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Hongkong Land Holdings Limited

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FY2008 Annual Report · Hongkong Land Holdings Limited
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Hongkong Land Holdings Limited

Annual Report 2008

Interim Report 2007  iii

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Contents

Highlights  

Corporate Overview 

Chairman’s Statement 

Chief Executive’s Review 

Financial Review  

Directors’ Profiles 

Financial Statements 

Independent Auditor’s Report  

Five Year Summary 

Responsibility Statement 

Corporate Governance  

Principal Risks and Uncertainties 

Shareholder Information 

Management and Offices 

Report of the Valuers 

Property Portfolio 

Properties in Hong Kong’s Central Business District 

Corporate Information

Company Secretary and  
Registered Office
C H Wilken
Jardine House 
33-35 Reid Street 
Hamilton Bermuda

Directors
Simon Keswick Chairman
A J L Nightingale Managing Director
Y K Pang Chief Executive
Charles Allen-Jones
Mark Greenberg
Jenkin Hui
Henry Keswick
R C Kwok
Lord Leach of Fairford
Dr Richard Lee
Lord Powell of Bayswater KCMG
Percy Weatherall

is  one  of  Asia’s 

Hongkong  Land 
investment, 
management and development groups. Founded in Hong Kong in 1889, 
the  Group  has  business  interests  across  the  region.  Hongkong  Land’s 
business is built on partnership, integrity and excellence. 

leading  property 

In Hong Kong, the Group owns and manages some five million sq. ft of 
prime commercial space that defines the heart of the Central Business 
District. In Singapore, it is helping to create the city-state’s new Central 
Business District with the expansion of its joint venture portfolio of new 
developments.  Hongkong  Land’s  properties  in  these  and  other  Asian 
centres are recognised as market leaders and house the world’s foremost 
financial, business and luxury retail names. 

Hongkong  Land  also  develops  premium  residential  properties  in  a 
number  of  cities  in  the  region,  not  least  in  Singapore  where  its  
77%-owned listed affiliate, MCL Land, is a significant developer.

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited is incorporated in Bermuda. Its primary 
listing  is  in  London,  and  its  shares  are  also  listed  in  Bermuda  and 
Singapore. The Group’s assets and investments are managed from Hong 
Kong by Hongkong Land Limited. Hongkong Land is a member of the 
Jardine Matheson Group. 

The  office  lobby  of  the  North  Tower  of  One  Raffles  Quay,  a  joint  venture 
development in Singapore’s new Central Business District (front cover).

ii  Hongkong Land

 
Highlights

•	 Underlying	earnings	per	share	up	9%	to	US¢16.41

•	 Commercial	property	net	rental	income	up	29%

•	 US$140	million	provision	against	value	of	Singapore	residential	developments

•	 Capital	values	of	investment	properties	down	4%	on	the	year

Results

Underlying	profit	attributable	to	shareholders* 

375  

345  

2008  
US$m  

2007  

US$m  

Change

%

9

(Loss)/profit	attributable	to	shareholders	

(109	) 

2,840  

n/m

Shareholders’	funds	

Adjusted	shareholders’	funds†	

Net	debt	

Underlying	earnings	per	share	

(Loss)/earnings	per	share	

Dividends	per	share	

Net	asset	value	per	share	

Adjusted	net	asset	value	per	share†	

11,313  

11,833  

13,308  

14,041  

2,601  

2,431  

US¢   

US¢   

16.41  

15.02  

(4 )

(5 )

7

%

9

(4.79	) 

123.72  

n/m

13.00  

13.00  

–

US$   

US$   

5.03  

5.16  

5.92  

6.12  

%

(3 )

(3 )

* The Group uses ‘underlying business performance’ in its internal financial reporting to distinguish between the underlying profits and non-trading items, as more fully 
described in Note 1s to the financial statements. Management considers this to be a key measure and has provided this analysis as additional information in order to 
provide greater understanding of the Group’s underlying business performance.

† In preparing the Group’s financial statements under International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’), the fair value model for investment properties has been adopted. 
In accordance with this model, the Group’s leasehold investment properties have been included at their open market value as determined by independent valuers. In the 
territories where the Group has significant leasehold investment properties, no capital gains tax would be payable on the sale of these properties. In relation to leasehold 
investment properties, however, IFRS require deferred tax on any revaluation amount to be calculated using income tax rates. This is in contrast to the treatment for the 
revaluation element of freehold properties where IFRS require capital gains tax rates to be used.

  As Management considers that the Group’s long leasehold properties have very similar characteristics to freehold property, the adjusted shareholders’ funds and adjusted 
net asset value per share information is presented on the basis that would be applicable if the leasehold properties were freehold. The adjustments made add back the 
deferred tax provided in the financial statements that would not be payable if the properties were sold. See Note 25 to the financial statements.

Annual Report 2008  1

 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
Corporate Overview

Hongkong Land’s Strategy for Growth

Market	Leadership	in	Hong	Kong
Hongkong  Land  will  maintain  a  leadership  position  in  Hong  Kong’s  Central  business 

district  where  it  owns  and  manages  some  5,000,000  sq.  ft  of  prime  office  and  retail 

space.

Property	Investments	and	developments	in	Asia
The  Group  will  seek  commercial  and  residential  property  developments  in  Asia  for  

long-term investment and for trading. It has investments in Hong Kong, Macau, mainland 

China, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Shareholder Value

The  Group  aims  to  build  sustainable  streams  of  value  for  its  shareholders,  while 
maintaining financial strength through a policy of prudent financing and investment.

Group Structure

Hongkong  Land  Holdings  Limited  is  incorporated  in  Bermuda  and  listed  in  London, 

Bermuda and Singapore. Hongkong Land Limited manages the operations of the Group 

from  Hong  Kong  and  provides  services  to  Hongkong  Land  China,  which  holds  the 

Group’s property interests in China, and to Hongkong Land International, which holds 

the Group’s property interests elsewhere.

2		Hongkong Land

Ju Ming’s Tai-chi and Dame 

Elisabeth Frink’s Water Buffalo, 

a part of Hongkong Land 

Collection, enhance the 

ambience of The Forum, 

Exchange Square.

Annual Report 2008  3

Chairman’s Statement

Overview

Strong  demand  and  high  occupancy  in  Hong  Kong’s  Central  district  continued  to 

underpin  both  the  office  and  retail  sectors  in  2008,  enabling  the  Group  to  report  a 

reasonable  increase  in  underlying  profit  despite  provisions  made  against  residential 

development  properties  in  Singapore.  Although  the  positive  rental  reversion  cycle 

continued throughout the year and supply of grade A office space remains limited, it is 

evident that the market in Hong Kong has now begun to decline.

Performance

Underlying profit rose 9% to US$375 million, while underlying earnings per share were 

9%  higher  at  US¢16.41.  Net  rental  income  was  up  29%  compared  with  2007.  The 

contribution  from  residential  development  projects,  however,  was  offset  by  a  write-
down in the carrying value of development properties by MCL Land. Financing charges 

were slightly lower than in 2007 due mainly to lower interest rates.

The independent valuation of the Group’s commercial investment properties at the end 

of  2008,  including  the  Group’s  share  of  investment  properties  in  joint  ventures  and 

associates, was US$14,525 million, representing a decrease of 4% from the valuation at 

the end of 2007. This reversed an increase of 11% at the half year. The adjusted net 

asset  value  per  share  fell  3%  to  US$5.92  over  the  year.  The  loss  attributable  to 

shareholders for 2008, after taking account of the revaluation, was US$109 million, and 

compared with a profit of US$2,840 million in 2007.

The  Directors  are  recommending  a  final  dividend  of  US¢7.00  per  share  for  2008, 

providing a total dividend for the year of US¢13.00 per share, unchanged from 2007.

Group Review

Rents remained at record levels throughout 2008 in Hong Kong’s Central district. While 

demand  for  high  quality  commercial  office  space  continued  to  be  strong  across  all 

business sectors, there were signs of weakening towards the end of the year. The luxury 

retail market also performed well in Hong Kong for the first three quarters of 2008, but 

it too started to weaken in the fourth quarter.

The Singapore office market also began to soften in the second half of the year, although 

the Group’s wholly owned property One Raffles Link and its joint venture property One 

Raffles Quay both remain fully let. The Group’s joint venture development, Marina Bay 

Financial Centre, which is on schedule to complete in two phases in 2010 and 2012,  

is  also  in  a  good  position  with  over  60%  of  the  commercial  office  space  already  

pre-committed.

4		Hongkong Land

In the residential sector, Phase IV of Central Park in Beijing, Phase I of Bamboo Grove in 

Chongqing and MCL Land’s projects, Mera Springs and The Esta, completed during the 

year allowing profits on these projects to be recognised in the 2008 results. MCL Land 

did,  however,  make  provision  against  the  carrying  value  of  some  of  its  development 

properties in Singapore, the Company’s share of which was US$140 million.

The Company repurchased 45.9 million of its own shares during the second half of the 

year at a cost of US$120 million, which has enhanced both earnings per share and net 

asset value per share. The Group did not have any major financing requirement during 

the year and its financial position remains strong.

People

Lord Powell of Bayswater rejoined the Board in June 2008, having previously served as a 
Director between 1992 and 2000. It was another demanding year for our businesses in 

2008  and  the  Board  would  like  to  thank  all  staff  for  their  commitment,  loyalty  and 

professionalism.

Outlook

Although  trading  conditions  are  difficult,  increases  in  rentals  achieved  in  Hong  Kong 

during 2008 together with the recognition of profits on the completion of residential 

properties already sold in Singapore and Macau should benefit earnings in 2009. The 

Group’s  balance  sheet  remains  strong  and  will  stand  it  in  good  stead  in  the  current 

uncertain economic climate.

Simon	Keswick
Chairman

5th March 2009

Annual Report 2008  5

Chief Executive’s Review

The  Group’s  Hong  Kong  commercial  property  portfolio,  which  remains  the  largest 

contributor  to  earnings,  enjoyed  excellent  rental  income  growth  and  high  occupancy 

throughout  2008.  Despite  new  supply  becoming  available  during  the  year  in  some 

decentralised locations on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon, the continuing demand 

for space in the Group’s buildings reinforces Central as Hong Kong’s prime location for 

international  business  and  finance,  and  its  leading  destination  for  luxury  retail.  While 

2008 was a good year for the Group’s commercial property business, the global economic 

problems are now starting to impact our tenants and business, and the outlook is more 

difficult than it has been for some time.

Despite the economic uncertainty, the Group is continuing to pursue the expansion of 

its commercial property activities throughout the region at a measured pace. In Singapore, 

construction  of  the  340,000  sq.  m.  joint  venture  development  Marina  Bay  Financial 

Centre (‘MBFC’) is on track for phased completion in 2010 and 2012. Hongkong Land’s 
wholly owned building One Raffles Link (‘ORL’) and our joint venture development One 

Raffles  Quay  (‘ORQ’)  are  both  fully  let.  When  MBFC  is  completed,  Hongkong  Land’s 

attributable  interests  in  this  important  regional  business  centre  will  extend  to  some 

150,000 sq. m. of the best commercial office space.

Our  aim  is  also  to  continue  to  grow  our  residential  business  so  that  it  can  make  a 

significant,  capital-efficient  and  sustainable  contribution  to  the  Group’s  earnings. 

Successful  completions  in  Beijing,  Chongqing  and  Singapore  during  the  year  made  a 

positive  contribution  in  2008.  Residential  completions  in  Hong  Kong,  Singapore  and 

Macau  should  benefit  earnings  strongly  in  2009  and  2010.  Residential  projects  in 

Chongqing  and  Shenyang  in  mainland  China  will  complete  in  phases  over  the  

medium term.

Central portfolio office tenant profile by area occupied (%)

2003

2008

44

21

3

6

8

4

Banks and other 
financial services

Legal

Trading

Governments

Accounting

Property

44

23

3

5

9

4

Banks and other 
financial services

Legal

Trading

Governments

Accounting

Property

14

Others

12

Others

6  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Central portfolio

at 31st December 2008 

Office 

Retail

Capital value* (US$m) 

10,518 

2,563

Gross revenue* (US$m) 

481 

165

Average unexpired terms of lease (years) 

Area subject to renewal/review in 2009 (%) 

3.7 

51 

2.7

33

* includes hotel

Commercial Property

Central portfolio equivalent yield (%)

Hong Kong Central Portfolio
Demand  for  high  quality  centrally-located  space  remained  strong 

throughout 2008 for both the commercial office and retail segments. 

However,  with  the  global  economic  weakening  starting  to  affect 

the  Asian  region,  the  capital  value  of  the  Group’s  investment 

properties in Hong Kong fell by 4%.

Occupancy  in  the  Group’s  office  portfolio  remained  high,  but  an 

increase  in  vacancy  can  be  expected  as  some  tenants  elect  to 

relocate to areas outside Central or reduce their office space upon 

Office (One and Two Exchange Square)

Retail (Prince’s Building)

5.25

5.25

5.00

5.50

5.25

5.50

5.25

5.50

6.25

4.25

lease renewal. Vacancy was 2.6% at the year end, compared with 

’04 

’05 

’06 

’07 

’08

2.0% at the end of 2007. Vacancy subsequently increased to 5.5% 

in  January  2009  following  the  decision  of  a  major  tenant  not  to 

renew its lease, although some 70% of the additional vacant space 

has been re-let.

Central portfolio average office rent (US$/sq. ft per month)

Nominal 

Effective

7.20

5.93

5.48

5.63

5.24

5.44

5.08

5.26

4.69

4.60

4.04

4.22

3.78

5.21

4.83

8.90

8.52

6.69

6.33

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

’99 

’00 

’01 

’02 

’03 

’04 

’05 

’06 

’07 

’08

10

8

6

4

2

0

Annual Report 2008  7

 
 
Chief Executive’s Review

Top five office tenants 

(in alphabetical order)

Office rents in Central in Hong Kong were high throughout 2008, and 

average rents for the Group’s properties in Hong Kong rose by 34% 

during the year.

A refurbishment of the basement level retail space in Jardine House 

was  completed,  and  opportunities  to  improve  the  quality  of  the 

Group’s buildings continue to be evaluated.

Sales  in  the  luxury  retail  sector  held  up  well  during  2008.  Like  the 

office sector, there were signs of the market becoming more difficult 

towards the end of the year. Average rents for the Group’s luxury retail 

space in Hong Kong rose by 10% during the year, while occupancy 

was 100% at the end of 2008 and 2007.

Commercial Properties other than in Hong Kong
Singapore  continued  to  increase  its  contribution  to  the  Group’s 

performance in 2008 with both ORL and ORQ fully let at good rental 

levels. Construction of MBFC is targeted to complete in two phases, in 

2010  and  2012.  The  two  phases  comprising  190,000  sq.  m.  and 

150,000 sq. m. of gross floor area, respectively, are more than 60% 

pre-committed.

Construction  of  the  residential  units  and  luxury  retail  centre  in  

One  Central,  our  joint  venture  development  in  the  heart  of  the  

Macau Peninsula, continues on track. One Central will comprise some 

37,000 sq. m. of luxury retail space together with a Mandarin Oriental 

hotel,  serviced  apartments  and  137,000  sq.  m.  of  residential 

apartments. The retail space is currently some 70% pre-committed.

Our  other  commercial  investment  properties  are  located  in  Hanoi, 

Jakarta, Bangkok and Bermuda. Our two buildings in Hanoi are fully 

let  at  the  highest  rents  in  that  market.  Jakarta  Land’s  portfolio  is 

achieving occupancy levels of over 95% also at good rents. In Bangkok, 

our 49%-owned luxury retail centre and office development, Gaysorn, 

continues  to  face  difficult  trading  conditions.  In  Bermuda,  Jardine 

Gibbons Property, in which Hongkong Land has a 40% interest, owns 

four small commercial buildings in the commercial centre of Hamilton 

which are fully let.

at 31st December 2008

Credit Suisse

JPMorgan

KPMG

Morgan Stanley

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Top five retail tenants 

(in alphabetical order)

at 31st December 2008

Dickson Concepts

Giorgio Armani

Gucci

Louis Vuitton

Richemont Group

8  Hongkong Land

Residential Property

The  residential business recorded a breakeven  result in  2008. Profits  were  recognised 

upon  the  completion  and  handover  of  Phase  IV  of  Central  Park  in  Beijing,  Phase  I  of 

Bamboo Grove in Chongqing, and MCL Land’s projects, Mera Springs and The Esta in 

Singapore.  The  overall  result  was,  however,  negatively  impacted  by  an  impairment 

provision  of  US$140  million,  being  Hongkong  Land’s  share  of  a  write-down  by  

MCL Land of the value of some of its development properties in Singapore.

Construction of the Group’s two residential projects in Hong Kong, The Sail at Victoria 

and  Tai  Hang  Road,  is  progressing  well  and  completion  is  due  in  2009  and  2010, 

respectively.  The  local  residential  property  market,  particularly  at  the  luxury  end,  has 

softened considerably since the middle of 2008.

In One Central, Macau, the 796 unit residential units have been over 97% pre-sold and 
are on schedule for completion in the second half of 2009. Completion of the hotel will 

take place in the first half of 2010, as will the completion of 98 serviced apartments 

which have not yet been launched for sale.

In  Singapore,  construction  of  Marina  Bay  Residences,  the  residential  component  of  

Phase I of the MBFC, is on schedule for completion and handover to buyers in 2010. 

Phase II of the MBFC will also incorporate a tower of residential apartments, Marina Bay 

Suites, although construction of this tower has not yet commenced.

In mainland China, the first phase of the Park Life development in Shenyang, in which 

the Group has a 30% interest, completed during 2008. Subsequent phases of Park Life 

and a second site in Shenyang in which the Group also has a 30% interest are under 

master planning. In Chongqing, construction of Phase II of Bamboo Grove comprising 

some 964 units is progressing well, with completion and handover scheduled for the 

second half of 2009 and the first half of 2010. Some 65% of the units in Phase II have 

been pre-sold, despite difficult market conditions.

MCL Land

MCL Land completed three projects in 2008, The Grange, Mera Springs and The Esta.  

Its results were, however, negatively impacted by a write-down in the values of some of 

its development properties in Singapore. The construction is in progress of three projects 

scheduled for completion in 2009 and a further two scheduled for completion in 2010. 

These projects are nearly 100% pre-sold, giving MCL Land a good pipeline of profits that 

will be recognised upon completion. The residential property market in Singapore, like 

those elsewhere in the region, has slowed. ‘D’Pavilion’  and  ‘The  Peak@Balmeg’  were 

launched during the year and the number of the units being pre-sold at the year end 

was  28%  and  25%,  respectively.  MCL  Land  completed  the  acquisitions  of  three 

development sites in 2008, the total cost of which was US$240 million.

Annual Report 2008  9

Chief Executive’s Review

Finance and Corporate Activities

The Group repurchased 45.9 million of its own shares during the year at a total cost of 

US$120  million  with  the  effects  of  enhancing  both  earnings  per  share  and  net  asset 

value  per  share.  The  Group’s  financial  position  remains  healthy.  At  the  end  of  2008 

adjusted gearing was 19% with net debt at US$2.6 billion, up from US$2.4 billion at the 

end of 2007. The Group did not have any major re-financing requirements during the 

year,  and  its  liquidity  remains  strong  with  no  significant  re-financing  requirements  

until 2011.

Outlook

The outlook at the end of 2008 is more uncertain than it has been for some years as the 

full  effects  of  the  global  economic  downturn  start  to  be  felt  across  Asia.  Although 
commercial  property  markets  are  becoming  more  difficult  in  Hong  Kong  and  other 

centres in which the Group has operations, our commercial property business remains in 

good health underpinned by its high quality tenant base. Additionally, our commercial 

property projects under development in Singapore and Macau are proceeding on track 

and  will  strengthen  further  our  commercial  revenues  in  the  coming  years.  Residential 

property markets in the region have also slowed, although the Group’s projects that will 

complete in Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore and Macau will add an additional 

earnings stream in the years ahead.

While  global  economic  conditions  are  expected  to  remain  volatile  and  uncertain  for 

some time, the Group’s strong financial position places it in a good position to weather 

the difficult markets that we are now facing.

Y K Pang
Chief Executive

5th March 2009

10  Hongkong Land

Financial Review

Financial Markets’ Review

Global  banking  and  financial  markets  experienced  a  turbulent  year, 

particularly in the second half following the bank failures and bail outs 

in the United States and Europe in September. The Hang Seng Index 

ended the year at 14,387 points, down 48% from the end of 2007. 

Reductions  in  liquidity  in  the  banking  and  bond  markets  resulted  in 

greatly  reduced  funding  availability  and  increases  in  credit  spreads. 

While  Central  Banks  have  implemented  various  measures,  including 

reductions in benchmark interest rates and financial stimulus packages 

to  ease  the  financial  crisis  and  to  boost  economic  activity,  market 

conditions will remain challenging throughout 2009. 

Results

There have been no changes in the accounting policies adopted by the 

Group during 2008. 

