnstPT) 
is  a  government  agency  and  falls  under  the  technical  and  legal 
super vision of the German Federal Ministry of Finance. Under the 
Bundesanstalt­Reorganisationsgesetz (German Federal Agency Re-
organisation Act), which entered into force on 1 December 2005, 
the Federal Republic directly undertakes the tasks relating to hold-
ings  in  Deutsche  Bundespost  successor  companies  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 programme, the Versorgungs­
anstalt  der  Deutschen  Bundespost  (VAP)  and  the  welfare  service 
for Deutsche Post AG, Deutsche Postbank AG and Deutsche Tele-
kom AG, as well as setting the objectives for social housing. Since 
1 January 2013, the BAnstPT has undertaken the tasks of the Post­
beamtenversorgungskasse (postal civil servant pension fund). Fur-
ther disclosures on the postal civil servant pension fund and the VAP 

 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Other disclosures

167

RELATIONSHIPS WITH DEUTSCHE BAHN AG AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

Deutsche Bahn AG is wholly owned by the Federal Republic. Owing 
to this control relationship, Deutsche Bahn AG is a related party to 
Deutsche Post AG. Deutsche Post DHL Group has various business 
relationships with the Deutsche Bahn Group. These mainly consist 
of transport service agreements.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH PENSION FUNDS

The real estate with a fair value of €1,358 million (previous year: 
€1,305 million),  of  which  Deutsche  Post  Pensions-Treuhand 
GmbH & Co. KG, Deutsche Post Altersvorsorge Sicherung e. V. & Co. 
Objekt Gronau KG and Deutsche Post Grundstücks-Vermietungs-
gesellschaft 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 
€109 million in 2016 (previous year: €95 million). The rent was al-
ways paid on time. Deutsche Post Pensions-Treuhand GmbH & Co. 
KG  holds  all  of  the  shares  of  Deutsche  Post  Pensionsfonds  AG. 
Deutsche Post Betriebsrenten-Service e. V. (DPRS) was liquidated in 
the reporting year and the corresponding benefits have been dir-
ectly provided by Deutsche Post AG since 1 May 2016. Further di-
sclosures on pension funds can be found in 

 notes 7 and 39.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH UNCONSOLIDATED COMPANIES, INvESTMENTS 
ACCOUNTED FOR USING THE EQUITY METHOD AND jOINT OPERATIONS

In addition to the consolidated subsidiaries, the Group has direct 
and indirect relationships with unconsolidated companies, invest-
ments accounted for using the equity method and joint operations 
deemed to be related parties of the Group in the course of its ordin-
ary business activities. As part of these activities, all transactions for 
the provision of goods and services entered into with unconsoli-
dated companies were conducted on an arm’s length basis at stand-
ard market terms and conditions. 

can be found in 
 notes 7 and 39. The tasks mentioned are performed 
on the basis of agency agreements. In 2016, Deutsche Post AG was 
invoiced for €103 million (previous year: €104 million) in instal-
ment 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 Fehlsubventionierung im Wohnungswesen (German 
Acts on the Reduction of Misdirected Housing Subsidies) relating 
to housing benefits granted by Deutsche Post AG. Deutsche Post AG 
transfers the amounts to the Federal Republic on a monthly basis.
Deutsche Post AG 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 agree-
ment, 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 Republic by paying a flat fee. In 2016, this initiative 
 resulted  in  84  permanent  transfers  (previous  year:  122)  and  29 
second ments with the aim of a permanent transfer in 2017 (previ-
ous year: 39).

RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE GERMAN FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT AGENCY

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 Employ-
ment Agency. In 2016, as in the previous year, this initiative resulted 
in no transfers.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

The Federal Republic holds around 32 % of the shares of Deutsche 
Telekom AG directly and indirectly (via KfW). A control relation-
ship exists between Deutsche Telekom AG and the Federal Republic 
because the Federal Republic, despite its non-controlling interest, 
has a secure majority at the Annual General Meeting due to its 
 average presence there. Deutsche Telekom AG is therefore a related 
party of Deutsche Post AG. In financial year 2016, Deutsche Post DHL 
Group provided goods and services (mainly transport services for 
letters and parcels) for Deutsche Telekom AG and purchased goods 
and services (such as IT products) from Deutsche Telekom AG.

168

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Transactions were conducted in financial year 2016 with major 
related parties, resulting in the following items in the consolidated 
financial statements:

The remuneration of key management personnel of the Group 
requiring disclosure under IAS 24 comprises the remuneration of 
the active members of the Board of Management and the Super-
visory Board. 

The  active  members  of  the  Board  of  Management  and  the 

2015

2016

Super visory Board were remunerated as follows:

9

5

4

28

0

28

2

2

0

26

15

11

7

3

4

4

3

1

37

14

23

16

4

12

52

21

31

6

0

6

28

15

13

5

0

5

3

2

1

23

3

20

€ m

Short-term employee benefits 
( excluding  share-based payment)

Post-employment benefits

Termination benefits

Share-based payment

total

2015

2016

13

3

4

7

27

15

2

0

24

41

As well as the aforementioned benefits for their work on the Super-
visory  Board,  the  employee  representatives  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 appropriate 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 
€35 million as at the reporting date (previous year: €31 million).

The share-based payment amount relates to the relevant expense 
recognised for financial years 2015 and 2016; further details can be 
found in 
 notes 49.2 and 49.3. The expense is itemised in the following 
table:

€ m

trade receivables

from investments accounted for using the equity 
method

from unconsolidated companies

loans

to investments accounted for using the equity 
method

to unconsolidated companies

Receivables from in-house banking

from investments accounted for using the equity 
method

from unconsolidated companies

Financial liabilities

to investments accounted for using the equity 
method

to unconsolidated companies

trade payables

to investments accounted for using the equity 
method

to unconsolidated companies

Revenue

from investments accounted for using the equity 
method

from unconsolidated companies

Expenses 1

due to investments accounted for using the equity 
method

due to unconsolidated companies

1  Relate to materials expense and staff costs.

Share-based payment

thousands of €

Dr Frank Appel, Chairman

Ken Allen

Jürgen Gerdes

John Gilbert

Melanie Kreis

Lawrence Rosen (until 30 Sept. 2016)

Roger Crook (until 27 April 2015)

Share-based payment

2015 
SAR s

1,760

1,061

1,109

91

35 

1,029

1,822

6,907

2016 
SAR s

9,603

4,175

4,430

600

241

5,071

– 

24,120

Deutsche Post AG issued letters of commitment in the amount of 
€53 million (previous year: €68 million) for these companies. Of 
this amount, €48 million (previous year: €63 million) was attribut-
able to investments accounted for using the equity method, €1 mil-
lion (previous year: €1 million) to joint operations and €4 million 
(previous year: €4 million) to unconsolidated companies.

