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Hongkong Land Holdings Limited

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FY2010 Annual Report · Hongkong Land Holdings Limited
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Hongkong Land Holdings Limited

Annual Report 2010

www.hkland.com

Contents

Corporate Overview  

Corporate Information  

Highlights  

Chairman’s Statement 

Chief Executive’s Review 

Financial Review  

Directors’ Profiles 

Financial Statements 

Independent Auditors’ Report  

Five Year Summary 

Responsibility Statement 

Corporate Governance  

Principal Risks and Uncertainties 

Shareholder Information 

Offices 

Report of the Valuers 

Major Property Portfolio 

Properties in Hong Kong’s Central Business District 

1

2

3

4

6

13

19

20

63

64

65

66

70

71

72

73

74

76

Bronze  sculptures,  Water  Buffaloes,  by  Dame  Elisabeth  Frink  at  Marina  Bay 
Financial  Centre,  a  joint  venture  development  in  Singapore’s  new  Central 
Business District (front cover).

 
Hongkong  Land is one of Asia’s leading property investment, management and 
development  groups.  Founded  in  Hong  Kong  in  1889,  the  Group  has  interests  across  the 

region. Hongkong Land’s business is built on partnership, integrity and excellence.

In Hong Kong, the Group owns and manages some 450,000 sq. m. (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 subsidiary, MCL Land, is a significant developer.

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited is incorporated in Bermuda. It has a Premium Listing on the 

London Stock Exchange, and secondary listings 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.

Annual Report 2010  1

Corporate Information

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

Company Secretary and Registered Office
John C Lang
Jardine House 
33–35 Reid Street 
Hamilton
Bermuda

Hongkong Land Limited

Directors
A J L Nightingale Chairman
Y K Pang Chief Executive
R M J Chow
R Garman
Mark Greenberg
D P Lamb
N Leung
James Riley
J A Robinson
Giles White
John R Witt Chief Financial Officer
R Wong

Corporate Secretary
N M McNamara

2  Hongkong Land

Highlights

•	 Significant	contribution	from	residential	developments

•	 Net	assets	per	share	up	30%

•	 MCL	Land	privatised

•	 New	development	projects	in	China

Results

Underlying	profit	attributable	to	shareholders* 

810  

777  

4

Profit	attributable	to	shareholders† 

4,739   

1,813   

n/m

2010  
US$m  

2009  

US$m  

(restated)  

Change

%

Shareholders’	funds†	

Net	debt	

Underlying	earnings	per	share	

Earnings	per	share	

Dividends	per	share	

Net	asset	value	per	share	

19,457			

14,936   

2,358			

2,417   

US¢   

US¢   

36.02			

34.55   

30 

(2 )

%

4 

210.70			

80.60   

n/m

16.00			

16.00   

 – 

US$   

US$   

8.64			

6.64   

%

30

* The Group uses ‘underlying profit attributable to shareholders’ in its internal financial reporting to distinguish between ongoing business performance and non-trading 
items, as more fully described in Note 1 to the financial statements. Management considers this to be a key measure which provides additional information to enhance 
understanding of the Group's underlying business performance.

† Due to recent amendments to International Financial Reporting Standards, the Group is no longer required to provide for deferred tax on the revaluation of its investment 
properties in Hong Kong and Singapore where there is no capital gains taxation. The new policy has been applied retrospectively and the comparative figures in the 
financial statements have been restated.

Annual Report 2010  3

 
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
Chairman’s Statement

Overview

Market conditions remained favourable for the Group’s office and retail portfolio in the Central district of Hong Kong 
and  for  its  increasing  commercial  property  investments  in  Singapore.  Results  also  benefited  significantly  from 
residential developments, particularly in Singapore.

Performance

Underlying profit attributable to shareholders for 2010 was US$810 million, an increase of 4% from the record 
result  of  2009.  While  the  contribution  from  the  Group’s  commercial  portfolio  was  relatively  stable,  profit  from 
residential  activities  increased  as  two  large  projects  in  Singapore  were  completed  in  addition  to  projects  in 
Hong Kong and Macau.

Taking  into  account  the  results  of  the  independent  valuation  of  the  Group’s  investment  properties  at  
31st  December  2010,  including  the  Group’s  share  of  properties  in  joint  ventures,  the  profit  attributable  to 
shareholders was US$4,739 million, compared with US$1,813 million in 2009. As a result, the net asset value per 
share increased to US$8.64, an increase of 30% from the prior year.

Following a change in International Financial Reporting Standards, the Group is no longer required to provide for 
deferred tax on valuation gains on which no tax liability would arise. The new policy has been applied retrospectively.

The Directors are recommending a final dividend of US¢10.00 per share for 2010, providing a total dividend for 
the year of US¢16.00 per share, unchanged from 2009.

Group Review

Steady demand for office space in Hong Kong’s Central district enabled the Group to maintain rental levels on 
reversions as rents continued to increase from the lower levels seen in 2009. Vacancy in the office portfolio stood 
at 2.9% at the end of 2010, while the Group’s retail space in Central remained fully let.

In  Singapore,  demand  for  office  space  recovered  and  rents  began  to  improve  in  the  second  half  of  the  year. 
The first two towers were completed at Marina Bay Financial Centre, in which the Group has a one-third interest. 
The towers are fully let and tenants began to take occupancy during the second half of the year. Construction of 
the final office tower, which is 66% pre-let, is scheduled for completion in 2012. 

The Group’s 50%-owned joint venture in Jakarta commenced construction on a 61,000 sq. m. tower, adjacent to 
its existing office development, due for completion in 2012.

In the residential sector, MCL Land completed two projects in Singapore, Waterfall Gardens and D’Pavilion. It also 
pre-sold all the apartments at The Estuary, a development to be completed in 2013, enabling the reversal of a 
US$39  million  writedown  previously  made  in  respect  of  the  site  acquisition  cost.  The  first  residential  tower  at 
Marina Bay, which was already fully sold, was completed and the Group benefited from the profit attributable to 
its  one-third  interest.  A  second  residential  tower,  which  has  been  62%  pre-sold,  is  scheduled  for  completion  
in 2013.

4  Hongkong Land

In Hong Kong, profits were recognised on approximately one-third of the apartments at the Serenade development, 
while in Macau profits were recognised following completion of Tower 4 of the 47%-held One Central project. The 
sale of the final residential component at One Central, the branded apartments adjacent to the newly-opened 
Mandarin Oriental hotel, began in late 2010 and profits will be recognised on completion in 2011.

Profits were also recorded from the existing residential projects in mainland China; the 90%-owned Maple Place 
in Beijing and the Bamboo Grove joint venture in Chongqing. Additional units at Bamboo Grove currently under 
construction, including the project’s first high rise apartments, were released to the market and have sold well. The 
Group increased its interest in its joint venture in Shenyang from 30% to 50%. 

Hongkong Land continues to build its residential business on the Mainland. It recently acquired in joint venture a 
190,000  sq.  m.  site  for  development  in  the  Jinjiang  District  of  Chengdu,  which  will  also  include  a  commercial 
component. A 386,000 sq. m. site in Chongqing was acquired in the vicinity of its existing Bamboo Grove project, 
and is the Group’s first wholly-owned project on the Mainland. Both of these projects will be developed in phases. 

In August 2010, the Group announced its intention to privatise its 77%-owned Singapore-listed affiliate, MCL Land, 
and made an exit offer to the minority shareholders. The privatisation was completed in early 2011.

People

On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend my appreciation to the employees for their commitment, diligence 
and dedication which are essential to our continued success.

We welcomed John Witt, the new Chief Financial Officer, to the Board in April 2010.

Outlook

Commercial market conditions in Hong Kong and Singapore are expected to remain favourable in 2011, particularly 
in  Hong  Kong  where  new  supply  is  limited.  Profits  from  the  Group’s  residential  activities,  however,  will  be 
significantly lower in 2011 as there will be fewer completions compared with the previous two years. While over 
the  longer  term  demand  for  residential  projects  should  be  strong,  a  number  of  the  Group’s  markets  could  be 
affected by recent government measures to dampen sales activity.

With its strong financial position and market experience, the Group is well-placed to take advantage of future 
opportunities.

Simon	Keswick
Chairman

3rd March 2011

Annual Report 2010		5

Chief Executive’s Review

Hongkong Land again achieved a record underlying profit in 2010 due to the strong performance of its residential 

business in combination with a steady contribution from its commercial portfolio. There has also been a significant 

increase in the value of the Group’s commercial property portfolio during 2010.

Strategy

Hong Kong’s Central Portfolio
The Group’s most important investment continues to be its prime portfolio in the heart of Hong Kong’s Central 

district where it owns and manages some 450,000 sq. m. (five million sq. ft) of office and retail space. Continued 

focus  on  the  returns  from  this  portfolio  is  fundamental  to  the  ongoing  success  of  the  Group.  We  continue  to 

manage our 12 Grade A office and retail buildings as a large, integrated mixed-use development.

Luxury retail space in the Central portfolio totals 58,000 sq. m. (620,000 sq. ft). This contributes significantly to the 

prestige and convenience of the office space, which in turn attracts premium tenants. In 2010, further enhancements 

to the retail areas were begun. In the Prince’s Building, three new flagship stores were opened in 2010: Cartier, 
Alfred Dunhill and Berluti with a fourth, Van Cleef & Arpels, under construction. At the same time, the Group 

embarked on a US$20 million renovation of the retail podium, which will be completed in 2011. Restaurants are 

also  an  important  part  of  ensuring  the  ongoing  attractiveness  of  Central.  The  restaurants  introduced  into  the 

portfolio  over  the  past  few  years  continue  to  perform  well,  attracting  customers  both  during  the  day  and  in 

the evenings.

Our intention is to continue to upgrade the office space throughout the portfolio, ensuring it remains the most 

prestigious within Hong Kong. At the same time, we will seek to grow our rental yields, recognising the desirability 

of both the space and the quality of service which is Hongkong Land’s mandate to provide to each of its tenants.

Central portfolio tenant profile by area occupied (%)

2005

2005

2010

2010

40

21

9

6

4

4

Banks and other 
40
financial services

Banks and other 
financial services

Legal

21

Legal

Accounting

9

Accounting

Governments

6

Governments

Property

Trading

4

4

Property

Trading

40

26

9

5

5

3

Banks and other 
40
financial services

Banks and other 
financial services

Legal

26

Legal

Accounting

9

Accounting

Governments

5

Governments

Property

Trading

5

3

Property

Trading

16

Others

16

Others

12

Others

12

Others

6  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Top five office tenants 

(in alphabetical order)

Top five retail tenants 

(in alphabetical order)

at 31st December 2010

at 31st December 2010

Credit Suisse

Fortis Bank

JPMorgan

KPMG

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Dickson Concepts

Giorgio Armani

Gucci

Louis Vuitton

Richemont Group

Commercial Property Investments in Asia
Over the past few years, the Group has extended its commercial property interests outside of Hong Kong. Expansion 

has been based both on the Group’s strong financial position and its reputation for providing the highest quality 
space and service to its tenants. The principal focus has been in Singapore where the Group now has attributable 

interests of 164,000 sq. m., including the third tower of Marina Bay Financial Centre which is due for completion 

in 2012. In 2010, the first two towers of Marina Bay Financial Centre opened and are fully let.

Also,  in  2010,  the  Group’s  50%-owned  joint  venture  in  Jakarta  commenced  construction  within  its  existing 

office development of a 61,000 sq. m., 30-storey tower, which is due for completion in 2012. This will be the 

best-of-class  building  in  the  market,  targeting  premium  tenants,  particularly  from  the  financial  services  sector. 

The office space of the building is already 51% pre-let.

We continue to look for attractive high-quality commercial projects throughout Asia which will offer development 

profits as well as providing investments to be held for long-term returns including capital appreciation.

Residential Developments
Based on the Group’s experience throughout Asia, a strong and profitable residential business has been established. 

While our ongoing investment in this activity is significantly smaller than our commercial business, the residential 

projects enhance the Group’s overall profits and returns on capital.

Annual returns from residential developments fluctuate due to both the nature of the projects and the accounting 

policy  of  only  recognising  profits  on  sale  at  completion.  During  the  past  two  years,  the  Group’s  results  have 

benefited  significantly  from  gains  on  residential  developments.  The  profit  contribution  from  this  sector  will, 

however, be lower in the coming years due to the timing of project completions. Ongoing reinvestment is necessary 

to continue to build this income stream over the longer term, and in 2010 we acquired new sites in the Chinese 

cities of Chongqing and Chengdu.

Annual Report 2010  7

Chief Executive’s Review

Review of Commercial Property

Hong Kong
In  Hong  Kong,  the  Group  benefited  from  favourable  market  conditions.  Demand  was  relatively  consistent 

throughout the year, from both existing tenants looking for additional space and from new companies. Demand 

for office space is positively correlated with overall economic activity, which was strong throughout 2010. Financial 

institutions, law firms and accounting firms continue to account for approximately 75% of the office tenants in 

the Central portfolio.

Office vacancy at the end of 2010 was 2.9%, a decrease from 4.4% at the end of 2009. In 2010, the average rent 

across the office portfolio was HK$84.3 per sq. ft compared with HK$84.0 per sq. ft a year earlier. Being able to 

maintain the average rent level was a pleasing result as spot rents in 2009 were significantly lower than in 2007 

when  many  of  the  leases  coming  up  for  renewal  or  rent  review  in  2010  were  agreed.  There  was  a  significant 

increase in spot rents in 2010 which enabled the Group to achieve neutral rental reversions. Looking forward, 

further increases in rents will be necessary if we are to continue to achieve at least neutral reversions as 2010 
spot rents remained below the levels achieved in mid-2008, the last market peak. While this will partially depend 

on overall economic sentiment, the supply of new office space, particularly in Central, over the next few years 

is  anticipated  to  be  limited.  The  overall  vacancy  of  Hong  Kong  Grade  A  office  space  at  31st  December  2010 

was 4.7%.

In  respect  of  the  Group’s  retail  space,  we  finished  the  year  with  100%  occupancy  at  an  average  retail  rent  of 

HK$137.1 per sq. ft, a 4% increase over the 2009 average of HK$132.1 per sq. ft. Retail sales for the Group’s 

tenants were strong in 2010.

Long-term  capital  appreciation  also  has  an  important  impact  on  the  Group.  During  the  year,  the  value  

of  the  Group’s  Hong  Kong  portfolio  increased  by  22%,  based  on  independent  valuations  performed  at  

31st  December  2010.  The  total  value  of  the  portfolio  is  now  US$17.3  billion.  This  was  due  to  rising  rents  as 

capitalisation rates or equivalent yields remained stable from a year earlier.

Central portfolio

at 31st December 2010 

Office 

Retail

Capital value (US$m) 

14,064 

3,236 *

Gross revenue (US$m) 

562 

174 *

Equivalent yield (%) 

– One and Two Exchange Square 

– The Landmark Atrium 

Average unexpired term of leases (years) 

Area subject to renewal/review in 2011 (%) 

* includes hotel

4.50 

3.9 

24 

4.50

2.7

25

8  Hongkong Land

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

10.84

10.85

8.52

6.33

5.48

5.24

5.08

4.69

4.83

4.04

3.78

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Singapore
While the contribution from the Group’s Singapore commercial property investments was modest in comparison 

with the well-established Hong Kong portfolio, it continued to grow as we began to benefit from the completion 

(cid:23)(cid:24)

of the first two office towers of Marina Bay Financial Centre, in which the Group has a one-third interest. The 

(cid:23)(cid:22)

contribution will continue to increase in 2011 as the tenants of the buildings progressively occupied the buildings 

(cid:30)

(cid:22)

only  from  October  onwards.  Construction  of  Tower  3,  the  largest  tower  at  Marina  Bay  Financial  Centre  with 

122,000 sq. m., is underway with completion expected in 2012. This tower is now 66% let with DBS Bank as the 

(cid:28)

largest tenant.

(cid:26)

Generally, conditions in the Singapore office market improved steadily throughout 2010. This was the result of a 

(cid:24)

‘flight to quality’ as tenants looked to upgrade their offices. In addition, there was demand from new or expanding 

companies  in  the  market,  particularly  from  the  financial  services  sector.  This  demand  for  high-quality  Grade  A 

office space, particularly in the Central Business District, has reduced significantly the fears of oversupply which 

were present at the beginning of 2010. As a result, overall rent levels have firmed.