Underlying  earnings  for  the  year  rose  9%  to  US$375  million  from 

US$345 million recorded in 2007. Underlying earnings per share rose 

slightly more to US¢16.41 from US¢15.02 in 2007 benefitting from 

the repurchase of 2% of the Group’s own shares. A loss attributable 

to shareholders of US$109 million (2007: profit of US$2,840 million) 

was  recorded  after  a  US$486  million  decrease  in  the  fair  value  of 

investment properties (including those in joint ventures and associates) 

net of deferred tax.

Overall, net rental income from commercial properties was 29% higher 

than  in  2007.  In  the  Group’s  Hong  Kong  Central  office  portfolio 

average  effective  rents  increased  from  US$6.33  psf  in  2007  to  

US$8.52 psf in 2008, while occupancy at the end of 2008 was 97.4%, 

marginally lower than 98.0% at the end of 2007. In the Group’s Hong 

Kong  Central  retail  portfolio  average  effective  rents  increased  from 

US$14.99 psf in 2007 to US$16.54 psf in 2008, and at the end of the 

year the portfolio was fully occupied (also fully occupied at the end  

of 2007).

The Group’s residential property business recorded a breakeven result 

in 2008 down from a US$73 million contribution to underlying profit 

Net debt as a percentage of

adjusted equity*

Net debt 

Adjusted equity*

in 2007. The results from the completions of Phase IV of Central Park 

25%

22%

21%

17%

19%

in  Beijing,  Phase  I  of  Bamboo  Grove  in  Chongqing  and  MCL  Land’s 

Mera  Springs  and  The  Esta  were  offset  by  Hongkong  Land’s  

US$140  million  share  of  write-down  of  development  properties  by 

MCL Land.

’04 

’05 

’06 

’07 

’08

* Excludes deferred tax on revaluation surpluses of
  investment properties that would not be payable 
  if the properties were sold

(cid:23)

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(cid:24)

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(cid:28)

(cid:25)

Annual Report 2008  11
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Financial Review

Net  financing  charges  reduced  from  US$50  million  in  2007  to  

US$45  million  in  2008,  largely  due  to  lower  interest  rates.  Average 

borrowing  costs  were  3.6%  compared  with  4.5%  in  2007.  Interest 

cover,  calculated  as  the  underlying  operating  profit  which  includes 

share of joint ventures results divided by net financing charges, was 

strong at 10.7 times (2007: 9.3 times).

Dividends

The  Board  is  recommending  a  final  dividend  of  US¢7.00  per  share 

(2007: US¢9.00 per share) giving a total dividend payable for the year 

of US¢13.00 per share, unchanged from 2007. The final dividend is 

payable on 13th May 2009 to those persons registered as shareholders 

at the close of business on 20th March 2009. The dividends are payable 

in cash.

Cash Flow

Year-end debt summary

US$ convertible bonds 

US$ bonds 

US$ bank loans 

HK$ bank loans 

S$ bonds 

S$ bank loans 

Gross debt 

Cash 

2008 
US$m 

2007
US$m

358 
1,184 

349

1,119

3 3

809 
493 
873 

739

483

842

3,720 
1,119 

3,535

1,104

With strong rental income from the Group’s investment properties and 

receipt of progress payments from the Group’s development projects 

in Singapore, recurring cash flow (cash flow from operating activities 

less  major  renovations  expenditure)  of  US$501  million  in  2008  was 

US$119 million higher than that in 2007. This cash flow was largely 

applied  towards  the  payment  of  dividends  (US$349  million),  capital 

expenditure  on  developments  and  joint  ventures  (US$127  million), 

and share repurchases (US$120 million).

As a result, the Group’s net debt at the end of 2008 was US$2,601 

million, up US$170 million from US$2,431 million at the end of 2007. 

Net gearing calculated on adjusted equity, which excludes deferred tax 

provisions  on  revaluation  surpluses  of  investment  properties,  was 

Net debt 

2,601 

2,431 

19%, compared with 17% at the end of 2007 due to the higher net 

debt  and  lower  adjusted  shareholders’  funds  resulting  from  the 

decrease in the value of investment properties.

Investment Properties’ Valuation

In  preparing  the  Group’s  financial  statements  under  International 

Financial  Reporting  Standards  (‘IFRS’),  the  fair  value  model  for 

investment  properties  has  been  adopted.  In  accordance  with  this 

model, the Group’s leasehold investment properties have been included 

at their open market value as determined by independent valuers. In 

the territories where the Group has significant leasehold investment 

12  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
properties, no capital gains tax would be payable on the sale of these 

Debt profile as at 

properties.  In  relation  to  leasehold  investment  properties,  however, 

31st December 2008 (%)

IFRS require deferred tax on any revaluation amount to be calculated 

using  income  tax  rates.  This  is  in  contrast  to  the  treatment  for  the 

revaluation element of freehold properties where IFRS require capital 

gains tax rates to be used.

As  Management  considers  that  the  Group’s  long-term  leasehold 

properties  have  very  similar  characteristics  to  freehold  property,  the 

adjusted shareholders’ funds and adjusted net asset value per share 

information is presented on the basis that would be applicable if the 

leasehold properties were freehold. The adjustments made add back 

the deferred tax provided in the financial statements that would not 

be payable if the properties were sold.

The revaluation deficit for 2008 of US$719 million, which includes the 

Group’s  shares  in  joint  ventures,  resulted  largely  from  higher 

capitalisation  rates.  The  deferred  tax  credit  required  by  IFRS  in  

relation to this revaluation deficit is US$233 million. The revaluation 

deficit and the associated deferred tax credit have been taken to the 

profit and loss account in accordance with IFRS as set out above. At 

(cid:23)(cid:22)(cid:22)

the  end  of  the  year,  the  Group’s  commercial  investment  properties 

portfolio  (including  the  Group’s  share  of  investment  properties  in  

joint ventures) was valued at US$14,525 million, down by 4% from  

US$15,075 million at the end of 2007.

Excluding  the  deferred  tax  provision  on  the  revaluation  surpluses  of 

(cid:30)(cid:22)

(cid:28)(cid:22)

(cid:26)(cid:22)

investment properties, the Group’s adjusted net asset value per share 

(cid:24)(cid:22)

decreased  by  3%  to  US$5.92  at  the  end  of  2008  from  US$6.12  at  

the end of 2007.

(cid:22)

Financial Risk Management and Treasury Activities

The  Group  manages  its  treasury  activities  within  established  risk 

management objectives and policies using a variety of techniques and 

instruments.  The  main  objectives  are  to  manage  exchange,  interest 

rate and liquidity risks and to provide a degree of certainty about costs. 

The  Group’s  Treasury  operations  are  managed  as  cost  centres,  and 

derivatives  are  employed  for  hedging  purposes  only.  Appropriate  

credit guidelines are in place to manage counterparty credit risk.

Interest
rate

51

49

Fixed 
Rate
Floating 
Rate

Currency

Maturity

10

37

53

US$

S$

HK$

22

69

6

3

> 5 years

2-5 years

1-2 years

<1  year

Annual Report 2008  13

 
 
Financial Review

Committed facility maturity as 

When economically sensible to do so, borrowings are taken in local 

at 31st December 2008 (US$m)

currencies  to  hedge  foreign  currency  exposures  on  investments.  

A  portion  of  borrowings  is  denominated  in  fixed  rates.  Adequate 

1,990

headroom in committed facilities is maintained to facilitate the Group’s 

capacity to pursue new investment opportunities.

1,247

A review of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Company is 

set out on page 62.

520

596

Funding

259

’09 

’10 

’11 

’12 

’13 &

            beyond

(cid:24)(cid:22)(cid:22)(cid:22)

(cid:23)(cid:27)(cid:22)(cid:22)

(cid:23)(cid:22)(cid:22)(cid:22)

(cid:27)(cid:22)(cid:22)

(cid:22)

Global  credit  markets  were  volatile  during  2008  with  significant 

increases in credit spreads, particularly in the second half of the year. 

The  Group,  however,  continues  to  maintain  a  healthy  funding  and 
liquidity position. While the Group did not have any major refinancing 

requirements  in  2008,  a  number  of  new  bilateral  banking  facilities 

were established to further strengthen its funding position.

As at 31st December 2008, the Group had total financing facilities of 

US$5.0 billion (2007: US$4.8 billion), of which 95% was committed 

(2007:  95%).  At  that  date,  79%  of  the  committed  facilities  

were  drawn.  Of  the  Group’s  committed  facilities,  43%  are  sourced 

from  the  capital  markets  and  57%  from  the  banking  market.  The 

average  facility  maturity  at  31st  December  2008  was  3.6  years  

(2007:  4.4  years).  At  the  year  end  the  Group  held  cash  deposits  of 

US$1,119 million (2007: US$1,104 million). Total liquidity calculated 

as  committed  facility  headroom  plus  surplus  cash  on  deposit  was 

US$2,102 million (2007: US$2,120 million). 

During  the  year,  Standard  &  Poor’s  and  Moody’s  affirmed  their  

long-term credit ratings for Hongkong Land Holdings Limited at BBB+ 

and  Baa1,  respectively.  Standard  &  Poor’s  revised  its  BBB+  rating 

outlook  of  the  Group  to  stable  from  positive  following  its  review  

of the commercial property market. Moody’s continues to maintain a 

stable outlook on its Baa1 rating.

Geoffrey M Brown
Chief Financial Officer

5th March 2009

14  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
Directors’ Profiles

Simon Keswick Chairman

Henry Keswick

Mr  Simon  Keswick  has  been  a  Director  of  the  Group’s  holding 

Mr Henry Keswick first served on the Board of the Group’s holding 

company since 1983. He was Chairman from 1983 to 1988 and was 

company between 1970 and 1975 and was re-appointed a Director 

subsequently re-appointed in 1989. He joined the Jardine Matheson 

in 1988. He is chairman of Jardine Matheson, having first joined the 

group  in  1962  and  is  also  chairman  of  Dairy  Farm  and  Mandarin 

group  in  1961,  and  is  also  chairman  of  Jardine  Strategic.  He  is  a 

Oriental, and a director of Jardine Lloyd Thompson, Jardine Matheson 

director  of  Dairy  Farm,  Mandarin  Oriental  and  Rothschilds 

and Jardine Strategic.

Continuation Holdings. He is also vice chairman of the Hong Kong 

A J L Nightingale* Managing Director

Mr  Nightingale  joined  the  Board  and  was  appointed  as  Managing 

Association.

R C Kwok

Director in 2006. He has served in a number of executive positions 

Mr Kwok is a Chartered Accountant and has been a Director of the 

since joining the Jardine Matheson group in 1969. He is chairman of 

Group’s holding company since 1981. He joined the Jardine Matheson 

Jardine Cycle & Carriage, Jardine Matheson Limited, Jardine Motors 

group in 1964 and is a director of Jardine Matheson Limited, Dairy 

and Jardine Pacific and a commissioner of Astra. He is also managing 

Farm, Jardine Matheson, Jardine Strategic and Mandarin Oriental.

director  of  Dairy  Farm,  Jardine  Matheson,  Jardine  Strategic  and 

Mandarin  Oriental.  Mr  Nightingale  is  chairman  of  the  Business 

Facilitation Advisory Committee established by the Financial Secretary 

in Hong Kong, a council member of the Hong Kong Trade Development 

Council and the Employers’ Federation of Hong Kong, a Hong Kong 

representative to the APEC Business Advisory Council and a member 

of the Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council.

Y K Pang* Chief Executive

Mr Pang joined the Board and was appointed Chief Executive of the 

Group in 2007. He has previously held a number of senior executive 

positions in the Jardine Matheson group, having first joined in 1984. 

He  is  also  chairman  of  MCL  Land  and  Jardine  Matheson  (China) 

Limited, and is a director of Jardine Matheson Limited. He is a general 

committee  member  of  the  Hong  Kong  General  Chamber  of 

Commerce.

Charles Allen-Jones

Mr  Allen-Jones  joined  the  Board  in  2001.  He  was  formerly  senior 

partner of Linklaters, where he had been a partner for 33 years until 

2001.  Mr  Allen-Jones  is  also  a  non-executive  director  of  Jardine 

Strategic  and  Caledonia  Investments,  a  member  of  the  Financial 

Reporting Review Panel and vice chairman of the Council of the Royal 

College of Art.

Mark Greenberg

Mr Greenberg joined the Board in 2006. He is group strategy director 

of Jardine Matheson. He had previously spent 16 years in investment 

banking with Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein in London. He is also a 

director  of  Jardine  Matheson  Limited,  Dairy  Farm,  Jardine  Cycle  & 

Carriage  and  Mandarin  Oriental  and  a  commissioner  of  Astra  and 

Bank Permata.

Jenkin Hui

Lord Leach of Fairford

Lord Leach has been a Director of the Group’s holding company since 

1985.  He  is  deputy  chairman  of  Jardine  Lloyd  Thompson,  and  a 

director of Dairy Farm, Jardine Matheson, Jardine Strategic, Mandarin 

Oriental and Rothschilds Continuation Holdings. He joined the Jardine 

Matheson  group  in  1983  after  a  career  in  banking  and  merchant 

banking.

Dr Richard Lee

Dr Lee joined the Board in 2003. Dr Lee’s principal business interests 

are  in  the  manufacturing  of  textiles  and  apparel  in  Southeast  Asia, 

and he is the chairman of TAL Apparel. He is also a director of Jardine 

Matheson and Mandarin Oriental.

Lord Powell of Bayswater KCMG

Lord Powell rejoined the Board in June 2008, having first served as a 

Director between 1992 and 2000. He was previously Private Secretary 

and adviser on foreign affairs and defence to British Prime Ministers, 

Baroness  Thatcher  and  Rt  Hon  John  Major.  He  is  a  director  of 

Caterpillar,  LVMH  Moët  Hennessy  Louis  Vuitton,  Matheson  &  Co, 

Mandarin Oriental, Capital Generation Partners, Textron Corporation, 

Schindler  Holdings,  Northern  Trust  Global  Services,  Yell  Group  and 

Magna  Holdings.  He  is  co-chairman  of  the  UK  Government’s  Asia 

Task Force and was previously president of the China-Britain Business 

Council and chairman of the Singapore-British Business Council.

Percy Weatherall

Mr Weatherall joined the Board in 1994 and was Managing Director 

from 2000 to 2006. He held a number of senior positions since first 

joining the Jardine Matheson group in 1976 until his retirement from 

executive office in 2006. He is also a director of Dairy Farm, Jardine 
Matheson, Jardine Strategic and Mandarin Oriental. 

Mr Hui joined the Board in 1994 and is a director of Jardine Matheson, 

Jardine  Strategic,  Central  Development  and  a  number  of  property 

and investment companies.

* Executive Director

Annual Report 2008  15

Consolidated Profit and Loss Account

for the year ended 31st December 2008

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Other income 

Administrative and other expenses 

(Decrease)/increase in fair value of  

investment properties 

Asset impairment provisions, reversals  
  and disposals 

Operating (loss)/profit 

Financing charges 

Financing income 

Net financing charges 

Share of results of joint ventures 

(Loss)/profit before tax 

Tax 

(Loss)/profit after tax 

Attributable to:

Shareholders of the Company 

Minority interests 

Underlying   
business   
performance   

Note 

US$m   

5 

6 

1,022.3  

(574.3 ) 

448.0  

0.8  

(53.0 ) 

395.8  

2008 

Non-   
trading   
items   

US$m   

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

Underlying   
business   
performance   

US$m   

2007

Non-
trading

items   

US$m   

Total   

US$m   

1,022.3  
(574.3 ) 

448.0  
0.8  
(53.0 ) 

933.2  

(442.2 ) 

491.0  

0.6  

(52.2 ) 

395.8  

439.4  

Total

US$m

933.2

(442.2 )

491.0

0.6

(52.2 )

439.4

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

12 

12 

7 

8 

9 

10 

–  

(698.9 ) 

(698.9 ) 

–  

2,588.9  

2,588.9

–  

1.8  

1.8  

–  

9.4  

9.4

395.8  

(697.1 ) 

(301.3 ) 

439.4  

2,598.3  

3,037.7

(116.3 ) 

71.8  

(44.5 ) 

81.3  

–  

–  

–  

(16.4 ) 

(116.3 ) 
71.8  

(44.5 ) 
64.9  

(138.5 ) 

88.5  

(50.0 ) 

24.0  

–  

–  

–  

362.6  

(138.5 )

88.5

(50.0 )

386.6

432.6  

(81.1 ) 

(713.5 ) 

228.6  

(280.9 ) 
147.5  

413.4  

2,960.9  

3,374.3

(56.2 ) 

(463.2 ) 

(519.4 )

351.5  

(484.9 ) 

(133.4 ) 

357.2  

2,497.7  

2,854.9

375.1  

(23.6 ) 

(484.5 ) 

(0.4 ) 

(109.4 ) 
(24.0 ) 

344.7  

2,494.9  

2,839.6

12.5  

2.8  

15.3

351.5  

(484.9 ) 

(133.4 ) 

357.2  

2,497.7  

2,854.9

(Loss)/earnings per share 

11

  – basic   

  – diluted 

US¢   

(4.79 ) 
(4.79 ) 

US¢

123.72

119.18

16  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
Consolidated Balance Sheet

at 31st December 2008

Net operating assets
Tangible assets 

Investment properties 

  Others 

Joint ventures 

Other investments 

Deferred tax assets 

Pension assets 

Non-current debtors 

Non-current assets 

Properties for sale 

Current debtors 

Bank balances 

Current assets 

Current creditors 

Current borrowings 

Current tax liabilities 

Current liabilities 

Net current assets 

Long-term borrowings 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Non-current creditors 

Total equity
Share capital 

Revenue and other reserves 

Shareholders’ funds 

Minority interests 

Approved by the Board of Directors on 5th March 2009

A J L Nightingale

Y K Pang
Directors

Note 

13

14 

15 

16 

17 

19 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

22 

16 

21 

23 

24 

2008  
US$m  

2007

US$m

13,702.7  
14.8  

13,717.5  
1,797.5  
–  
4.5  
6.1  
101.9  

14,260.6

12.3

14,272.9

1,653.9

17.5

2.6

17.3

36.7

15,627.5  

16,000.9

838.9  
289.2  
1,119.0  

895.0

414.2

1,104.0

2,247.1  

2,413.2

(668.8 ) 
(95.4 ) 
(58.2 ) 

(822.4 ) 

1,424.7  
(3,624.1 ) 
(1,992.9 ) 
(26.8 ) 

(659.2 )

(140.9 )

(43.2 )

(843.3 )

1,569.9

(3,393.9 )

(2,207.2 )

(12.6 )

11,408.4  

11,957.1

224.9  
11,088.4  

11,313.3  
95.1  

229.5

11,603.5

11,833.0

124.1

11,408.4  

11,957.1

Annual Report 2008  17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Consolidated Statement of Recognised Income and Expense

for the year ended 31st December 2008

Net exchange translation differences 

Actuarial (losses)/gains on defined benefit pension plans 

Gains on revaluation of other investments 

(Losses)/gains on cash flow hedges 

Tax credit/(charge) on items taken directly to equity 

Net income recognised directly in equity 

Revaluation gains of other investments transferred to consolidated profit and loss account   

Transfer to consolidated profit and loss account in respect of cash flow hedges 

(Loss)/profit after tax 

2008  
US$m  

72.3  
(12.1 ) 
–  
(0.6 ) 
3.8  

63.4  
(6.1 ) –
(3.6 ) 
(133.4 ) 

2007

US$m

33.1

2.8

1.4

7.1

(1.3 )

43.1

5.5

2,854.9

Total recognised income and expense for the year 

(79.7 ) 

2,903.5

Attributable to:

Shareholders of the Company 

Minority interests 

(55.7 ) 
(24.0 ) 

2,888.2

15.3

(79.7 ) 

2,903.5

18  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

for the year ended 31st December 2008

Operating activities
Operating (loss)/profit 

Depreciation 

Provision on properties for sale 

Decrease/(increase) in fair value of investment properties 

Asset impairment provisions, reversals and disposals 

Increase in properties for sale 

Decrease/(increase) in debtors, prepayments and others 

Increase in creditors and accruals 

Interest received 

Interest and other financing charges paid 

Tax paid 

Dividends received 

Cash flows from operating activities 

Investing activities
Major renovations expenditure 

Developments capital expenditure 

Investments in and loans to joint ventures 

Disposal of joint ventures and other investments 

Disposal of investment and other properties 

Cash flows from investing activities 

Financing activities
Drawdown of bank loans 

Repayment of bank loans 

Repurchase of shares 

Capital contribution from minority shareholders 

Dividends paid by the Company 

Dividends paid to minority shareholders 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Effect of exchange rate changes 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at 1st January 

Note 

7 

2008  
US$m  

(301.3 ) 
1.7   
180.2   
698.9   
(1.8 ) 
(159.9 ) 
159.0   
6.6   
68.8   
(109.3 ) 
(62.3 ) 
50.4   

531.0   

(29.8 ) 
(15.0 ) 
(111.5 ) 
–   
–   

(156.3 ) 

391.5   
(291.4 ) 
(119.7 ) –
2.0   
(343.1 ) 
(6.3 ) 

(367.0 ) 
6.5   

2007

US$m

3,037.7

0.9

–

(2,588.9 )

(9.4 )

(59.2 )

(197.9 )

279.9

88.8

(126.7 )

(32.0 )

11.1

404.3

(22.2 )

(23.5 )

(316.8 )

7.6

188.9

(166.0 )

407.5

(454.0 )

–

(251.1 )

(3.6 )

(301.2 )

2.1

14.2   
1,102.9  

(60.8 )

1,163.7

Cash and cash equivalents at 31st December 

27 

1,117.1  

1,102.9

Annual Report 2008  19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

IAS  19  (Amendment)  ‘Employee  Benefits’  (effective  from  

1st  January  2009)  is  part  of  the  2008  improvement  project.  