50.2  Related party disclosures (individuals)

In accordance with IAS 24, the Group also reports on transactions 
between the Group and related parties or members of their families. 
Related parties are defined as the Board of Management, the Super-
visory Board and the members of their families.

There were no reportable transactions or legal transactions 

 involving related parties in financial year 2016.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Other disclosures

169

50.3  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 2016 including the components with 
a long-term incentive effect totalled €18.5 million (previous year: 
€17.4 million). Of this amount, €6.6 million (previous year: €7.1 mil-
lion) is attributable to non-performance-related components (an-
nual base salary and fringe benefits), €5.6 million (previous year: 
€3.7 million) to performance-related components (variable compo-
nents) and €6.3 million (previous year: €6.7 million) to components 
with a long-term incentive effect (SAR s). The number of SAR s was 
1,202,376 (previous year: 1,936,470).

FORMER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

Benefits paid to former members of the Board of Management or 
their surviving dependants amounted to €5.4 million (previous year: 
€25.3 million). The defined benefit obligation (DBO) for current pen-
sions  calculated  under  IFRS s  was  €97 million  (previous  year: 
€94 million).

REMUNERATION OF THE SUPERvISORY BOARD

The total remuneration of the Supervisory Board in financial year 
2016  amounted  to  around  €2.6 million  (previous  year:  €2.7 mil-
lion); as in the prior year, €2.4 million of this amount was attribut-
able to a fixed component and €0.2 million (previous year: €0.3 mil-
lion) to attendance allowances. 

Further  information  on  the  itemised  remuneration  of  the 
Board of Management and the Supervisory Board can be found in 
the remuneration report, which forms part of the Group Manage-
ment Report.

SHAREHOLDINGS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT AND SUPERvISORY 
BOARD

As at 31 December 2016, shares held by the Board of Management 
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 15 a of the Wertpapier­
handelsgesetz (WpHG – German Securities Trading Act) can be 
viewed on the company’s website at 

 dpdhl.com/en/investors.

51  Auditor’s fees
The  fee  for  the  auditor  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements, 
PricewaterhouseCoopers Aktiengesellschaft Wirtschaftsprüfungs-
gesellschaft, amounted to €11 million in financial year 2016 and was 
recognised as an expense. 

Auditor’s fee, 2016

€ m

Audit services

Other assurance services

Tax advisory services

Other services 

total

10

0

0

1

11

The audit services category includes the fees for auditing the con-
solidated financial statements and for auditing the annual financial 
statements prepared by Deutsche Post AG and its German subsid-
iaries. The fees for reviewing the interim reports and those fees for 
voluntary audits beyond the statutory audit engagement, such as 
audits of the internal control system, are also reported in this cat-
egory. The other services item relates to fees which cannot be allo-
cated to the aforementioned categories and includes mainly services 
in the area of information technology. 

52  Exemptions under the HGB and local foreign legislation
For financial year 2016, the following German subsidiaries have ex-
ercised the simplification options under section 264 (3) of the HGB 
or section 264  b of the HGB:
•  Agheera GmbH
•  Albert Scheid GmbH
•  All you need GmbH
•  Cillox GmbH
•  CSG GmbH
•  CSG.PB GmbH
•  CSG.TS GmbH 
•  Danzas Deutschland Holding GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Adress Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH
•  Deutsche Post Assekuranz Vermittlungs GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Beteiligungen Holding GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Consult GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Customer Service Center GmbH
•  Deutsche Post DHL Beteiligungen GmbH

 
 
 
170

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

•  Deutsche Post DHL Corporate Real Estate Management GmbH
•  Deutsche Post DHL Corporate Real Estate Management 

GmbH & Co. Logistikzentren KG

•  Deutsche Post DHL Express Holding GmbH
•  Deutsche Post DHL Research and Innovation GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Dialog Solutions GmbH 
•  Deutsche Post Direkt GmbH
•  Deutsche Post E-Post Development GmbH 
•  Deutsche Post E-POST Solutions GmbH 
•  Deutsche Post Fleet GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Ident 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 Mobility GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Shop Essen GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Shop Hannover GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Shop München GmbH
•  DHL Airways GmbH
•  DHL Automotive GmbH
•  DHL Automotive Offenau GmbH
•  DHL Consulting GmbH 
•  DHL Delivery GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Augsburg GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Bayreuth GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Berlin GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Bonn GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Braunschweig GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Bremen GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Dortmund GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Dresden GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Duisburg GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Düsseldorf GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Erfurt GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Essen GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Frankfurt GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Freiburg GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Freising GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Gießen GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Göppingen GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Hagen GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Halle GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Hamburg GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Hannover GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Herford GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Karlsruhe GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Kassel GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Kiel GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Koblenz GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Köln West GmbH

•  DHL Delivery Leipzig GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Lübeck GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Magdeburg GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Mainz GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Mannheim GmbH
•  DHL Delivery München GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Münster GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Neubrandenburg GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Nürnberg GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Oldenburg GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Ravensburg GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Reutlingen GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Rosenheim GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Saarbrücken GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Straubing GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Stuttgart GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Wiesbaden GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Würzburg GmbH
•  DHL Delivery Zwickau GmbH
•  DHL Express Customer Service GmbH
•  DHL Express Germany GmbH
•  DHL Express Network Management GmbH 
•  DHL Fashion Retail Operations GmbH 
•  DHL FoodLogistics GmbH (formerly: 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 Inventory Finance Services GmbH
•  DHL Paket GmbH
•  DHL Paketzentrum Obertshausen GmbH
•  DHL Solutions Fashion GmbH
•  DHL Solutions GmbH
•  DHL Sorting Center GmbH
•  DHL Supply Chain (Leipzig) GmbH 
•  DHL Supply Chain Management GmbH
•  DHL Supply Chain VAS GmbH 
•  DHL Trade Fairs & Events GmbH
•  DHL Verwaltungs GmbH
•  Erste End of Runway Development Leipzig GmbH
•  Erste Logistik Entwicklungsgesellschaft MG GmbH
•  European Air Transport Leipzig GmbH
•  Gerlach Zolldienste GmbH
•  interServ Gesellschaft für Personal- und 

 Beraterdienstleistungen mbH

•  StreetScooter GmbH
•  Werbeagentur Janssen GmbH
•  Williams Lea Tag GmbH

Consolidated Financial Statements — nOtES — Other disclosures — RESPOnSIBIlIty StAtEMEnt