Both One Raffles Link, which is 100% owned by the Group, and One Raffles Quay, which is one-third owned, 

remained fully let.

Other Commercial Property Investments
In Macau, the retail centre at our 47%-owned joint venture project, One Central, has now been opened for just 

over one year and is well-established as the most prestigious shopping venue in the city. The retail mall of some 

20,000  sq.  m.  features  the  world’s  leading  luxury  brands.  The  centre  is  now  81%  occupied  with  space  only 

remaining on the third floor. The hotel component, a 213-room Mandarin Oriental hotel, opened in June 2010, 

further complementing this mixed-use complex.

In Jakarta Land, the Group’s 50%-owned joint venture currently owns and manages some 80,000 sq. m. of space 

in three buildings located prominently in Jakarta’s Central Business District. These are 96% let. A fourth tower, now 

under construction, is expected to be completed in 2012.

Annual Report 2010  9

Chief Executive’s Review

The  performance  of  the  Group’s  other  commercial  investment  properties  in  Hanoi,  Bangkok  and  Bermuda  has 

generally  been  satisfactory.  The  two  buildings  in  Hanoi,  each  approximately  70%  owned,  remained  fully  let  at 

premium rents to the market. In Bangkok, the performance of the Group’s 49%-owned retail and office complex, 

Gaysorn Plaza, suffered in the first half of the year due to significant civil disturbances, although there has been 

some recovery in the second half. In Bermuda, Jardine Gibbons Property, in which Hongkong Land has a 40% 

interest, owns four fully-let commercial buildings in the centre of Hamilton.

Review of Residential Property

2010 was again an active year for our residential property business which achieved record results.

Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, the Group completed the 97-unit Serenade project and benefited from the profits from 33 units 

which were sold and handed over to buyers before the end of the year. Further units have subsequently been 
released and sold, and these completions will occur in 2011. The release of the remaining units for sale will depend 

on market conditions.

Macau
At  the  successful  One  Central  joint  venture  project  in  Macau,  most  of  the  68  units  of  Tower  4  were  sold  and 

handed over to buyers in 2010. Sales of The Residences and Apartments at Mandarin Oriental, which are located 

in the hotel tower, began late in the year and all but 19 units have been sold. Completion of these sales will take 

place  in  2011  and  the  profits  recognised  accordingly.  This  is  the  final  phase  of  our  residential  development  at 

One Central.

Singapore
Our residential businesses in Singapore enjoyed an excellent year. In general, the market conditions were strong, 

although overall sales activity had begun to be affected by the various measures introduced by the government to 

cool the market.

At MCL Land, two projects were completed. Waterfall Gardens was a project of 132 apartments, all of which had 

been pre-sold prior to completion. D’Pavilion which was completed in the second half of the year featured 50 

apartments which were also fully sold.

MCL Land launched a 608-unit apartment project called The Estuary, which was fully pre sold in the first half of 

the year. Completion is anticipated in 2013. MCL Land has three other development sites now under construction 

in Singapore.

In  addition,  MCL  Land  has  five  development  sites  in  Singapore  with  a  gross  floor  area  of  approximately  

100,000  sq.  m.  that  are  at  various  stages  of  planning  approval,  including  a  development  site  at  Hougang  

Avenue 2 which was acquired in 2010 for US$157 million.

Following  the  completion  of  the  US$160  million  privatisation  of  MCL  Land  in  early  2011,  our  intention  is  to 

maintain the strategy and operations of the company.

10  Hongkong Land

The Group’s second residential interest in Singapore is its one-third investment in the residential component at 

Marina  Bay.  During  2010,  the  first  phase  of  this,  Marina  Bay  Residences,  was  completed.  While  all  428  luxury 

apartments and penthouses were previously sold, the profit was only recognised on completion in the first half 

of 2010.

Construction of the second and final phase of the project, called Marina Bay Suites, is now well underway. This 

phase, which is expected to be completed in 2013, consists of 221 units over an area of some 45,000 sq. m. 

Approximately 62% of the units have been sold at attractive prices, and the joint venture will release the balance 

of the units for sale at a later date.

Mainland China
The Group’s residential business continues to progress well with developments in Chongqing, Chengdu, Shenyang 

and Beijing.

In Chongqing, the largest city in Central China, the Group now has three projects.

At  Bamboo  Grove,  our  first  project  in  the  city,  the  Group’s  50%-owned  joint  venture  with  Longfor  Properties, 

completed Phase 3A in the second half of 2010 which consisted of 261 townhouses. Only the two show units 

remained unsold. Construction of the next phases, Phase 3B and Phase 4, are now underway. In Phase 3B, 143 

units are expected to be completed in the second half of 2011 which have all been pre-sold. In Phase 4A, 667 units 

will be completed of which 656 units have been pre-sold.

On completion, the Bamboo Grove development will comprise some 1.4 million sq. m. of mainly residential space, 

including villas, townhouses and high-rise apartments. Of this, 340,000 sq. m. have already been developed and 

sold and 300,000 sq. m. are now under construction. 

The Group’s second project in Chongqing is Landmark Riverside at Dan Zishi, a joint venture with China Merchants 

Group established in late 2009. During 2010, work commenced on the master plan for this 34 hectare site which 

will consist of approximately 1.5 million sq. m. of residential and some prime retail space. Like Bamboo Grove, this 

site will be developed in a number of phases.

In  December  2010,  Hongkong  Land  acquired  a  third  project  in  the  city,  for  US$445  million.  The  project,  at 

Zhaomushan, is near the core area of the new Two-River New Area, which is in the vicinity of the Bamboo Grove 

development. The project consists of a site of almost 386,000 sq. m. for mainly residential development with a 

small portion of retail. The total developable area is approximately 880,000 sq. m. and will also be developed in a 

number of phases. This is the Group’s first wholly-owned development on the Mainland. 

In 2010, the Group also established its first project in Chengdu in a 50%-owned joint venture with KWG Property 

Holding Group. The project consists of a site of approximately 190,000 sq. m. which will be used for the development 

of residential and commercial properties. The cost of the site was US$594 million. The total developable area is 

approximately  900,000  sq.  m.  Preliminary  plans  are  that  65%  will  consist  of  residential,  including  serviced 

apartments for strata-sale, while 35% will be commercial, including office, retail and a hotel. 

Annual Report 2010  11

Chief Executive’s Review

In Shenyang, work continued at our three residential projects in the city, which are located to the north and south 

of the Central Business District. In 2010, the Group increased its interest in these projects from 30% to 50% for 

US$80 million. (Further consideration may be payable if the return from the projects exceeds a 12.9% investment 

return.) Construction work and sales activities have begun on two of the projects, Park Life and One Capitol.

In Beijing, at the Group’s 90%-owned project, Maple Place, we completed the sales of 76 units. A further 133 units 

consisting of villas, townhouses and apartments with a total area of 32,000 sq. m. are available for future sale. Our 

intention remains to refurbish and sell these units only gradually. Most of the units are currently leased.

At Central Park, our 40%-owned joint venture with the Vantone Group continues to hold 72 apartments which 

are being operated as serviced apartments.

Conclusion

Over the past two years, the Group has achieved record underlying profits. This has been due primarily to the 
significant number of residential units completed during the period. In the next few years, the contribution from 

our residential activity will decrease as the number of completions will decline significantly. Nonetheless, in 2010, 

we have made new investments to create future profit opportunities for the Group. While various measures by 

governments around Asia may dampen activity in the shorter-term, we remain convinced of the strong underlying 

demand for residential units as the Asian economies continue to prosper.

At the same time, the Group’s commercial portfolio remains well-placed to benefit from the continued, positive 

economic  conditions  throughout  the  region,  particularly  in  Hong  Kong  due  to  the  limited  new  supply  of  

high-quality office space.

Overall, the Group with its excellent financial position, its experience throughout Asia and its group of talented 

professionals, is well-placed to capitalise on emerging opportunities.

Y K Pang
Chief Executive

3rd March 2011

12  Hongkong Land

 
Financial Review

Accounting Policies

The  Directors  continue  to  review  the  appropriateness  of  the  accounting  policies  adopted  by  the  Group  having 

regard  to  developments  in  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (‘IFRS’).  The  accounting  policies  are 

consistent with those of the previous year, except that the Group has adopted, effective 1st January 2010, the 

amendments to International Accounting Standard (‘IAS’) 12 Income Taxes made by the International Accounting 

Standards Board in December 2010 (which are mandatory from 1st January 2012 onwards). The consequence of 

this is that the Group is no longer required to provide for deferred tax on the revaluation of its investment properties 

in Hong Kong and Singapore where there is no taxation of capital gains. This is more fully detailed in the ‘basis of 

preparation’ note in the financial statements.

Results

Underlying Profit
The Group’s underlying profit attributable to shareholders in 2010 was US$810 million (or US¢36.02 on an earnings 
per share basis) which can be analysed between the contribution from Commercial Property, the contribution from 

Residential Property and unallocated expenses, which include corporate costs, net financing charges and tax. Each 

of these items includes the Group’s share of results from its joint ventures.

Commercial property 

Residential property 

Corporate costs, net financing charges and tax 

Minority interests 

Underlying profit attributable to shareholders 

Underlying earnings per share 

2010  
US$m  

686  
483  
(313 ) 
(46 ) 

810  

US¢  

36.02  

2009
US$m

665

434

(278 )

(44 )

777

US¢

34.55

In 2010, the contribution from Commercial Property increased by 3% to US$686 million. Rental revenues from the 
Group’s  Hong  Kong  portfolio  were  stable  as  the  average  rent  per  square  foot  across  the  office  portfolio  was 

relatively constant throughout the year due to largely neutral rental reversions. Retail rents increased modestly.

The contribution from the Group’s growing commercial property investments in Singapore rose by approximately 

11% largely due to new rental income from the Group’s one-third interest at Marina Bay Financial Centre which 

began to be occupied in the second half of the year. In 2011, the Group will benefit from a full 12 months of rental 

income from the first two towers of this complex. The contribution from the remaining tower under construction 

is expected from 2012 onwards.

Annual Report 2010  13

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
Financial Review

The  contribution  from  Residential  Property  increased  by  11%  to  US$483  million.  In  2010,  the  most  significant 

source of profits was from Singapore. At MCL Land, two projects were completed, Waterfall Gardens (132 units) 

and  D’Pavilion  (50  units),  both  of  which  were  largely  pre-sold  prior  to  or  during  construction.  In  addition,  the 

Group benefited from a US$51 million (US$39 million after minority interests) reversal of a writedown previously 

made in respect of The Estuary development following the successful launch of the project in 2010 during which 

all units were pre-sold. The Group continues to carry writedowns of US$146 million made in 2008 in respect of 

other developments projects owned by MCL Land.

Also  in  Singapore,  there  was  a  significant  contribution  from  the  completion  of  the  Marina  Bay  Residences  

(428 units), a project which was one-third owned by the Group. All of these units had been previously sold.

Profits were also derived from sales of 33 units of the 97-unit Serenade development in Hong Kong which were 

completed in 2010 as well as from sales at the Group’s various projects on the Mainland, namely the 90%-owned 

Maple Place in Beijing (76 units), and the 50%-owned Bamboo Grove in Chongqing (295 units).

In 2009, the contribution of US$434 million came from the completion of The Sail at Victoria (84 units), the first 

six residential towers at One Central Macau (710 units) and ongoing sales at Bamboo Grove (929 units). In addition, 

in Singapore, MCL Land completed three projects, Tierra Vue (129 units), The Fernhill (25 units) and Hillcrest Villa 

(161 units).

Net financing charges in 2010, including the Group’s share of net financing charges within joint ventures, increased 

to US$95 million from US$69 million in 2009. This was principally due to the decline in interest income in the year 

as a result of lower deposit rates in 2010 compared with the prior year. The average interest rate on Group deposits 

was 0.7% in 2010 compared with 1.9% in 2009. The average interest rate on Group borrowings was 2.8% in 

2010, the same rate as in 2009.

The Group’s underlying tax charge, including the Group’s share of joint ventures, increased to US$163 million from 

US$158 million in 2009 as a result of the higher profit contribution. The Group’s effective tax rate was 16.0% 

(2009: 16.1%).

Non-Trading Gains
In 2010, the Group had non-trading gains of US$3.9 billion compared with US$1.0 billion in 2009. These arose on 

revaluations of the Group’s investment properties, including its share of joint ventures, which were performed at 

31st December 2010 by independent valuers. As the Group adopted the amendments to IAS 12 Income Taxes, no 

provision for deferred tax was required on the revaluations of its investment properties in Hong Kong and Singapore 

where  there  is  no  capital  gains  taxation.  The  new  policy  has  been  applied  retrospectively  and  the  comparative 

figures in the financial statements have been restated.

The most significant increase in valuations came from the Group’s Hong Kong portfolio in Central. This increased 

in value by 22% to US$17.3 billion (2009: US$14.2 billion) as a result of increasing rents. Capitalisation rates or 

equivalent yields were unchanged from those used in the valuations as at 31st December 2009.

14  Hongkong Land

Cash Flows
The Group’s consolidated cash flows are summarised as follows:

2010  
US$m  

2009
US$m

Operating activities
Operating profit, excluding non-trading items 

Net interest paid 

Tax paid 

Dividends received from joint ventures 

Purchase of residential sites  

Other 

Investing activities 
Major renovations capex 

Funding of joint ventures 
Additional 20% interest purchased in Shenyang joint venture 

Loan repayments from joint ventures  

Other 

Financing activities 
Dividends paid by the Company 

Purchase of additional interest in MCL Land 

Other 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at 1st January 

Cash and cash equivalents at 31st December 

881  
(52 ) 
(170 ) 
272  
(454 ) 
213  

690  

(34 ) 
(213 ) 
(80 ) 
275  
(2 ) 

(54 ) 

(358 ) 
(160 ) 
23  

(495 ) 

141  
1,225  

1,366  

815

(32 )

(53 )

12

–

161

903

(30 )

(373 )
–

68

(84 )

(419 )

(292 )

–

(84 )

(376 )

108

1,117

1,225

In 2010, cash flows from operating activities were US$690 million, compared with US$903 million in 2009. The 

decrease  was  primarily  due  to  the  acquisition  of  new  residential  sites.  In  2010,  the  Group’s  subsidiaries  paid 

US$454 million (2009: nil) for new residential sites. The sites acquired were MCL Land’s Hougang Avenue 2 site in 

Singapore,  for  US$157  million  and  a  site  in  Zhaomushan,  Chongqing  for  which  US$297  million  was  paid  in 

December 2010 out of the total site cost of US$445 million.

Under  investing  activities,  in  2010,  the  Group  had  outlays  of  US$54  million  (2009:  US$419  million).  Investing 

activities included US$34 million of capital expenditure related to major renovations, principally in respect of the 

Hong Kong Central portfolio; US$213 million to fund construction at both the Group’s one-third owned Marina 

Bay  Financial  Centre  project  in  Singapore  and  the  Group’s  various  joint  venture  projects  in  China;  and  

US$80 million for the purchase of an additional 20% interest in the Shenyang joint venture. Investing activities in 

2009  included  US$373  million  to  fund  construction  at  various  joint  ventures  in  Singapore,  Macau  and  China; 

US$42  million  for  the  purchase  of  an  additional  55%  interest  in  Maple  Place  in  Beijing;  and  US$38  million  to 

purchase shares in Longfor Properties Co. Ltd., the Group’s joint venture partner in Bamboo Grove, Chongqing at 

the time of its initial public offering in Hong Kong.

Annual Report 2010  15

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
Financial Review

Finally, under investment activities, the Group received US$275 million (2009: US$68 million) of loan repayments 

from joint ventures, including US$228 million from One Raffles Quay following a refinancing.

Under financing activities, the Company paid dividends of US$358 million, reflecting the final 2009 dividend of 

US¢10.00 per share and the 2010 interim dividend of US¢6.00 per share. Also, the Group spent US$160 million 

on purchasing an additional 22.6% interest in MCL Land pursuant to its privatisation and exit offer to the minorities. 

This was completed in early 2011 and MCL Land is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hongkong Land.

The Group’s year end cash and cash equivalents totalled US$1.4 billion (2009: US$1.2 billion).

At 31st December 2010, the Group’s net debt was US$2.4 billion, unchanged from US$2.4 billion at the beginning 

of the year.