It  clarifies  the  distinction  between  curtailments  and  negative 

past service costs under a defined benefit plan.

IAS  38 

(Amendment) 

‘Intangible  Assets’ 

(effective  from  

1st  January  2009)  is  part  of  the  2008  improvement  project.  

It clarifies that expenditure on advertising and other promotional 

activities must be recognised in the period in which the entity 

obtains  the  right  to  access  the  advertising  or  promotional 

material.

Amendment  to  IAS  39  ‘Eligible  Hedged  Items’  (effective  from 

1st  July  2009)  clarifies  how  the  principles  that  determine 

whether  a  hedged  risk  or  portion  of  cash  flows  is  eligible  for 

designation should be applied in particular situations.

IFRIC  15  ‘Agreements  for  the  Construction  of  Real  Estate’ 
(effective  from  1st  January  2009)  provides  guidance  in 

determining whether an agreement for the construction of real 

estate is within the scope of IAS 11 ‘Construction Contracts’ or 

IAS 18 ‘Revenue’.

IFRIC 16 ‘Hedges of a Net Investment in a Foreign Operation’ 

(effective from 1st October 2008) addresses the nature of the 

hedged risk and amount of the hedged item for which a hedging 

relationship  may  be  designated  in  the  consolidated  financial 

statements of a parent entity.

IFRIC 17 ‘Distributions of Non-cash Assets to Owners’ (effective 

from 1st July 2009) requires that a non-cash dividend payable 

should  be  recognised  when  the  dividend  is  appropriately 

authorised and is no longer at the discretion of the entity. The 

dividend should be measured at the fair value of the net assets 

to be distributed. Any difference between the dividend paid and 

the  carrying  amount  of  the  net  assets  distributed  should  be 

included in profit or loss.

Standards,  amendments  and  interpretations  effective 

after  2008  which  are  relevant  to  the  Group’s  operations 

and yet to be adopted

IFRS  3  ‘Business  Combinations’  (effective  from  1st  July  2009), 

which  replaces  IFRS  3  (as  issued  in  2004)  and  the  related 

amendment  to  IAS  27  ‘Consolidated  and  Separate  Financial 

Statements’ (effective from 1st July 2009) provide guidance for 

applying the acquisition method for business combinations. The 

major  changes  from  the  existing  standards  include:  the 

immediate expensing of all acquisition costs, the inclusion in the 

cost  of  acquisition  of  the  fair  value  at  acquisition  date  of  any 

contingent  purchase  consideration,  the  removal  of  the 

requirement to measure at fair value every asset and liability at 

1  Principal Accounting Policies

a.  Basis of preparation

The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance 

with 

International  Financial  Reporting  Standards 

(‘IFRS’), 

including 

International  Accounting  Standards 

(‘IAS’)  and 

Interpretations  adopted  by  the 

International  Accounting 

Standards Board. The financial statements have been prepared 

under the historical cost convention except as disclosed in the 

accounting policies below.

Interpretations effective in 2008 which are relevant to the 

Group’s operations

IFRIC  11  ‘IFRS  2  –  Group  and  Treasury  Share  Transactions’ 

provides guidance on whether share-based payment transactions 

involving  treasury  shares  or  involving  entities  within  a  group 
should be accounted for as equity-settled or cash-settled share-

based  transactions  in  the  separate  financial  statements  of  the 

entities.

IFRIC 14 ‘IAS 19 – The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum 

Funding Requirements and their Interaction’ provides guidance 

on assessing the limit in IAS 19 on the amount of surplus that 

can be recognised as an asset under a defined benefit plan. It 

also explains how the pension asset or liability may be affected 

by a statutory or contractual minimum funding requirement.

The adoption of the above interpretations do not have a material 

impact on the Group’s financial statements.

Standards,  amendments  and  interpretations  effective 

after  2008  which  are  relevant  to  the  Group’s  operations 

but will have no material impact on the Group’s accounting 

policies

IAS  23  ‘Borrowing  Costs’  (effective  from  1st  January  2009) 

supersedes  IAS  23  (as  revised  in  1993)  and  requires  the 

capitalisation of borrowing costs relating to qualifying assets.

Amendments to IFRS 2 ‘Vesting Conditions and Cancellations’ 

(effective from 1st January 2009) restrict vesting conditions to 

service conditions and performance conditions, and specify that 

a failure to meet a non-vesting condition, whether by the entity 

or by the counterparty, should be treated as a cancellation.

IAS 16 (Amendment) ‘Property, Plant and Equipment’ and the 

consequential amendment to IAS 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’ 

(effective from 1st January 2009) is part of the 2008 improvement 

project. It specifies that entities whose ordinary activities include 

renting  and  subsequently  selling  the  same  items  of  property, 

plant  and  equipment  should  recognise  revenue  from  both 

renting  and  selling  the  assets.  The  cash  flows  arising  from 

purchase, rental and sale of those assets are classified as cash 

flows from operating activities.

20  Hongkong Land

each step in a step acquisition for the purposes of calculating 

investment property. The Group will apply the amendment from 

goodwill,  and  changes  in  a  parent’s  ownership  interest  in  a 

1st January 2009, but it is not expected to have any significant 

subsidiary  that  do  not  result  in  the  loss  of  control  should  be 

impact on the results of the Group.

accounted  for  as  equity  transactions.  The  Group  will  apply  

IFRS 3 and IAS 27 (as amended in 2008) from 1st January 2010 

and will revise its accounting policy on business combinations 

accordingly.

IFRIC 13 ‘Customer Loyalty Programmes’ (effective from 1st July 

2008)  addresses  the  accounting  by  entities  that  grant  loyalty 

award credits to customers who buy goods or services. It requires 

that the consideration receivable from the customer is allocated 

IFRS 8 ‘Operating Segments’ (effective from 1st January 2009) 

between  the  separately  identifiable  components  of  the  sale 

supersedes  IAS  14  ‘Segment  Reporting’  and  requires  the 

transaction using fair values. The Group will apply IFRIC 13 from 

reporting  of  financial  and  descriptive  information  about  an 

1st January 2009, but it is not expected to have any significant 

entity’s reportable segments on the basis of internal reports that 

impact on the results of the Group.

are regularly reviewed by its management. The Group will apply 

IFRS 8 from 1st January 2009. There will be no change in the 

Group’s  reportable  segments  as  they  are  consistent  with  the 

internal reporting provided to management.

The  principal  operating  subsidiaries  and  joint  ventures  have 

different  functional  currencies  in  line  with  the  economic 

environments  of  the  locations  in  which  they  operate.  The 

functional  currency  of  the  Company  is  United  States  Dollars. 

IAS  1  ‘Presentation  of  Financial  Statements’  (effective  from  

The consolidated financial statements are presented in United 

1st  January  2009)  replaces  IAS  1  (as  revised  in  2003  and 

States Dollars.

amended  in  2005)  and  sets  overall  requirements  for  the 

presentation  of  financial  statements,  guidelines  for  their 

structure  and  minimum  requirement  for  their  content.  The 

Group will apply IAS 1 from 1st January 2009.

Amendments to IFRS 1 and IAS 27 ‘Cost of an Investment in a 

Subsidiary, Jointly Controlled Entity or Associate’ (effective from 

1st  January  2009)  remove  the  definition  of  the  cost  method 

The Group’s reportable segments are set out in Note 4.

b.  Basis of consolidation

The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  financial 

statements of the Company, its subsidiaries and joint ventures 

on the basis set out below.

from IAS 27 and allow an entity to recognise a dividend from 

i)  Subsidiaries

subsidiary, jointly controlled entity or associate in profit and loss 

Subsidiaries are entities over which the Group has control. 

in its separate financial statements when its right to receive the 

Control is the power to govern the financial and operating 

dividend  is  established.  The  Group  will  apply  amendments  to 

policies  of  an  entity  so  as  to  obtain  benefits  from  its 

IFRS  1  and  IAS  27  from  1st  January  2009.  There  will  be  no 

activities. The results of subsidiaries are included or excluded 

impact on the consolidated financial statements as the changes 

from  their  effective  dates  of  acquisition  or  disposal 

only  affect  the  separate  financial  statements  of  the  investing 

respectively.

entity.

All  material  intercompany  transactions,  balances  and 

IFRS  5  (Amendment)  ‘Non-current  Assets  Held  for  Sale  and 

unrealised  surpluses  and  deficits  on  transactions  between 

Discontinued Operations’ (effective from 1st July 2009) is part 

group companies have been eliminated.

of the 2008 improvement project. It specifies that if a sale plan 

involving loss of control of a subsidiary meets the held-for-sale 

criteria,  the  assets  and  liabilities  of  the  subsidiary  should  be 

reclassified and accounted for as a disposal group in accordance 

Minority  interests  represent  the  proportion  of  the  results 

and  net  assets  of  subsidiaries  and  their  joint  ventures  not 

attributable to the Group.

with  IFRS  5.  The  Group  will  apply  the  amendment  from  

ii)  Joint ventures

1st  January  2010  and  only  the  disclosure  and  presentation  of 

Joint ventures are entities where the Group has a contractual 

financial information will be affected.

arrangement with third parties to undertake an economic 

IAS  40  (Amendment)  ‘Investment  Property’  (effective  from  

activity which is subject to joint control.

1st  January  2009)  is  part  of  the  2008  improvement  project.  

Joint ventures are included on the equity basis of accounting. 

It requires property that is being constructed or developed for 

The results of joint ventures are included or excluded from 

future  use  as  investment  property  should  be  classified  as 

their effective dates of acquisition or disposal respectively.

Annual Report 2008  21

Notes to the Financial Statements

1  Principal Accounting Policies continued

b.  Basis of consolidation continued

iii)  Goodwill

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on acquisition of a 

foreign entity after 1st January 2003 are treated as assets and 

liabilities of the foreign entity and translated into United States 

Dollars at the rate of exchange ruling at the year end.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition 

over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net identifiable 

assets  of  the  acquired  subsidiary  or  joint  venture  at  the 

effective date of acquisition, and, in respect of an increase 

in holding in subsidiary, the excess of the cost of acquisition 

over the carrying amount of the proportion of the minority 

interests acquired. If the cost of acquisition is less than the 

fair value of the net assets acquired or the carrying amount 

of  the  proportion  of  the  minority  interest  acquired,  the 

difference  is  recognised  directly  in  the  consolidated  profit 

and loss account. Goodwill on acquisitions of joint ventures 

is  included  in  investment  in  joint  ventures.  Goodwill  is 
allocated  to  cash-generating  units  for  the  purpose  of 

impairment testing and is carried at cost less accumulated 

impairment losses.

The  profit  or  loss  on  disposal  of  subsidiaries  and  joint 

ventures includes the carrying amount of goodwill relating 

to the entity sold.

c.  Foreign currencies

Transactions  in  foreign  currencies  are  accounted  for  at  the 

exchange rates ruling at the transaction dates.

Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries and joint ventures together 

with  all  other  monetary  assets  and  liabilities  expressed  in 

currencies other than United States Dollars are translated into 

United States Dollars at the rates of exchange ruling at the year 

end.  Results  expressed  in  currencies  other  than  United  States 

Dollars are translated into United States Dollars at the average 

rates  of  exchange  ruling  during  the  year,  which  approximates 

the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions.

Exchange  differences  arising  from  the  retranslation  of  the  net 

investment  in  foreign  subsidiaries  and  joint  ventures,  and  of 

financial  instruments  which  are  designated  as  hedges  of  such 

investments,  are  taken  directly  to  exchange  reserve.  On  the 

disposal  of  these  investments,  such  exchange  differences  are 

recognised in the consolidated profit and loss account as part of 

the profit or loss on disposal. Exchange differences on available-

for-sale  investments  are  dealt  with  in  reserves  as  part  of  the 

gains  and  losses  arising  from  changes  in  their  fair  value.  All 

other  exchange  differences  are  dealt  with  in  the  consolidated 

profit and loss account.

d.  Impairment

Assets  that  have  indefinite  useful  lives  are  not  subject  to 

amortisation,  and  are  tested  for  impairment  annually  and 

whenever there is an indication that the assets may be impaired. 

Assets  that  are  subject  to  amortisation  are  reviewed  for 

impairment  whenever  events  or  changes  in  circumstances 

indicate  that  the  carrying  amount  may  not  be  recoverable. 

Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated are 

tested  for  impairment  annually  and  whenever  there  is  an 

indication that the units may be impaired. An impairment loss is 

recognised for the amount by which the carrying amount of the 
asset exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of an 

asset’s  fair  value  less  costs  to  sell  and  value  in  use.  For  the 

purpose  of  assessing  impairment,  assets  are  grouped  at  the 

lowest level for which there is separately identifiable cash flow.

e.  Properties

i) 

Investment properties
Investment  properties  are  properties  held  for  long-term 

rental  yields.  Properties  under  operating  leases  which  are 

held for long-term rental yields are classified and accounted 

for  as  investment  properties.  Investment  properties  are 

carried in the balance sheet at fair value, representing open 

market value determined annually by independent qualified 

valuers  who  have  relevant  experience  in  the  location  and 

category  of  the  investment  property  being  valued.  The 

market  value  of  each  property  is  calculated  on  the  net 

income allowing for reversionary potential. Changes in fair 

values  are  recorded  in  the  consolidated  profit  and  loss 

account.

The  cost  of  maintenance,  repairs  and  minor  equipment  is 

charged to income as incurred; the cost of major renovations 

and improvements is capitalised.

ii)  Properties for sale

Properties for sale are stated at the lower of cost and net 

realisable value.

iii)  Other properties

Other  properties  are  stated  at  cost  after  deduction  of 

depreciation  set  out  in  (g)  below  and  provisions  for 

impairment.

22  Hongkong Land

f.  Investments

Investments are classified by management as available for sale 

or  held  to  maturity  on  initial  recognition.  Available-for-sale 

investments  are  shown  at  fair  value.  Gains  and  losses  arising 

from changes in the fair value are dealt with in reserves. On the 

disposal of an investment or when an investment is determined 

to be impaired, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised 

in  reserves  is  included  in  the  consolidated  profit  and  loss 

account. Held-to-maturity investments are shown at amortised 

cost. Investments are classified under non-current assets unless 

their  maturities  are  within  twelve  months  after  the  balance 

sheet date.

At each balance sheet date, the Group assesses whether there 

account and the amount of the loss is recognised in arriving at 

operating profit. When a debtor is uncollectible, it is written off 

against  the  allowance  account.  Subsequent  recoveries  of 

amounts previously written off are credited to the consolidated 

profit and loss account.

Debtors  with  maturities  greater  than  twelve  months  after  the 

balance sheet date are classified under non-current assets.

i.  Cash and cash equivalents

For  the  purpose  of  the  cash  flow  statement,  cash  and  cash 

equivalents  comprise  deposits  with  bank  and  financial 

institutions, and bank balances, net of bank overdrafts. In the 

balance  sheet,  bank  overdrafts  are 

included 

in  current 

is objective evidence that an investment is impaired. In the case 

borrowings.

of equity securities classified as available for sale, a significant or 
prolonged decline in the fair value of the security below its cost 

is considered as an indicator that the securities are impaired.

Results of investments are included to the extent of dividends 

received when the right to receive such dividend is established.

All  purchases  and  sales  of  investments  are  recognised  on  the 

trade  date,  which  is  the  date  that  the  Group  commits  to 

purchase or sell the investments.

j.  Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has present legal or 

constructive obligations as a result of past events, it is probable 

that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will 

be required to settle the obligations, and a reliable estimate of 

the amount of the obligations can be made.

k.  Borrowings and borrowing costs

g.  Depreciation

Depreciation of tangible fixed assets is calculated on the straight 

line basis to allocate the cost or valuation of each asset to its 

residual value over its estimated useful life. The residual values 

and useful lives are reviewed at each balance sheet date. The 

principal rates in use are as follows:

Building 

Other assets 

2%
10 – 33 1/3%

When the carrying amount of a tangible fixed asset is greater 

than  its  estimated  recoverable  amount,  it  is  written  down 

immediately  to  its  recoverable  amount.  The  profit  or  loss  on 

disposal  of  tangible  fixed  assets  is  recognised  by  reference  to 

their carrying amount.

h.  Debtors

Debtors  are  measured  at  amortised  cost  using  the  effective 

interest method except where the effect of discounting would 

be  immaterial.  Provision  for  impairment  is  established  when 

there  is  objective  evidence  that  the  outstanding  amounts  will 

not be collected. Significant financial difficulties of the debtor, 

probability  that  the  debtor  will  enter  bankruptcy  or  financial 

reorganisation,  and  default  or  delinquency  in  payments  are 

considered indicators that the debtor is impaired. The carrying 

amount of the asset is reduced through the use of an allowance 

Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value, net of transaction 

costs  incurred.  In  subsequent  periods,  borrowings  are  stated 

either  at  amortised  cost  using  the  effective  yield  method  or 

adjusted for fair value when accounting for fair value hedges set 

out in (o) below applies.

On the issue of convertible bonds, the fair value of the liability 

portion  is  determined  using  a  market  interest  rate  for  an 

equivalent  non-convertible  bond;  this  amount  is  included  in 

long-term  borrowings  on  the  amortised  cost  basis  until 

extinguished  on  conversion  or  maturity  of  the  bonds.  The 

remainder of the proceeds is allocated to the conversion option 

which is recognised and included in shareholders’ funds.

Borrowings  are  classified  under  non-current  liabilities  unless 

their  maturities  are  within  twelve  months  after  the  balance 

sheet date.

Borrowing  costs  relating  to  major  development  projects  are 

capitalised  until  the  asset  is  substantially  completed.  The 

capitalisation  rate  is  arrived  at  by  reference  to  the  actual  rate 

payable  on  borrowings  for  development  purposes  or,  with 

regard  to  that  part  of  the  development  cost  financed  out  of 

general funds, to the average rate. Capitalised borrowing costs 

are included as part of the cost of the asset. All other borrowing 

costs are expensed as incurred.

Annual Report 2008  23

Notes to the Financial Statements

1  Principal Accounting Policies continued

l.  Deferred tax

Deferred tax is provided, using the liability method, in respect of 

all temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets 

and liabilities and their carrying values.

Provision for deferred tax is made on the revaluation of certain 

non-current  assets  and,  in  relation  to  acquisitions,  on  the 

difference  between  the  fair  values  of  the  net  assets  acquired 

and  their  tax  base.  Deferred  tax  is  provided  on  temporary 

differences associated with investments in subsidiaries and joint 

ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal 

of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary 

difference will not reverse in the near future. Deferred tax assets 

relating to carry forward of unused tax losses are recognised to 

the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be 
available against which the unused tax losses can be utilised.

m. Employee pension obligations

The Group operates a number of defined benefit and defined 

contribution  plans,  the  assets  of  which  are  held  in  trustee 

administered funds.

Pension accounting costs for defined benefit plans are assessed 

using the projected unit credit method. Under this method, the 

costs  of  providing  pensions  are  charged  to  the  consolidated 

profit  and  loss  account  spreading  the  regular  cost  over  the 

service  lives  of  employees  in  accordance  with  the  advice  of 

qualified actuaries, who carry out a full valuation of major plans 

every year. The pension obligations are measured as the present 

value  of  the  estimated  future  cash  outflows  by  reference  to 

market yields on high quality corporate bonds which have terms 

to maturity approximating the terms of the related liability. Plan 

assets are measured at fair value. Actuarial gains and losses are 

recognised in full in the year in which they occur, outside the 

consolidated  profit  and  loss  account,  in  the  consolidated 

statement of recognised income and expense.

The  Group’s  total  contributions  to  the  defined  contribution 

plans are charged to the consolidated profit and loss account in 

the year to which they relate.

n.  Derivative financial instruments

The  Group  only  enters  into  derivative  financial  instruments  in 

order  to  hedge  underlying  exposures.  Derivative  financial 

instruments are initially recognised at fair value on the date a 

derivative  contract  is  entered  into  and  are  subsequently  re-

measured  at  their  fair  value.  The  method  of  recognising  the 

resulting  gain  or  loss  is  dependent  on  the  nature  of  the  item 

being  hedged.  The  Group  designates  certain  derivatives  as 

24  Hongkong Land

either a hedge of the fair value of a recognised asset or liability 

(fair value hedge), or a hedge of a forecast transaction or of the 

foreign currency risk on a firm commitment (cash flow hedge), 

or a hedge of net investment in foreign entities.

i)  Fair value hedge

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated 

and qualify as fair value hedges and that are highly effective, 

are  recorded  in  the  consolidated  profit  and  loss  account, 

along with any changes in the fair value of the hedged asset 

or liability that is attributable to the hedged risk.