171

The following companies in the UK make use of the audit exemption 
under section 479 A of the UK Companies Act:
•  DHL Exel Supply Chain Limited
•  DHL Freight & Contract Logistics (UK) Limited 
•  Exel Freight Management (UK) Limited
•  Exel Investments Limited
•  Exel Overseas Limited
•  Freight Indemnity and Guarantee Company Limited
•  F. X. Coughlin (U. K.) Limited
•  Joint Retail Logistics Limited
•  KXC (Exel) GP Investment Limited
•  National Carriers Limited (formerly Trucks and Child Safety 

Limited)

•  Ocean Group Investments Limited
•  Ocean Overseas Holdings Limited
•  Power Europe Development No 3 Limited
•  Power Europe Operating Limited
•  Tibbett & Britten Applied Limited

53  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 
2016 required by section 161 of the AktG. This Declaration of Con-
 corporate-governance-code and at 
formity can be accessed online at 

RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

To the best of our knowledge, and in accordance with the applicable 
reporting principles, the consolidated financial statements 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, 16 February 2017

Deutsche Post AG
The Board of Management

Dr Frank Appel 

Ken Allen

 dpdhl.com/en/investors.

Jürgen Gerdes 

John Gilbert

54  Significant events after the reporting date and other disclosures
There were no significant reportable events after the reporting date.

Melanie Kreis

 
 
172

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S 
REPORT

To Deutsche Post AG, Bonn

REPORT ON THE AUDIT OF THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Audit Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We  have  audited  the  consolidated  financial  statements  of 
Deutsche Post AG, Bonn, and its subsidiaries (the Group), which 
comprise the balance sheet as at December 31, 2016, and the con-
solidated income statement, the consolidated statement of compre-
hensive  income,  consolidated  statement  of  changes  in  equity 
and  consolidated  statement  of  cash  flows  for  the  financial  year 
from  January 1, to December 31, 2016, and notes to the consolidated 
 financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting 
policies.

According to § (Article) 322 Abs. (paragraph) 3 Satz (sentence) 
1  zweiter  Halbsatz  (second  half  sentence)  HGB  (“Handelsgesetz-
buch”: German Commercial Code), we state that, in our opinion, 
based on the findings of our audit, the accompanying consolidated 
financial statements comply, in all material respects, with IFRS, 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 
December 31, 2016, as well as the results of operations for the finan-
cial year from January 1, to December 31, 2016, in accordance with 
these requirements. 

According to § 322 Abs. 3 Satz 1 erster Halbsatz HGB, we state 
that our audit has not led to any reservations with respect to the 
propriety of the consolidated financial statements.

Basis for Audit Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

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 Germany) (IDW), and additionally considered 
the International Standards on Auditing (ISA). Our responsibilities 
under those provisions and standards, as well as supplementary 
standards, are further described in the “Auditor’s Responsibilities 
for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements” section of 
our report. We are independent of the Group entities in accordance 
with the provisions under German commercial law and professional 
requirements, and we have fulfilled our other German ethical re-
sponsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe 
that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropri-
ate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Key Audit Matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judg-
ment, were of most significance in our audit of the consolidated 
financial statements for the financial year from January 1, to Decem-
ber 31, 2016. These matters were addressed in the context of our 
audit of the consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in 
forming our audit opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separ-
ate audit opinion on these matters.

In our view, the key audit matters were as follows:
1   Recoverability of goodwill
2   Pension obligations and plan assets
3   Deferred taxes on deductible temporary measurement 

differences and loss carryforwards 

4   Other provisions

Our presentation of these key audit matters has been structured as 
follows:
1   Matter and issue 
2   Audit approach and findings
3   Reference to further information 

1   Recoverability of goodwill
1  

In the consolidated financial statements of Deutsche Post AG, 
a total amount of €11.7 billion in goodwill was reported under 
the line item “intangible assets” of the balance sheet, thus rep-
resenting approximately 30 % of total assets and exceeding the 
Group’s reported equity by €0.3 billion. Goodwill is tested by 
the Company for impairment (“impairment test”) as of the 
balance sheet date on an annual basis or if there are indications 
that  goodwill  may  be  impaired.  Impairment  of  goodwill  is 
tested based on the value in use, which is determined by apply-
ing a valuation model using the discounted cash flow method. 
This matter was of particular significance to our audit, because 
the result of this measurement depends to a large extent on the 
Company’s management’s assessment of future cash inflows 
and the discount rate used, and is therefore subject to consid-
erable uncertainty.

2   We satisfied ourselves as to the appropriateness of the future 
cash inflows used in the measurement by, inter alia, comparing 
this data with the current budgets in the three-year plan pre-
pared by the management and approved by the supervisory 
board, and reconciling it against general and sector-specific 
market expectations. With the knowledge that even relatively 
small changes in the discount rate can have material effects on 
the value in use calculated in this way, we also focused our 
testing on the parameters used to determine the discount rate 
applied, including the weighted average cost of capital, and 
evaluated the measurement model. Due to the materiality of 
goodwill and the fact that its measurement also depends on 
economic  conditions  which  are  outside  of  the  Company’s 

Consolidated Financial Statements — InDEPEnDEnt AUDItOR’S REPORt

173

sphere of influence, we carried out own sensitivity analyses for 
cash-generating units with low coverage (net book value com-
pared to value in use) and found that the respective goodwill 
is sufficiently covered by discounted future cash flows. Overall, 
we consider the measurement parameters and assumptions 
used by management to be reproducible.

3   The Company’s disclosures regarding goodwill are contained 
in note 21 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

2   Pension obligations and plan assets
1   A total of €5.6 billion was reported in the consolidated finan-
cial statements of Deutsche Post AG under the line item “Pro-
visions for pensions and similar obligations” of the balance 
sheet. The net pension provisions amounting to €5.4 billion 
(after consideration of the reported pension assets of €0.2 bil-
lion) were calculated on the basis of the present value of the 
obligations amounting to €17.7 billion, netted against the plan 
assets of €12.3 billion, which were measured at fair value. The 
obligations from defined benefit pension plans were measured 
using  the  projected  unit  credit  method  in  accordance  with 
IAS 19. This requires in particular that assumptions be made as 
to the long-term salary and pension trend and average life ex-
pectancy. Furthermore, the discount rate applied as of the bal-
ance sheet date must be determined by reference to market 
yields on high-quality corporate bonds with matching curren-
cies and consistent terms. Changes to these actuarial assump-
tions are recognized directly in equity as actuarial gains or 
losses. The decrease in the discount rate resulted in actuarial 
losses of €1.6 billion. From our point of view, these matters 
were of particular importance, as the measurement of pension 
obligations and plan assets is to a large extent based on Com-
pany’s management’s estimates and assumptions. 