Dividends

The  Board  is  recommending  a  final  dividend  of  US¢10.00  per  share  for  2010  (2009:  US¢10.00  per  share)  for 
a  full  year  dividend  of  US¢16.00  per  share  (2009:  US¢16.00  per  share).  The  final  dividend  will  be  payable  on 

18th May 2011, subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 11th May 2011, to shareholders 

on the register of members at the close of business on 18th March 2011. No scrip alternative is being offered in 

respect of the dividend.

Treasury Policy

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 in respect of costs. The investment of the Group’s cash balances is managed 

so as to minimise risk while seeking to enhance yield.

The  Group’s  Treasury  operations  are  managed  as  cost  centres  and  are  not  permitted  to  undertake  speculative 

transactions  unrelated  to  underlying  financial  exposures.  Appropriate  credit  guidelines  are  in  place  to  manage 

Year-end debt summary

US$ convertible bonds 

US$ bonds 

US$ bank loans 

HK$ bank loans 

S$ bonds 

S$ bank loans 

Gross debt 

Cash 

Net debt 

2010 
US$m 

373 
1,153 
1 
1,278 
293 
627 

3,725 
1,367 

2009
US$m

368

1,156

2

866

503

748

3,643

1,226

2,358 

2,417

counterparty credit risk.

Net debt as a percentage  

of equity

Net debt 

Equity

21%

17%

19%

16%

12%

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

16  Hongkong Land

20000

15000

10000

5000

0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
When economically sensible to do so, borrowings are taken in local currencies to hedge foreign currency exposures 

on investments. A portion of borrowings is denominated in fixed rates. Adequate headroom in committed facilities 

is maintained to facilitate the Group’s capacity to pursue new investment opportunities.

Funding

The Group is well-financed, with gearing of 12% (2009: 16%) and strong liquidity. This decrease was due to the 

higher shareholders’ funds resulting from the increase in value of investment properties. Interest cover, calculated 

as the underlying operating profits, including the Group’s share of joint ventures’ operating profits, divided by net 

financing charges including the Group’s share of joint ventures’ net financing charges, was strong at 11.7 times 

(2009: 15.3 times).

In September 2010, Moody’s upgraded its rating of Hongkong Land Holdings Limited to A3 while Standard & 

Poor’s A- rating of the Group was the result of an upgrade in February 2010.

During the year, the Group raised US$1.1 billion under the Group’s US$3.0 billion guaranteed medium-term note 

or MTN programme, with maturities from 10 to 30 years. Included in this, was the Group’s first public issue under 

the MTN programme in September of US$600 million in 15-year notes which was well-received by the market. This 

US$600 million will be used to refinance US$600 million of bonds which come due in May of this year. The only 

other significant refinancing in 2011 is a US$621 million, Singapore dollar denominated, syndicated facility expiring 

in December. Of this, only US$254 million was drawn at the end of 2010.

Following  the  issuance  of  the  longer-dated  debt  in  2010,  the  average  tenor  of  the  Group’s  debt,  excluding 

the  7%  United  States  Dollar  bonds  due  in  May  2011  which  have  already  been  refinanced,  is  now  5.2  years  

(2009: 3.4 years).

At  the  end  of  2010,  the  Group  had  total  committed  lines  of  approximately  US$6.0  billion,  51%  of  which  

was  sourced  from  the  capital  markets  with  the  remaining  49%  from  banks.  Of  this,  the  Group  had  drawn  

US$3.7  billion  leaving  US$2.3  billion  of  committed,  but  unused  facilities.  Adding  the  Group’s  year-end  cash 

balances, the Group had overall liquidity at 31st December 2010 of US$3.6 billion.

Debt profile as at 

31st December 2010 (%)

Interest
rate

62

38

Fixed

Floating 

Currency

Maturity

65

25

10

HK$

S$

US$

33

32

11

23

> 5 years

2-5 years

1-2 years

<1  year

Maturity of committed facility  

as at 31st December 2010 (US$m)

1,751

1,240

1,250

1,165

577

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015 &
beyond

Annual Report 2010  17

(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)

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

(cid:30)(cid:22)

(cid:28)(cid:22)

(cid:26)(cid:22)

(cid:24)(cid:22)

(cid:22)

 
Financial Review

Gross Assets

The  Group’s  gross  assets,  including  its  share  of  joint  ventures,  (excluding  cash  balances)  is  analysed  below,  by 

activity and by location.

By activity (%)

91

9

Commercial

Residential

By location (%)

79

15

Hong Kong

South East Asia

4

2

Mainland China

Macau

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

A review of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group is set out on page 70.

John R Witt
Chief Financial Officer

3rd March 2011

18  Hongkong Land

Directors’ Profiles

Simon Keswick Chairman

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

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

re-appointed in 1989. He joined the Jardine Matheson group in 1962 and 

is also chairman of Dairy Farm and Mandarin Oriental, and a director of 

Jardine Lloyd Thompson, Jardine Matheson and Jardine Strategic. 

Sir Henry Keswick 
Sir  Henry  first  served  on  the  Board  of  the  Group’s  holding  company 
between 1970 and 1975 and was re-appointed a Director in 1988. He is 
chairman of Jardine Matheson, having first joined the group in 1961, and 
is  also  chairman  of  Jardine  Strategic.  He  is  a  director  of  Dairy  Farm, 
Mandarin Oriental and Rothschilds Continuation. He is also vice chairman 
of the Hong Kong Association.

A J L Nightingale* Managing Director
Mr Nightingale joined the Board and was appointed as Managing Director 
in 2006. He has served in a number of executive positions since joining the 
Jardine  Matheson  group  in  1969.  He  is  chairman  of  Jardine  Cycle  & 
Carriage,  Jardine  Matheson  Limited,  Jardine  Motors  and  Jardine  Pacific, 
and a commissioner of Astra. He is also managing 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 member of the Commission on 
Strategic  Development,  a  member  of  the  Committee  on  Strategic 
Enhancement of Hong Kong as an International Financial Centre, a vice 
president  of  The  Real  Estate  Developers  Association  of  Hong  Kong,  a 
council  member  of  the  Employers’  Federation  of  Hong  Kong,  a  Hong 
Kong representative to the APEC Business Advisory Council and a member 
of Chongqing Mayor’s International Economic Advisory Council. He is also 
chairman of The Sailors Home and Missions to Seamen in Hong Kong.

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 
chairman of Jardine Matheson (China) Limited and a director of Jardine 
Matheson Limited. He is also vice chairman of the Employers’ Federation 
of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.

John R Witt* Chief Financial Officer
Mr Witt joined the Board as Chief Financial Officer in April 2010. He is a 
Chartered Accountant and has an MBA from INSEAD. He has been with 
the Jardine Matheson group since 1993 during which time he has held a 
number  of  senior  finance  positions.  Most  recently,  he  was  the  chief 
financial officer of Mandarin Oriental. 

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  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

R C Kwok
Mr  Kwok  is  a  Chartered  Accountant  and  has  been  a  Director  of  the 
Group’s  holding  company  since  1981.  He  joined  the  Jardine  Matheson 
group in 1964 and is a director of Jardine Matheson Limited, Dairy Farm, 
Jardine Matheson, Jardine Strategic and Mandarin Oriental.

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. 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 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  Holding,  Northern 
Trust Global Services 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. 

James Watkins 
Mr Watkins joined the Board in 2009. He was a director and group general 
counsel of Jardine Matheson from 1997 to 2003. Mr Watkins qualified as 
a solicitor in 1969 and was formerly a partner of Linklaters. He is also a 
director  of  Advanced  Semiconductor  Manufacturing  Corporation,  Asia 
Satellite Telecommunications Holdings, Global Sources, IL&FS India Realty 
Fund II, Jardine Cycle & Carriage and Mandarin Oriental.

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. He is chairman of Corney and Barrow.

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

* Executive Director

Jardine  Strategic,  Central  Development  and  a  number  of  property  and 

investment companies.

Annual Report 2010  19

Consolidated Profit and Loss Account

for the year ended 31st December 2010

Underlying   
business   
performance   

2010 

Non-   
trading   
items   

US$m  

US$m  

Underlying   
business   
performance   

US$m  

Total   

US$m  

2009

Non-
trading

items   

US$m  

Total

US$m

(restated)   

(restated)   

(restated)

1,340.6  

(459.2 ) 

881.4  

–  

–  

–  

–  

3,197.6  

1,340.6  
(459.2 ) 

1,322.6  

(508.1 ) 

–  

–  

–  

1,322.6

(508.1 )

814.5

881.4  
3,197.6  

814.5  

–  

1,000.6  

1,000.6

–  

0.1  

0.1  

–  

(8.4 ) 

(8.4 )

881.4  

3,197.7  

4,079.1  

814.5  

992.2  

1,806.7

(112.3 ) 
35.2  

(77.1 ) 

173.9  

–  
–  

–  

731.4  

(112.3 ) 
35.2  

(77.1 ) 
905.3  

(110.0 ) 
58.0  

(52.0 ) 

177.8  

–  
–  

–  

47.2  

(110.0 )
58.0

(52.0 )

225.0

978.2  

3,929.1  

(122.8 ) 

0.7  

4,907.3  
(122.1 ) 

940.3  

1,039.4  

1,979.7

(120.3 ) 

0.4  

(119.9 )

855.4  

3,929.8  

4,785.2  

820.0  

1,039.8  

1,859.8

810.2  

3,929.2  

45.2  

0.6  

4,739.4  
45.8  

777.1  

1,035.9  

1,813.0

42.9  

3.9  

46.8

855.4  

3,929.8  

4,785.2  

820.0  

1,039.8  

1,859.8

US¢   

210.70  
202.30  

US¢

80.60

77.92

Revenue 

Net operating costs 

Change in fair value of investment properties 

Asset impairment provisions, reversals  

  and disposals 

Operating profit 

Financing charges 
Financing income 

Net financing charges 

Share of results of associates and joint ventures 

Profit before tax 

Tax 

Profit after tax 

Attributable to:

Shareholders of the Company 

Minority interests 

Earnings per share 

  – basic 

  – diluted 

Note 

5 

6 

11 

11 

7 

8 

9 

10

20  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the year ended 31st December 2010

Profit for the year 

Revaluation of properties 

Revaluation of other investments 

Net actuarial gain on employee benefit plans 

Net exchange translation differences 

Cash flow hedges

  – net loss arising during the year 

  – transfer to profit and loss 

Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures 

Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income 

Other comprehensive income for the year 

Note 

12 

2010  
US$m  

2009

US$m

(restated)

4,785.2  

1,859.8

–  
11.0  
0.2  
59.1  

(17.1 ) 
7.2  

(9.9 ) 
80.8  
1.1  

142.3  

83.3

8.5

4.0

15.0

(7.1 )

(1.4 )

(8.5 )

7.6

(0.8 )

109.1

Total comprehensive income for the year 

4,927.5  

1,968.9

Attributable to:

Shareholders of the Company 

Minority interests 

4,870.4  
57.1  

1,920.4

48.5

4,927.5  

1,968.9

Annual Report 2010  21

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
Note 

12

13 

14 

15 

16 

18 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

21 

15 

20 

22 

At 31st December 

At 1st January

2010  
US$m  

2009  

US$m  

(restated)  

2009

US$m

(restated)

18,036.0  
4.2  

18,040.2  
3,177.7  
59.2  
7.1  
10.6  
51.5  

14,817.7  

3.9  

14,821.6  

2,352.2  

46.4  

3.9  

10.0  

56.7  

13,702.7

14.8

13,717.5

1,840.6

–

4.5

6.1

101.9

21,346.3  

17,290.8  

15,670.6

1,184.4  
245.1  
1,366.7  

787.1  

315.3  

1,226.1  

838.9

289.2

1,119.0

2,796.2  

2,328.5  

2,247.1

(723.4 ) 
(859.7 ) 
(69.2 ) 

(687.1 ) 

(245.9 ) 

(120.6 ) 

(1,652.3 ) 

(1,053.6 ) 

1,143.9  
(2,864.8 ) 
(54.8 ) 
(93.1 ) 

1,274.9  

(3,397.5 ) 

(46.2 ) 

(50.5 ) 

(668.8 )

(95.4 )

(58.2 )

(822.4 )

1,424.7

(3,624.1 )

(41.2 )

(26.8 )

19,477.5  

15,071.5  

13,403.2

225.1  
19,231.5  

19,456.6  
20.9  

224.9  
14,711.2  

14,936.1  

135.4  

224.9
13,083.2

13,308.1

95.1

19,477.5  

15,071.5  

13,403.2

Consolidated Balance Sheet

at 31st December 2010

Net operating assets
Tangible assets 

Investment properties 

  Others 

Associates and 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 3rd March 2011

A J L Nightingale
Y K Pang
Directors

22  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

for the year ended 31st December 2010

Share   
capital   

US$m  

Note 

Attributable to shareholders of the Company 

Share   
premium   

Revenue   
reserves   

Capital   
reserves   

Hedging   
reserves   

Exchange   
reserves   

Attributable
    to minority   
interests   

Total   

US$m  

US$m  

US$m  

US$m  

US$m  

US$m  

US$m  

Total
equity

US$m

2010
At 1st January

  – as previously reported 

  – change in accounting  

  policy for deferred tax 

224.9  

–   12,332.5  

63.4  

(7.4 ) 

142.5   12,755.9  

135.4   12,891.3

–  

–  

2,172.1  

–  

–  

8.1  

2,180.2  

–  

2,180.2

  – as restated 

224.9  

–   14,504.6  

63.4  

(7.4 ) 

150.6   14,936.1  

135.4   15,071.5

Total comprehensive income 

Dividends paid by the 

 Company 

23 

Dividends paid to minority 

 shareholders 
Issue of shares 

Change in interests in 

 subsidiaries 

Transfer 

–  

–  

–  
0.2  

–  

–  

–  

4,750.6  

–  

(359.9 ) 

–  
5.3  

–  

–  

–  
–  

4.5  

0.9  

–  

–  

–  
–  

–  

(0.9 ) 

(8.8 ) 

128.6  

4,870.4  

57.1  

4,927.5

–  

–  
–  

–  

–  

–  

(359.9 ) 

–  

(359.9 )

–  
–  

–  

–  

–  
5.5  

(8.1 ) 
–  

(8.1 )
5.5

4.5  

(163.5 ) 

(159.0 )

–  

–  

–

At 31st December 

225.1  

5.3   18,900.7  

62.5  

(16.2 ) 

279.2   19,456.6  

20.9   19,477.5

2009

At 1st January

  – as previously reported 

224.9  

–   10,901.9  

63.4  

1.2  

121.9   11,313.3  

95.1   11,408.4

  – change in accounting  

  policy for deferred tax 

–  

–  

1,986.7  

–  

–  

8.1  

1,994.8  

–  

1,994.8

  – as restated 

224.9  

–   12,888.6  

63.4  

1.2  

130.0   13,308.1  

95.1   13,403.2

Total comprehensive income 

Dividends paid by the 

   Company 

23 

Dividends paid to minority 

 shareholders 

New subsidiary 

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

1,908.4  

–  

(292.4 ) 

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

(8.6 ) 

20.6  

1,920.4  

48.5  

1,968.9

–  

–  

–  

–  

(292.4 ) 

–  

(292.4 )

–  

–  

–  

–  

(6.0 ) 

(2.2 ) 

(6.0 )

(2.2 )

At 31st December 

224.9  

–   14,504.6  

63.4  

(7.4 ) 

150.6   14,936.1  

135.4   15,071.5

The  comprehensive  income  included  in  revenue  reserves  comprises  profit  attributable  to  shareholders  of  US$4,739.4  million   

(2009: US$1,813.0 million), net fair value gain on other investments of US$11.0 million (2009: US$8.5 million) and net actuarial gain  

on employee benefit plans of US$0.2 million (2009: US$3.3 million).