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a 

hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, 

the  cumulative  adjustment  to  the  carrying  amount  of  a 

hedge item for which the effective interest method is used 

is  amortised  to  the  consolidated  profit  and  loss  account 

over the residual period to maturity.

ii)  Cash flow hedge

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated 

and qualify as cash flow hedges and that are highly effective, 

are recognised in the hedging reserve. Where the forecast 

transaction or firm commitment results in the recognition of 

a non-financial asset or of a non-financial liability, the gains 

and  losses  previously  deferred  in  the  hedging  reserve  are 

transferred from hedging reserve and included in the initial 

measurement of the cost of the asset or liability. Otherwise, 

amounts deferred in the hedging reserve are transferred to 

the  consolidated  profit  and  loss  account  and  classified  as 

income  or  expense  in  the  same  periods  during  which  the 

hedged firm commitment or forecast transaction affects the 

consolidated profit and loss account.

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a 

hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, 

any  cumulative  gain  or  loss  existing  in  hedging  reserve  at 

that  time  remains  in  hedging  reserve  and  is  recognised 

when  the  committed  or  forecast  transaction  ultimately  is 

recognised  in  the  consolidated  profit  and  loss  account. 

When  a  committed  or  forecast  transaction  is  no  longer 

expected  to  occur,  the  cumulative  gain  or  loss  that  was 

reported  in  hedging  reserve  is  immediately  transferred  to 

the consolidated profit and loss account.

iii)  Hedges of net investments in foreign entities

Hedges of net investments in foreign entities are accounted 

for on a similar basis to that used for cash flow hedges. Any 

gain  or  loss  on  the  hedging  instrument  relating  to  the 

effective  portion  of  the  hedge  is  recognised  in  exchange 

reserve; the gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is 

recognised immediately in the consolidated profit and loss 

account.

Certain  derivative  transactions,  while  providing  effective 

Items classified as non-trading items include fair value gains or 

economic hedges under the Group’s risk management policies, 

losses on revaluation of investment properties; gains and losses 

do not qualify for hedge accounting under the specific rules in 

arising from the sale of businesses, investments and properties; 

IAS 39. Changes in the fair value of any derivative instruments 

impairment  of  non-depreciable  intangible  assets  and  other 

that  do  not  qualify  for  hedge  accounting  under  IAS  39  are 

investments; provisions for the closure of businesses; and other 

recognised  immediately  in  the  consolidated  profit  and  loss 

credits  and  charges  of  a  non-recurring  nature  that  require 

account.

inclusion in order to provide additional insight into underlying 

The fair values of derivatives, which are designated and qualify 

as  effective  hedges  are  classified  as  non-current  assets  or 

liabilities  if  the  remaining  maturities  of  the  hedged  assets  

business performance.

t.  Earnings per share

or  liabilities  are  greater  than  twelve  months  after  the  balance 

Basic earnings per share are calculated on profit attributable to 

sheet date.

o.  Financial guarantee contracts

Financial  guarantee  contracts  under  which  the  Group  accepts 

significant  risk  from  a  third  party  by  agreeing  to  compensate 

that  party  on  the  occurrence  of  a  specified  uncertain  future 

event  are  accounted  for  in  a  manner  similar  to  insurance 

contracts. Provisions are recognised when it is probable that the 

Group has obligations under such guarantees and an outflow of 

shareholders and on the weighted average number of shares in 

issue  during  the  year.  For  the  purpose  of  calculating  diluted 

earnings per share, profit attributable to shareholders is adjusted 

for  the  effects  of  the  conversion  of  dilutive  potential  ordinary 

shares, and the weighted average number of shares is adjusted 
for the number of shares which are deemed to be issued on the 

conversion of convertible bonds into ordinary shares.

2  Financial Risk Management

resources  embodying  economic  benefits  will  be  required  to 

a.  Financial risk factors

settle the obligations.

p.  Dividends

Dividends proposed or declared after the balance sheet date are 

not recognised as a liability at the balance sheet date.

q.  Revenue recognition

The  Group’s  activities  expose  it  to  a  variety  of  financial  risks: 

market  risk  (including  foreign  exchange  risk  and  interest  rate 

risk), credit risk and liquidity risk.

The Group’s treasury function co-ordinates, under the directions 

of  the  Board  of  Hongkong  Land  Limited,  financial  risk 

management  policies  and  their  implementation  on  a  group-

wide basis. The Group’s treasury policies are designed to manage 

Revenue  is  measured  at  the  fair  value  of  the  consideration 

the financial impact of fluctuations in interest rates and foreign 

received and receivable and represents amounts receivable for 

exchange rates, and to minimise the Group’s financial risks. The 

goods and services provided in the normal course of business, 

Group uses derivative financial instruments, principally interest 

net of discounts and sales related taxes. Receipts under operating 

rate  swaps,  caps  and  forward  foreign  exchange  contracts  as 

leases  are  accounted  for  on  an  accrual  basis  over  the  lease 

appropriate for hedging transactions and managing the Group’s 

terms. Revenue from the sale of properties is recognised upon 

assets and liabilities in accordance with the Group’s financial risk 

the transfer of significant risks and rewards of ownership, which 

management policies. Financial derivative contracts are executed 

generally  coincides  with  the  time  when  the  properties  are 

between third party banks and the Group entity that is directly 

delivered to customers. Revenue from the rendering of services 

exposed to the risk being hedged. Certain derivative transactions, 

is  recognised  when  services  are  performed,  provided  that  the 

while  providing  effective  economic  hedges  under  the  Group’s 

amount can be measured reliably.

r.  Pre-operating costs

Pre-operating costs are expensed as they are incurred.

s.  Non-trading items

Non-trading  items  are  separately  identified  to  provide  greater 
understanding of the Group’s underlying business performance. 

risk management policies, do not qualify for hedge accounting 

under the specific rules in IAS 39. Changes in the fair value of 

any  derivative  instruments  that  do  not  qualify  for  hedge 

accounting  under  IAS  39  are  recognised  immediately  in  the 

consolidated profit and loss account. It is the Group’s policy not 

to  enter  into  derivative  transactions  for  speculative  purposes. 

The  notional  amounts  and  fair  values  of  derivative  financial 

instruments at 31st December 2008 are disclosed in Note 28.

Annual Report 2008  25

Notes to the Financial Statements

2  Financial Risk Management continued

a.  Financial risk factors continued

i)  Market risk

Foreign exchange risk

Entities within the Group are exposed to foreign exchange 

risk from future commercial transactions, net investments in 

foreign  operations  and  net  monetary  assets  and  liabilities 

that are denominated in a currency that is not the entity’s 

functional currency.

Group  companies  are  required  to  manage  their  foreign 

exchange risk against their functional currency. To manage 

their foreign exchange risk arising from future commercial 

transactions  entities  in  the  Group  use  forward  foreign 

exchange  contracts  in  a  consistent  manner  to  hedge  firm 

and anticipated foreign exchange commitments. The Group 
does  not  usually  hedge  its  net  investments  in  foreign 

operations except in circumstances where there is a material 

exposure  arising  from  a  currency  that  is  anticipated  to  be 

volatile and the hedging is cost effective. Foreign currency 

borrowings  are  required  to  be  swapped  into  the  entity’s 

functional  currency  using  cross  currency  swaps  except 

where the foreign currency borrowings are repaid with cash 

flows generated in the same foreign currency. The purpose 

of these hedges is to mitigate the impact of movements in 

foreign  exchange  rates  on  assets  and  liabilities  and  the 

profit  and  loss  account  of  the  Group.  At  31st  December 

2008,  there  are  no  significant  monetary  balances  held  by 

group companies that are denominated in a non-functional 

currency.  Currency  risks  as  defined  by  IFRS  7  arise  on 

account of monetary assets and liabilities being denominated 

in a currency that is not the functional currency, differences 

resulting  from  the  translation  of  financial  statements  into 

the  Group’s  presentation  currency  are  not  taken  into 

consideration.

Interest rate risk

The  Group  is  exposed  to  interest  rate  risk  through  the 

impact  of  rate  changes  on  interest  bearing  liabilities  and 

assets. These exposures are managed partly by using natural 

hedges  that  arise  from  offsetting  interest  rate  sensitive 

assets and liabilities, and partly through the use of derivative 

financial instruments such as interest rate swaps and caps. 

The  Group  monitors  interest  rate  exposure  on  a  monthly 

basis by currency and business unit taking into consideration 

proposed financing and hedging arrangements. The Group’s 

guideline is to maintain between 40% and 60% of its gross 

borrowings and bank balances in fixed rate instruments. At 

31st  December  2008,  51%  of  the  Group’s  debt  (2007: 

48%) was hedged into fixed rate with an average fixed rate 

26  Hongkong Land

tenor  of  2.5  years  (2007:  3.2  years).  37%  of  the  Group’s 

cash  (2007:  40%)  was  held  in  fixed  rate  with  tenor  of  

1.2 years (2007: 1.6 years). The interest rate profile of the 

Group’s  borrowings  after  taking  into  account  hedging 

transactions are set out in Note 22.

Cash flow interest rate risk is the risk that changes in market 

interest  rates  will  impact  cash  flows  arising  from  variable 

rate  financial  instruments.  Borrowings  at  floating  rates 

therefore expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk. 

The  Group  manages  this  risk  by  using  forward  rate 

agreements to a maturity of one year, and by entering into 

interest  rate  swaps  and  caps  for  a  maturity  of  up  to  five 

years.  Forward  rate  agreements  and  interest  rate  swaps 

have  the  economic  effect  of  converting  borrowings  from 

floating  rate  to  fixed  rate,  and  caps  provide  protection 

against  a  rise  in  floating  rates  above  a  pre-determined 
rates.

Fair  value  interest  rate  risk  is  the  risk  that  the  value  of  a 

financial asset or liability and derivative financial instrument 

will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. 

The  Group  manages  its  fair  value  interest  rate  risk  by 

entering into interest rate swaps which have the economic 

effect of converting borrowings from fixed rates to floating 

rate.

At 31st December 2008, if interest rates had been 100 basis 

points higher/lower with all other variables held constant, 

the Group’s profit after tax would have been US$2 million 

(2007:  US$1  million)  higher/lower  and  hedging  reserve 

would  have  been  US$12  million  (2007:  US$9  million) 

higher/lower, as a result of fair value changes to cash flow 

hedges.  The  sensitivity  analysis  has  been  determined 

assuming that the change in interest rates had occurred at 

the  balance  sheet  date  and  had  been  applied  to  the 

exposure to interest rate risk for both derivative and non-

derivative  financial  instruments  in  existence  at  that  date. 

There is no significant variation in the sensitivity analysis as 

a result of interest rate caps. The 100 basis point increase  

or  decrease  represents  management’s  assessment  of  a 

reasonably  possible  change  in  those  interest  rates  which 

have the most impact on the Group, specifically the United 

States,  Hong  Kong  and  Singapore  rates,  over  the  period 

until  the  next  annual  balance  sheet  date.  In  the  case  of 

effective fair value hedges, changes in fair value caused by 

interest rate movements balance out in the profit and loss 

account  against  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  the  hedged 

item.  Changes  in  market  interest  rates  affect  the  interest 

income  or  expense  of  non-derivative  variable-interest 

financial  instruments,  the  interest  payments  of  which  are 

not designated as hedged items of cash flow hedges against 

interest rate risks. As a consequence, they are included in 

The  Group’s  exposure  to  credit  risk  arising  from  exposure  

the  calculation  of  profit  after  tax  sensitivities.  Changes  in 

to  derivative  financial  instruments  with  a  positive  fair  

the market interest rate of financial instruments that were 

value  is  disclosed  in  Note  19  as  a  component  of  other 

designated as hedging instruments in a cash flow hedge to 

debtors  and  totals  US$110  million  (2007:  US$36  million). 

hedge  payment  fluctuations  resulting  from  interest  rate 

The  Group’s  exposure  to  credit  risk  arising  from  bank 

movements  affect  the  hedging  reserves  and  are  therefore 

deposits is set out in Note 20 and totals US$1,119 million  

taken  into  consideration  in  the  equity-related  sensitivity 

(2007: US$1,104 million).

calculations.

ii)  Credit risk

iii)  Liquidity risk

Prudent liquidity risk management includes managing the 

The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to deposits 

profile of debt maturities and funding sources, maintaining 

with  banks,  credit  exposures  to  customers  and  derivative 

sufficient cash, ensuring the availability of funding from an 

financial instruments with a positive fair value. The Group 

adequate  amount  of  committed  credit  facilities,  and  the 

has credit policies in place and the exposures to these credit 

ability to close out market positions. The Group’s ability to 

risks are monitored on an ongoing basis.

The  Group  manages  its  deposits  with  banks  and  financial 

institutions  and  transactions  involving  derivative  financial 

instruments by monitoring credit ratings, capital adequacy 

ratios,  and  limiting  the  aggregate  risk  to  any  individual 

counterparty.  The  utilisation  of  credit  limits  is  regularly 

monitored.  At  31st  December  2008,  deposits  with  banks 

fund  its  existing  and  prospective  debt  requirements  is 

managed  by  maintaining  diversified  funding  sources  with 

adequate  committed  funding  lines  from  high  quality 
lenders,  and  by  monitoring  rolling  short-term  forecasts  of 

the Group’s cash and gross debt on the basis of expected 

cash flows. In addition long-term cash flows are projected 

to assist with the Group’s long-term debt financing plans.

amounted  to  US$1,119  million  (2007:  US$1,104  million), 

At 31st December 2008, total available borrowing facilities 

of  which  100%  (2007:  100%)  were  made  to  financial 

amounted  to  US$4,953  million  (2007:  US$4,786  million)  

institutions with credit ratings of no less than A3 (Moody’s). 

of  which  US$3,720  million  (2007:  US$3,535  million)  was 

Similarly 

transactions 

involving  derivative 

financial 

drawn  down.  Undrawn  committed  facilities,  in  the  form  

instruments  are  with  banks  with  sound  credit  ratings  and 

of  revolving  credit  and  term  loan  facilities,  totalled  

capital adequacy ratios. In developing countries it may be 

US$994 million (2007: US$1,111 million).

necessary to deposit money with banks that have a lower 

credit rating, however the Group only enters into derivative 

transactions with counterparties which have credit ratings 

of at least investment grade. Management does not expect 

any counterparty to fail to meet its obligations.

An ageing analysis of the Group’s financial liabilities based 

on  the  remaining  period  at  the  balance  sheet  to  the 

contractual  maturity  dates  is  included  in  Notes  21,  22  

and 28.

In respect of credit exposures to customers, the Group has 

b.  Capital management

policies in place to ensure that investment properties are let 

principally  to  corporate  companies  with  an  appropriate 

credit history. Rental deposits in the form of cash or bank 

guarantee  are  usually  received  from  tenants.  The  Group 

normally receives progress payments from sales of residential 

properties to individual customers prior to the completion 

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard 

the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern whilst seeking 

to  maximise  benefits  to  shareholders  and  other  stakeholders. 

Capital  is  equity  as  shown  in  the  consolidated  balance  sheet 

plus net debt.

of transactions. In the event of default by customers, Group 

The Group actively and regularly reviews and manages its capital 

companies  undertake  legal  proceedings  to  recover  the 

structure  to  ensure  optimal  capital  structure  and  shareholder 

property.  Amounts  due  from  joint  ventures  are  generally 

returns, taking into consideration the future capital requirements 

supported by the underlying assets.

The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the 

carrying amount of each financial asset in the balance sheet 

after  deducting  any  impairment  allowance.  The  Group’s 

exposure  to  credit  risk  arising  from  debtors  is  set  out  in  
Note 19 and totals US$81 million (2007: US$179 million). 

of  the  Group  and  capital  efficiency,  prevailing  and  projected 

profitability,  projected  operating  cash  flows,  projected  capital 

expenditures and projected strategic investment opportunities. 

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group 

may  adjust  the  amount  of  dividends  paid  to  shareholders, 

purchase  Group  shares,  return  capital  to  shareholders,  issue 

new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

Annual Report 2008  27

Notes to the Financial Statements

2  Financial Risk Management continued

b.  Capital management continued

The  Group  monitors  capital  on  the  basis  of  the  Group’s 

consolidated gearing ratio and consolidated interest cover. The 

gearing ratio is calculated as net debt divided by total adjusted 

equity  which  excludes  deferred  tax  provisions  on  revaluation 

surplus of investment properties. Net debt is calculated as total 

borrowings  less  bank  balances.  Interest  cover  is  calculated  as 

underlying  business  performance  divided  by  net  financing 

charges. The Group does not have a defined gearing or interest 

cover benchmark or range.

The ratios at 31st December 2007 and 2008 are as follows:

Gearing ratio 
Interest cover 

2008 

19% 
10.7 

2007

17%
9.3

The increase in gearing ratio as at 31st December 2008 is largely 

a result of lower investment properties valuations. The increase 

in interest cover for the year then ended as compared to 2007 

is  primarily  due  to  strong  cash  flows  generated  by  Group 

companies.

c.   Fair value estimation

The  fair  values  of  current  debtors,  bank  balances,  current 

creditors  and  and  current  borrowings  are  assumed  to 

approximate  their  carrying  amount  due  to  the  short-term 

maturities of these assets and liabilities.

The  fair  values  of  long-term  borrowings  are  based  on  market 

prices  or  are  estimated  using  the  expected  future  payments 

discounted at market interest rates.

The fair values of interest rate swaps and caps are calculated by 

reference  to  the  present  value  of  the  estimated  future  cash 

flows,  taking  into  account  current  interest  rates  as  observed 

from  the  market.  The  fair  value  of  forward  foreign  exchange 

contracts is determined using forward exchange market rates of 

the same remaining tenor at the balance sheet date.

3  Critical accounting estimates and  

judgements

Estimates  and  judgements  used  in  preparing  the  financial 

statements are continually evaluated and are based on historical 

experience and other factors, including expectations of future 

events  that  are  believed  to  be  reasonable.  The  resulting 

28  Hongkong Land

accounting  estimates  will,  by  definition,  seldom  equal  the 

related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have 

a  significant  effect  on  the  carrying  amounts  of  assets  and 

liabilities are discussed below.

i) 

Investment properties
The  fair  values  of  investment  properties  are  determined 

annually  by  independent  qualified  valuers  on  an  open 

market for existing use basis calculated on the net income 

allowing for reversionary potential.

In making the judgement, considerations have been given 

to assumptions that are mainly based on market conditions 

existing  at  the  balance  sheet  date  and  appropriate 

capitalisation rates. These estimates are regularly compared 

to actual market data and actual transactions entered into 

by the Group.

ii)  Pension obligations

The present value of the pension obligations depends on a 

number of factors that are determined on an actuarial basis 

using a number of assumptions. The assumptions used in 

determining the net cost or income for pensions include the 

expected  long-term  rate  of  return  on  the  relevant  plan 

assets  and  the  discount  rate.  Any  changes  in  these 

assumptions  will  impact  the  carrying  amount  of  pension 

obligations.

The expected return on plan assets assumption is determined 

on  a  uniform  basis,  taking  into  consideration  long-term 

historical  returns,  asset  allocation  and  future  estimates  of 

long-term investment returns.

The Group determines the appropriate discount rate at the 

end  of  each  year.  This  is  the  interest  rate  that  should  be 

used  to  determine  the  present  value  of  estimated  future 

cash outflows expected to be required to settle the pension 

obligations.  In  determining  the  appropriate  discount  rate, 

the  Group  considers  the  interest  rates  of  high-quality 

corporate  bonds  that  are  denominated  in  the  currency  in 

which  the  benefits  will  be  paid,  and  that  have  terms  to 

maturity  approximating  the  terms  of  the  related  pension 

liability.

Other key assumptions for pension obligations are based in 

part on current market conditions.

iii)  Income taxes

The  Group  is  subject  to  income  taxes  in  numerous 

jurisdictions. Significant judgement is required in determining 

the worldwide provision for income taxes. There are many 

 
 
transactions  and  calculations  for  which  the  ultimate  tax 

assumptions used and estimates made in determining the 

determination  is  uncertain  during  the  ordinary  course  of 

fair  values,  and  management’s  ability  to  measure  reliably 

business. Where the final tax outcome of these matters is 

the contingent liabilities of the acquired entity will impact 

different  from  the  amounts  that  were  initially  recorded, 

the carrying amount of these assets and liabilities.

such  differences  will  impact  the  income  tax  and  deferred 

tax  provisions  in  the  period  in  which  such  determination  

is made.

vi)  Non-trading items

The  Group  uses  underlying  business  performance  in  its 

internal  financial  reporting  to  distinguish  between  the 

Recognition of deferred tax assets, which principally relate 

underlying profits and non-trading items. The identification 

to tax losses, depends on the management’s expectation of 

of non-trading items requires judgement by management.

future taxable profit that will be available against which the 

tax  losses  can  be  utilised.  The  outcome  of  their  actual 

utilisation may be different.