2   With the knowledge that estimated values bear an increased 
risk of accounting misstatements and that management’s meas-
urement decisions have a direct and significant effect on the 
consolidated financial statements, we assessed the appropriate-
ness of the calculated amounts, in particular the measurement 
parameters used in the calculation of pension provisions, inter 
alia on the basis of actuarial reports made available to us and 
taking into account the specialist expertise of our internal spe-
cialists for pension valuation. In particular, our evaluation of 
the fair values of plan assets was based on bank confirmations 
submitted to us, as well as other statements of assets and real 
estate appraisals. On the basis of our audit procedures, we were 
able  to  satisfy  ourselves  that  the  estimates  applied  and  the 
 assumptions  made  by  management  were  sufficiently  docu-
mented and supported to justify the recognition and measure-
ment of the material pension provisions.

3   The Company’s disclosures relating to provisions for pensions 
and similar obligations are contained in note 39 of the notes to 
the consolidated financial statements.

3  

 Deferred taxes on deductible temporary measurement 
 differences and loss carryforwards

1   Within the consolidated financial statements of Deutsche Post AG 
deferred tax assets of €2.2 billion (of which €1.3 billion for tax 
loss carryforwards) have been reported in the balance sheet. 
From our point of view, the deferred tax assets were of particu-
lar importance as they depend to a large extent on the estimates 
and assumptions made by management and therefore are sub-
ject to uncertainties.

2   Within our audit of these tax matters we included internal tax 
accounting specialists in our audit team. With their support, 
we assessed inter alia the internal processes and controls im-
plemented for the recording of tax matters. Furthermore, we 
evaluated the recognition and measurement of the deferred 
taxes. We assessed the recoverability of the deferred tax assets 
relating to deductible temporary differences and loss carry-
forwards on the basis of Company-internal forecasts of the 
Company’s  future  tax  income  situation  and  evaluated  the 
appropriate ness  of  the  assumptions  used.  Furthermore,  we 
 examined the reconciliation to the tax expense. We were able 
to follow the assumptions made by management concerning 
the recognition and measurement of deferred taxes, and agree 
with the assessments arrived at by management.

3   The Company’s disclosures relating to deferred taxes are con-
tained  in  note  27  of  the  notes  to  the  consolidated  financial 
statements.

4   Other provisions 
1   A total of €2.8 billion was reported in the consolidated finan-
cial statements of Deutsche Post AG under the line items “Other 
non- current provisions” and “Current provisions” of the bal-
ance sheet. In addition, there are risks for which management 
estimated the likelihood of occurrence to be not predominantly. 
€1.0 billion in contingent liabilities was disclosed for these risks, 
for which no provisions were recognized. From our point of 
view, these matters were of particular importance, as recogni-
tion and measurement of these material items are to a large 
extent based on the Company’s management’s estimates and 
assumptions.

2   With the knowledge that estimated values bear an increased 
risk of accounting misstatements and that the management’s 
measurement decisions have a direct effect on consolidated 
profit, we assessed the appropriateness of the carrying amounts 
inter alia by comparing these amounts with historical data and 
by referring to the underlying contracts and expert opinions 
provided to us. In doing so, we were able to satisfy ourselves 
that the estimates applied and the assumptions made by the 
management were sufficiently documented and supported to 
justify the recognition and measurement of the material other 
provisions and other items where judgment was involved.

174

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

3   The Company’s disclosures relating to other provisions are con-
tained  in  note  40  and  its  disclosures  on  other  items  where 
judgment was involved are contained in notes 46 and 48 of the 
notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Other Information

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, manage-
ment is responsible for assessing the Group’s ability to continue as 
a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 
concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless 
management either intends to liquidate the Group or to cease op-
erations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

Management is responsible for the other information. The other 
information comprises 
•  the Corporate Governance Report according to section 3.10 of the 

The supervisory board is responsible for overseeing the Group’s 
financial reporting process for the preparation of the consolidated 
financial statements.

German Corporate Governance Code, 

•  the Corporate Governance Statement pursuant to § 289a HGB and 

§ 315 Abs. 5 HGB, as well as 

•  other parts of the annual report of Deutsche Post AG, Bonn, for 
the financial year ended on December 31, 2016, which were not 
subject of our audit.

Our audit opinion on the consolidated financial statements does 
not cover the other information and we do not express any form of 
assurance conclusion thereon.

In  connection  with  our  audit  of  the  consolidated  financial 
statements, our responsibility is to read the other information, and, 
in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially 
inconsistent  with  the  consolidated  financial  statements  or  our 
knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be ma-
terially misstated. If, based on the work we have performed, we 
conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other infor-
mation, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to re-
port in this regard.

Responsibilities of Management and those Charged with Governance 
for the Consolidated Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation of the consolidated 
financial statements, which comply with IFRS, as adopted by the EU, 
and the additional German legal requirements applicable under 
§ 315 a Abs. 1 HGB, and give a true and fair view of the net assets, 
financial position and results of operations of the Group in accord-
ance  with  these  requirements.  Furthermore,  management  is  re-
sponsible for such internal control as management determines is 
necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial state-
ments that are free from material misstatement, whether due to 
fraud or error. 

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements

Our objective is to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 
consolidated financial statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an audi-
tor’s report that includes our audit opinion on the consolidated fi-
nancial statements. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assur-
ance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted 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 Germany) (IDW), 
under additional consideration of the ISA, will always detect a ma-
terial misstatement. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error 
and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they 
could reasonably be expected to influence economic decisions of 
users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements.
As part of an 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 Germany) (IDW), under additional consider-
ation of the ISA, we exercise professional judgment and maintain 
professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:
•  Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the con-
solidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, de-
sign and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and 
obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide 
a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material mis-
statement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting 
from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional 
omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

Consolidated Financial Statements — InDEPEnDEnt AUDItOR’S REPORt

175

•  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit 
in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the 
circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion 
on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control.

We communicate with those charged with governance, amongst 
other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and signif-
icant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in inter-
nal control that we identify during our audit.

•  Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the 
reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures 
made by management.

•  Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going 
concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence ob-
tained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or 
conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability 
to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material 
uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our audi-
tor’s report to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial 
statements or the Group management report or, if such disclos-
ures are inadequate, to modify our audit opinion. Our conclu-
sions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of 
our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may 
cause the Group to cease to continue as a going concern.

•  Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the 
consolidated financial statements, including the disclosures, and 
whether  the  consolidated  financial  statements  represent  the 
under lying transactions and events in a manner that the consol-
idated financial statements give a true and fair view of the net 
assets and financial position as well as the results of operations of 
the Group in accordance with IFRS, as adopted by the EU, and the 
additional  German  legal  requirements  applicable  under  § 315 a 
Abs. 1 HGB.