Annual Report 2010  23

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

for the year ended 31st December 2010

Operating activities
Operating profit 

Depreciation 

Fixed assets written off 

Writeback of provision for development properties held for sale 

Change in fair value of investment properties 

Asset impairment provisions, reversals and disposals 

(Increase)/decrease 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 from associates and joint ventures 

Cash flows from operating activities 

Investing activities
Major renovations expenditure 

Developments capital expenditure 

Purchase of a subsidiary 

Investments in and loans to associates and joint ventures 

Purchase of other investments 

Cash flows from investing activities 

Financing activities
Drawdown of borrowings 

Repayment of borrowings 

Change in interests in subsidiaries 

(Repayment to)/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 in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at 1st January 

Note 

6 

6 

24 

2010  
US$m  

4,079.1  
1.1  
–  
(50.9 ) 
(3,197.6 ) 
(0.1 ) 
(296.6 ) 
79.3  
26.1  
38.2  
(90.2 ) 
(169.7 ) 
271.7  

690.4  

(34.6 ) 
(0.2 ) 
–  
(17.9 ) 
(2.0 ) 

(54.7 ) 

1,404.2  
(1,380.6 ) 
(159.9 ) 
(11.1 ) 
(358.2 ) 
(7.8 ) 

(513.4 ) 
18.4  

140.7  
1,225.0  

2009

US$m

(restated)

1,806.7

1.6

1.5

–

(1,000.6 )

8.4

152.4

(34.3 )

41.4

62.3

(94.6 )

(53.1 )

11.6

903.3

(29.5 )

(4.4 )

(42.0 )

(305.2 )

(37.9 )

(419.0 )

456.3

(541.4 )

–

3.8

(292.2 )

(6.0 )

(379.5 )

3.1

107.9

1,117.1

Cash and cash equivalents at 31st December 

24 

1,365.7  

1,225.0

24  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

1  Principal Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation

The  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. The financial statements have been 

prepared under the historical cost convention except as disclosed in the accounting policies below.

Standards, amendments and interpretations effective in 2010 which are relevant to the Group’s operations

Amendments to IFRS 2 

Group Cash-settled Share-based Payment Transactions

Amendment to IAS 39 

Eligible Hedged Items

IFRIC 17 

IFRIC 18 

Distributions of Non-cash Assets to Owners

Transfers of Assets from Customers

Improvements to IFRSs (2009)

The amendments to IFRS 2 ‘Group Cash-settled Share-based Payment Transactions’ incorporate the guidance provided in IFRIC 8 ‘Scope of  

IFRS 2’ and IFRIC 11 ‘IFRS 2 – Group and Treasury Share Transactions’ and expand on the guidance in IFRIC 11 to address the classification 

of group arrangements that were not covered by that interpretation.

The  amendment  to  IAS  39  ‘Eligible  Hedged  Items’  gives  additional  guidance  on  the  designation  of  a  hedged  item  and  how  hedged 

accounting should be applied in particular situations.

IFRIC 17 ‘Distribution of Non-cash Assets to Owners’ 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 values 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 and loss.

IFRIC 18 ‘Transfers of Assets from Customers’ addresses the accounting by recipients for transfers of property, plant and equipment from 

customers  and  concludes  that  when  an  item  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  transferred  meets  the  definition  of  an  asset  from  the 

perspective of the recipient, the recipient should recognise the asset at its fair value on the date of transfer, with the credit being recognised 

as revenue in accordance with IAS 18 ‘Revenue’.

IAS 17 (amendment) ‘Leases’ is part of the 2009 improvement project. It specifies that a land lease may be classified as a finance lease when 

significant risks and rewards associated with the land are transferred to the lessee despite there being no transfer of title at the end of the 

lease term.

IFRS 5 (amendment) ‘Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations’ is part of the 2009 improvement project. It clarifies 

that the disclosure requirements in IFRSs other than IFRS 5 do not apply to non-current assets (or disposal groups) classified as held for sale 

of discontinued operations unless those IFRSs require (i) specific disclosures in respect of non-current assets (or disposal groups) classified 

as held for sale or discontinued operations, or (ii) disclosures about measurement of assets and liabilities within a disposal group that are 

not within the scope of the measurement requirement of IFRS 5 and the disclosures are not already provided in the consolidated financial 

statements.

IAS 1 (amendment) ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’ is part of the 2009 improvement project. It clarifies that the potential settlement 

of a liability by the issue of equity is not relevant to its classification as current or non-current.

IAS 36 (amendment) ‘Impairment of Assets’ is part of the 2009 improvement project. It clarifies that the largest cash-generating unit (or 

group of units) to which goodwill should be allocated for the purposes of impairment testing is an operating segment, as defined by 

paragraph 5 of IFRS 8.

IFRIC 16 (amendment) ‘Hedges of a Net Investment in a Foreign Operation’ is part of the 2009 improvement project. It states that in a 

hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation, qualifying hedging instruments may be held by any entity or entities within the Group, 

including the foreign operation itself, as long as the designation, documentation and effectiveness requirements of IAS 39 that relate to a 

net investment hedge are satisfied.

The adoption of the above standards, amendments and interpretations does not have a material impact on the Group’s accounting policies.

Annual Report 2010  25

Notes to the Financial Statements

1  Principal Accounting Policies continued

Basis of preparation continued

Amended standard early adopted by the Group

Amendments to IAS 12 

Deferred Tax: Recovery of Underlying Assets

The amendments to IAS 12 (effective from 1st January 2012) provides that the measurement of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax 

assets arising from investment properties which are measured using the fair value model in IAS 40 should reflect a rebuttable presumption 

that the carrying amount of the underlying asset will be recovered through sale.

The  early  adoption  of  the  amendments  to  IAS  12  has  resulted  in  a  change  in  accounting  policy  on  the  provision  of  deferred  tax  on 

revaluation of investment properties. Previously, provision for deferred tax was made at the income tax rates on the revaluation of, and the 

tax bases of, investment properties held under operating leases on the basis that their values would be recovered through use rather than 

through  sale.  In  accordance  with  the  amendments,  deferred  tax  is  provided  at  the  income  tax  rates  on  allowances  claimed  on  these 

properties and at the capital gains tax rates on the valuation in excess of cost. As the Group’s long leasehold investment properties are 

located in Hong Kong and Singapore where sales of a capital nature in excess of cost are not taxable, deferred tax liabilities relating to 

investment properties have been reduced significantly. This change in accounting policy has been accounted for retrospectively and the 

comparative financial statements have been restated.

Effects of change in accounting policy on the adoption of amendments to IAS 12:

a)  On the consolidated profit and loss account for the year ended 31st December

Increase in share of results of associates and joint ventures 

Decrease in tax 

Increase in profit after tax 

Attributable to:

Shareholders of the Company 

Increase in basic earnings per share 

Increase in diluted earnings per share 

b)  On the consolidated balance sheet at 31st December

2010 

2009 

2008 

26  Hongkong Land

2010  
US$m  

 110.5   
528.2   

 638.7   

2009

US$m

 2.6 

 169.3 

 171.9 

638.7   

 171.9 

US¢  

28.39   

27.14   

US¢

 7.64 

 7.30 

Increase in assets 

Associates  

and joint  

ventures  

US$m  

(Increase)/decrease 

in equity/liabilities

Revenue  

and other  

reserves  

US$m  

Deferred

tax

liabilities

US$m

 166.5   

 (2,821.9 ) 

2,655.4

 47.0   

43.1   

(2,180.2 ) 

 2,133.2

(1,944.8 ) 

1,951.7

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
1  Principal Accounting Policies continued

Basis of preparation continued

Standards, amendments and interpretations effective after 2010 which are relevant to the Group’s operations and yet to be 
adopted

IFRS 9 

Revised IAS 24 

Financial Instruments

Related Party Disclosures

Amendment to IAS 32 

Classification of Right Issues

Amendments to IFRIC 14 

Prepayments of a Minimum Funding Requirement

IFRIC 19 

Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments

Improvements to IFRSs (2010)

IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’ (effective from 1st January 2013) is the first part of a project to replace IAS 39. It addresses the classification 

and measurement of financial assets. IFRS 9 is likely to affect the Group’s accounting for its financial assets. The Group will apply IFRS 9 

from 1st January 2013 and is yet to assess IFRS 9’s full impact.

Revised  IAS  24  ‘Related  Party  Disclosures’  (effective  from  1st  January  2011)  supersedes  IAS  24  (as  revised  in  2003).  It  simplifies  the 

disclosure requirements for government-related entities and clarifies the definition of a related party. The Group will apply IAS 24 and 

provide the required disclosure from 1st January 2011.

Amendment to IAS 32 ‘Classification of Rights Issues’ (effective from 1st February 2010) clarifies that rights issues are equity instruments 

when  they  are  denominated  in  a  currency  other  than  the  issuer’s  functional  currency  and  are  issued  pro-rata  to  an  entity’s  existing 

shareholders for a fixed amount of currency. The Group will apply amendment to IAS 32 from 1st January 2011. To date, the Group has 

not entered into any arrangements that would fall within the scope of the amendments.

Amendments  to  IFRIC  14  ‘Prepayments  of  a  Minimum  Funding  Requirement’  (effective  from  1st  January  2011)  require  an  entity  to 

recognise an asset for a prepayment that will reduce future minimum funding contributions required by the entity. The Group will apply 

amendments to IFRIC 14 from 1st January 2011, but it is not expected to have any significant impact on the results of the Group.

IFRIC 19 ‘Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments’ (effective from 1st July 2010) provides guidance on the application of 

IAS 39 and IAS 32 when an entity issues its own equity instruments to extinguish all or part of a financial liability. The Group will apply  

IFRIC 19 from 1st January 2011 and is in the process of making an assessment of the impact of this interpretation.

The Improvements to IFRSs (2010) comprise a number of non-urgent but necessary amendments to IFRSs. The amendments which are 

relevant  to  the  Group’s  operations  include  IFRS  3  (amendment)  ‘Business  Combinations’,  IFRS  7  (amendment)  ‘Financial  Instruments: 

Disclosures’, IAS 1 (amendment) ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’, IAS 34 (amendment) ‘Interim Financial Reporting’ and IFRIC 13 

(amendment) ‘Customer Loyalty Programmes’. The adoption of these amendments is not expected to have any significant impact on the 

results of the Group.

IFRS 3 (amendments) ‘Business Combinations’ (effective from 1st July 2010) clarify the transition requirements for contingent consideration 

from business combination that occurred before the effective date of the revised IFRS, the measurement of non-controlling interests and 

unreplaced and voluntarily replaced share-based payment awards. The Group will apply the amendments from 1st January 2011.

IFRS 7 (amendments) ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosures’ (effective from 1st January 2011) emphasize the interaction between qualitative 

and quantitative disclosures and the nature and extent of risks associated with financial instruments. The Group will apply the amendments 

from 1st January 2011.

IAS 1 (amendments) ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’ (effective from 1st January 2011) clarify that entities may present the required 

reconciliations for each component of other comprehensive income either in the statement of changes in equity or in the notes to the 

financial statements. The Group will apply the amendments from 1st January 2011.

IAS 34 (amendments) ‘Interim Financial Reporting’ (effective from 1st January 2011) provide guidance to illustrate how to apply disclosure 

principles in IAS 34 and add disclosure requirements around the circumstances likely to affect fair values of financial instruments and their 

classification, transfers of financial instruments between different levels of fair value hierarchy, changes in classification of financial assets 

and changes in contingent liabilities and assets. The Group will apply the amendments from 1st January 2011.

IFRIC 13 (amendment) ‘Customer Loyalty Programmes’ (effective from 1st January 2011) clarifies that when the fair value of award credits 

is measured on the basis of the value of the awards for which they could be redeemed, the fair value of the award credits should take 
account of expected forfeitures as well as the discounts or incentives that would otherwise be offered to customers who have not earned 

award credits from an initial sale. The Group will apply the amendment from 1st January 2011.

Annual Report 2010  27

Notes to the Financial Statements

1  Principal Accounting Policies continued

Basis of preparation continued

The principal operating subsidiaries, associates 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.  The  consolidated  financial 

statements are presented in United States dollars.

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

Basis of consolidation

i)   The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries, and its associates and joint 

ventures.

ii)  Subsidiaries are entities over which the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies. The purchase method of 

accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group. The cost of an acquisition includes the fair value at the 

acquisition date of any contingent consideration. In a business combination achieved in stages, the Group remeasures its previously 

held interest in the acquiree at its acquisition-date fair value and recognised the resulting gain or loss in profit and loss. Changes in a 

parent’s ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in the loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions. When 

control over a previous subsidiary is lost, any remaining interest in the entity is remeasured at fair value and the resulting gain or loss is 

recognised in profit and loss. 

All material intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised surpluses and deficits on transactions between Group companies have 

been  eliminated.  The  cost  of  and  related  income  arising  from  shares  held  in  the  Company  by  subsidiaries  are  eliminated  from 

shareholders’ funds and minority interests, and profit respectively.

iii)  Associates are entities, not being subsidiaries or joint ventures, over which the Group exercises significant influence. Joint ventures are 

entities which the Group jointly controls with one or more other venturers. Associates and joint ventures are included on the equity 

basis of accounting.

iv)  Minority interests represent the proportion of the results and net assets of subsidiaries and their associates and joint ventures not 

attributable to the Group.

v)  The results of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures are included or excluded from their effective dates of acquisition or disposal 

respectively. The results of entities other than subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures are included to the extent of dividends received 

when the right to receive such dividend is established.

Foreign currencies

Transactions in foreign currencies are accounted for at the exchange rates ruling at the transaction dates.

Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, together with all other monetary assets and liabilities expressed in foreign 

currencies, are translated into United States dollars at the rates of exchange ruling at the year end. Results expressed in foreign currencies 

are translated into United States dollars at the average rates of exchange ruling during the year, which approximate the exchange rates at 

the dates of the transactions.

Exchange  differences  arising  from  the  retranslation  of  the  net  investment  in  foreign  subsidiaries,  associates  and  joint  ventures,  and  of 

financial instruments which are designated as hedges of such investments, are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated 

in equity under exchange reserves. On the disposal of these investments which results in the loss of control, such exchange differences are 

recognised in profit and loss. Exchange differences on available-for-sale investments are recognised in other comprehensive income as part 

of the gains and losses arising from changes in their fair value. Exchange differences relating to changes in the amortised cost of monetary 

securities classified as available-for-sale and all other exchange differences are recognised in profit and loss.

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.

28  Hongkong Land

1  Principal Accounting Policies continued

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. For the purpose of assessing impairment, assets are 

grouped at the lowest level for which there is separately identifiable cash flows. Cash-generating units or groups of 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. 

Intangible assets

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, associate or joint venture at the effective date of acquisition. Minority interests are measured at their proportionate 

share of the net identifiable assets at the acquisition date. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets acquired, the 

difference  is  recognised  directly  in  profit  and  loss.  Goodwill  on  acquisitions  of  subsidiaries  is  included  in  intangible  assets.  Goodwill  

on  acquisitions  of  associates  and  joint  ventures  is  included  in  investment  in  associates  and  joint  ventures.  Goodwill  is  allocated  to  

cash-generating units or groups of cash-generating units for the purpose of impairment testing and is carried at cost less accumulated 

impairment loss.

The  profit  or  loss  on  disposal  of  subsidiaries,  associates  and  joint  ventures  includes  the  carrying  amount  of  goodwill  relating  to  the  

entity sold.

Tangible fixed assets and 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 estimated useful lives are  

as follows:

Furniture, equipment and motor vehicles 

3 – 10 years

Where 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.

Investment properties

Properties including those under operating leases which are held for long-term rental yields or capital gains are classified and accounted 

for as investment properties, but the business model does not necessarily envisage that the properties will be held for their entire useful 

life. Investment properties are carried at fair value, representing estimated open market value determined annually by independent qualified 

valuers  who  have  recent  experience  in  the  location  and  category  of  the  investment  property  being  valued.  The  market  value  of  each 

property is calculated on the discounted net rental income allowing for reversionary potential. Changes in fair value are recognised in profit 

and loss.

Investments

i) 

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 recognised in other comprehensive income. On the 

disposal of an investment or when an investment is determined to be impaired, the cumulative gain or loss previously deferred in equity 

is recognised in profit and loss. Held-to-maturity investments are shown at amortised cost. Investments are classified under non-current 

assets unless they are expected to be realised within twelve months after the balance sheet date.

ii)  At each balance sheet date, the Group assesses whether there is objective evidence that an investment is impaired. In the case 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.

iii)  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 investment.

Annual Report 2010  29

Notes to the Financial Statements

1  Principal Accounting Policies continued

Leases

Leases are classified as finance leases when the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee. 

All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Properties for sale

Properties for sale, which comprise land and buildings held for resale, are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The cost of 

properties for sale comprises land cost, and construction and other development costs.