As required by IFRS, provision for deferred tax is made on 

the  revaluation  of  investment  properties  held  under 

operating  leases  on  the  basis  that  their  values  would  be 

recovered through use rather than through sale.

iv)  Impairment of assets

The  Group  tests  annually  whether  goodwill  suffered  any 

impairment.  Other  assets  are  reviewed  for  impairment 

whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that 

the  carrying  amount  of  the  asset  exceeds  its  recoverable 

amount.  The  recoverable  amount  of  an  asset  or  a  cash 

generating unit is determined based on the higher of its fair 

value less costs to sell and its value-in-use, calculated on the 

basis  of  management’s  assumptions  and  estimates. 

Changing the key assumptions, including the discount rates 

or the growth rate assumptions in the cash flow projections, 

could materially affect the value-in-use calculations.

In  determining  when  an 

investment 

is  other-than-

temporarily impaired, significant judgement is required. In 

making this judgement, the Group evaluates, among other 

factors, the duration and extent to which the fair value of 

an investment is less than its cost; and the financial health 

of and near-term business outlook for the investee, including 

factors such as industry and sector performance, changes in 

technology and operational and financial cash flow.

v)  Acquisition of subsidiaries and joint ventures

The initial accounting on the acquisition of subsidiaries and 

joint ventures involves identifying and determining the fair 

values  to  be  assigned  to  the  identifiable  assets,  liabilities 

and  contingent  liabilities  of  the  acquired  entity.  The  fair 

values of investment properties and development properties 

held  for  sale  are  determined  by  independent  qualified 

valuers  by  reference  to  market  prices  or  present  value  of 

expected net cash flows from the assets. Any changes in the 

Annual Report 2008  29

Notes to the Financial Statements

4 

Segmental information

The Group’s principal business activity is property, comprising investment, management and development for long-term investment 

and  trading  in  Asia  with  a  major  portfolio  in  Hong  Kong.  Accordingly,  its  primary  segment  reporting  format  is  by  business 

segments.

By business
Commercial property 

Residential property 

Corporate, net financing charges and tax 

By geographical location
Greater China 

Southeast Asia and others 

Corporate, net financing charges and tax 

Operating (loss)/profit 

Results of joint ventures 

Net financing charges and tax 

(Loss)/profit after tax 

Revenue 

Operating (loss)/profit 

attributable to shareholders 

Capital expenditure 

Segment assets 

Segment liabilities

2008   

US$m   

2007   

US$m   

2008   

US$m   

2007   

US$m   

2008   

US$m   

2007   

US$m   

2008   

US$m   

2007   

US$m   

2008   

US$m   

2007  

US$m  

2008   

US$m   

2007

US$m 

676.2  
346.1  

1,022.3  
–  

535.6  

397.6  

933.2  

–  

(156.2 ) 
(101.7 ) 

(257.9 ) 
(43.4 ) 

3,008.4  

71.5  

3,079.9  

(42.2 ) 

1,022.3  

933.2  

(301.3 ) 

3,037.7  

375.1  

344.7  

48.8  

38.3  

14,823.8  

15,581.5  

(579.2 ) 

(593.5 )

648.7  
373.6  

1,022.3  
–  

517.8  

415.4  

933.2  

–  

(167.4 ) 
(90.5 ) 

(257.9 ) 
(43.4 ) 

2,781.0  

298.9  

3,079.9  

(42.2 ) 

1,022.3  

933.2  

(301.3 ) 

3,037.7  

375.1  

344.7  

48.8  

38.3  

14,823.8  

15,581.5  

(579.2 ) 

(593.5 )

(301.3 ) 
64.9  
103.0  

3,037.7  

386.6  

(569.4 ) 

Segment assets and liabilities 

Investments in joint ventures 

Unallocated assets and liabilities 

14,823.8  

15,581.5  

(579.2 ) 

(593.5 )

1,797.5  

1,253.3  

1,653.9  

1,178.7  

(5,887.0 ) 

(5,863.5 )

(133.4 ) 

2,854.9  

Total assets and liabilities    

17,874.6  

18,414.1  

(6,466.2 ) 

(6,457.0 )

44.5  

0.4  

44.9  

3.9  

47.0  

1.8  

48.8  

–  

36.4  

0.3  

36.7  

1.6  

37.5  

0.8  

38.3  

–  

13,775.4  

14,374.1  

1,048.4  

1,207.4  

(229.1 ) 

(350.1 ) 

(186.0 )

(407.5 )

14,823.8  

15,581.5  

(579.2 ) 

(593.5 )

–  

–  

–  

–

13,358.3  

13,867.0  

1,465.5  

1,714.5  

(277.6 ) 

(301.6 ) 

(285.6 )

(307.9 )

14,823.8  

15,581.5  

(579.2 ) 

(593.5 )

–  

–  

–  

–  

–

–

Underlying profit

570.5  

0.7  

571.2  

(196.1 ) 

438.0  

73.7  

511.7  

(167.0 ) 

590.5  

(19.3 ) 

571.2  

(196.1 ) 

424.1  

87.6  

511.7  

(167.0 ) 

Capital expenditure comprises additions of intangible assets, tangible assets and investment properties, including those arising from 

acquisition of subsidiaries.

Greater China includes Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China and Taiwan.

Unallocated assets and liabilities include tax assets and liabilities, bank balances and borrowings. 

30  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
4 

Segmental information

The Group’s principal business activity is property, comprising investment, management and development for long-term investment 

and  trading  in  Asia  with  a  major  portfolio  in  Hong  Kong.  Accordingly,  its  primary  segment  reporting  format  is  by  business 

segments.

Revenue 

Operating (loss)/profit 

Underlying profit
attributable to shareholders 

Capital expenditure 

Segment assets 

Segment liabilities

2008   

US$m   

2007   

US$m   

2008   

US$m   

2007   

US$m   

2008   

US$m   

2007   

US$m   

2008   

US$m   

2007   

US$m   

2008   

US$m   

2007  

US$m  

2008   

US$m   

2007

US$m 

676.2  

346.1  

1,022.3  

–  

648.7  

373.6  

1,022.3  

–  

535.6  

397.6  

933.2  

–  

517.8  

415.4  

933.2  

–  

(156.2 ) 

(101.7 ) 

(257.9 ) 

(43.4 ) 

3,008.4  

71.5  

3,079.9  

(42.2 ) 

(167.4 ) 

(90.5 ) 

(257.9 ) 

(43.4 ) 

2,781.0  

298.9  

3,079.9  

(42.2 ) 

570.5  
0.7  

571.2  
(196.1 ) 

438.0  

73.7  

511.7  

(167.0 ) 

44.5  
0.4  

44.9  
3.9  

36.4  

0.3  

36.7  

1.6  

13,775.4  
1,048.4  

14,374.1  

1,207.4  

14,823.8  
–  

15,581.5  

–  

(229.1 ) 
(350.1 ) 

(579.2 ) 
–  

(186.0 )

(407.5 )

(593.5 )

–

1,022.3  

933.2  

(301.3 ) 

3,037.7  

375.1  

344.7  

48.8  

38.3  

14,823.8  

15,581.5  

(579.2 ) 

(593.5 )

590.5  
(19.3 ) 

571.2  
(196.1 ) 

424.1  

87.6  

511.7  

(167.0 ) 

47.0  
1.8  

48.8  
–  

37.5  

0.8  

38.3  

–  

13,358.3  
1,465.5  

13,867.0  

1,714.5  

14,823.8  
–  

15,581.5  

–  

(277.6 ) 
(301.6 ) 

(579.2 ) 
–  

(285.6 )

(307.9 )

(593.5 )

–

1,022.3  

933.2  

(301.3 ) 

3,037.7  

375.1  

344.7  

48.8  

38.3  

14,823.8  

15,581.5  

(579.2 ) 

(593.5 )

(301.3 ) 

64.9  

103.0  

3,037.7  

386.6  

(569.4 ) 

Segment assets and liabilities 

Investments in joint ventures 

Unallocated assets and liabilities 

14,823.8  
1,797.5  
1,253.3  

15,581.5  

1,653.9  

1,178.7  

(579.2 ) 
–  
(5,887.0 ) 

(593.5 )

–

(5,863.5 )

(133.4 ) 

2,854.9  

Total assets and liabilities    

17,874.6  

18,414.1  

(6,466.2 ) 

(6,457.0 )

By business

Commercial property 

Residential property 

Corporate, net financing charges and tax 

By geographical location

Greater China 

Southeast Asia and others 

Corporate, net financing charges and tax 

Operating (loss)/profit 

Results of joint ventures 

Net financing charges and tax 

(Loss)/profit after tax 

acquisition of subsidiaries.

Capital expenditure comprises additions of intangible assets, tangible assets and investment properties, including those arising from 

Greater China includes Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China and Taiwan.

Unallocated assets and liabilities include tax assets and liabilities, bank balances and borrowings. 

Annual Report 2008  31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

5 

Revenue

Rental income 

Service income 

Sales of trading properties 

2008  
US$m  

574.1  
104.6  
343.6  

1,022.3  

Service income includes service and management charges and hospitality service income.

Total contingent rents included in rental income amounted to US$7.8 million (2007: US$7.1 million).

The future minimum rental payments receivable under non-cancellable leases  

  are as follows:

Within one year 

Between one and two years 

Between two and five years 

Beyond five years 

Generally the Group’s operating leases are for terms of three years or more.

6 

Cost of sales

Investment properties’ direct operating expenses 

Cost of properties sold 

2008  
US$m  

550.9  
371.2  
240.1  
13.4  

1,175.6  

2008  
US$m  

136.0  
438.3  

574.3  

Included in cost of properties sold was US$180.2 million write-down on development properties held for sales.

2007

US$m

440.5

97.7

395.0

933.2

2007

US$m

443.8

295.7

173.3

24.5

937.3

2007

US$m

115.9

326.3

442.2

32  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
7 

Operating profit

The following items have been charged/(credited) in arriving at operating profit:

Depreciation of tangible assets (see Note 13) 

Staff costs

  – salaries and benefits in kind 

  – defined contribution pension plan 

  – defined benefit pension plan (see Note 17) 

The number of employees at 31st December 2008 was 1,086 (2007: 1,053).

8 

Net financing charges

Interest expenses

  Bank loans and overdrafts 

  Other borrowings 

Total interest expenses 

Interest capitalised 

Commitment and other fees 

Financing charges 

Financing income 

2008  
US$m  

1.7  

59.2  
2.0  
(0.4 ) 

60.8  

2008  
US$m  

(51.1 ) 
(74.5 ) 

(125.6 ) 
12.4  

(113.2 ) 
(3.1 ) 

(116.3 ) 
71.8  

(44.5 ) 

2007

US$m

0.9

60.4

1.9

(0.2 )

62.1

2007

US$m

(59.7 )

(88.0 )

(147.7 )

13.8

(133.9 )

(4.6 )

(138.5 )

88.5

(50.0 )

Financing charges and financing income are stated after taking into account hedging gains or losses.

Annual Report 2008  33

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

9 

Share of results of joint ventures

By business
Commercial property 

Residential property 

(Decrease)/increase in fair value of investment properties

  – Commercial property 

  – Residential property 

Asset impairment provisions, reversals and disposals 

2008  
US$m  

17.8  
63.5  

81.3  

(9.8 ) 
(6.3 ) 

(16.1 ) 
(0.3 ) 

64.9  

2007

US$m

6.5

17.5

24.0

352.8

9.0

361.8

0.8

386.6

Results  are  shown  after  tax  and  minority  interests.  The  share  of  revenue  of  joint  ventures  was  US$362.3  million  (2007:   
US$128.7 million).

10  Tax

Current tax 

Deferred tax

  – changes in fair value of investment properties 

  – other temporary differences 

Reconciliation between tax credit/(expense) and tax at the applicable tax rate
Tax at applicable tax rate 

Change in Hong Kong profits tax rate 

Changes in fair value of investment properties not (deductible)/taxable in  

  determining taxable profit 

Asset impairment provisions, reversals and disposals not taxable in  

  determining taxable profit 

Expenses not deductible in determining taxable profit 

Other income not subject to tax 

Utilisation of previously unrecognised tax losses 

Overprovision in prior years 

Losses not recognised 

2008  
US$m  

(79.7 ) 

228.6  
(1.4 ) 

227.2  

147.5  

60.9  
123.6  

(1.8 ) 

0.6  
(39.3 ) 
2.9  
1.1  
0.5  
(1.0 ) 

2007

US$m

(49.8 )

(463.2 )

(6.4 )

(469.6 )

(519.4 )

(521.7 )

–

0.8

1.7

(4.3 )

2.3

0.6

1.5

(0.3 )

The applicable tax rate for the year was 17.6% (2007: 17.5%) and represents the weighted average of the rates of taxation 
prevailing in the territories in which the Group operates. The increase in the applicable tax rate is caused by a change in the 
profitability of the Group’s subsidiaries in the respective territories.

Share of tax of joint ventures of US$18.6 million (2007: US$90.5 million) are included in share of results of joint ventures.

147.5  

(519.4 )

34  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
11 

Earnings per share

Basic  loss/earnings  per  share  are  calculated  on  loss  attributable  to  shareholders  of  US$109.4  million  (2007:  profit  of   

US$2,839.6  million)  and  on  the  weighted  average  number  of  2,285.9  million  (2007:  2,295.2  million)  shares  in  issue  during   

the year.

Diluted  loss/earnings  per  share  are  calculated  on  loss  attributable  to  shareholders  of  US$89.3  million  (2007:  profit  of   

US$2,859.3  million),  which  is  after  adjusting  for  the  effects  of  the  conversion  of  convertible  bonds,  and  on  the  weighted   

average number of 2,389.8 million (2007: 2,399.1 million) shares in issue during the year. The weighted average number of shares 

for basic and diluted loss/earnings per share is reconciled as follows:

Weighted average number of shares in issue 

Adjustment for shares to be issued on conversion of convertible bonds 

Weighted average number of shares for diluted earnings per share calculation 

  Ordinary shares in millions
2008  

2007

2,285.9  
103.9  

2,389.8  

2,295.2

103.9

2,399.1

Earnings per share are additionally calculated based on underlying profit attributable to shareholders. The difference between 

underlying profit attributable to shareholders and loss/profit attributable to shareholders is reconciled as follows:

Underlying profit attributable to shareholders 

Non-trading items (see Note 12) 

2008 

Basic   
earnings   
per share   
US¢   

Diluted   
earnings   
per share   
US¢   

2007

Basic   
earnings   
per share   
US¢   

Diluted
earnings
per share
US¢

US$m   

16.41  

344.7  

15.02

2,494.9

US$m   

375.1  
(484.5 ) 

(Loss)/profit attributable to shareholders 

(109.4 ) 

(4.79 ) 

2,839.6  

123.72

Interest expense on convertible bonds (net of tax) 

20.1  

19.7

(Loss)/profit for calculation of diluted earnings  

  per share 

(89.3 ) 

(4.79 ) 

2,859.3  

119.18

12  Non-trading items

Revaluation (deficits)/surpluses of investment properties 

Deferred tax credit/(charges) on revaluation deficits/surpluses of investment properties 

Share of revaluation (deficits)/surpluses of investment properties of joint ventures  

(net of deferred tax) 

Asset impairment provisions, reversals and disposals 

Share of (loss)/gain on asset disposals of joint ventures 

Minority interests 

2008  
US$m  

(698.9 ) 
228.6  

(16.1 ) 
1.8  
(0.3 ) 
0.4  

2007

US$m

2,588.9

(463.2 )

361.8

9.4

0.8

(2.8 )

(484.5 ) 

2,494.9

Annual Report 2008  35

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
   
   
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
  
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
  
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

13  Tangible assets

2008
Cost or valuation 

Cumulative depreciation 

Net book value at 1st January 

Exchange rate adjustments 

Additions 

Depreciation 

Disposals 

Net revaluation deficit 

Net book value at 31st December 

Cost or valuation 

Cumulative depreciation 

2007

Cost or valuation 

Cumulative depreciation 

Net book value at 1st January 

Exchange rate adjustments 

Additions 

Depreciation 

Disposals 

Net revaluation surplus 

Net book value at 31st December 

Cost or valuation 
Cumulative depreciation 

Investment   
properties   
US$m  

Other   
properties   
US$m  

Other
assets   
US$m  

Total
US$m

14,260.6  

–  

14,260.6  

96.5  

44.5  

–  

–  

(698.9 ) 

13,702.7  

13,702.7  

–  

10.5  

(2.4 ) 

8.1  

–  

0.4  

(0.2 ) 

–  

–  

8.3  

10.9  

(2.6 ) 

11.9  

(7.7 ) 

14,283.0

(10.1 )

4.2  

–  

3.9  

(1.5 ) 

(0.1 ) 

–  

14,272.9

96.5

48.8

(1.7 )

(0.1 )

(698.9 )

6.5  

13,717.5

15.3  

(8.8 ) 

13,728.9

(11.4 )

13,702.7  

8.3  

6.5  

13,717.5

11,650.7  

–  

11,650.7  

(4.2 ) 

35.9  

–  

(10.7 ) 

2,588.9  

14,260.6  

14,260.6  
–  

11.9  

(2.8 ) 

9.1  

–  

0.2  

(0.1 ) 

(1.1 ) 

–  

8.1  

10.5  
(2.4 ) 

11.0  

(7.0 ) 

11,673.6

(9.8 )

4.0  

0.1  

2.2  

(0.8 ) 

(1.3 ) 

–  

11,663.8

(4.1 )

38.3

(0.9 )

(13.1 )

2,588.9

4.2  

14,272.9

11.9  
(7.7 ) 

14,283.0
(10.1 )

14,260.6  

8.1  

4.2  

14,272.9

The Group’s investment properties were revalued at 31st December 2008 by independent qualified valuers. As a result, a net 

deficit of US$698.9 million (2007: surplus of US$2,588.9 million) has been taken to the consolidated profit and loss account.

All the Group’s investment properties in Hong Kong and Singapore are held under leases with unexpired lease terms of more than 

20 years except for The Hong Kong Club Building in Hong Kong, which is held under a sub-lease. Details concerning the Group’s 

commercial investment properties are set out on page 66.

36  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
14 

Joint ventures

Share of unlisted joint ventures’ net assets 

Goodwill on acquisition 

The Group’s share of assets, liabilities, capital commitments and contingent  

liabilities of joint ventures are summarised below:

Tangible assets 

Other non-current assets 

Current assets 

Current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Minority interests 

Capital commitments 

Contingent liabilities 

15  Other investments

Unlisted equity 

2008  
US$m  

1,769.4  
28.1  

1,797.5  

1,159.0  
43.4  
1,441.1  
(523.5 ) 
(350.5 ) 
(0.1 ) 

2007

US$m

1,625.6

28.3

1,653.9

1,027.0

15.7

1,420.0

(488.5 )

(347.8 )

(0.8 )

1,769.4  

1,625.6

283.9  
43.7  

272.0

54.4

2008  
US$m  

–  

2007

US$m

17.5

The Group’s other investments were available-for-sale financial assets and were shown at fair value by reference to the underlying 

investments.

Annual Report 2008  37

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

16  Deferred tax assets and liabilities

Accelerated   
capital   
allowances   
US$m   

Revaluation
surpluses of   
investment   
properties   
US$m   

Other
temporary
differences   
US$m   

Tax losses   
US$m   

Total
US$m

0.1  

–  

–  

(33.0 ) 

(0.2 ) 

–  

(2,168.2 ) 

(14.2 ) 

–  

(3.5 ) 

(0.4 ) 

3.8  

(2,204.6 )

(14.8 )

3.8

2008
At 1st January 

Exchange rate adjustments 

Credited to equity 

(Charged)/credited to the consolidated 

  profit and loss account 

(0.1 ) 

(2.7 ) 

228.6  

1.4  

227.2

At 31st December 

Deferred tax assets 

Deferred tax liabilities 

2007

At 1st January 

Exchange rate adjustments 

Charged to equity 

(Charged)/credited to the consolidated  

–  

–  

–  

–  

0.5  

–  

–  

(35.9 ) 

(1,953.8 ) 

1.3  

(1,988.4 )

1.1  

(37.0 ) 

–  

(1,953.8 ) 

3.4  

(2.1 ) 

4.5

(1,992.9 )

(35.9 ) 

(1,953.8 ) 

1.3  

(1,988.4 )

(29.3 ) 

(1,708.1 ) 

2.5  

–  

3.1  

–  

(2.2 ) 

(0.2 ) 

(1.3 ) 

(1,739.1 )

5.4

(1.3 )

  profit and loss account 

(0.4 ) 

(6.2 ) 

(463.2 ) 

0.2  

(469.6 )

At 31st December 

0.1  

(33.0 ) 

(2,168.2 ) 

(3.5 ) 

(2,204.6 )

Deferred tax assets 

Deferred tax liabilities 

0.1  

–  

0.1  

1.2  

(34.2 ) 

–  

(2,168.2 ) 

1.3  

(4.8 ) 

2.6

(2,207.2 )

(33.0 ) 

(2,168.2 ) 

(3.5 ) 

(2,204.6 )

Deferred tax balances predominantly comprise non-current items. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are netted when the taxes 

relate to the same taxation authority and where offsetting is allowed.