•  Obtain sufficient and appropriate audit evidence regarding the 
financial information of the entities or business activities within 
the Group to express an audit opinion on the consolidated finan-
cial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision 
and performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsible 
for our audit opinion.

We also provide those charged with governance with a state-
ment  that  we  have  complied  with  relevant  ethical  requirements 
regarding independence, and to communicate with them all rela-
tionships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear 
on our independence, and related safeguards.

From the matters communicated with those charged with gov-
ernance, we determine those matters that were of most significance 
in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current 
period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these 
matters in our report on the audit of the consolidated financial state-
ments unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about 
the matter.

OTHER LEGAL AND REGULATORY 
 REQUIREMENTS

Report on the Audit of the Group 
 Management Report

Audit Opinion on the Group Management Report

We have audited the group management report of Deutsche Post AG, 
Bonn, for the financial year from January 1, to December 31, 2016.
In our opinion, based on the findings of our audit, the accom-
panying group management report as a whole provides a suitable 
view of the Group’s position. In all material respects, the group man-
agement report is consistent with the consolidated financial state-
ments, complies with legal requirements and suitably presents the 
opportunities and risks of future development.

Our audit has not led to any reservations with respect to the 

propriety of the group management report. 

Basis for Audit Opinion on the Group Management Report

We conducted our audit of the group management report in accord-
ance with § 317 Abs. 2 HGB and German generally accepted stan d-
ards  for  the  audit  of  management  reports  promulgated  by  the 
 Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer (Institute of Public Auditors in Ger-
many) (IDW). We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained 
is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion. 

176

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

Responsibilities of Management and those Charged with Governance 
for the Group Management Report

Management is responsible for the preparation of the group man-
agement report, which as a whole provides a suitable view of the 
Group’s position, is consistent with the consolidated financial state-
ments, complies with legal requirements, and suitably presents the 
opportunities and risks of future development. Furthermore, man-
agement is responsible for such policies and procedures (systems) 
as management determines are necessary to enable the preparation 
of a group management report in accordance with the German legal 
requirements applicable under § 315 Abs. 1 HGB and to provide suf-
ficient  and  appropriate  evidence  for  the  assertions  in  the  group 
management report.

The supervisory board is responsible for overseeing the Group’s 
financial reporting process for the preparation of the group man-
agement report.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Group Management 
Report

Our objective is to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 
group management report as a whole provides a suitable view of the 
Group’s position as well as, in all material respects, is consistent with 
the consolidated financial statements as well as the findings of our 
audit, complies with legal requirements, and suitably presents the 
opportunities and risks of future development, and to issue an audi-
tor’s report that includes our audit opinion on the group manage-
ment report.

• The audit of the group management report is integrated into the 

audit of the consolidated financial statements.

•  We obtain an understanding of the policies and procedures (sys-
tems) relevant to the audit of the group management report in 
order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the cir-
cumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an audit opin-
ion on the effectiveness of these policies and procedures (systems).
•  We perform audit procedures on the prospective information pre-
sented by management in the group management report. Based 
on appropriate and sufficient audit evidence, we hereby, in par-
ticular, evaluate the material assumptions used by management as 
a basis for the prospective information and assess the reasonable-
ness of these assumptions as well as the appropriate derivation of 
the prospective information from these assumptions. We are not 
issuing a separate audit opinion on the prospective information 
or the underlying assumptions. There is a significant, unavoidable 
risk that future events will deviate significantly from the prospect-
ive information. 

•  We are also not issuing a separate audit opinion on individual 
disclosures in the group management report; our audit opinion 
covers the group management report as a whole.

RESPONSIBLE AUDITOR

The auditor responsible for the audit is Verena Heineke.

As part of an audit, we examine the group management report 
in accordance with § 317 Abs. 2 HGB and German generally accepted 
standards for the audit of management reports promulgated by the 
IDW. In this connection, we draw attention to the following: 

Düsseldorf, February 16, 2017
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Aktiengesellschaft
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft

Gerd Eggemann 
Wirtschaftsprüfer 
(German Public Auditor) 

Verena Heineke
Wirtschaftsprüferin
(German Public Auditor)

/04 FURTHER INFORMATION

 178  MULTI-YEAR REVIEW

 180 

INDEX

 181  GLOSSARY

 182  GRAPHS AND TABLES

 183  CONTACTS

 183  ORDERING

 184  FINANCIAL CALENDAR

F
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r
t
h
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/ 04178

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

MULTI-YEAR REVIEW

Key figures 2009 to 2016

€m

Revenue
Post - eCommerce - Parcel (until 2013 Mail)

Express

Global Forwarding, Freight

Supply Chain

Divisions total

Corporate Center / Other 1

Consolidation 1

Total (continuing operations)

Discontinued operations

Profit/loss from operating activities (EBIT)
Post - eCommerce - Parcel (until 2013 Mail)

Express

Global Forwarding, Freight

Supply Chain

Divisions total

Corporate Center / Other 

Consolidation

Total (continuing operations)

Discontinued operations

Consolidated net profit for the period

Cash flow / capex / depreciation, amortisation 
and  impairment losses
Net cash used in / from operating activities