Debtors

Debtors,  excluding  derivative  financial  instruments,  are  measured  at  amortised  cost  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 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 amount previously written off are credited to profit and loss.

Debtors with maturities greater than twelve months after the balance sheet date are classified under non-current assets.

Cash and cash equivalents

For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents comprise deposits with banks, and bank and cash balances, net of 

bank overdrafts. In the balance sheet, bank overdrafts are included in current borrowings.

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.

Borrowings and borrowing costs

Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. In subsequent periods, borrowings are stated at amortised 

cost using the effective interest method.

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 bond. The remainder of the proceeds is allocated to the conversion option which is recognised and included in shareholders’ funds.

Borrowing costs relating to major development projects are capitalised until the asset is substantially completed. Capitalised borrowing 

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

Borrowings are classified under non-current liabilities unless they are due to be settled within twelve months after the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax

Deferred tax is provided, using the liability method, for all temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and 

their carrying values. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the balance 

sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred tax asset is realised or the deferred tax liability is settled.

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 value of the net assets acquired and their tax base. Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences associated with 

investments in subsidiaries, associates 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 foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets relating to the 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.

30  Hongkong Land

1  Principal Accounting Policies continued

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 profit and loss 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 other 

comprehensive income in the year in which they occur.

The Group’s total contributions relating to the defined contribution plans are charged to profit and loss in the year to which they relate.

Non-current assets held for sale

Non-current assets are classified as assets held for sale and stated at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell if their 

carrying amount is recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use.

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 remeasured 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 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 a net investment in a foreign entity.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges and that are highly effective, are recognised in 

profit and loss, 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 hedged item for which the effective interest method is used is amortised to profit and loss over the residual period 

to maturity.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges and that are highly effective, are recognised in 

other  comprehensive  income  and  accumulated  in  equity  under  hedging  reserves.  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 hedging reserves 

are transferred from hedging reserves and included in the initial measurement of the cost of the asset or liability. Otherwise, amounts 

deferred in hedging reserves are transferred to profit and loss in the same periods during which the hedged firm commitment or forecast 

transaction affects profit and loss. 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 reserves at that time remains in the hedging reserves and is recognised when 

the committed or forecast transaction ultimately is recognised in profit and loss. When a committed or forecast transaction is no longer 

expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss that was reported in hedging reserves is immediately transferred to profit and loss.

Certain derivative transactions, while providing effective economic hedges under the Group’s 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 profit and loss.

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 reserves; the gain or loss relating to the 

ineffective portion is recognised immediately in profit and loss.

The fair value 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 or liabilities are greater than twelve months after the balance sheet date.

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 resources embodying economic benefits will 
be required to settle the obligations.

Annual Report 2010  31

Notes to the Financial Statements

1  Principal Accounting Policies continued

Non-trading items

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

classified as non-trading items include fair value gains or losses on revaluation of investment properties; gains and losses arising from the 

sale  of  businesses,  investments  and  investment  properties;  impairment  of  non-depreciable  intangible  assets  and  other  investments; 

provisions for the closure of businesses; acquisition-related costs in business combinations; and other credits and charges of a non-recurring 

nature that require inclusion in order to provide additional insight into underlying business performance.

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share are calculated on profit attributable to 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.

Dividends

Dividends proposed or declared after the balance sheet date are not recognised as a liability at the balance sheet date.

Revenue recognition

Revenue  is  measured  at  the  fair  value  of  the  consideration  received  and  receivable  and  represents  amounts  receivable  for  goods  and 

services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts and sales related taxes.

i)  Revenue from sale of properties is recognised on the transfer of significant risks and rewards of ownership, which generally coincides 

with the time when the properties are delivered to customers.

ii)  Receipts under operating leases are accounted for on an accrual basis over the lease terms.

iii)  Revenue from rendering of services is recognised when services are performed, provided that the amount can be measured reliably.

iv)  Dividend income is recognised when the right to receive payment is established.

2  Financial Risk Management

Financial risk factors

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk and price 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 the financial impact of 

fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates and to minimise the Group’s financial risks. The Group uses derivative financial 

instruments, principally interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts as appropriate for hedging transactions and managing 

the  Group’s  assets  and  liabilities  in  accordance  with  the  Group’s  financial  risk  management  policies.  Financial  derivative  contracts  are 

executed between third party banks and the Group entity that is directly exposed to the risk being hedged. Certain derivative transactions, 

while providing effective economic hedges under the Group’s 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 profit and loss. 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 2010 are disclosed in Note 25.

32  Hongkong Land

2  Financial Risk Management continued

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.

Entities in the Group use forward foreign exchange contracts in a consistent manner to hedge firm and anticipated foreign exchange 

commitments and manage their foreign exchange risk arising from future commercial transactions. 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.  Group  companies  are  required  to  manage  their  foreign  exchange  risk 

against their functional currency. Foreign currency borrowings are 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.

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. At 31st December 2010, there are no significant monetary balances held by group companies that are denominated 

in a non-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.  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 40% to 60% of its gross borrowings in fixed rate instruments with an average tenor of two to three years. At 

31st December 2010, the Group’s interest rate hedge was 62% (2009: 52%) with an average tenor of six years (2009: three years). 

The interest rate profile of the Group’s borrowings after taking into account hedging transactions are set out in Note 21.

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 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.

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 rate to floating rate. 

At 31st December 2010, 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$7 million (2009: US$5 million) higher/lower, and hedging reserve would have been US$45 million 

(2009: US$22 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. 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 of the hedged item caused by interest rate movements balance out in profit 

and loss against changes in the fair value of the hedging instruments. 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 calculation of profit after tax sensitivities. 

Changes in the market interest rate of financial instruments that were designated as hedging instruments in a cash flow hedge to 

hedge  payment  fluctuations  resulting  from  interest  rate  movements  affect  the  hedging  reserves  and  are  therefore  taken  into 

consideration in the equity-related sensitivity calculations.

Annual Report 2010  33

Notes to the Financial Statements

2  Financial Risk Management continued

Financial risk factors continued

Price risk

The Group is exposed to securities price risk because of listed investments which are available for sale and held by the Group at fair 

value. Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of available-for-sale investments are recognised in other comprehensive 

income. The performance of the Group’s listed and unlisted available-for-sale investments are monitored regularly, together with an 

assessment  of  their  relevance  to  the  Group’s  long  term  strategic  plans.  Details  of  the  Group’s  available-for-sale  investments  are 

contained in Note 14.

Available-for-sale investments are unhedged. At 31st December 2010, if the price of listed and unlisted available-for-sale investments 

had been 25% higher/lower with all other variables held constant, total equity would have been US$15 million (2009: US$12 million) 

higher/lower. The sensitivity analysis has been determined based on a reasonable expectation of possible valuation volatility over the 

next 12 months. 

ii)  Credit risk

The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to deposits with banks, credit exposures to customers and derivative financial instruments 

with a positive fair value. The Group has credit policies in place and the exposures to these credit 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  2010,  100%  (2009:  100%)  of  deposits  and  balances  with  banks  were  made  to 

institutions with credit ratings of no less than A3 (Moody’s). Similarly transactions involving derivative financial instruments are with 

banks with sound credit ratings and capital adequacy ratios. In developing countries it may be 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.

In respect of credit exposures to customers, the Group has policies in place to ensure that investment properties are let principally to 

corporate companies with appropriate credit history. Rental deposits in the form of cash or bank guarantee are usually received from 

tenants. The Group receives progress payments from sales of residential properties to individual customers prior to the completion of 

transactions. In the event of default by customers, Group companies undertake legal proceedings to recover the property. Amounts 

due from associates and joint ventures are generally 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 18 and totals US$33 million 

(2009: US$66 million). The Group’s exposure to credit risk arising from exposure to derivative financial instruments with a positive fair 

value is disclosed in Note 18 as a component of other debtors and totals US$55 million (2009: US$64 million). The Group’s exposure 

to credit risk arising from deposits and balances with banks is set out in Note 19 and totals US$1,367 million (2009: US$1,226 million).

iii)  Liquidity risk

Prudent liquidity risk management includes managing the profile of debt maturities and funding sources, maintaining sufficient cash 

and marketable securities, and ensuring the availability of funding from an adequate amount of committed credit facilities and the 

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

At  31st  December  2010,  total  available  borrowing  facilities  amounted  to  US$6,184  million  (2009:  US$5,291  million)  of  which 

US$3,725 million (2009: US$3,643 million) was drawn down. Undrawn committed facilities, in the form of revolving credit and term 

loan facilities, totalled US$2,262 million (2009: US$1,463 million).

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 20, 21 and 25.

34  Hongkong Land

2  Financial Risk Management continued

Capital management

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.

The Group actively and regularly reviews and manages its capital structure to ensure optimal capital structure and shareholder returns, 

taking into consideration the future capital requirements 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.

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 equity. Net debt is calculated as total borrowings less bank balances. Interest cover is calculated as 

underlying operating profit including the Group’s share of operating profit within joint ventures divided by net financing charges including 

the Group’s share of net financing charges within joint ventures. The Group does not have a defined gearing or interest cover benchmark 

or range. 

The ratios at 31st December 2009 and 2010 are as follows:

Gearing ratio (%) 

Interest cover (times) 

2010 

2009

12 

12 

16

15

The decrease in gearing ratio at 31st December 2010 is largely a result of higher investment properties valuations. The decrease in interest 

cover for the year then ended as compared to 2009 is primarily due to higher net financing charges.

Fair value estimation

i)  Financial instruments that are measured at fair value

For financial instruments that are measured at fair value in the balance sheet, the corresponding fair value measurements are disclosed 

by level of the following fair value measurement hierarchy:

a)  Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (‘quoted prices in active markets’)

The fair value of listed securities, which are classified as available-for-sale, is based on quoted prices in active markets at the balance 

sheet date. The quoted market price used for listed investments held by the Group is the current bid price.

b) 

Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly (‘observable 

current market transactions’)

The fair value of interest rate swaps is 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.

c) 

Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (‘unobservable inputs’)

The fair value of unlisted securities, which are classified as available-for-sale, is determined using valuation techniques by reference 

to observable current market transactions or the market prices of the underlying investments with certain degree of entity specific 

estimates.

ii)  Financial instruments that are not measured at fair value

The fair values of current debtors, bank balances, current creditors and current borrowings are assumed to approximate their carrying 

amounts 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.

Annual Report 2010  35

 
Notes to the Financial Statements

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  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.

Acquisition of subsidiary, associates and joint ventures

The initial accounting on the acquisition of subsidiary, associates and joint ventures involves identifying and determining the fair values to 

be assigned to the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the acquired entities. The fair values of leasehold land, tangible 

assets and investment properties are determined by independent valuers by reference to market prices or present value of expected net 

cash flows from the assets. Any changes in the assumptions used and estimates made in determining the fair values, and management’s 

ability to measure reliably the contingent liabilities of the acquired entity will impact the carrying amount of these assets and liabilities.

Investment properties

The fair values of investment properties are determined by independent valuers on an open market for existing use basis calculated on the 

discounted 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.

Impairment of assets

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 available-for-sale equity investment is 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 flows.

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 determination is uncertain during the ordinary 

course of business. Where the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences 

will impact the income tax and deferred tax provisions in the period in which such determination is made.

Provision of deferred tax follows the way management expects to recover or settle the carrying amount of the related assets or liabilities, 

which the management may expect to recover through use, sale or combination of both. Accordingly, deferred tax will be calculated at 

income  tax  rate,  capital  gains  tax  rate  or  combination  of  both.  There  is  a  rebuttable  presumption  in  International  Financial  Reporting 

Standards that investment properties measured at fair value are recovered by sale. Thus, deferred tax on revaluation of investment properties 

held by the Group are calculated at the capital gains tax rate.

Recognition of deferred tax assets, which principally relate to tax losses, depends on the management’s expectation of future taxable profit 

that will be available against which the tax losses can be utilised. The outcome of their actual utilisation may be different. 

36  Hongkong Land

3  Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgements continued

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/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.

Non-trading items

The Group uses underlying business performance in its internal financial reporting to distinguish between the underlying profits and non-

trading items. The identification of non-trading items requires judgement by management.

Annual Report 2010  37

Notes to the Financial Statements

4 

Segmental Information

Operating  segments  are  identified  on  the  basis  of  internal  reports  about  components  of  the  Group  that  are  regularly   

reviewed by the Board for the purpose of resource allocation and performance assessment. The Group operates in two operating 

segments  namely  Commercial  Property  and  Residential  Property.  No  operating  segments  have  been  aggregated  to  form  the 

reportable segments.

Revenue 

Operating profit 

2010  
US$m   

2009  

US$m   

2010  
US$m   

2009  

US$m   

By business
Commercial property 

Residential property 

Corporate, net financing charges and tax 

Change in fair value of investment properties 

Asset impairment provisions, reversals and disposals 

775.3  
565.3  
–  

1,340.6  
–  
–  

759.8  

562.8  

–  

1,322.6  

–  

–  

649.0  
287.1  
(54.7 ) 

881.4  
3,197.6  
0.1  

638.2  

227.7  

(51.4 ) 

814.5  

1,000.6  

(8.4 ) 

Underlying profit
attributable to shareholders 

Segment assets 

Segment liabilities

2010  
US$m   

684.5  
432.5  
(306.8 ) 

810.2  
–  
–  

2009  

US$m   

664.0  

384.3  

(271.2 ) 

777.1  

–  

–  

2010  
US$m   

2009  

US$m   

18,047.7  
1,465.4  
–  

19,513.1  
–  
–  

14,851.0  

1,117.2  

–  

15,968.2  

–  

–  

2010  
US$m   

(309.2 ) 
(440.3 ) 
–  

(749.5 ) 
–  
–  

2009

US$m

(260.1 )

(418.9 )

–

(679.0 )

–

–

1,340.6  

1,322.6  

4,079.1  

1,806.7  

810.2  

777.1  

19,513.1  

15,968.2  

(749.5 ) 

(679.0 )

By geographical location
Greater China 

Southeast Asia and others 

Corporate, net financing charges and tax 

Operating profit 

Results of associates and joint ventures 

Net financing charges and tax 

935.9  
404.7  
–  

834.4  

488.2  

–  

3,821.3  
312.5  
(54.7 ) 

1,781.1  

77.0  

(51.4 ) 

761.7  
355.3  
(306.8 ) 

861.3  

187.0  

(271.2 ) 

18,081.6  
1,431.5  
–  

14,772.0  

1,196.2  

–  

(385.3 ) 
(364.2 ) 
–  

(395.0 )

(284.0 )

–

1,340.6  

1,322.6  

4,079.1  

1,806.7  

810.2  

777.1  

19,513.1  

15,968.2  

(749.5 ) 

(679.0 )

4,079.1  
905.3  
(199.2 ) 

1,806.7  

225.0  

(171.9 ) 

Segment assets and liabilities 

Investments in associates and joint ventures 

Unallocated assets and liabilities  

19,513.1  
3,177.7  
1,451.7  

15,968.2  

2,352.2  

1,298.9  

(749.5 ) 
–  
(3,915.5 ) 

(679.0 )

–

(3,868.8 )

Profit after tax 

4,785.2  

1,859.8  

Total assets and liabilities 

24,142.5  

19,619.3  

(4,665.0 ) 

(4,547.8 )

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

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

38  Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2010  39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

5 

Revenue

Rental income 

Service income 

Sales of properties 

2010  
US$m  

681.8  
102.2  
556.6  

2009

US$m

669.0

95.4

558.2

1,340.6  

1,322.6

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

Total contingent rents included in rental income amounted to US$9.9 million (2009: US$7.5 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 

Net Operating Costs

Cost of sales 

Other income 

Administrative expenses 

The following credits/(charges) are included in net operating costs:

Cost of properties for sale recognised as expense 

Operating expenses arising from investment properties 

Reversal of writedown on developement properties held for sale 

Depreciation of tangible assets (see Note 12) 

Staff costs

  – salaries and benefits in kind 

  – defined contribution pension plan 
  – defined benefit pension plan (see Note 16) 

The number of employees at 31st December 2010 was 1,144 (2009: 1,104).