Deferred  tax  assets  of  US$2.2  million  (2007:  US$2.5  million)  arising  from  unused  tax  losses  of  US$12.8  million  (2007:   

US$13.9 million) have not been recognised in the financial statements. Unused tax losses have no expiry date.

38  Hongkong Land

 
 
   
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
17  Pension plans

The Group has a number of defined benefit pension plans, covering all the main territories in which it operates with the major 

plans relating to employees in Hong Kong. Most of the pension plans are final salary defined benefit plans and are funded. The 

assets of the plans are held independently of the Group’s assets in separate trustee administered funds. The Group’s major plans 

are valued by independent qualified actuaries annually using the projected unit credit method.

The principal actuarial assumptions used for accounting purposes at 31st December are as follows:

Discount rate applied to pension obligations 

Expected return on plan assets 

Future salary increases 

2008  
Weighted   
average   

%  

6.0  
7.5  
5.0  

2007
Weighted
average

%

4.9

7.5

5.0

The expected return on plan assets is determined on the basis of long-term average returns on global equities of 6.5% to 10.0% 

per annum and global bonds of 3.5% to 6.0% per annum, and the long-term benchmark allocation of assets between equities 

and bonds in the plan.

The amounts recognised in the consolidated profit and loss account are as follows:

Current service cost 

Interest cost 

Expected return on plan assets 

Income recognised 

Actual return on plan assets in the year 

2008  
US$m  

1.5  
1.0  
(2.9 ) 

(0.4 ) 

(11.7 ) 

2007

US$m

1.5

0.8

(2.5 )

(0.2 )

5.0

The  above  amounts  are  all  recognised  in  arriving  at  operating  profit  and  are  included  in  cost  of  sales  and  administrative 

expenses.

The amounts recognised in the consolidated balance sheet are as follows:

Fair value of plan assets 

Present value of pension obligations 

Pension assets 

Movements in the fair value of plan assets:

At 1st January 

Exchange differences 
Expected return 

Contributions 

Benefits paid 

Actuarial (losses)/gains 

At 31st December 

2008  
US$m  

25.1  
(19.0 ) 

6.1  

38.2  
0.1  
2.9  
0.5  
(2.1 ) 
(14.5 ) 

25.1  

2007

US$m

38.2

(20.9 )

17.3

33.2

–
2.5

0.5

(0.5 )

2.5

38.2

Annual Report 2008  39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

17  Pension plans continued

Movements in the present value of pension obligations:

At 1st January 

Exchange difference 

Interest cost 

Current service cost 

Benefits paid 

Actuarial gains 

At 31st December 

The analysis of the plan assets at 31st December are as follows:

Equity instruments 

Debt instruments 

Other assets 

2008  
US$m  

20.9  
0.1  
1.0  
1.5  
(2.1 ) 
(2.4 ) 

19.0  

Fair value of assets

2008  

%  %

45  
27  
28  

100  

It is estimated that the Group will make contributions of US$0.5 million to the pension plan in 2009.

The five year history of experience adjustments is as follows:

Fair value of plan assets 

Present value of pension obligations 

2008  
US$m  

25.1  
(19.0 ) 

2007  

US$m  

38.2  

(20.9 ) 

2006  

US$m  

33.2  

(19.3 ) 

2005  

US$m  

29.1  

(18.3 ) 

Surplus 

6.1  

17.3  

13.9  

10.8  

Experience adjustments on plan assets 

(14.5 ) 

Percentage of plan assets (%) 

Experience adjustments on pension obligations 

Percentage of pension obligations (%) 

58  

–  

–  

2.5  

7  

(0.1 ) 

–  

3.4  

10  

–  

–  

1.1  

4  

0.3  

2  

2007

US$m

19.3

–

0.8

1.5

(0.5 )

(0.2 )

20.9

2007

62

19

19

100

2004

US$m

26.8

(17.1 )

9.7

1.9

7

0.8

5

40  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
18  Properties for sale

Properties under development

  – land and development costs 

  – interest and other expenses capitalised 

Provision 

2008  
US$m  

955.1  
64.0  

1,019.1  
(180.2 ) –

2007

US$m

818.9

76.1

895.0

838.9  

895.0

At 31st December 2008, properties for sale of US$296.6 million (2007: US$325.8 million) were pledged as security for borrowing 

of US$258.9 million (2007: US$182.8 million) as shown in Note 22.

19  Debtors

Trade debtors 

Other debtors

  – third parties 

  – joint ventures 

Non-current 

Current 

By geographical area of operation
Greater China 

Southeast Asia and others 

Fair value
Trade debtors 

Other debtors 

At 31st December 2008 and 2007, no trade debtors were impaired.

2008  
US$m  

80.6  

217.3  
93.2  

391.1  

101.9  
289.2  

391.1  

214.0  
177.1  

391.1  

80.6  
310.5  

391.1  

2007

US$m

178.6

164.7

107.6

450.9

36.7

414.2

450.9

134.0

316.9

450.9

178.6

272.3

450.9

Annual Report 2008  41

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

19  Debtors continued

At 31st December 2008, trade debtors of US$7.8 million (2007: US$7.6 million) were past due but not impaired. The ageing 

analysis of these trade debtors is as follows:

Below 30 days 

Between 31 and 60 days 

Between 61 and 90 days 

Over 90 days 

2008  
US$m  

5.7  
1.6  
0.3  
0.2  

7.8  

2007

US$m

6.4

1.0

0.1

0.1

7.6

The risk of trade debtors that are neither past due nor impaired at 31st December 2008 becoming impaired is low as most of the 

balances have been settled subsequent to the year end.

Other debtors are further analysed as follows:

Prepayments 

Interest rate swaps, cross currency swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts 

Amounts due from joint ventures 

Others 

The amounts due from joint ventures are repayable on demand.

20  Bank balances

By geographical area of operation
Greater China 

Southeast Asia and others 

2008  
US$m  

65.4  
109.6  
93.2  
42.3  

310.5  

2008  
US$m  

39.4  
1,079.6  

1,119.0  

2007

US$m

76.3

36.1

107.6

52.3

272.3

2007

US$m

58.5

1,045.5

1,104.0

Bank balances of certain subsidiaries amounting to US$58.3 million (2007: US$73.0 million) are held under the Housing Developers 

(Project Account) Rules in Singapore, withdrawals from which are subject to the provision of these Rules.

The weighted average fixed interest rate on bank balances of US$415.0 million (2007: US$445.0 million) is 4.7% (2007: 5.1%) 

per annum.

42  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
21 

Creditors

Trade creditors 

Amounts due to joint ventures 

Tenants’ deposits 

Others 

Rent received in advance 

Progress billings received 

Derivative financial instruments 

Non-current 

Current 

By geographical area of operation
Greater China 

Southeast Asia and others 

The remaining contractal maturities of creditors, excluding rent received in 

  advance, progress billings received and derivative financial instruments,  

  are analysed as follows:

Within one year 

Between one and two years 

Between two and five years 

Beyond five years 

The fair value of creditors approximate their carrying amounts.

2008  
US$m  

202.2  
23.9  
139.1  
56.8  

422.0  
7.4  
249.3  
16.9  

695.6  

26.8  
668.8  

695.6  

367.7  
327.9  

695.6  

257.2  
95.9  
50.1  
18.8  

422.0  

2007

US$m

202.3

35.7

115.6

50.9

404.5

4.5

256.5

6.3

671.8

12.6

659.2

671.8

338.6

333.2

671.8

232.3

33.4

125.8

13.0

404.5

Annual Report 2008  43

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

22  Borrowings

Current

  Bank overdrafts 

  Short-term borrowings 

  Current portion of long-term borrowings 

Long-term borrowings

  Bank loans 

  7% United States Dollar bonds due 2011 

  5.5% United States Dollar bonds due 2014 

  3.01% Singapore Dollar notes due 2010 

  3.65% Singapore Dollar notes due 2015 

  2.75% United States Dollar convertible bonds due 2012 

2008 

Carrying   
amount   
US$m   

Fair value   
US$m   

2007

Carrying
amount   
US$m   

Fair value
US$m

1.9  

9.0  

84.5  

95.4  

1,587.8  

629.1  

555.2  

229.4  

264.2  

358.4  

1.9  
9.0  
84.5  

95.4  

1,587.8  
652.0  
555.2  
229.8  
275.5  
355.2  

1.1  

94.7  

45.1  

1.1

94.7

45.1

140.9  

140.9

1,442.2  

1,442.2

618.3  

501.4  

224.2  

258.5  

349.3  

621.6

501.4

224.2

256.5

344.5

3,624.1  

3,655.5  

3,393.9  

3,390.4

3,719.5  

3,750.9  

3,534.8  

3,531.3

The fair values are based on market prices or are estimated using the expected future payments discounted at market interest 

rates ranging from 0.8% to 5.6% (2007: 2.8% to 5.9%) per annum. The fair values of current borrowings approximate their 

carrying amount, as the impact of discounting is not significant.

Secured 

Unsecured 

2008  
US$m  

258.9  
3,460.6  

3,719.5  

2007

US$m

182.8

3,352.0

3,534.8

Secured borrowings at 31st December 2008 were certain subsidiaries’ bank borrowings which were secured against its properties 

for sale.

The 7% bonds with nominal value of US$600 million due on 3rd May 2011 issued by a wholly-owned subsidiary are listed on the 

Luxembourg Stock Exchange.

The 5.5% bonds with nominal value of US$500 million due on 28th April 2014 issued by a wholly-owned subsidiary are listed on 

the Singapore Exchange.

The 3.01% notes due on 4th October 2010 and 3.65% notes due on 5th October 2015 with nominal value of S$325 million and 

S$375 million respectively, were issued by a wholly-owned subsidiary and are listed on the Singapore Exchange.

The  2.75%  convertible  bonds  with  nominal  value  of  US$400  million  due  on  21st  December  2012  are  convertible  up  to  and 

including 11th December 2012 into fully paid ordinary shares of the Company at a conversion price of US$3.85 per ordinary 

share,  which  is  subject  to  adjustment  for  subdivision  or  consolidation  of  shares,  bonus  issues,  right  issues  and  other  dilutive 

events. The fair value of the liability component is calculated using a market interest rate for an equivalent non-convertible bond 

at the time of issue, and is recorded as long-term borrowings on the amortised cost basis, until extinguished on conversion or 

maturity of the bonds. The residual amount, representing the value of the equity conversion component determined on issue of 

the bonds, is included in shareholders’ funds.

44  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
22  Borrowings continued

The convertible bonds are recognised in the consolidated balance sheet as follows:

Liability component at 1st January 

Interest expense at effective interest rate 

Interest expense at coupon rate 

Liability component at 31st December 

The borrowings are further summarised as follows:

Fixed rate borrowings

2008  
US$m  

349.3  
20.1  
(11.0 ) 

358.4  

2007

US$m

340.6

19.7

(11.0 )

349.3

Weighted   

Weighted   
average    average period   
outstanding   
Years   

interest rates   
%   

Floating
rate

borrowings   
US$m   

US$m   

Total
US$m

By currency

2008
Hong Kong Dollar 

Singapore Dollar 

United States Dollar 

2007

Hong Kong Dollar 

Singapore Dollar 

United States Dollar 

Vietnamese Dong 

3.6  

2.4  

5.5  

4.8  

3.1  

5.5  

9.1  

1.8  

2.7  

4.0  

2.1  

3.7  

5.0  

–  

900.6  

651.9  

358.6  

1,091.9  

714.0  

2.5  

1,992.5

1,365.9

361.1

1,911.1  

1,808.4  

3,719.5

798.7  

534.7  

349.3  

–  

1,058.7  

790.0  

3.1  

0.3  

1,857.4

1,324.7

352.4

0.3

1,682.7  

1,852.1  

3,534.8

The  weighted  average  interest  rates  and  period  of  fixed  rate  borrowings  are  stated  after  taking  into  account  hedging 

transactions. 

The remaining contractal maturities of the borrowings, including the contractual interest payments, are analysed as follows:

Within one year 

Between one and two years 

Between two and five years 

Beyond five years 

2008  
US$m  

219.7  
572.3  
2,545.9  
786.2  

4,124.1  

2007

US$m

291.5

275.8

2,404.1

1,253.1

4,224.5

Annual Report 2008  45

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

23  Share capital

Authorised
Shares of US$0.10 each 

Issued and fully paid
At 1st January 

Repurchased and cancelled 

Ordinary shares in millions 

2008  

2007  

2008  
US$m  

2007

US$m

4,000.0  

4,000.0  

400.0  

400.0

2,295.2  
(45.9 ) 

2,295.2  

–  

229.5  
(4.6 ) –

229.5

At 31st December 

2,249.3  

2,295.2  

224.9  

229.5

In 2008, the Company repurchased 45.9 million ordinary shares from the stock market at a total cost of US$119.7 million which 

was dealt with by charging US$4.6 million to share capital and US$115.1 million to revenue reserves.

24  Revenue and other reserves

2008
At 1st January 

Net exchange translation differences

  – amount arising in the year 

Defined benefit pension plans

  – actuarial losses 

  – deferred tax 

Revaluation of other investments

  – transfer to consolidated profit and  

  loss account 

Cash flow hedges

  – fair value losses 

  – transfer to consolidated profit and  

  loss account 

  – deferred tax 

Loss attributable to shareholders 

Dividends (see Note 26) 

Repurchase of ordinary shares 

Revenue   
reserves   
US$m   

Capital   
reserves   
US$m   

Hedging   
reserve   
US$m   

Exchange

reserve   
US$m   

Total
US$m 

11,486.7  

63.4  

3.8  

49.6  

11,603.5

–  

(12.1 ) 

2.2  

(6.1 ) 

–  

–  

–  

(109.4 ) 

(344.3 ) 

(115.1 ) 

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

(0.6 ) 

(3.6 ) 

1.6  

–  

–  

–  

72.3  

72.3

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

(12.1 )

2.2

(6.1 )

(0.6 )

(3.6 )

1.6

(109.4 )

(344.3 )

(115.1 )

At 31st December 

10,901.9  

63.4  

1.2  

121.9  

11,088.4

of which:

Joint ventures 

457.0  

–  

–  

2.5  

459.5

46  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
24  Revenue and other reserves continued

2007

At 1st January 

Net exchange translation differences

  – amount arising in the year 

Defined benefit pension plans

  – actuarial gains 

  – deferred tax 

Revaluation of other investments

  – fair value gains 

Cash flow hedges

  – fair value gains 
  – transfer to consolidated profit and  

  loss account 

  – deferred tax 

Revenue   
reserves   
US$m   

Capital   
reserves   
US$m   

Hedging   
reserve   
US$m   

Exchange

reserve   
US$m   

Total
US$m 

8,895.9  

63.4  

(8.0 ) 

16.5  

8,967.8

–  

2.8  

(0.5 ) 

1.4  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

7.1  

5.5  

(0.8 ) 

–  

–  

3.8  

33.1  

33.1

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

2.8

(0.5 )

1.4

7.1

5.5

(0.8 )

2,839.6

(252.5 )

49.6  

11,603.5

Profit attributable to shareholders 

Dividends (see Note 26) 

2,839.6  

(252.5 ) 

At 31st December 

11,486.7  

63.4  

of which:

Joint ventures 

459.4  

–  

–  

0.5  

459.9

Revenue reserves include actuarial losses on pension plans net of deferred tax of US$2.7 million (2007: actuarial gains net of 

deferred tax of US$7.2 million).

The analysis of the Company’s reserves is shown in Note 32.

25  Net asset value per share

Net  asset  value  per  share  is  calculated  on  shareholders’  funds  of  US$11,313.3  million  (2007:  US$11,833.0  million)  and  on   

2,249.3 million (2007: 2,295.2 million) shares issued at the year end.

Net  asset  value  per  share  is  additionally  calculated  based  on  adjusted  shareholders’  funds.  The  difference  between  adjusted 

shareholders’ funds and shareholders’ funds is reconciled as follows:

Shareholders’ funds 

Deferred tax on revaluation surpluses of investment properties 

Share of deferred tax on revaluation surpluses of investment 

  properties of joint ventures 

2008 

2007

Net   
asset value   
per share   
US$   

Net
asset value
per share
US$

US$m   

5.03  

11,833.0  

5.16

2,165.4

42.6

US$m   

11,313.3  
1,951.7  

43.1  

Adjusted shareholders’ funds 

13,308.1  

5.92  

14,041.0  

6.12

Annual Report 2008  47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
   
   
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

26  Dividends

Final dividend in respect of 2007 of US¢9.00 (2006: US¢7.00) per share 

Interim dividend in respect of 2008 of US¢6.00 (2007: US¢4.00) per share 

2008  
US$m  

206.6  
137.7  

344.3  

2007

US$m

160.7

91.8

252.5

A  final  dividend  in  respect  of  2008  of  US¢7.00  (2007:  US¢9.00)  per  share  amounting  to  a  total  of  US$157.5  million  (2007: 

US$206.6 million) is proposed by the Board. The dividend proposed will not be accounted for until it has been approved at the 

Annual  General  Meeting.  The  amount  will  be  accounted  for  as  an  appropriation  of  revenue  reserves  in  the  year  ending   

31st December 2009.

27  Cash and cash equivalents

Bank balances 

Bank overdrafts (see Note 22) 

2008  
US$m  

1,119.0  
(1.9 ) 

2007

US$m

1,104.0

(1.1 )

1,117.1  

1,102.9

28  Derivative financial instruments

The fair values of derivative financial instruments at 31st December are as follows:

2008 

2007

Positive   
fair value   
US$m   

Negative   
fair value   
US$m   

Positive   
fair value   
US$m   

Negative
fair value
US$m

13.8  

7.6  

7.8  

78.0  

–  

0.1  

2.3  

16.9  
–  

–  
–  

–  

–  
–  

8.2  

10.3  

–  

16.5  

1.1  

–  

–  

5.0

–

1.3

–

–

–

–

Designated as cash flow hedges

  – interest rate swaps 

  – cross currency swaps 

Designated as fair value hedges

  – interest rate swaps 

  – cross currency swaps 

Designated as net investment hedges

  – forward foreign exchange contracts 

Not qualified as hedges

  – interest rate swaps 

  – cross currency swaps 

48  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
28  Derivative financial instruments continued

The remaining contractual maturities of net settled and gross settled derivative financial instruments, based on their undiscounted 

cash outflows, are analysed as follows:

2008
Net settled

  – interest rate swaps and caps 

Gross settled

  – cross currency swaps 

2007

Net settled

  – interest rate swaps and caps 

Gross settled

  – forward foreign exchange contracts 

  – cross currency swaps 

Within   
one   
year   
US$m   

Between   
one and   
two years   
US$m   

Between   
two and   
five years   
US$m   

Beyond
five
years
US$m

(9.8 ) 

(4.8 ) 

0.3  

1.8

(33.3 ) 

(33.3 ) 

(636.8 ) 

(505.8 )

(43.1 ) 

(38.1 ) 

(636.5 ) 

(504.0 )

(3.3 ) 

(1.3 ) 

(99.6 ) 

(52.0 ) 

–  

(51.8 ) 

0.5  

–  

0.9

–

(703.5 ) 

(527.3 )

(154.9 ) 

(53.1 ) 

(703.0 ) 

(526.4 )

Forward foreign exchange contracts
There were no outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts at 31st December 2008 (2007: US$101.4 million).

Interest rate swaps and caps
The  notional  principal  amounts  of  the  outstanding  interest  rate  swap  and  cap  contracts  at  31st  December  2008  were   

US$1,491.5 million (2007: US$1,385.5 million).

At 31st December 2008, the fixed interest rates relating to interest rate swaps and caps vary from 1.90% to 5.16% (2007: 2.59% 

to 5.25%).

The fair values of interest rate swaps and caps are based on the estimated cash flows discounted at market rates ranging from 

0.95% to 1.99% (2007: 2.5% to 4.0%) per annum. 

Cross currency swaps
The contract amounts of the outstanding cross currency swap contracts at 31st December 2008 were US$1,100 million (2007: 

US$1,100.0 million).

Annual Report 2008  49

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

29  Commitments

Capital commitments

  Authorised not contracted 

  Contracted not provided 

Contribution to joint ventures 

Operating lease commitments

  Due within one year 

  Due between one and two years 
  Due between two and three years 

  Due between three and four years 

2008  
US$m  

131.0  
24.4  

155.4  

744.4  

0.7  
0.5  
0.5  
0.3  

2.0  

2007

US$m

445.5

17.5

463.0

953.5

0.2

0.1
–

–

0.3

30  Contingent liabilities

Various Group companies are involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of their respective businesses. Having reviewed 

outstanding claims and taking into account legal advice received, the Directors are of the opinion that adequate provisions have 

been made in the financial statements.

31  Related party transactions

In the normal course of business, the Group has entered into a variety of transactions with the subsidiary undertakings of Jardine 

Matheson  Holdings  Limited  ("Jardine  Matheson  group  members").  The  more  significant  of  these  transactions  are  described 

below:

Management fee
The  management  fee  payable  by  the  Group,  under  an  agreement  entered  into  in  1995,  to  Jardine  Matheson  Limited  was   

US$1.9 million (2007: US$1.7 million), being 0.5% per annum of the Group’s underlying profit in consideration for management 

consultancy services provided by Jardine Matheson Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited.