Net cash used in / from investing activities

Net cash from / used in financing activities

Free cash flow

Capex 

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

Total assets

2009  

2010  

2011  

2012  

2013  

2014 

2015 

2016 

adjusted

adjusted

adjusted

adjusted

adjusted

13,912

9,917

11,243

12,183

47,255

1,527

–2,581

46,201

1,634

1,391

–790

174

–216

559

–328

0

231

–24

693

– 584

–2,710

1,676

–

1,171

1,620

22,022

12,716

8,176

97

9,677

16,788

34,738

13,913

11,111

14,341

13,061

52,426

1,302

–2,340

51,388

–

13,973

11,691

15,118

13,223

54,005

1,260

–2,436

52,829

–

1,120

1,107

497

383

231

2,231

–395

–1

1,835

–

2,630

1,927

8

–1,651

484

1,262

1,296

24,493

13,270

10,511

185

9,427

17,640

37,763

916

440

362

2,825

–389

0

2,436

–

1,266

2,371

–1,129

–1,547

749

1,716

1,274

21,225

17,183

11,009

190

9,008

18,201

38,408

13,972

12,778

15,666

14,340

56,756

1,203

–2,447

55,512

–

1,048

1,110

514

419

3,091

– 423

–3

2,665

–

1,762

–203

–1,697

1,199

–1,885

1,697

1,339

21,568

12,289

9,019

209

8,978

15,651

33,857

15,291

11,821

14,787

14,227

56,126

1,251

–2,465

54,912

–

1,286

1,083

478

441

3,288

– 421

–2

2,865

–

2,211

2,989

–1,765

–110

1,669

1,747

1,337

21,370

14,091

9,844

190

8,481

16,946

35,461

15,686

12,491

14,924

14,737

57,838

1,345

–2,553

56,630

–

1,298

1,260

293

465

3,316

–352

1

16,131

13,661

14,890

15,791

60,473

1,269

–2,512

59,230

–

1,103

1,391

–181

449

2,762

–351

0

16,797

14,030

13,737

13,957

58,521

1,279

–2,466

57,334

–

1,443

1,548

287

572

3,850

–359

0

2,965

2,411

3,491

–

–

–

2,177

1,719

2,781

3,040

–1,087

–2,348

1,345

1,876

1,381

22,902

14,077

9,376

204

10,411

16,988

36,979

3,444

–1,462

–1,367

1,724

2,024

1,665

23,727

14,143

11,034

261

9,361

17,214

37,870

2,439

–1,643

–1,233

444

2,074

1,377

24,166

14,129

11,087

263

8,507

18,438

38,295

 
 
Further Information — MUltI-yEAR REVIEW

179

  04 / 01

2016 

2009  

2010  

2011  

2012  

2013  

2014 

2015 

adjusted

adjusted

Employees / staff costs 
(continuing operations)
Number of employees 2

Full time equivalents 3

Average number of employees 2

Staff costs

Staff cost ratio 4

Key figures revenue / income /  
assets and capital structure
Return on sales 5

Return on equity (ROE) 
before taxes 6

Return on assets 7

Tax rate 8

Equity ratio 9

Net debt (+) / net liquidity (–) 10

Net gearing 11

Dynamic gearing 12

Key stock data
Basic earnings per share 13

Diluted earnings per share 14

Cash flow per share 13, 15

Dividend distribution

Payout ratio 

Dividend per share

Dividend yield 

Price-to-earnings ratio 17

Number of shares carrying 
dividend rights

Year-end closing price

At Dec. 31

At Dec. 31

€ m

% 

% 

% 

% 

% 

% 

€ m

%

years

€

€

€

€ m

%

€ 

%

477,280

424,686

488,518

17,021

36.8

467,088

418,946

464,471

16,609

32.3

471,654

423,502

467,188

16,730

31.7

473,626

428,129

472,321

17,770

32.0

479,690

434,974

478,903

17,776

32.4

488,824

443,784

484,025

18,189

32.1

497,745

508,036

450,508

459,262

492,865

498,459

19,640

19,592

33.2

34.2

0.5

3.0

0.2

5.4

23.8

3.6

29.8

5.1

6.9

28.3

–1,690

–1,382

–25.7

–1.4

0.53

0.53

– 0.48

725

112.6

0.60

4.4

25.5

–14.8

– 0.7

2.10

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

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

1.36

1.30

– 0.17

846

51.6

0.70

4.2

12.2

5.2

26.7

8.3

14.0

28.3

1,499

13.0

0.5

1.73

1.66

2.47

968

46.3

0.80

3.0

15.3

5.2

26.3

8.2

15.5

25.9

1,499

13.5

0.5

1.71

1.64

2.51

4.1

19.7

6.4

16.4

29.8

1,093

8.8

0.4

1.27

1.22

2.84

6.1

27.7

9.2

11.2

29.6

2,261

16.6

0.9

2.19

2.10

2.03

1,030

1,027

1,271 16

49.7

0.85

3.1

15.8

66.7

0.85

3.3

20.4

48.2

1.05 16

3.4

14.3

millions

1,209.0

1,209.0

1,209.0

1,209.0

1,209.0

1,211.2

1,208.7

1,210.0 18

€

13.49

12.70

11.88

16.60

26.50

27.05

25.96

31.24

1  2014: Adjustment due to reorganisation in accordance with “Strategy 2020”. 
5  EBIT/revenue. 

6  Profit before income taxes / average equity (including non-controlling interests). 

2  Headcount including trainees. 

3  Excluding trainees. 

4  Staff costs / revenue. 

before income taxes. 
(including non-controlling interests). 

9  Equity (including non-controlling interests) / total assets. 

10 

12  Net debt / cash flow from operating activities. 

14 The average number of shares outstanding is adjusted for the number of all potentially dilutive shares. 
17 Year-end closing price / basic earnings per share. 

18  Estimate.

7  EBIT / average total assets. 
 Group Management Report, page 58. 
13  The average number of shares outstanding is used for the calculation.
15  Cash flow from operating activities. 

8  Income taxes / profit  
11  Net debt / net debt and equity  

16  Proposal. 

 
 
 
  
  
 
180

INDEX

A

F

Air freight  23, 27, 49, 63 f., 83
Annual General Meeting  34 ff., 51, 84, 86 ff., 93, 95 ff., 
136 f., 152, 165, 167
Articles of Association  34 ff., 46, 136
Auditor’s report  88, 172 ff.
Authorised capital  35, 136

Finance strategy  51, 52 f., 79, 84, 141
First Choice  80
Free cash flow  20, 32 f., 38, 47, 57 f., 82, 84, 113, 130, 
151, 178
Free float  66, 135
Freight  22, 28, 31, 63 f., 72, 122, 130
Freight forwarding business  63 f., 83

B

Balance sheet  50, 52, 55, 58, 76, 86, 102, 105 ff., 112 ff., 
119 f., 123 ff., 127, 129 ff., 140, 142 ff., 150 ff., 157 ff., 167 f., 
172 ff., 178
Board of Management  2 ff., 22 f., 34 ff., 38 ff., 47, 51, 
74 ff., 82, 86 ff., 90 f., 92 ff., 108, 136 f., 139, 141, 152, 
164 f., 168 f., 171
Board of Management remuneration  38 f., 96, 
164 f., 168 f.
Bonds  37, 48 f., 50, 53 ff., 57 f., 108, 114, 118, 144, 147 f., 
152, 157 f.
Brands  73 f., 105 ff., 112, 122, 129

C

Capital expenditure  47, 56 f., 60, 84, 121 f., 151, 178
Capital increase  58, 135 ff., 164
Cash flow statement  32, 57 f., 103, 105, 110, 140, 
150 ff., 172
Change of control  37 f., 39 f.
Consolidated net profit  20, 50 f., 58, 100 ff., 123, 127 f., 
139, 150, 178
Consolidated revenue  30, 32 f., 47, 50 f., 100, 107, 109, 
112, 121, 123 f., 140, 168, 178
Contingent capital  35 f., 136
Contract logistics  23, 28 f., 31, 65, 72, 80, 83, 121 f.
Corporate governance  37, 39, 46, 85 ff., 93 ff., 171, 174
Cost of capital  32 f., 130
Credit lines  54, 152 f.
Credit rating  52 f., 55, 74, 79, 84, 144