40  Hongkong Land

2010  
US$m  

598.8  
376.3  
402.2  
76.3  

2009

US$m

588.7

399.8

308.1

75.5

1,453.6  

1,372.1

2010  
US$m  

(382.6 ) 
5.0  
(81.6 ) 

(459.2 ) 

(309.4 ) 
(124.1 ) 
50.9  
(1.1 ) 

(73.9 ) 
(2.3 ) 
–  

(76.2 ) 

2009

US$m

(437.8 )

2.2

(72.5 )

(508.1 )

(318.8 )

(119.0 )

–

(1.6 )

(69.9 )

(2.3 )
(0.5 )

(72.7 )

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
7 

Net Financing Charges

Interest expenses

  – Bank loans and overdrafts 

  – Other borrowings 

Total interest expenses 

Interest capitalised 

Commitment and other fees 

Financing charges 

Financing income 

2010  
US$m  

(24.1 ) 
(80.4 ) 

(104.5 ) 
2.7  

(101.8 ) 
(10.5 ) 

(112.3 ) 
35.2  

(77.1 ) 

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

8 

Share of Results of Associates and Joint Ventures

By business
Commercial property

  – Operating profit 

  – Net financing charges 

  – Tax 

  – Net profit 

Residential property

  – Operating profit 

  – Net financing charges 

  – Tax 

  – Minority interests 

  – Net profit 

Underlying business performance 

Non-trading items:

Change in fair value of investment properties (net of deferred tax)

  – Commercial property 

  – Residential property 

Asset impairment provisions, reversals and disposals 

2010  
US$m  

37.2  
(14.0 ) 
(2.6 ) 

20.6  

196.1  
(4.2 ) 
(37.8 ) 
(0.8 ) 

153.3  

173.9  

722.4  
9.0  

731.4  
–  

731.4  

905.3  

2009

US$m

(35.6 )

(67.5 )

(103.1 )

8.2

(94.9 )

(15.1 )

(110.0 )

58.0

(52.0 )

2009

US$m

27.1

(11.2 )

(1.3 )

14.6

206.2

(5.3 )

(36.5 )

(1.2 )

163.2

177.8

50.8

0.6

51.4

(4.2 )

47.2

225.0

The share of revenue of associates and joint ventures was US$555.6 million (2009: US$538.8 million).

Annual Report 2010  41

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

9 

Tax

Current tax 

Deferred tax

  – changes in fair value of investment properties 

  – other temporary differences 

Reconciliation between tax expense and tax at applicable tax rate:

Tax at applicable tax rate 

Change in Singapore profits tax rate 
Change in fair value of investment properties not taxable in determining  

taxable profit 

Asset impairment provisions, reversals and disposals not deductible in  

  determining taxable profit 

Expenses not deductible in determining taxable profit 

Income not subject to tax 

Utilisation of previously unrecognised tax losses 

Overprovision in prior years 

Losses not recognised 

Deferred tax assets written off 

Deferred tax liabilities written back 

Withholding tax 

Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income is analysed as follows:

Pension assets 

Cash flow hedges 

2010  
US$m  

(115.4 ) 

0.7  
(7.4 ) 

(6.7 ) 

2009

US$m

(115.0 )

0.4

(5.3 )

(4.9 )

(122.1 ) 

(119.9 )

(659.9 ) 
–  

528.7  

–  
(11.8 ) 
22.3  
2.2  
0.9  
(0.1 ) 
(0.2 ) 
–  
(4.2 ) 

(289.4 )

(0.1 )

164.6

(2.2 )

(6.2 )

12.9

0.4

2.4

(0.7 )

(1.0 )

0.4

(1.0 )

(122.1 ) 

(119.9 )

–  
1.1  

1.1  

(0.7 )

(0.1 )

(0.8 )

The applicable tax rate for the year of 16.8% (2009: 16.5%) 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.

The Group has no tax payable in the United Kingdom (2009: Nil).

Share of tax of associates and joint ventures of US$62.0 million (2009: US$47.3 million) is included in share of results of associates 

and joint ventures.

42  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
10  Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated on profit attributable to shareholders of US$4,739.4 million (2009: US$1,813.0 million) and 

on the weighted average number of 2,249.4 million (2009: 2,249.3 million) shares in issue during the year.

Diluted earnings per share is calculated on profit attributable to shareholders of US$4,760.6 million (2009: US$1,833.7 million), 

which  is  after  adjusting  for  the  effects  of  the  conversion  of  convertible  bonds,  and  on  the  weighted  average  number  of   

2,353.2 million (2009: 2,353.2 million) shares in issue during the year. The weighted average number of shares for basic and 

diluted 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

2010  

2,249.4  
103.8  

2,353.2  

2009

2,249.3

103.9

2,353.2

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

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

Underlying profit attributable to shareholders 

Non-trading items (see Note 11) 

2010 

Basic   
earnings   
per share   
US¢  

Diluted  
earnings  
per share  
US¢  

2009

Basic   
earnings   
per share   
US¢  

Diluted
earnings
per share
US¢

US$m  

36.02  

35.33  

777.1  

34.55  

33.90

1,035.9

US$m  

810.2  
3,929.2  

Profit attributable to shareholders 

4,739.4  

210.70  

1,813.0  

80.60

Interest expense on convertible bonds (net of tax) 

21.2  

20.7

Profit for calculation of diluted earnings per share 

4,760.6  

202.30  

1,833.7  

77.92

11  Non-trading Items

An analysis of non-trading items after interest, tax and minority interests is set out below:

Change in fair value of investment properties 

Deferred tax on change in fair value of investment properties 

Share of change in fair value of investment properties of associates and  

joint ventures (net of deferred tax) 

Asset impairment provisions, reversals and disposals 

Share of asset impairment provisions, reversals and disposals of associates and  

joint ventures 

Minority interests 

2010  
US$m  

3,197.6  
0.7  

731.4  
0.1  

–  
(0.6 ) 

2009

US$m

1,000.6

0.4

51.4

(8.4 )

(4.2 )

(3.9 )

3,929.2  

1,035.9

Annual Report 2010  43

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
   
   
   
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
   
   
   
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

12  Tangible Assets

2010
Cost or valuation 

Cumulative depreciation 

Net book value at 1st January 

Exchange differences 

Additions 

Depreciation 

Net revaluation surplus 

Net book value at 31st December 

Cost or valuation 

Cumulative depreciation 

2009

Cost or valuation 

Cumulative depreciation 

Net book value at 1st January 

Exchange differences 

Additions 

Depreciation 

Written off 

Net revaluation surplus 

Transfer 

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

14,817.7  

–  

14,817.7  

(6.9 ) 

27.6  

–  

3,197.6  

18,036.0  

18,036.0  

–  

18,036.0  

13,702.7  

–  

13,702.7  

2.6  

21.0  

–  

–  

1,000.6  

90.8  

14,817.7  

14,817.7  

–  

14,817.7  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

10.9  

(2.6 ) 

8.3  

–  

0.7  

(0.1 ) 

–  

83.3  

(92.2 ) 

–  

–  

–  

–  

13.9  

(10.0 ) 

14,831.6

(10.0 )

3.9  

0.1  

1.3  

(1.1 ) 

–  

14,821.6

(6.8 )

28.9

(1.1 )

3,197.6

4.2  

18,040.2

15.1  

(10.9 ) 

18,051.1

(10.9 )

4.2  

18,040.2

15.3  

(8.8 ) 

13,728.9

(11.4 )

6.5  

–  

0.4  

(1.5 ) 

(1.5 ) 

–  

–  

13,717.5

2.6

22.1

(1.6 )

(1.5 )

1,083.9

(1.4 )

3.9  

14,821.6

13.9  

(10.0 ) 

14,831.6

(10.0 )

3.9  

14,821.6

The Group’s investment properties were revalued at 31st December 2010 by independent qualified valuers. The Group employed 

Jones Lang LaSalle to value its commercial investment properties in Hong Kong, Singapore and Vietnam which are held under 

leases with unexpired lease terms of more than 20 years. The valuations, which conform to the International Valuation Standards 

issued by the International Valuation Standards Committee and the HKIS Valuation Standards on Properties issued by the Hong 

Kong Institute of Surveyors, were arrived at by reference to the net income allowing for reversionary potential of each property. 

The Report of the Valuers is set out on page 73. 

The other properties revaluation surplus of US$83.3 million had been taken to asset revaluation reserve which was included in the 

revenue reserves as at 31st December 2009.

44  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
13  Associates and Joint Ventures

Share of unlisted associates and joint ventures’ net assets 

Goodwill on acquisition 

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

liabilities of associates and joint ventures are summarised below:

Non-current assets 

Current assets 

Current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Minority interests 

Capital commitments 

Contingent liabilities 

Movements of associates and joint ventures for the year:

At 1st January

  – as previously reported 

  – change in accounting policy for deferred tax 

  – as restated 

Exchange differences 

Share of results after tax and minority interests 

Share of other comprehensive income after tax and minority interests 

Dividends received and receivable 

Net acquisitions and increases in attributable interests 

Reclassification of a joint venture as subsidiary 

Others 

At 31st December 

2010  
US$m  

3,132.2  
45.5  

3,177.7  

2,986.1  
1,142.4  
(497.0 ) 
(496.4 ) 
(2.9 ) 

2009

US$m

2,325.6

26.6

2,352.2

1,845.2

1,193.9

(454.4 )

(256.4 )

(2.7 )

3,132.2  

2,325.6

112.4  
36.6  

184.1

42.4

2,305.2  
47.0  

2,352.2  
89.9  
905.3  
80.8  
(270.5 ) 
17.9  
–  
2.1  

1,797.5

43.1

1,840.6

24.5

225.0

7.6

(12.8 )

305.2

(29.2 )

(8.7 )

3,177.7  

2,352.2

Annual Report 2010  45

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

14  Other Investments

Listed securities 

Unlisted securities 

Movements for the year:

At 1st January 

Exchange differences 

Additions 

Net revaluation surplus 

At 31st December 

The fair value measurements of available-for-sale financial assets are based on  

the following data:

Quoted prices in active markets 

Unobservable inputs 

2010  
US$m  

57.2  
2.0  

59.2  

46.4  
(0.2 ) 
2.0  
11.0  

59.2  

57.2  
2.0  

59.2  

15  Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

2010
At 1st January

  – as previously reported 

  – change in accounting policy for deferred tax 

  – as restated 

Exchange differences 

(Charged)/credited to profit and loss 

Credited to other comprehensive income 

At 31st December 

Deferred tax assets 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Accelerated   
capital   
allowances   
US$m  

Revaluation
surpluses of   
investment   
properties   
US$m  

Other
temporary
differences   
US$m  

Tax losses   
US$m  

0.5  

–  

0.5  

0.1  

0.4  

–  

1.0  

1.0  

–  

1.0  

(41.9 ) 

–  

(41.9 ) 

0.1  

(4.4 ) 

–  

(46.2 ) 

–  

(46.2 ) 

(46.2 ) 

(2,134.9 ) 

2,133.2  

(1.7 ) 

–  

0.7  

–  

(1.0 ) 

–  

(1.0 ) 

(1.0 ) 

0.8  

–  

0.8  

–  

(3.4 ) 

1.1  

(1.5 ) 

6.1  

(7.6 ) 

(1.5 ) 

46  Hongkong Land

2009

US$m

46.4

–

46.4

–

–

37.9

8.5

46.4

46.4

–

46.4

Total
US$m

(2,175.5 )

2,133.2

(42.3 )

0.2

(6.7 )

1.1

(47.7 )

7.1

(54.8 )

(47.7 )

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
15  Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities continued

Accelerated   
capital   
allowances   
US$m  

Revaluation
surpluses of   
investment   
properties   
US$m  

Other
temporary
differences   
US$m  

Tax losses   
US$m  

2009

At 1st January

  – as previously reported 

  – change in accounting policy for deferred tax 

  – as restated 

Exchange differences 

(Charged)/credited to profit and loss 

Charged to other comprehensive income 

At 31st December 

Deferred tax assets 

Deferred tax liabilities 

–  

–  

–  

–  

0.5  

–  

0.5  

0.5  

–  

0.5  

(35.9 ) 

–  

(35.9 ) 

–  

(6.0 ) 

–  

(41.9 ) 

–  

(41.9 ) 

(41.9 ) 

(1,953.8 ) 

1,951.7  

(2.1 ) 

–  

0.4  

–  

(1.7 ) 

–  

(1.7 ) 

(1.7 ) 

Total
US$m

(1,988.4 )

1,951.7

(36.7 )

0.1

(4.9 )

(0.8 )

1.3  

–  

1.3  

0.1  

0.2  

(0.8 ) 

0.8  

(42.3 )

3.4  

(2.6 ) 

3.9

(46.2 )

0.8  

(42.3 )

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$0.8  million  (2009:  US$2.9  million)  arising  from  unused  tax  losses  of  US$4.7  million   

(2009:  US$17.2  million)  have  not  been  recognised  in  the  financial  statements.  Of  the  unused  tax  losses,  US$4.4  million   

(2009: US$17.2 million) have no expiry date and the balance will expire in 2015.

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

plans are valued by independent 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 

2010  
Weighted  
average  

%  

4.85  
7.50  
5.00  

2009
Weighted
average

%

5.00

7.50

5.00

The expected return on plan assets is determined on the basis of long-term average returns on global equities of 4.3% to 11.4% 

(2009: 3.8% to 11.3%) per annum and global bonds of 3.6% to 5.2% (2009: 2.8% to 4.4%) per annum, and the long-term 

benchmark allocation of assets between equities and bonds in the plan.

Annual Report 2010  47

 
  
  
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

16  Pension Plans continued

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

Fair value of plan assets 

Present value of pension obligations 

Movements in the fair value of plan assets:

At 1st January 

Exchange differences 

Expected return on plan assets 

Contributions from plan members 
Benefits paid 

Actuarial gains 

At 31st December 

Movements in the present value of pension obligations:

At 1st January 

Interest cost 

Current service cost 

Benefits paid 

Actuarial losses 

At 31st December 

The analysis of the fair value of plan assets at 31st December is as follows:

Equity instruments 

Debt instruments 

Other assets 

2010  
US$m  

33.8  
(23.2 ) 

10.6  

31.4  
(0.1 ) 
2.3  
0.5  
(0.9 ) 
0.6  

33.8  

21.4  
1.0  
1.3  
(0.9 ) 
0.4  

23.2  

15.8  
9.6  
8.4  

33.8  

The estimated amount of contributions expected to be paid to the plans in 2011 is US$0.4 million.

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

Current service cost 

Interest cost 

Expected return on plan assets 

Expense recognised 

Actual return on plan assets in the year 

2010  
US$m  

1.3  
1.0  
(2.3 ) 

–  

2.9  

2009

US$m

31.4

(21.4 )

10.0

25.1

–

1.9

0.5
(0.4 )

4.3

31.4

19.0

1.1

1.3

(0.4 )

0.4

21.4

14.1

9.4

7.9

31.4

2009

US$m

1.3

1.1

(1.9 )

0.5

6.2

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

48  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
16  Pension Plans continued

The five year history of experience adjustments is as follows:

Fair value of plan assets 

Present value of pension obligations 

2010  
US$m  

33.8  
(23.2 ) 

2009  

US$m  

31.4  

(21.4 ) 

2008  

US$m  

25.1  

(19.0 ) 

2007  

US$m  

38.2  

(20.9 ) 

2006

US$m

33.2

(19.3 )

Surplus 

10.6  

10.0  

6.1  

17.3  

13.9

Experience adjustments on plan assets 

Percentage of plan assets (%) 

Experience adjustments on pension obligations 

Percentage of pension obligations (%) 

0.6  
2  

0.1  
–  

4.3  

14  

1.2  

6  

(14.5 ) 

58  

–  

–  

2.5  

7  

(0.1 ) 

–  

17  Properties for Sale

Properties under development

  – land and development costs 

  – interest and other expenses capitalised 

Provision for impairment 

Completed properties 

2010  
US$m  

1,114.8  
29.0  

1,143.8  
(156.7 ) 

987.1  
197.3  

1,184.4  

3.4

10

–

–

2009

US$m

843.6

42.3

885.9

(195.9 )

690.0

97.1

787.1

At 31st December 2010, properties for sale of US$404.7 million (2009: US$289.9 million) were pledged as security for borrowings 

of US$41.2 million (2009: US$99.7 million) as shown in Note 21.