Property and other services
The  Group  rented  properties  to  Jardine  Matheson  group  members.  Gross  rents  on  such  properties  in  2008  amounted  to   

US$8.2 million (2007: US$8.0 million).

Jardine Matheson group members provided property maintenance and other services to the Group in 2008 in aggregate amounting 

to US$23.2 million (2007: US$14.9 million).

50  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
31  Related party transactions continued

Hotel management services
Jardine Matheson group members provided hotel management services to the Group in 2008 amounted to US$0.6 million (2007: 

US$0.5 million).

Outstanding balances with joint ventures
Amounts of outstanding balances with joint ventures are included in debtors and creditors as appropriate (see Notes 19 and 

21).

Directors’ emoluments
Details of Directors’ emoluments (being the key management personnel compensation) are shown on page 59 under the heading 

of ‘Directors’ Appointments, Retirement, Remuneration and Service Contracts’.

32  Summarised balance sheet of the Company

Included below is certain summarised balance sheet information of the Company disclosed in accordance with Bermuda law.

Net operating assets
Investments at cost

  Unlisted shares in subsidiaries 

  Net amounts due to subsidiaries 

Creditors and other accruals 

Capital employed
Share capital (see Note 23) 

Revenue and other reserves

  Contributed surplus 

  Revenue reserves 

Shareholders’ funds 

2008  
US$m  

2007

US$m

4,481.7  
(827.9 ) 

3,653.8  
(19.2 ) 

4,481.6

(697.0 )

3,784.6

(18.7 )

3,634.6  

3,765.9

224.9  

2,249.6  
1,160.1  

3,409.7  

3,634.6  

229.5

2,364.7

1,171.7

3,536.4

3,765.9

Subsidiaries are shown at cost less amounts provided.

The  contributed  surplus  was  set  up  on  the  formation  of  the  Company  in  1989  and,  under  the  Bye-Laws  of  the  Company,  is 

distributable.

Annual Report 2008  51

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

33  Principal subsidiaries and joint ventures

The principal subsidiaries and joint ventures of the Group at 31st December 2008 are set out below.

 Effective holding % 
2007   

2008   

Issued share capital 

Main activities 

Country of
incorporation

Subsidiaries

Hongkong Land China Holdings 

100 * 

100 *  USD 

200,000,000 

Investment holding 

Bermuda

  Limited

Hongkong Land Limited 

100 * 

100 *  USD 

12,000 

Group management 

Bermuda

Hongkong Land International 

100 * 

100 *  USD 

200,000,000 

Investment holding 

Bermuda

  Holdings Limited

The Hongkong Land Company, 

100  

100   HKD 

1,293,180,006 

Property investment 

Hong Kong

  Limited

The Hongkong Land Property 

100  

100   HKD 

200 

Property investment 

Hong Kong

  Company, Limited

HKL (Chater House) Limited 

100  

100   HKD 

1,500,000 

Property investment 

Hong Kong

HKL (Esplanade) Pte Limited 

100  

100   SGD 

150,000,000 

Property investment 

Singapore

HKL (Prince’s Building) Limited 

100  

100   HKD 

200 

Property investment 

Hong Kong

HKL Treasury (Singapore) Pte Limited 

100  

100   SGD 

2 

Finance 

Singapore

Mulberry Land Company Limited 

100  

100   HKD 

200 

Property investment 

Hong Kong

The Hongkong Land Finance 

100  

100   USD 

2 

Finance 

Cayman Islands

(Cayman Islands) Company Limited

HKL (Landmark Hotel) Limited 

100  

100   HKD 

2 

Hotel investment 

Hong Kong

Hongkong Land Credit Limited 

100  

100   HKD 

200 

Finance 

Hong Kong

HK Glory Properties Limited 

100  

100   USD 

2 

Property development  British Virgin

Islands

Tong Yan Development Company 

100  

100   HKD 

400 

Property development  Hong Kong

  Limited

Hongkong Land CB (2005) Limited 

100  

100   USD 

2 

Finance 

British Virgin

Islands

The Hongkong Land Treasury Services 

100  

100   SGD 

2 

Finance 

Singapore

(Singapore) Pte Limited

MCL Land Limited (details are 

77.4  

77.4   SGD 

369,985,977 

Property development  Singapore

  shown on pages 53 and 54)

Reid Street Properties Limited 

100  

100   USD 

400 

Property investment 

British Virgin

Islands

Hongkong Land Singapore (Pte) Ltd 

100  

100   SGD 

100,000 

Property management  Singapore

* Owned directly

52  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
33  Principal subsidiaries and joint ventures continued

 Effective holding % 
2007   

2008   

Issued share capital 

Main activities 

Country of
incorporation

Joint ventures

Beijing Premium Real Estate Limited 

Gaysorn Land Company Limited 

40  

49  

40   USD 

12,000,000 

Property development  Mainland China

49   THB 

61,250,000 

Property investments 

Thailand

  and operations

Grosvenor Land Property Fund 

21.4  

21.4   Ord.USD 

28,000 

Property investment 

Bermuda

  Limited 

   Pref.USD 

100

King Kok Investment Limited 

Normelle Estates Limited 

35  

50  

35   USD 

10,000 

Property investment 

Mauritius

50   HKD 

10,000 

Property investment 

Hong Kong

One Raffles Quay Pte Limited 

33.33   33.33   SGD 

6 

Property development  Singapore

P.T. Jakarta Land 

50  

50  

IDR 

3,320,000,000 

Property development 

Indonesia

  and asset 

  management

Roxas Land Corporation 

NorthPine Land Inc 

40  

40  

40   Peso 

2,442,500,000 

Property investment 

The Philippines

40   Peso 

1,224,635,200 

Property investment 

The Philippines

BFC Development Pte Limited 

33.33   33.33   SGD 

6 

Property development  Singapore

Longhu Land Limited 

50  

50   USD 

12,000,000 

Property development  Mainland China

Basecity Investments Limited 

46.55   46.55   USD 

10,000 

Property investment 

British Virgin

Islands

Central Boulevard Development 

33.3  

33.3   SGD 

6 

Property investment 

Singapore

  Pte Ltd

Ampang Investments Pte Ltd 

40  

40   SGD 

10 

Hotel investment 

Singapore

Raise Up Enterprises Ltd 

30.3  

30.3   USD 

10,000 

Property investment 

British Virgin

Islands

MCL Land Limited’s subsidiaries and joint ventures

MCL Land Holdings Pte Ltd 

77.4  

77.4   SGD 

6,000,000 

Property investment 

Singapore

MCL Land (Property Management) 

77.4  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

  Pte Ltd

MCL Land (Serangoon) Pte Ltd 

77.4  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

MCL Land (Grange) Pte Ltd 

77.4  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

Richdeal Pte Ltd 

77.4  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

MCL Land (Properties) Pte Ltd 

77.4  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

Superport Pte Ltd 

77.4  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

Annual Report 2008  53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements

33  Principal subsidiaries and joint ventures continued

 Effective holding % 
2007   

2008   

Issued share capital 

Main activities 

Country of
incorporation

MCL Land Limited’s subsidiaries and joint ventures continued

Maxgrowth Pte Ltd 

77.4  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

Acecharm Pte Ltd 

77.4  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

MCL Land Realty Pte Ltd 

77.4  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

MCL Land Development Pte Ltd 

77.4  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

MCL Land (Prime) Pte Ltd 

77.4  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

Caseldine Investments Pte Ltd 

77.4  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

Kedron Investments Pte Ltd 

77.4  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

MCL Land (Warren) Pte Ltd 

77.4  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

MCL (Century Gardens) Sdn Bhd 

77.4  

77.4   MYR 

6,608,763 

Property investment 

Malaysia

(previously known as Century

  Gardens Sdn Bhd)

MCL (Pantai View) Sdn Bhd 

77.4  

77.4   MYR 

2,000,000 

Property investment 

Malaysia

(previously known as Pantai View

  Sdn Bhd)

Calne Pte Ltd 

38.7  

38.7   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

Grange Development Pte Ltd 

41.4  

41.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

Golden Quantum Acres Sdn Bhd 

38.7  

38.7   MYR 

10,764,210 

Property development  Malaysia

Sunrise MCL Land Sdn Bhd 

38.7  

38.7   MYR 

2,000,000 

Property development  Malaysia

MSL Properties Sdn Bhd 

38.7  

38.7   MYR 

3,000,000 

Property development  Malaysia

(previously known as Landmarks Land

  & Properties Sdn Bhd)

54  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report

To the members of Hongkong Land Holdings Limited

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Hongkong Land Holdings Limited 

and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) which comprise the consolidated balance sheet as of 31st December 2008 

and the consolidated profit and loss account, consolidated statement of recognised income and expense and 

consolidated cash flow statement for the year then ended and a summary of significant accounting policies 

and other explanatory notes.

Directors’ Responsibility for the Financial Statements

The  Company’s  Directors  are  responsible  for  the  preparation  and  fair  presentation  of  these  consolidated 

financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and with the requirements 

of  Section  90  of  the  Bermuda  Companies  Act.  This  responsibility  includes:  designing,  implementing  and 

maintaining internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are 

free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; selecting and applying appropriate accounting 

policies; and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances.

Auditor’s Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We 

conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing. Those Standards require that we 

comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the 

financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the 

financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of 

the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those 

risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation 

of the financial statements 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 entity’s internal control. An audit also 

includes  evaluating  the  appropriateness  of  accounting  policies  used  and  the  reasonableness  of  accounting 

estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our 

audit opinion.

Opinion

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the 

financial position of the Group as of 31st December 2008, and its financial performance and its cash flows for 

the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and with the requirements 

of the Bermuda Companies Act.

Other Matters

This report, including the opinion, has been prepared for and only for the Company’s members as a body in 

accordance with Section 90 of the Bermuda Companies Act and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving 

this opinion, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report 

is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
London

United Kingdom

5th March 2009

Annual Report 2008  55

Five Year Summary

2004  

US$m  

2005  

US$m  

2006  

US$m  

2007  

US$m  

2008

US$m

Profit/(loss) attributable to shareholders 

1,688  

2,061  

1,901  

2,840  

(109 )

Underlying profit attributable to shareholders 

197  

188  

245  

345  

375

Investment properties 

7,289  

9,779  

11,651  

14,261  

13,703

Net debt 

1,489  

1,855  

2,312  

2,431  

2,601

Shareholders’ funds 

5,205  

7,215  

9,197  

11,833  

11,313

Adjusted shareholders’ funds* 

6,072  

8,592  

10,922  

14,041  

13,308

Net asset value per share 

2.34  

3.24  

4.01  

5.16  

Adjusted net asset value per share* 

2.73  

3.86  

4.76  

6.12  

US$  

US$  

US$  

US$  

US$

5.03

5.92

Underlying earnings/dividends

Adjusted net asset value

per share (US¢)

per share* (US$)

Underlying earnings 

Dividends

16.41

15.02

13.00

13.00

4.76

3.86

10.98

10.00

2.73

6.12

5.92

8.86

7.00

8.42

8.00

’04 

’05 

 ’06 

 ’07 

 ’08

’04 

’05 

’06 

’07 

’08

* Based on shareholders’ funds excluding deferred 

tax on revaluation surpluses of investment 
properties that would not be payable if the 
properties were sold

20

15

10

5

56  Hongkong Land

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
Responsibility Statement

The Directors of the Company confirm to the best of their knowledge that:

a. 

the  consolidated  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  International  Financial 

Reporting  Standards,  including  International  Accounting  Standards  and  Interpretations  adopted  by  the 

International Accounting Standards Board; and

b.  the sections of this Report which constitute the management report include a fair review of all information 

required to be disclosed by the Disclosure and Transparency Rules 4.1.8 to 4.1.11 issued by the Financial 

Services Authority of the United Kingdom.

For and on behalf of the Board

A J L Nightingale
Y K Pang
Directors
5th March 2009

Annual Report 2008  57

Corporate Governance

The Group’s corporate governance relies on a combination of shareholder, board and management supervision 

and strict compliance, internal audit and risk control procedures, within the context of the various international 

regulatory regimes to which the Group is subject.

Hongkong  Land  Holdings  Limited  is  incorporated  in  Bermuda.  The  Group’s  property  interests  are  almost 

entirely  in  Asia.  The  Company  has  its  primary  share  listing  on  the  London  Stock  Exchange  and  secondary 

listings  in  Bermuda  and  Singapore.  The  primary  corporate  governance  regime  applicable  to  the  Company 

arises  under  the  laws  of  Bermuda,  including  under  certain  specific  statutory  provisions  that  apply  to  the 

Company alone. The Company has fully complied with that governance regime. The Company is not subject 

to the Combined Code (the ‘Code’) that applies to United Kingdom incorporated companies listed in London, 

but this Report outlines the significant ways in which its corporate governance practices differ from those set 

out in the Code.

The Management of the Group

The  Company  has  its  dedicated  executive  management  under  the  Chief  Executive.  The  Memorandum  of 

Association  of  the  Company,  however,  provides  for  the  chairman  of  Jardine  Matheson  Holdings  Limited 

(‘Jardine Matheson’) to be, or to appoint, the Managing Director of the Company. The managing director of 

Jardine Matheson has been so appointed. Reflecting this, and the 49% interest of the Jardine Matheson group 

in the Company’s share capital, the Chief Executive and the Managing Director meet regularly. Similarly, the 

board of the Hong Kong-based Group management company, Hongkong Land Limited (‘HKL’), and its finance 

committee are chaired by the Managing Director and include Group executives and the group finance director, 

the group strategy director and the group general counsel of Jardine Matheson.

The Board

The Company currently has a Board of 12 Directors: the Chief Executive; five executives of Jardine Matheson; 

and six non-executive Directors. Their names and brief biographies appear on page 15 of this Report. The 

Chairman  has  been  appointed  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  Bye-laws  of  the  Company,  which 

provide that the chairman of Jardine Matheson, or any Director nominated by him, shall be the Chairman of 

the Company. The composition and operation of the Board reflect the approach to management described in 

this Report. The Board regards Asian business experience and relationships as more valuable attributes of its 

non-executive  Directors  than  formal  independence  criteria.  The  Company  does  not  have  nomination  or 

remuneration committees or a formal Board evaluation process. Decisions on nomination and remuneration 

result  from  consultations  between  the  Chairman  and  the  Managing  Director  and  other  Directors  as  they 

consider appropriate. The four executives of Jardine Matheson on the board of HKL, being A J L Nightingale, 

Jonathan Gould, Mark Greenberg and James Riley, also form the HKL audit committee that has responsibility 

for the Group. The Board has not designated a ‘senior independent director’ as set out in the Code.

Among the matters which the Board of the Company decides are the Group’s business strategy, its annual 

budget,  dividends  and  major  corporate  activities.  Responsibility  for  implementing  the  Group’s  strategy  is 

delegated  to  the  Company’s  executive  management,  with  decision-making  authority  within  designated 

financial parameters delegated to the HKL finance committee. In addition, certain Directors of the Company 

based outside Asia make regular visits to Asia and Bermuda, where they participate in five annual strategic 

reviews, four of which normally precede the full Board meetings. These Directors’ knowledge of the region 

and the Group’s affairs reinforces the process by which business is reviewed by the Board.

The Board is scheduled to hold four meetings in 2009, and ad hoc procedures are adopted to deal with urgent 

matters. Two meetings each year are held in Bermuda and two in Asia. The Board receives high quality, up to 

date information for each of its meetings, which has previously been considered and approved at meetings of 

the board of HKL. This information is also the subject of a strategy review in a cycle of meetings (in Bermuda 

or Asia, as appropriate) prior to consideration by the Board itself.

58  Hongkong Land

Directors’ Appointment, Retirement, Remuneration and Service Contracts

Candidates for appointment as executive Directors of the Company, or as executive directors of HKL or senior 

executives elsewhere in the Group may be sourced internally, from the Jardine Matheson group or externally 

using the services of specialist executive search firms. The aim is to appoint individuals of the highest calibre in 

their area of expertise, combining international best practice with experience of and an affinity with Asian 

markets.

Each new Director is appointed by the Board and in accordance with Bye-law 92 of the Company’s Bye-laws, 

each new Director is subject to retirement at the first Annual General Meeting after appointment. Thereafter, 

the Director will be subject to retirement by rotation pursuant to Bye-law 85 whereby one-third of the Directors 

retire at the Annual General Meeting each year. These provisions apply to both executive and non-executive 

Directors, but the requirement to retire by rotation pursuant to Bye-law 85 does not extend to the Chairman 

or Managing Director.

On 19th June 2008, Lord Powell of Bayswater was appointed as a Director of the Company. In accordance 

with Bye-law 85, Mark Greenberg, R C Kwok and Percy Weatherall retire by rotation at the Annual General 

Meeting and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election. In accordance with Bye-law 92, Lord Powell of 
Bayswater will also retire, and, being eligible, offer himself for re-election. None of the Directors proposed for 

re-election has a service contract with the Company or its subsidiaries.

The Company’s policy is to offer competitive remuneration packages to its senior executives. It is recognised 

that,  due  to  the  nature  of  the  Group  and  its  diverse  geographic  base,  a  number  of  its  senior  executives, 

including the Chief Executive, are required to be offered international terms. The nature of the remuneration 

packages is designed to reflect this, for example by the provision of accommodation.

Non-executive  Directors’  fees  are  decided  upon  by  shareholders  in  general  meeting  as  provided  for  by  the 

Company’s  Bye-laws.  For  the  year  ended  31st  December  2008,  the  Directors  received  from  the  Group  

US$1.8  million  (2007:  US$1.6  million)  in  Directors’  fees  and  employee  benefits,  being  US$0.2  million  

(2007:  US$0.3  million)  in  Directors’  fees,  US$1.5  million  (2007:  US$1.2  million)  in  short-term  employee  

benefits  including  salary,  bonus,  accommodation  and  deemed  benefits  in  kind  and  US$0.1  million  

(2007: US$0.1 million) in post-employment benefits. The information set out in this paragraph forms part of 

the audited financial statements.

The Company has in place shadow share option schemes under which cash bonuses are paid based on the 

performance of the Company’s share price over a period. The shadow schemes were established to provide 

longer-term incentives for executive Directors and senior managers. Shadow share options are granted after 

consultation between the Chairman, the Managing Director and the Chief Executive and other Directors as 

they consider appropriate.

The Company purchases insurance to cover its Directors against their costs in defending themselves in civil 

proceedings taken against them in that capacity and in respect of damages resulting from the unsuccessful 

defence  of  any  proceedings.  To  the  extent  permitted  by  law,  the  Company  also  indemnifies  its  Directors. 

Neither  the  insurance  nor  the  indemnity  provides  cover  where  the  Director  has  acted  fraudulently  

or dishonestly.

Directors’ Responsibilities in respect of the Financial Statements

The Directors are required under the Bermuda Companies Act 1981 to prepare financial statements for each 

financial year and to present them annually to the Company’s shareholders at the Annual General Meeting. 

The financial statements should present fairly in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 

(‘IFRS’) the financial position of the Group at the end of the year and the results of its operations and its cash 

flows for the year then ended. The Directors consider that applicable accounting policies under IFRS, applied 

on a consistent basis and supported by prudent and reasonable judgements and estimates, have been followed 

in preparing the financial statements.

Annual Report 2008  59

Corporate Governance

Code of Conduct

The  Group  conducts  business  in  a  professional,  ethical  and  even-handed  manner.  Its  ethical  standards  

are  clearly  set  out  in  the  Group’s  Code  of  Conduct,  a  set  of  guidelines  to  which  every  employee  must  

adhere. The code requires that all Group companies comply with all laws of general application, all rules and 

regulations that are industry specific and proper standards of business conduct. The code prohibits the giving 

or receiving of illicit payments, and requires all employees to be treated fairly, impartially and with respect. It 

also  requires  that  all  managers  must  be  fully  aware  of  their  obligations  under  the  Code  of  Conduct  and 

establish  procedures  to  ensure  compliance  at  all  levels  within  their  organisations.  The  Group  has  in  place 

procedures by which employees can raise, in confidence, matters of serious concern in areas such as financial 

reporting or compliance.

Internal Control

The Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s system of internal control. The system of internal control is 

designed to manage, rather than eliminate, business risk; to help safeguard the Group’s assets against fraud 

and  other  irregularities;  and  to  give  reasonable,  but  not  absolute,  assurance  against  material  financial 
misstatement or loss.

The principal risks and uncertainties facing the Company are set out on page 62.

The  Board  has  delegated  to  the  audit  committee  of  HKL  responsibility  for  reviewing  the  operation  and 

effectiveness of the Group’s system of internal control and the procedures by which this is monitored. The 

audit  committee  considers  the  system  and  procedures  on  a  regular  basis,  and  reports  to  the  Board  semi-

annually. The chief executive and finance director of HKL, together with representatives of the internal and 

external auditors, attend the meetings of the audit committee by invitation.