D

Declaration of conformity  87 f., 93, 171
Dialogue marketing  24 f., 59 f., 122
Dividend  20, 32 f., 47, 50 f., 53, 57 f., 66, 84, 88, 103 f., 
114, 128, 132, 139 f., 148, 151 f., 160, 166, 179

E

Earnings per share  20, 50 f., 66, 100, 128, 179
EBIT after asset charge  20, 32 f., 38 f., 40, 47, 50, 52, 
82, 84
eCommerce - Parcel  22, 25, 30, 59 f., 87, 122
Employee Opinion Survey  34, 38, 47, 67, 84, 87, 93
E-POST  81
Equity ratio  58, 110, 137, 179
Express  22 f., 26 f., 31, 38, 47, 51, 55 f., 61 f., 67, 72 f., 
80, 83, 94, 96, 105, 108, 121 f., 126, 130, 139 f., 146, 151, 
163, 178

G

Global Business Services  22 f., 87, 96, 122
Global economy  48, 77 f., 82 f.
Global Forwarding  22, 26, 27 f., 31, 63 f., 67, 72, 87, 
122, 130
Global Forwarding, Freight  22 f., 27 f., 31, 38, 47, 55 f., 
63 f., 67, 73, 80, 87, 94, 96, 121 f., 126, 130, 178
Global trade  48 f., 82 f., 130
GoGreen  34, 69
Guarantees  52, 55, 162

I

Illness rate  69
Income statement  100, 105, 110, 112, 115, 117 f., 120, 
123, 124 ff., 133, 140, 142, 154 f., 160
Income taxes  51, 100 f., 103, 110, 119, 123, 127 f., 132, 
140, 179
Investments  30, 32, 34, 36, 47 f., 50 f., 52, 55, 56 f., 60, 
84, 95 f., 102 f., 108 f., 112, 114 f., 120, 121, 130, 132, 145, 
150 f., 159, 160, 162, 166, 178

L

Letters of comfort  52, 55
Liquidity management  55, 79, 152 ff.

M

Mail communication  23, 24, 59, 83
Mandates  92
Market shares  23, 24 f., 27 ff.

N

Net debt  20, 58, 79, 110, 137, 179
Net gearing  58, 137, 179
Net interest cover  58
Net working capital  32 f., 52, 64, 130

O

Ocean freight  23, 27 f., 49, 63 ff., 83
Oil price  38, 48, 61, 63, 82 f.
Operating cash flow  33, 52 f., 59, 61, 63, 65 f., 
150 f., 178
Opportunities and risk management  74 ff.
Outlook  47, 55, 74, 82 ff.

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

P

Parcel Germany  60
Post - eCommerce - Parcel  22, 24 f., 30, 38, 47, 50, 56, 
59 f., 67, 73, 77, 79 f., 82 f., 94, 96, 107, 122, 126, 130, 178
Press products  122
Price-to-earnings ratio  66, 179
Profit from operating activities  20, 32 f., 47, 50 ff., 
57 ff., 75, 77, 82 ff., 100, 103, 107, 110, 121 ff., 130, 150 f., 
178 f.

Q

Quality  30 f., 71 f., 78, 80 f.

R

Rating  52 f., 55, 74, 79, 84, 144
Regulation  22, 49, 77 f., 162 f.
Responsibility statement  171
Retail outlets  24, 71
Return on sales  20, 31 f., 50, 59 f., 61 f., 63 f., 65, 179
Revenue  20, 30 f., 32 f., 47, 50 f., 54, 59 f., 61 f., 63 f., 
65, 78, 83, 100, 107, 109, 112, 120 ff., 124, 134, 140, 162, 
168, 178 f.
Road transport  23, 28, 70, 83

S

Segment reporting  121 ff.
Share buyback  35, 37, 53 f., 57, 66, 108, 128, 137, 139, 
149, 152
Share capital  34 ff., 50, 135 ff., 166, 169
Shareholder structure  66
Share price  49, 66, 148, 163 ff.
Staff costs  32 f., 51, 67, 100, 116 f., 123, 125, 151, 163, 
165, 168, 179
Strategy  30 f., 69, 79 f., 83, 86 f., 89, 93 ff., 97, 179
Supervisory Board  34 f., 38 f., 46, 51, 86 ff., 89, 92 ff., 
136, 164, 168 f., 171
Supervisory Board committees  46, 86 ff., 89, 93, 95 ff.
Supervisory Board remuneration  46, 169
Suppliers  37, 55, 93
Supply Chain  22, 28 f., 31, 38, 50, 55 f., 65, 67, 73, 78, 
80, 83, 94, 96, 106, 121 f., 126, 130, 135, 178

T

Tax rate  179
Training  30 f., 67, 68, 97, 125, 179

W

WACC  32 f., 130
Working capital  32 f., 52, 64, 130

Further Information — InDEx — GlOSSARy

181

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-POST
Secure, confidential and reliable electronic 
communication platform.

German federal network agency 
( Bundesnetzagentur)
German national regulator for electricity, gas, 
telecommunications, post and railway.

German 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.

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).

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 20 g.

B2C
The exchange of goods, services and information 
between businesses and consumers.

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.

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.

Day Definite
Delivery of shipments on a specified day. 

DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation (CSI) 
DHL’s cross-divisional commercial and innovation 
unit.

Direct-to-market solutions (D2M)
End-to-end logistics solution that integrates DHL’s 
warehouse management services with order-to-
cash services. This enables manufacturers to bypass 
traditional wholesalers and/or distributors and 
build a direct trading relationship with their end 
customer – either the point of dispensing, e. g., 
pharmacy or direct with the patient in an e-com-
merce channel.

Fulfilment Centre
Sites providing customer services such as order 
processing, warehousing, order picking, packaging 
and return management.

Gateway
Collection point for goods intended for export 
and for further distribution of goods upon import.

Hub
Collection point for transferring and connecting 
international shipments from and to multiple 
countries.

lead logistics provider
A logistics service provider who assumes the 
organisa tion of all or key logistics processes for 
the customer.

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. 

Multimodal transport
Combines a minimum of two different means of 
transport for a shipment, such as air, sea, rail and 
ground.

Supply chain
A series of connected resources and processes from 
sourcing materials to delivering goods to consumers.

time Definite
Delivery of time-critical shipments by a pre-selected 
time.

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 and 8 feet 
wide (6 × 2.4 metres).