18  Debtors

Trade debtors 

Other debtors

  – third parties 

  – associates and joint ventures 

Non-current 

Current 

2010  
US$m  

32.8  

178.3  
85.5  

296.6  

51.5  
245.1  

296.6  

2009

US$m

65.7

185.7

120.6

372.0

56.7

315.3

372.0

Annual Report 2010  49

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

18  Debtors continued

By geographical area of operation
Greater China 

Southeast Asia and others 

2010  
US$m  

179.6  
117.0  

296.6  

2009

US$m

211.6

160.4

372.0

An  allowance  for  impairment  of  trade  debtors  is  made  based  on  the  estimated  irrecoverable  amount.  Significant  financial 

difficulties of the debtor, probability that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganisation, and default or delinquency 

in payment are considered indicators that the debtor is impaired.

At 31st December 2010, no trade debtors (2009: US$0.5 million) were impaired and fully provided.

At 31st December 2010, trade debtors of US$4.4 million (2009: US$4.4 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 

2010  
US$m  

3.2  
1.1  
0.1  
–  

4.4  

2009

US$m

3.4

0.6

0.2

0.2

4.4

The risk of trade debtors that are neither past due nor impaired at 31st December 2010 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 

Derivative financial instruments 

Amounts due from associates and joint ventures 

Others 

2010  
US$m  

91.2  
55.2  
85.5  
31.9  

263.8  

2009

US$m

85.6

64.0

120.6

36.1

306.3

The  fair  value  of  debtors  other  than  derivative  financial  instruments  approximates  their  carrying  amount,  as  the  impact  of 

discounting is not significant. Derivative financial instruments are stated at fair value.

50  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
19  Bank Balances

Bank balances of certain subsidiaries amounting to US$80.6 million (2009: US$53.8 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 interest rate on bank balances of US$1,309.9 million (2009: US$1,194.0 million) is 0.3% (2009: 0.3%)  

per annum.

20  Creditors

Trade creditors 

Amounts due to associates and joint ventures 

Tenants’ deposits 

Other creditors 
Derivative financial instruments 

Financial liabilities 

Rent received in advance 

Proceeds from property for sale received in advance 

Non-current 

Current 

By geographical area of operation
Greater China 

Southeast Asia and others 

The remaining contractual maturities of financial liabilities other than  

  derivative financial instruments are analysed as follows:

Within one year 

Between one and two years 

Between two and five years 

Beyond five years 

2010  
US$m  

231.1  
–  
156.6  
66.4  
70.9  

525.0  
11.6  
279.9  

816.5  

93.1  
723.4  

816.5  

427.1  
389.4  

816.5  

314.8  
50.6  
72.7  
16.0  

454.1  

2009

US$m

193.6

81.7

149.0

68.8
18.5

511.6

7.5

218.5

737.6

50.5

687.1

737.6

432.4

305.2

737.6

355.0

62.2

58.5

17.4

493.1

Derivative  financial  instruments  are  stated  at  fair  value.  Other  creditors  are  stated  at  amortised  cost.  The  fair  value  of  these 

creditors approximates their carrying amounts.

Annual Report 2010  51

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

21  Borrowings

Current

  Bank overdrafts 

  Current portion of long-term borrowings

  – Bank loans 

  – 3.01% Singapore dollar notes due 2010 

  – 7% United States dollar bonds due 2011 

Long-term

  Bank loans 

  7% United States dollar bonds due 2011 
  5.5% United States dollar bonds due 2014 

  3.65% Singapore dollar notes due 2015 

  2.75% United States dollar convertible bonds due 2012 

  Medium term notes 

Secured 

Unsecured 

2010 

Carrying  
amount   
US$m   

Fair value  
US$m   

2009

Carrying
amount   
US$m   

Fair value
US$m

1.0  

1.0  

1.1  

1.1

253.8  

–  

604.9  

859.7  

410.7  

–  
548.3  

293.3  

372.8  

1,239.7  

253.8  
–  
609.0  

863.8  

410.7  
–  
548.3  
301.4  
395.1  
1,188.5  

10.5  

234.3  

–  

245.9  

10.5

234.5

–

246.1

1,405.2  

1,405.2

619.1  
537.0  

268.9  

368.1  

199.2  

635.2
537.0

274.7

385.0

194.5

2,864.8  

2,844.0  

3,397.5  

3,431.6

3,724.5  

3,707.8  

3,643.4  

3,677.7

41.2  
3,683.3  

3,724.5  

99.7

3,543.7

3,643.4

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

rates ranging from 0.4% to 3.5% (2009: 0.4% to 3.7%) per annum. The fair values of current borrowings approximate their 

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

Secured borrowings at 31st December 2010 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.

52  Hongkong Land

 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
21  Borrowings continued

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.

During the year, the Group issued the following notes under the US$3,000 million medium term note programme:

  – 4.22% 10-year notes with nominal value of HK$500 million due on 26th February 2020

  – 5.25% 30-year notes with nominal value of HK$250 million due on 18th March 2040

  – 4.24% 10-year notes with nominal value of HK$500 million due on 19th March 2020

  – 3.43% 10-year notes with nominal value of S$150 million due on 14th May 2020

  – 3.95% 10-year notes with nominal value of HK$500 million due on 8th June 2020

  – 4.10% 15-year notes with nominal value of HK$300 million due on 28th July 2025
  – 4.11% 20-year notes with nominal value of HK$800 million due on 13th September 2030

  – 4.50% 15-year notes with nominal value of US$600 million due on 7th October 2025

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 

Conversion 

Liability component at 31st December 

2010  
US$m  

368.1  
21.2  
(11.0 ) 
(5.5 ) 

372.8  

2009

US$m

358.4

20.7

(11.0 )

–

368.1

Annual Report 2010  53

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

21  Borrowings continued

The borrowings are further summarised as follows:

Fixed rate borrowings

Weighted   

Weighted   
average    average period   
outstanding   
Years  

interest rates   
%   

Floating
rate

borrowings   
US$m  

US$m  

Total
US$m

By currency

2010
Hong Kong dollar 

Singapore dollar 

United States dollar 

2009

Hong Kong dollar 

Singapore dollar 

United States dollar 

2.8  

2.7  

5.5  

2.4  

2.1  

5.5  

8.2  

5.0  

2.0  

1,234.6  

1,196.5  

2,431.1

699.1  

372.8  

220.7  

0.8  

919.8

373.6

2,306.5  

1,418.0  

3,724.5

2.1  

3.9  

3.0  

906.3  

602.3  

368.1  

1,116.1  

648.4  

2.2  

2,022.4

1,250.7

370.3

1,876.7  

1,766.7  

3,643.4

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

The remaining contractual maturities of the borrowings, including the contractual interest payments, are analysed below. The 

interest payments are computed using contractual rates and, in the case of floating rate borrowings, based on market rates at the 

balance sheet date before taking into account hedging transactions. Cash flows denominated in currencies other than United 

States dollars are converted into United States dollars at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date.

Within one year 

Between one and two years 

Between two and five years 

Beyond five years 

2010  
US$m  

976.4  
548.7  
1,385.5  
1,757.7  

4,668.3  

2009

US$m

356.6

1,105.1

2,016.7

522.2

4,000.6

54  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
22  Share Capital

Authorised
Shares of US$0.10 each 

Issued and fully paid
At 1st January 

Issued on conversion of convertible bonds 

Ordinary shares in millions 

2010  

2009  

2010  
US$m  

2009

US$m

4,000.0  

4,000.0  

400.0  

400.0

2,249.3  
1.5  

2,249.3  

–  

224.9  
0.2  

224.9

–

At 31st December 

2,250.8  

2,249.3  

225.1  

224.9

23  Dividends

Final dividend in respect of 2009 of US¢10.00 (2008: US¢7.00) per share 

Interim dividend in respect of 2010 of US¢6.00 (2009: US¢6.00) per share 

2010  
US$m  

224.9  
135.0  

359.9  

2009

US$m

157.5

134.9

292.4

A  final  dividend  in  respect  of  2010  of  US¢10.00  (2009:  US¢10.00)  per  share  amounting  to  a  total  of  US$225.1  million   

(2009: US$224.9 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 2011.

24  Notes to Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

a)  Change in interests in subsidiaries

The increase represents the Group’s increased attributable interests from 77.4% to 100% in MCL Land.

b)  Cash and cash equivalents

Bank balances 

Bank overdrafts (see Note 21) 

2010  
US$m  

1,366.7  
(1.0 ) 

2009

US$m

1,226.1

(1.1 )

1,365.7  

1,225.0

Annual Report 2010  55

 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

25  Derivative Financial Instruments

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

Designated as cash flow hedges

  – interest rate swaps 

  – cross currency swaps 

Designated as fair value hedges

  – interest rate swaps 

  – cross currency swaps 

2010 

Positive   
fair value   
US$m  

Negative  
fair value  
US$m  

2009

Positive   
fair value   
US$m  

Negative
fair value
US$m

1.1  

0.2  

0.6  

53.3  

11.7  
15.4  

1.8  
42.0  

4.8  

2.4  

4.8  

52.0  

11.8

2.8

3.9

–

The remaining contractual maturities of derivative financial instruments, based on their undiscounted cash outflows, are analysed 
as follows:

Within   
one   
year   
US$m  

Between   
one and   
two years   
US$m  

Between   
two and   
five years   
US$m  

Beyond
five
years
US$m

8.4  

6.2  

5.3  

–

635.5  

26.2  

571.4  

935.2

643.9  

32.4  

576.7  

935.2

16.2  

9.0  

11.4  

30.5  

618.7  

522.1  

46.7  

627.7  

533.5  

–

91.5

91.5

2010
Net settled

  – interest rate swaps 

Gross settled

  – cross currency swaps 

2009

Net settled

  – interest rate swaps 

Gross settled

  – cross currency swaps 

56  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
25  Derivative Financial Instruments continued

Interest rate swaps
The notional principal amounts of the outstanding interest rate swap contracts at 31st December 2010 were US$611.9 million 

(2009: US$1,401.2 million).

At  31st  December  2010,  the  fixed  interest  rates  relating  to  interest  rate  swaps  vary  from  1.84%  to  4.28%  (2009:  1.84%  to 

5.16%).

The fair values of interest rate swaps are based on the estimated cash flows discounted at market rates ranging from 0.28% to 

3.32% (2009: 0.14% to 2.71%) per annum.

Cross currency swaps
The  contract  amounts  of  the  outstanding  cross  currency  swap  contracts  at  31st  December  2010  were  US$1,853.5  million   

(2009: US$1,176.7 million).

26  Commitments

Capital commitments

  Authorised not contracted 

  Contracted not provided 

Contribution to associates and joint ventures 

Operating lease commitments

  Due within one year 

  Due between one and two years 

  Due between two and three years 

2010  
US$m  

147.8  
35.1  

182.9  

845.0  

1.3  
0.5  
–  

1.8  

2009

US$m

166.9

17.1

184.0

614.7

1.4

0.8

0.4

2.6

27  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.

Annual Report 2010  57

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

28  Related Party Transactions

The parent company of the Group is Jardine Strategic Holdings Limited and the ultimate holding company is Jardine Matheson 

Holdings Limited. Both companies are incorporated in Bermuda.

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

and  joint  ventures  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$4.0 million (2009: US$3.9 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  2010  amounted  to   

US$19.3 million (2009: US$14.0 million).

Jardine  Matheson  group  members  provided  property  construction,  maintenance  and  other  services  to  the  Group  in  2010  in 

aggregate amounting to US$30.5 million (2009: US$77.0 million).

The outstanding balances arising from the above services at 31st December 2010 are not material.

Hotel management services
Jardine  Matheson  group  members  provided  hotel  management  services  to  the  Group  in  2010  amounting  to  US$1.4  million   

(2009: US$0.9 million).

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

Notes 18 and 20).

Directors’ emoluments
Details of Directors’ emoluments (being the key management personnel compensation) are shown on page 67 under the heading 

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

58  Hongkong Land

29  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 from/(to) subsidiaries 

Creditors and other accruals 

Capital employed
Share capital (see Note 22) 

Revenue and other reserves

  Contributed surplus 

  Share premium 

  Revenue reserves 

Shareholders’ funds 

2010  
US$m  

2009

US$m

4,481.7  
213.7  

4,695.4  
(19.7 ) 

4,481.7

(708.2 )

3,773.5

(18.7 )

4,675.7  

3,754.8

225.1  

2,249.6  
5.3  
2,195.7  

4,450.6  

4,675.7  

224.9

2,249.6

–

1,280.3

3,529.9

3,754.8

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 2010  59

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
Notes to the Financial Statements

30  Principal Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures

The principal subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures of the Group at 31st December 2010 are set out below.

Attributable interests %   
2009   
2010   

Issued share capital 

Main activities 

Country of
incorporation

Subsidiaries

Hongkong Land China Holdings 
  Limited

100  

100 *  USD 

200,000,000 

Investment holding 

Bermuda

Hongkong Land Limited 

100  

100 *  USD 

12,000 

Group management 

Bermuda

Hongkong Land International 
  Holdings Limited

The Hongkong Land Company, 
  Limited

The Hongkong Land Property 
  Company, Limited

100  

100 *  USD 

200,000,000 

Investment holding 

Bermuda

100  

100   HKD 

1,293,180,006 

Property investment 

Hong Kong

100  

100   HKD 

200 

Property investment 

Hong Kong

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 

HK Glory Properties Limited 

100  

100   USD 

2 

2 

Hotel investment 

Hong Kong

Property development  British Virgin

Islands

Tong Yan Development Company 
  Limited

100  

100   HKD 

400 

Property development  Hong Kong

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 
  shown on pages 61 and 62)

100  

77.4   SGD 

369,985,977 

Property development  Singapore

Reid Street Properties Limited 

100  

100   USD 

400 

Investment holding 

British Virgin
Islands

Hongkong Land Singapore (Pte) Ltd 

100  

100   SGD 

100,000 

Property management  Singapore

Starsome Investments Limited 

100  

100   USD 

2 

Investment holding 

The Hongkong Land Notes Company 
  Limited 

100  

100   USD 

2 

Finance 

British Virgin
Islands

British Virgin
Islands

Ample Keen Limited 

100  

–   HKD 

2 

Property investment 

Hong Kong

King Kok Investment Limited 

90  

90   USD 

10,000 

Property investment 

Mauritius

* Owned directly

60  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
30  Principal Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures continued

Attributable interests %   
2009   
2010   

Issued share capital 

Main activities 

Country of
incorporation

Associates and 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

Normelle Estates Limited 

50  

50   HKD 

10,000 

Property investment 

Hong Kong

One Raffles Quay Pte Limited 

33.3  

33.3   SGD 

6 

Property development  Singapore

P.T. Jakarta Land 

50  

50  

IDR 

3,320,000,000 

Property development 

Indonesia

  and asset 

  management

NorthPine Land Inc 

40  

40   Peso 

1,224,635,200 

Property investment 

The Philippines

BFC Development Pte Limited 

33.3  

33.3   SGD 

6 

Property development  Singapore

Longhu Land Limited 

50  

50   USD 

12,000,000 

Property development  Mainland China

Basecity Investments Limited 

46.6  

46.6   USD 

10,000 

Property investment 

British Virgin

Islands

Central Boulevard Development 

33.3  

33.3   SGD 

6 

Property investment 

Singapore

  Pte Limited

Ampang Investments Pte Limited 

40  

40   SGD 

10 

Hotel investment 

Singapore

Raise Up Enterprises Limited 

50  

30.3   USD 

10,000 

Property investment 

British Virgin

Islands

Cosmo City Limited 

Jardine Gibbons Properties Limited 

50  

40  

50   HKD 

2 

Property investment 

Hong Kong

40   BD 

600,000 ‘A’ 

Property holding 

Bermuda

400,000 ‘B’

Total Champ Limited 

50  

–   HKD 

3 

Property investment 

Hong Kong

MCL Land Limited’s principal subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

MCL Land Holdings Pte Ltd 

100  

77.4   SGD 

6,000,000 

Property investment 

Singapore

MCL Land (Serangoon) Pte Ltd 

100  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

Maxgrowth Pte. Ltd. 

100  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

Acecharm Pte. Ltd. 

100  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

MCL Land Realty Pte. Ltd. 

100  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

MCL Land Development Pte. Ltd. 

100  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

MCL Land (Prime) Pte. Ltd. 

100  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

Caseldine Investments Pte Ltd 

100  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

Annual Report 2010  61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
Notes to the Financial Statements

30  Principal Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures continued

Attributable interests %   
2009   
2010   

Issued share capital 

Main activities 

Country of
incorporation

MCL Land Limited’s principal subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures continued

Kedron Investments Pte Ltd 

100  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

MCL Land (Warren) Pte Ltd 

100  

77.4   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

MCL Land (Century Gardens) Sdn. Bhd. 