Executive management is responsible for the implementation of the system of internal control throughout the 

Group and the internal audit function monitors the effectiveness of the system. The internal audit function is 

outside  the  operating  businesses  and  reports  its  findings,  and  recommendations  for  any  corrective  action 

required, to the audit committee of HKL.

The  Group  has  in  place  an  organisational  structure  with  defined  lines  of  responsibility  and  delegation  of 

authority. There are established policies and procedures for financial planning and budgeting; for information 

and reporting systems; for assessment of risk; and for monitoring the Group’s operations and performance. 

The information systems in place are designed to ensure that the financial information reported is reliable and 

up to date.

The Company’s policy on commercial conduct is also an important part of the Group’s internal control process, 

particularly in the area of compliance. The policy, as set out in the Code of Conduct, is reinforced and monitored 

by an annual compliance certification process.

The audit committee of HKL has also been given the responsibility to oversee the effectiveness of the formal 

procedures for employees to raise any matters of serious concern, and is required to review any reports made 

under those procedures that are referred to it by the internal audit function.

Prior  to  completion  and  announcement  of  the  half-year  and  year-end  results,  a  review  of  the  financial 

information and of any issues raised in connection with the preparation of the results is undertaken by the 

audit committee of HKL with the executive management and a report is received from the external auditors. 

The external auditors also have access to the full Board, in addition to the Chief Executive, Chief Financial 

Officer and other senior executives.

The audit committee of HKL keeps under review the nature, scope and results of the external audit and the 

audits conducted by the internal audit department. The audit committee of HKL also keeps under review the 

independence and objectivity of the external auditors.

60  Hongkong Land

Directors’ Share Interests

The Directors of the Company in office on 18th March 2009 had interests (within the meaning of the Disclosure 

and Transparency Rules (‘DTRs’) of the Financial Services Authority (the ‘FSA’) of the United Kingdom) set out 

below in the ordinary share capital of the Company. These interests included those notified to the Company 

in  respect  of  the  Directors’  connected  persons  (as  that  term  is  used  in  the  DTRs  in  relation  to  companies 

incorporated outside the United Kingdom).

Simon Keswick 

A J L Nightingale 

Y K Pang 

Charles Allen-Jones 

R C Kwok  

Dr Richard Lee 

Substantial Shareholders

74,521

2,184

38,000

60,000

15,261

3,678,685

As a non-UK issuer, the Company is subject to the DTRs pursuant to which a person must notify the Company 

of  the  percentage  of  voting  rights  attaching  to  the  share  capital  of  the  Company  that  he  holds  in  certain 

circumstances. The obligation to notify arises if that person acquires or disposes of shares in the Company 

which results in the percentage of voting rights which he holds reaching, exceeding or falling below 5%, 10%, 

15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 50% and 75%.

The Company has been informed of the holding of voting rights of 5% or more attaching to the Company’s 

issued ordinary share capital by Jardine Strategic, which is directly interested in 1,109,336,616 ordinary shares 

carrying 49.32% of the voting rights. By virtue of its interest in Jardine Strategic, Jardine Matheson is also 

interested in the same ordinary shares. Apart from this shareholding, the Company is not aware of any holders 

of  voting  rights  of  5%  or  more  attaching  to  the  issued  ordinary  share  capital  of  the  Company  as  at  

18th March 2009.

There  were  no  contracts  of  significance  with  corporate  substantial  shareholders  during  the  year  under 

review.

Relations with Shareholders

The Company maintains a dialogue with major shareholders and holds meetings following the announcement 

of the annual and interim results with institutional shareholders. A corporate website is maintained containing 

a wide range of information of interest to investors at www.hkland.com.

The 2009 Annual General Meeting will be held on 6th May 2009. The full text of the resolutions and explanatory 

notes in respect of the meeting are contained in the Notice of Meeting which accompanies this Report.

Securities Purchase Arrangements

At  the  Annual  General  Meeting  held  on  7th  May  2008,  shareholders  renewed  the  approval  of  a  general 

mandate authorising the Directors to effect purchases by the Company or its subsidiaries of the Company’s 

own ordinary shares of less than 15% in aggregate of its issued share capital.

During the year, the Company repurchased and cancelled 45,900,000 ordinary shares of the Company for an 

aggregate consideration of US$120 million. The repurchased ordinary shares represented 2% of the Company’s 

issued ordinary share capital.

Related Party Transactions

Details of transactions with related parties entered into by the Company during the course of the year are 

included in Note 31 to the financial statements on pages 50 and 51. There were no transactions entered into 

by the Company during the course of the year to which the related party transaction rules of the FSA in the 

United Kingdom apply.

Annual Report 2008  61

 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The Board has overall responsibility for risk management and internal control. The process by which the Group 

identifies  and  manages  risk  is  set  out  in  more  detail  on  page  60  of  the  Corporate  Governance  section  of  

this  Report.  The  following  are  the  principal  risks  and  uncertainties  facing  the  Company  as  required  to  be 

disclosed pursuant to the Disclosure and Transparency Rules issued by the Financial Services Authority of the 

United  Kingdom  and  are  in  addition  to  the  matters  referred  to  in  the  Chairman’s  Statement  and  Chief 

Executive’s Review.

Economic Risk

The Group is exposed to the risk of negative developments in global and regional economies, and financial and 

property markets, either directly or through the impact on the Group’s joint venture partners, bankers, suppliers 

or tenants. These developments can result in:

•	 recession,	inflation,	deflation	and	currency	fluctuations;

•	 restrictions	in	the	availability	of	credit,	increases	in	financing	and	construction	costs	and	business	failures;	

and

•	 reductions	 in	 office	 and	 retail	 rents,	 office	 and	 retail	 occupancy	 and	 sales	 prices	 of,	 and	 demand	 for,	

residential developments.

Such developments might increase costs of sales and operating costs, reduce revenues, or result in reduced 

valuations  of  the  Group’s  investment  properties  or  in  the  Group  being  unable  to  meet  in  full  its  strategic 

objectives.

Commercial Risk and Financial Risk

Risks are an integral part of normal commercial practices, and where practicable steps are taken to mitigate 

such risks. These risks are further pronounced when operating in volatile markets.

The  Group  makes  significant  investment  decisions  in  respect  of  commercial  and  residential  development 

projects  that  take  time  to  come  to  fruition  and  achieve  the  desired  returns  and  are,  therefore,  subject  to 

market risks. These risks are further pronounced when operating in volatile markets.

The Group operates in areas that are highly competitive, and failure to compete effectively in terms of price, 

product specification or levels of service can have an adverse effect on earnings as can construction risks in 

relation to new developments. Significant pressure from such competition may lead to reduced margins. The 

quality  and  safety  of  the  products  and  services  provided  by  the  Group  are  also  important  and  there  is  an 

associated risk if they are below standard.

The steps taken by the Group to manage its exposure to financial risk are set out in the Financial Review on 

pages 13 to 14 and in Note 2 to the Financial Statements on pages 25 to 28.

Regulatory and Political Risk

The Group is subject to a number of regulatory environments in the territories in which it operates. Changes 

in the regulatory approach to such matters as foreign ownership of assets and businesses, exchange controls, 

planning  controls,  tax  rules  and  employment  legislation  have  the  potential  to  impact  the  operations  and 

profitability of the Group. Changes in the political environment in such territories can also affect the Group.

Terrorism, Pandemic and Natural Disasters

A number of the Group’s interests are vulnerable to the effects of terrorism, either directly through the impact 

of an act of terrorism or indirectly through the impact of generally reduced economic activity in response to 

the threat of or an actual act of terrorism.

The Group would be impacted by a global or regional pandemic which could be expected to seriously affect 

economic activity and the ability of our business to operate smoothly. In addition, many of the territories in 

which  the  Group  is  active  can  experience  from  time  to  time  natural  disasters  such  as  earthquakes  

and typhoons.

62  Hongkong Land

Shareholder Information

Financial Calendar

2008 full-year results announced  

Share registers closed  

Annual General Meeting to be held  

2008 final dividend payable  

2009 half-year results to be announced  

5th March 2009

23rd to 27th March 2009

6th May 2009

13th May 2009

6th August 2009 *

Share registers to be closed  

31st August to 4th September 2009 *

2009 interim dividend payable  

21st October 2009 *

* Subject to change

Dividends

Shareholders  will  receive  their  dividends  in  United  States  Dollars,  unless  they  are  registered  on  the  Jersey 

branch  register  where  they  will  have  the  option  to  elect  for  sterling.  These  shareholders  may  make  new 

currency elections for the 2008 final dividend by notifying the United Kingdom transfer agent in writing by 

24th April 2009. The sterling equivalent of dividends declared in United States Dollars will be calculated by 

reference  to  a  rate  prevailing  on  29th  April  2009.  Shareholders  holding  their  shares  through  The  Central 

Depository (Pte) Limited (‘CDP’) in Singapore will receive United States Dollars unless they elect, through CDP, 

to receive Singapore Dollars.

Registrars and Transfer Agent

Shareholders  should  address  all  correspondence  with  regard  to  their  shareholdings  or  dividends  to  the 

appropriate registrar or transfer agent.

Principal Registrar
Jardine Matheson International Services Limited

P O Box HM 1068 

Hamilton HM EX 

Bermuda   

Jersey Branch Registrar 
Capita Registrars (Jersey) Limited 

12 Castle Street 

St Helier, Jersey JE2 3RT 

Channel Islands 

United Kingdom Transfer Agent 
Capita Registrars 

The Registry 

34 Beckenham Road 

Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU 

England 

Singapore Branch Registrar
M & C Services Private Limited

138 Robinson Road #17-00

The Corporate Office

Singapore 068906

Press releases and other financial information can be accessed through the Internet at www.hkland.com.

Annual Report 2008  63

 
Management and Offices

Hongkong Land Limited

Offices

Directors

A J L Nightingale  Chairman

Y K Pang  Chief Executive

G M Brown  Finance Director

R M J Chow

R Garman

Jonathan Gould

Mark Greenberg

D P Lamb

James Riley

J A Robinson

M Whitehead

R Wong

Corporate Secretary

N M McNamara

64  Hongkong Land

Hongkong Land Holdings 
Limited

Jardine House

33-35 Reid Street

Hamilton, Bermuda

Tel +1441 292 0515

Fax +1441 292 4072

E-mail: chw@jardines.com

C H Wilken

Hongkong Land Limited

Hongkong Land (Chongqing) 
Management Company Limited

4/F, Zone A, Neptune Building

No. 62 Star Light Road

New North Zone

Chongqing 401147

China

Tel +8623 6703 3016-8

Fax +8623 6703 3888

E-mail: jkwok@hklandbj.com / 

 lcf@hklandbj.com

Joe Kwok / Ling Chang Feng

One Exchange Square, 8th Floor

Representative Offices

Hong Kong
Tel +852 2842 8428

Fax +852 2845 9226

E-mail: ykp@hkland.com

Y K Pang

Hongkong Land (Singapore) 
Pte. Limited

One Raffles Quay

North Tower #31-03

Singapore 048583

Tel +65 6238 1121

Fax +65 6238 1131

E-mail: robgarman@hkland.com

Robert Garman

Hongkong Land 
(Asia Management) Limited

Suite 508, 63 Ly Thai To Building

63 Ly Thai To Street

Hanoi, Vietnam

Tel +844 3824 0753

Fax +844 3824 0769

E-mail: slam@hkland.com

Shirley Lam 

Hongkong Land (Beijing) 
Management Company Limited

Shanghai

Unit 1109C, Bund Centre

222 Yanan Road (East)

Shanghai 200002

China

Tel +8621 6335 1220

Fax +8621 6335 0100

E-mail: sko@hkland.com / 

 vsun@hkland.com

Stanley Ko / Vincent Sun

Vietnam

8/F, SATRA Dong Khoi Building

58 Dong Khoi St., District 1

Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam

Tel +848 3827 9006

Fax +848 3827 9020

E-mail: cosimo.jencks@hkland.com

Cosimo Jencks

India

Suite 202, The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower

Apollo Bunder

Mumbai 400001

India

Tel +9122 6665 3366

Fax +9122 6665 0300

Room 303, Block 26, Central Park

No. 6 Chaoyangmenwai Avenue

E-mail: handrew@hkland.com

Hugh Andrew

Chaoyang District

Beijing 100020, China

Tel +8610 6597 0921

Fax +8610 6597 0925

E-mail: jkwok@hklandbj.com

Joe Kwok

 
 
 
 
 
 
Report of the Valuers

To Hongkong Land Holdings Limited

Dear Sirs,

Revaluation of Commercial Investment Properties Held on Leases

Further to your instructions, we have valued in our capacity as external valuers the commercial investment 

properties held on leases as described in the Annual Report of Hongkong Land Holdings Limited. We are of 

the  opinion  that  the  market  value  of  the  commercial  investment  properties  held  on  leases  in  Hong  Kong, 

Singapore and Vietnam as at 31st December 2008, totalled US$13,686,700,000 (United States Dollars Thirteen 

Thousand Six Hundred Eighty Six Million and Seven Hundred Thousand).

Our valuations are prepared in accordance with the International Valuation Standards (‘IVS’) (Eighth Edition 

2007) by the International Valuation Standards Committee and The HKIS Valuation Standards on Properties by 
The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors.

We have inspected the properties without either making structural surveys or testing the services. We have 

been supplied with details of tenure, tenancies and other relevant information.

In arriving at our opinion, each property was valued individually, on market value basis, calculated on the net 

income allowing for reversionary potential, however no allowance has been made for  expenses of realisation 

or for taxation which might arise in the even of disposal.

Yours faithfully,

Jones Lang LaSalle Ltd
Hong Kong, 5th March 2009

Annual Report 2008  65

Property Portfolio

at 31st December 2008

Commercial Investment Property

Hong Kong*

Alexandra House 

Chater House 

Exchange Square 

  One Exchange Square 

  Two Exchange Square 

  Three Exchange Square 

  Podium 

  The Forum 

The Hong Kong Club Building 

Jardine House 

The Landmark 

  Gloucester Tower 

  Atrium 

  Edinburgh Tower 

  York House 

Prince’s Building 

Singapore

One Raffles Link 

Hanoi, Vietnam

Central Building 

63 L’y Thái Tô’ 

LETTABLE AREA 

Total  

Office  

Retail  

Year of  
Total  
levels   completion  

Lease

expiry

(in thousands of square feet)

372  

464  

1,476  

148  

661  

1,325  

547  

323  

418  

566  

508  

321  

–   

–   

142  

621  

470  

–   

338  

113  

402  

49  

46  

–  

–   

–   

49  

32  

6  

40  

–   

261  

143  

–  

145  

4,993  

4,222  

771

37  

33  

52  

51  

33  

3  

5  

25  

52  

48  

8  

47  

26  

29  

2899

2898

2057 **

1976  

2002  

1985

1985

1988

1985

1988

1984  

2009

1973  

2045 **

2842

1980

1980

1983

2006

1965  

2895

309  

236  

73  

10  

2000  

2095

41  

74  

37  

68  

4  

6  

9  

10  

1995  

1998  

2033

2039

115  

105  

10

*  Property in Hong Kong is almost entirely held under leases originally granted from the Crown. Under the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, 
all rights in relation to such leases will continue to be recognised and protected. All the Group’s investment properties are leasehold and directly held under these leases, 
except for an interest in the non-Club area of The Hong Kong Club Building which is held under a sub-lease from The Hong Kong Club.

** There is an option to renew these leases for a further term of 75 years.

66  Hongkong Land

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
Residential Development Property for sale

Address 

Site area 

Lease expiry

Hong Kong

The Sail at Victoria 

Tai Hang Road 

Singapore

Tierra Vue 

The Fernhill 

Waterfall Gardens 

D’Pavilion 

The Peak@Balmeg 

Hillcrest Villa 

Victoria Road 

10,735 sq. ft 

Tai Hang Road 

66,713 sq. ft 

St. Patrick’s Road 

113,471 sq. ft 

Fernhill Road/Stevens Road/Orange Grove Road 

29,168 sq. ft 

Farrer Road 

160,925 sq. ft 

Upper Serangoon Road 

46,098 sq. ft 

Balmeg Hill 

184,143 sq. ft 

2056

2113

Freehold

Freehold

Freehold

Freehold

Freehold

Hillcrest Road 

256,486 sq. ft 

2105  

Lot 6185M 9866T MK 17 

Boon Teck Road 

27,858 sq. ft 

Lots 570N, 571X, 611N, 612X & 613L TS 26 

Ewe Boon Road 

63,572 sq. ft 

Lot 4239X MK 04 

Lot 3078 MK 19 

Sixth Avenue / Jalan Haji Alias 

69,018 sq. ft 

Yishun Avenue 1 / Avenue 2 

290,080 sq. ft 

Lots 7289V, 9052L & 9053C MK 27 

Upper East Coast Road 

65,110 sq. ft 

Lot 8547P & 8550P MK 18 

Nim Road 

193,267 sq. ft 

Freehold

Freehold

Freehold

2107

Freehold

Freehold

Annual Report 2008  67

 
 
 
 
Properties in Hong Kong’s Central Business District

L

A

R

T

N

E

D   C

The 
Landmark 
Mandarin 
Oriental

  R O A

S

N ’

E

E

Q U

9

11

I

C

E

H

O

U

S

E

10

S

T

R

E

E

T

Standard
Chartered
Bank

P

E

D

D

E

R

S

T

8

R

E

E

T

S

D E

L

A

R

E N T

  R O A D   C

V O E U X

C O N N A U G H T

7

6

4

IC

E 

H

O

U

S

E S

T

R

E

E

T

1

2

Stock
Exchange

U

O

B

R

A

H

5

3

R

T

T

E

E

W   S

R   V I E

Airport Express Station

L
A
R
T
N
E
C

Hang
Seng
Bank

L

A

R

E N T

  R O A D   C

M A N   K A T   S T R E E T

D
A
O
R

S
’

N
E
E
U
Q

C

O

T

T

O

N

D

R

I

V

E

G

A

R

D

E

N

R

O

Bank of
China
Tower

A

D

D

A

O

R

Y

A

W

S

N

E

E

U

Q

Bank of
China

Chater
Garden

M

U

HSBC

L
A
R
T
N
E
D C
A
O
X R
U
E
O
S V
E
D

Legislative
Council

Statue
Square

12

D
A
O
R

Statue
Square

R
E
T
A
H
C

J

A

C

K

S

O

N

R

O

A

D

13

T
H

G

U
A
N

N

O

C

D

A

O

R

R
E
T
A

H

C

Mandarin
Oriental

L
A
R
T
N
E
C

D
A

O

R

City Hall

R

R

A

Y R

O

A

D

General
Post Office

M

A

N

Y

I

U

S

T

R

E

E

T

1  One Exchange Square
2  Two Exchange Square
3  Three Exchange Square
4  The Forum
5  Jardine House
6  Chater House
7  Alexandra House
8  Gloucester Tower
9  Edinburgh Tower
10 York House
11 The Landmark Atrium
12 Prince’s Building
13 The Hong Kong Club Building

D

A

O

T   R

U

O

C

Since the founding of Hong Kong in 1842, a quarter square mile of land in Central has been the focus of 

R

H

business, finance and Government. Today, it is also the location of Hongkong Land’s unique portfolio of 
R
A
interconnected buildings. The northern shoreline of Hong Kong Island has been reclaimed four times to 

D
A

O

R

I
U

W

G

N

U
L

create  this  area.  The  latest  major  reclamation  is  part  of  the  Hong  Kong  SAR  Government’s  far-sighted 

‘Metroplan’, which is creating new land for infrastructure to support future economic growth. Phase 1 of 

the Central and Wanchai Reclamation was started in 1993 and completed in 1998. It has provided 20 

hectares of new land contiguous with Hongkong Land’s portfolio, strengthening the focus of the Central 

business and financial district as well as adding new facilities including the Central Station of the Airport 

Railway. The new phase of the reclamation has commenced in 2003, and is expected to be completed by  

the end of 2009. It will add 18 hectares of new land to the east of Phase 1 and house the underground 

Central Wanchai Bypass and North Hong Kong Island line as well as the waterfront promenade.

The Group’s portfolio accounts for a substantial portion of the prime office space in Hong Kong’s Central 

business and financial district. Located within this area are the Hong Kong head offices of many of the 
world’s  leading  banks,  the  Stock  Exchange,  the  Legislative  Council  Building  and  the  Hong  Kong  SAR 

Central Government Offices, as well as an unequalled concentration of the world’s finest retail names.

68  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9

11

8

10

7

1

2

6

5

3

4

12

13

Beyond Central & Regional Developments

Singapore

One Raffles Link

CityLink Mall

Marina Bay Financial Centre

One Raffles Quay

Thailand

The Peak@Balmeg

Vietnam

D’Pavilion

Gaysorn

Indonesia

Macau

Central Building

63 L´y Thái Tô’

Jakarta Land

One Central

Hong Kong

Beijing

Chongqing

Shenyang

The Sail at Victoria

Tai Hang Road

Central Park

Bamboo Grove

Park Life

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited  

Jardine House  Hamilton  Bermuda

www.hkland.com

ii  Hongkong Land