182

Deutsche Post DHL Group — 2016 Annual Report

GRAPHS AND TABLES

01 

Selected Key Figures 

20

01 / 25  Trade volumes: compound annual growth  

01 / 60  Workplace accidents 

01 
GROUP MANAGEMENT REPORT

General Information

01 / 01  Organisational structure 

01 / 02  Market volumes 

01 / 03  Nationwide transport and delivery network 

in Germany, 2016 

01 / 04  Domestic mail communication market, 

business customers, 2016 

01 / 05  Domestic advertising market, 2016 

22

23

24

24

25

01 / 06 

International mail market (outbound), 2016  25

01 / 07  Domestic parcel market, 2016 

01 / 08  Available capacity 

01 / 09  Air freight market, 2015: top 4 

01 / 10  Ocean freight market, 2015: top 4 

01 / 11  European road transport market, 2015:  

top 5 

01 / 12  Logistics and value-added services  

along the supply chain 

01 / 13  Contract logistics market, 2015: top 10 

01 / 14  Calculations 

01 / 15  Target remuneration for the Board 
of  Management members active as 
at 31 December 2016 

01 / 16  Target remuneration for the Board 
of  Management members who left 
the company in financial year 2016 

01 / 17  Payments made to the Board  

of Management members active as  
at 31 December 2016 

01 / 18  Payments made to the Board  

of Management members who left  
the company in financial year 2016 

01 / 19  Share-based component with long-term 

incentive effect 

01 / 20  Pension commitments under the previous 

system 

01 / 21  Board of Management pension  

commitments under the new system: 
individual breakdown 

01 / 22  Remuneration paid to Supervisory Board 

members 

Report on Economic Position

01 / 23  Forecast / actual comparison 

01 / 24  Global economy: growth indicators, 2016 

25

26

27

28

28

29

29

33

41

42

43

44

44

45

45

46

47

48

rate, 2015 to 2016 

01 / 26  Selected indicators for results  

of operations 

01 / 27  Changes in revenue, other operating  
income and operating expenses, 2016 

01 / 28  Total dividend and dividend per  no-par  

value share 

01 / 29  EBIT after asset charge (EAC) 

01 / 30  Net asset base (non-consolidated) 

01 / 31  Selected cash flow indicators 

01 / 32  Finance strategy 

01 / 33  FFO to debt 

01 / 34  Agency ratings 

01 / 35  Financial liabilities 

01 / 36  Operating lease liabilities by asset class 

01 / 37  Capex and depreciation, amortisation 
and impairment losses, full year 

01 / 38  Capex and depreciation, amortisation 

and impairment losses, Q 4 

01 / 39  Calculation of free cash flow 

01 / 40  Selected indicators for net assets 

01 / 41  Net debt 

01 / 42  Key figures Post - eCommerce - Parcel 

division 

01 / 43  Post: revenue 

01 / 44  Post: volumes 

01 / 45  eCommerce - Parcel: revenue 

01 / 46  Parcel Germany: volumes 

01 / 47  Key figures EXPRESS division 

01 / 48  EXPRESS: revenue by product 

01 / 49  EXPRESS: volumes by product 

01 / 50  Key figures GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT 

division 

01 / 51  Global Forwarding: revenue 

01 / 52  Global Forwarding: volumes 

01 / 53  Key figures SUPPLY CHAIN division 

01 / 54  SUPPLY CHAIN: revenue by sector  

and region, 2016 

49

50

51

51

52

52

52

53

53

55

55

56

56

56

57

58

58

59

59

60

60

60

61

61

61

63

64

64

65

65

Deutsche Post Shares

01 / 55  Deutsche Post shares: seven-year overview  66

01 / 56  Shareholder structure 

01 / 57  Shareholder structure by region 

non-Financial Figures

01 / 58  Selected results from the Employee  

Opinion Survey 

01 / 59  Number of employees 

66

66

67

67

69

70

70

71

73

73

74

75

01 / 61  CO2e emissions, 2016 
01 / 62  Fuel and energy consumption in own fleet  

and buildings 

01 / 63  Facts and figures, customers and quality 

01 / 64  Brand architecture 

01 / 65  Value of Group brands in 2016 

01 / 66  Marketing expenditures, 2016 

Opportunities and Risks

01 / 67  Monte Carlo simulation 

01 / 68  Opportunity and risk management process  75

01 / 69  Classification of risks and opportunities 

77

Expected Developments

01 / 70  Global economy: growth forecast 

82

02 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
02 / 01  Members of the Supervisory Board 

02 / 02  Committees of the Supervisory Board 

02 / 03  Mandates held by the Board  

of Management 

02 / 04  Mandates held by the Supervisory Board 

02 / 05  Attendance at plenary and committee 

meetings 

03 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS
03 / 01  Income Statement 

03 / 02  Statement of Comprehensive Income 

03 / 03  Balance Sheet 

03 / 04  Cash Flow Statement 

03 / 05  Statement of Changes in Equity 

04 
FURTHER INFORMATION
04 / 01  Key figures 2009 to 2016 

89

89

92

92

95

100

101

102

103

104

178

Further Information — GRAPHS AnD tABlES — COntACtS —  ORDERInG

183

ONLINE VERSION

An online extract and a complete PDF file  
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 annualreport2016.dpdhl.com

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E-mail: pressestelle @ dpdhl.com

ORDERING

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E-mail: ir @ dpdhl.com

 dpdhl.com/en/investors

Internal
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Mat. no. 675-602-376

Published on 8 March 2017.

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 Deutsche Post DHL Group  constitutes a translation  
of the  original German version. Only the German  
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conflict with  legal  provisions in other countries.
Deutsche Post Corporate Language Services et al.

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/2017 FINANCIAL CALENDAR

2017 ANNUAL  GENERAL  MEETING  
DIVIDEND PAYMENT  
INTERIM REPORT AS AT 31 MARCH 2017  
INTERIM REPORT AS AT 30 JUNE 2017  
INTERIM REPORT AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2017  

 28 APRIL 2017

 4 MAY 2017

 11 MAY 2017

 8 AUGUST 2017

 9 NOVEMBER 2017

/2018 FINANCIAL CALENDAR

2017 ANNUAL REPORT  
2018 ANNUAL  GENERAL  MEETING  
DIVIDEND PAYMENT  
INTERIM REPORT AS AT 31 MARCH 2018  
INTERIM REPORT AS AT 30 JUNE 2018  
INTERIM REPORT AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2018  

 7 MARCH 2018

 24 APRIL 2018

 27 APRIL 2018

 8 MAY 2018

 7 AUGUST 2018

 6 NOVEMBER 2018

Further dates, updates as well as information on live webcasts: 

 dpdhl.com/en/investors

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Deutsche Post AG
Headquarters
Investor Relations
53250 Bonn
Germany

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