100  

77.4   MYR 

6,608,763 

Property investment 

Malaysia

MCL Land (Pantai View) Sdn. Bhd. 

100  

77.4   MYR 

2,000,000 

Property investment 

Malaysia

Calne Pte Ltd 

50  

38.7   SGD 

1,000,000 

Property development  Singapore

Golden Quantum Acres Sdn Bhd 

50  

38.7   MYR 

2,764,210 

Property development  Malaysia

Sunrise MCL Land Sdn Bhd 

50  

38.7   MYR 

2,000,000 

Property development  Malaysia

MSL Properties Sdn Bhd 

50  

38.7   MYR 

3,000,000 

Property development  Malaysia

62  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditors’ Report

To the Members of Hongkong Land Holdings Limited 

Report on the Financial Statements

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  2010  and  the  Consolidated  Profit  and  Loss  Account,  Consolidated 

Statement of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 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.

Auditors’ 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 auditors’ 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  auditors  consider  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 2010, 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.

Report on Legal and Regulatory Requirements

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters that under the UK Listing Rules we are required to review:
•	 Directors’	statement	in	relation	to	going	concern;	and

•	 the	 part	 of	 the	 Corporate	 Governance	 Statement	 relating	 to	 the	 Company’s	 compliance	 with	 the	 nine	 provisions	 of	 the	 UK	 June	 2008	

Combined Code specified for our review.

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
Chartered Accountants

London

United Kingdom

3rd March 2011

Annual Report 2010  63

Five Year Summary

2006  

US$m  

2007  

US$m  

2008  
US$m  

2009  
US$m   

2010

US$m 

Profit/(loss) attributable to shareholders 

2,253  

3,324  

(337 ) 

1,813  

4,739

Underlying profit attributable to shareholders 

245  

345  

375  

777  

810

Investment properties 

11,651  

14,261  

13,703  

14,818  

18,036

Net debt 

2,312  

2,431  

2,601  

2,417  

2,358

Shareholders’ funds 

10,922  

14,041  

13,308  

14,936  

19,457

Net asset value per share 

4.76  

6.12  

5.92  

6.64  

8.64

US$  

US$  

US$  

US$   

US$

Note: Due to recent amendments to International Financial Reporting Standards, the Group is no longer required to provide for deferred tax on the revaluation of its 
investment properties in Hong Kong and Singapore where there is no capital gains taxation. The new policy has been applied retrospectively and the comparative 
figures in the financial statements have been restated.

Underlying earnings/dividends

Net asset value per share (US$)

per share (US¢)

Underlying earnings 

Dividends

34.55

36.02

8.64

6.12

5.92

6.64

4.76

15.02

16.41

16.00

16.00

13.00

13.00

10.98

10.00

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

64  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,  including  the  Chairman’s  Statement,  Chief  Executive’s  Review  and  Principal  Risks  and  Uncertainties,  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

Y K Pang
John R Witt
Directors

3rd March 2011

Annual Report 2010  65

Corporate Governance

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited is incorporated in Bermuda. The Group’s property interests are almost entirely in Asia. The Company’s equity 
shares  have  a  Premium  Listing  on  the  London  Stock  Exchange,  and  secondary  listings  in  Bermuda  and  Singapore.  The  Company  attaches 
importance to the corporate stability that is fundamental to the Group’s ability to pursue a long-term strategy in Asian markets. It is committed 
to  high  standards  of  governance.  Its  approach,  however,  developed  over  many  years,  differs  from  that  envisaged  by  the  UK  Corporate 
Governance  Code  (the  ‘UK  Code’),  which  was  originally  introduced  as  a  guide  for  United  Kingdom  incorporated  companies  listed  on  the 
London Stock Exchange. Following a change in the Listing Rules issued by the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom with effect 
from 6th April 2010, the Company’s Premium Listed status now requires that this Report address how the main principles of the UK Code have 
been applied by the Company, and explain the reasons for the different approach adopted by the Company as compared to the UK Code’s 
provisions.  The  Company’s  governance  differs  from  that  contemplated  by  provisions  of  the  UK  Code  on  board  balance  and  refreshment, 
director independence, board evaluation procedures, nomination and remuneration committees and the appointment of a senior independent 
director.

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 50% 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 14 Directors: the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer; five executives of Jardine Matheson; and 
seven non-executive Directors. Their names and brief biographies appear on page 19 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 Company’s commitment to 
its long-term strategy, shareholding structure and tiered approach to oversight and management as described in this Report. These factors 
explain the balance on the Board between executive and non-executive Directors, the stability of the Board, the absence of nomination and 
remuneration committees and the conduct of Board evaluation procedures. The Board regards Asian business experience and relationships as 
more valuable attributes of its non-executive Directors than formal independence criteria. Accordingly the Board has not designated a ‘senior 
independent director’ as set out in the UK Code. Recommendations and decisions on remuneration result from consultations between the 
Chairman and the Managing Director and other Directors as they consider appropriate.

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, as part of the Company’s 
tiered approach to oversight and management, certain Directors of the Company who do not serve on the board of HKL and who are based 
outside Asia make regular visits to Asia and Bermuda where they will participate in four annual strategic reviews. All of these reviews precede 
the  Board  meetings.  These  Directors  are  not  directly  involved  in  the  operational  management  of  the  Group’s  business  activities,  but  their 
knowledge and close oversight of the Group’s affairs reinforces the process by which business is reviewed before consideration by the Board.

The Board is scheduled to hold four meetings in 2011 and ad hoc procedures are adopted to deal with urgent matters. In 2010 two meetings 
were held in Bermuda and two in Asia. All Directors attended all four Board meetings, save that Lord Leach of Fairford attended three meetings, 
Jenkin Hui and Lord Powell of Bayswater attended two meetings and R C Kwok was unable to attend the meetings due to illness. John R Witt 
attended  three  meetings  following  his  appointment  to  the  Board.  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.

The division of responsibilities between the Chairman, the Managing Director and the Chief Executive is well established. The Chairman’s role 
is to lead the Board as it oversees the Group’s strategic and financial direction. The Managing Director’s principal role is to act as chairman of 
HKL and of its finance committee, while the responsibility for running the Group’s business and all the executive matters affecting the Group 
rests with the Chief Executive.

66  Hongkong Land

Directors’ Appointment, Retirement, Remuneration and Service Contracts

Candidates for appointment as executive Directors of the Company, as executive directors of HKL or as 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 who combine international best practice with adaptability to 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.

In accordance with Bye-law 85, Charles Allen-Jones, Jenkin Hui, Sir Henry Keswick and Lord Powell of Bayswater retire by rotation at the Annual 
General Meeting and, being eligible, offer themselves 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 are required to be offered international terms and the nature of the 
remuneration packages is designed to reflect this.

Directors’ fees, which are payable to all Directors other than the Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer, are decided upon by shareholders 
in general meeting as provided for by the Company’s Bye-laws. A motion to increase the Directors’ fees to US$45,000 each per annum and the 
fees  for  the  Chairman  and  Managing  Director  to  US$65,000  each  per  annum  with  effect  from  1st  January  2011  will  be  proposed  at  the 
forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

For the year ended 31st December 2010, the Directors received from the Group US$3.8 million (2009: US$2.6 million) in Directors’ fees and 
employee benefits, being US$0.6 million (2009: US$0.3 million) in Directors’ fees, US$3.1 million (2009: US$2.2 million) in short-term employee 
benefits including salary, bonuses, accommodation and deemed benefits in kind and US$0.1 million (2009: 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.

Going Concern

The Directors are required to consider whether it is appropriate to prepare financial statements on the basis that the Company and the Group 
are going concerns. The Group prepares comprehensive financial forecasts and, based on these forecasts, cash resources and existing credit 
facilities, the Directors consider that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in business for the foreseeable future. 
For this reason, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

Annual Report 2010  67

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.

Risk Management and Internal Control

The Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s system of risk management and 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 70.

The Board has delegated to the audit committee of HKL responsibility for reviewing areas of risk and uncertainty, the operation and effectiveness 
of the Group’s system of internal control and the procedures by which these are monitored. The audit committee considers the system and 
procedures on a regular basis, and reports to the Board semi-annually. The members of the audit committee of HKL are A J L Nightingale, Mark 
Greenberg, James Riley and Giles White; they have extensive knowledge of the Group while at the same time not being directly involved in 
operational management. The Board considers that the members of the audit committee of HKL have, collectively, the requisite skills, knowledge 
and experience to enable it to discharge its responsibilities in a proper manner. All members of the audit committee attended both its meetings 
during the year. The chief executive and chief financial officer of HKL, together with representatives of the internal and external auditors, also 
attend the audit committee meetings by invitation.

Executive  management  is  responsible  for  the  implementation  of  the  system  of  internal  control  throughout  the  Group.  The  internal  audit 
function monitors the effectiveness of the system and the approach taken by the business units to risk. 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 
audit committee of HKL also reviews the effectiveness of the internal audit function.

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 underpins 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, including the adoption of new accounting policies, is undertaken by the audit committee of HKL 
with the executive management and a report is received from the external auditors. The audit committee of HKL also assesses any reports on 
frauds identified during the period under review. 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 function. The audit committee of HKL also keeps under review the independence and objectivity of the external auditors, and as part of 
that process considers and approves the level and nature of non-audit work performed. The terms of reference of the audit committee of HKL 
can be found on the Company’s website at www.hkland.com.

68  Hongkong Land

Directors’ Share Interests

The Directors of the Company in office on 9th March 2011 had interests (within the meaning of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules (‘DTRs’) 
of the Financial Services Authority (the ‘FSA’) of the United Kingdom) as 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 in certain circumstances notify the Company of the 
percentage of voting rights attaching to the share capital of the Company that he holds. 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 Holdings Limited (‘Jardine Strategic’), which is directly interested in 1,141,993,146 ordinary shares carrying 49.60% 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 9th March 2011.

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

Relations with Shareholders

The 2011 Annual General Meeting will be held at The Fairmont Southampton, Bermuda on 11th May 2011. 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.  All  shareholders  
are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting and participate in communicating with the Company. The Company holds regular meetings 
with  institutional  shareholders.  A  corporate  website  is  maintained  containing  a  wide  range  of  information  of  interest  to  investors  at  
www.hkland.com.

Securities Purchase Arrangements

At the Annual General Meeting held on 5th May 2010, 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.

Related Party Transactions

Details of transactions with related parties entered into by the Company during the course of the year are included in Note 28 to the financial 
statements on page 58. 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 2010  69

 
 
 
 
 
 
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 68 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 in 

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 page 16 and Note 2 to the financial 

statements on pages 32 to 35.

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.

70  Hongkong Land

 
Shareholder Information

Financial Calendar

2010 full-year results announced  

Share registers closed  

Annual General Meeting to be held  

2010 final dividend payable  

2011 half-year results to be announced  

Share registers to be closed  

2011 interim dividend payable  

* Subject to change

Dividends

3rd March 2011

21st to 25th March 2011

11th May 2011

18th May 2011

28th July 2011 *

22nd to 26th August 2011 *

12th October 2011 *

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  2010  final  dividend  by  notifying  the  United 

Kingdom transfer agent in writing by 21st April 2011. The sterling equivalent of dividends declared in United States dollars will be calculated 

by reference to a rate prevailing on 4th May 2011. 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 2010  71

Offices

Offices

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited

Jardine House

33-35 Reid Street

Hamilton, Bermuda

Tel +1441 292 0515

Fax +1441 292 4072

E-mail: john.lang@jardines.com

John C Lang

Hongkong Land Limited

One Exchange Square, 8th Floor

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 #34–03

Singapore 048583

Tel +65 6238 1121

Fax +65 6238 1131

E-mail: robgarman@hkland.com

Robert Garman

Hongkong Land (Chongqing) 
Management Company Limited

7/F, Zone D, 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@hkland.com / lcf@hkland.com

Joe Kwok / Ling Chang Feng

Representative Offices

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

Unit 1105, 11/F Gemadept Tower

2 bis-4-6 Le Thauh Ton, District 1

Ho Chi Minh City

Hongkong Land (Asia Management) Limited

Vietnam

Tel +848 3827 9006

Fax +848 3827 9020

E-mail: cosimo.jencks@hkland.com

Cosimo Jencks

Suite 204, 2/F Central Building

31 Hai Ba Trung

Hoan Kiem

Hanoi, Vietnam

Tel +844 3824 0753

Fax +844 3824 0769

E-mail: sbruce@hkland.com

Stephen Bruce

Hongkong Land (Beijing) 
Management Company Limited

Room 303, Block 26, Central Park

No. 6 Chaoyangmenwai Avenue

Chaoyang District

Beijing 100020, China

Tel +8610 6597 0921

Fax +8610 6597 0925

E-mail: jkwok@hkland.com

Joe Kwok

72  Hongkong Land

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 note 12 to the consolidated financial statements 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 2010, totalled US$17,911,300,000 

(United States Dollars Seventeen Billion Nine Hundred Eleven Million and Three 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 event of disposal.

Yours faithfully

Jones Lang LaSalle Limited
Hong Kong, 3rd March 2011

Annual Report 2010  73

Attributable  

interests %  

LETTABLE AREA

Total  

Office   

Retail

(in thousands of square metres)

Major Property Portfolio

at 31st December 2010

Commercial Investment Property

Hong Kong

Alexandra House 

Chater House 

Exchange Square 

  One Exchange Square 

  Two Exchange Square 

  Three Exchange Square 

  Podium 

  The Forum 

Jardine House 

The Landmark 

  Gloucester Tower 

  Atrium 

  Edinburgh Tower 

  York House 

Prince’s Building 

Macau

One Central 

Singapore

One Raffles Link 

One Raffles Quay 

  North Tower 

  South Tower 

100  

100  

100  

100  

100  

100  

100  

100  

100  

100  

100  

100  

100  

100  

100  

46.6  

100  

33.3  

35  

43  

137  

63  

123  

51  

452  

19  

29  

124

Marina Bay Financial Centre 

33.3  

280

  Tower 1 

  Tower 2 

  Tower 3 (under construction) 

Jakarta, Indonesia

Jakarta Land 

  Wisma Metropolitan I 

  Wisma Metropolitan II 

  World Trade Center 

  World Trade Center II (under construction) 

Bangkok, Thailand

Gaysorn Plaza 

Hanoi, Vietnam

Central Building 

63 L’y Thái Tô’ 

74  Hongkong Land

50  

49  

71  

73.9  

433  

138

138  

17  

4  

7  

11  

30   

39   

53   

47   

30   

–   

–   

59   

44   

–   

31   

11   

38   

382   

–   

22   

71   

53   

56   

94   

114   

410   

15   

14   

37   

57   

123   

5   

4   

6   

10   

5

4

–

–

–

4

3

4

–

24

13

–

13

70

19

7

–

–

1

7

8

23

2

3

6

4

15

12

–

1

1

 
 
 
  
   
 
 
 
 
  
  
   
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
   
 
 
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
   
 
 
  
  
   
 
 
  
  
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
   
Residential Development Property for Sale

Attributable 

interests % 

Available units at

Location 

31st December 2010

Completed development

Hong Kong

The Sail at Victoria 

Serenade 

Mainland China

Maple Place 

Macau

100 

100 

90 

Victoria Road 

Tai Hang Road 

Beijing 

One Central Residences 

46.6 

Avenida Dr Sun Yat Sen 

5

54

117

107

Under development

Singapore

The Peak@Balmeg 

Parvis 

D’Mira 

The Estuary 

A site at Ewe Boon Road 

A site at Sixth Avenue 

A site at Upper East Coast Road 

A site at Nim Road 

A site at Hougang Avenue 2 

Marina Bay Suites 

Mainland China

Bamboo Grove 

Landmark Riverside 

A site in New North Zone, Chongqing 

A site in Jinjiang District, Chengdu 

Park Life 

One Capitol 

A site in Shenbei District, Shenyang 

Attributable 

interests % 

Location 

Approximate

site area

(in square metres)

100 

50 

100 

Balmeg Hill 

Holland Hill 

Boon Teck Road 

100  Yishun Avenue 1/Avenue 2 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

Ewe Boon Road 

Sixth Avenue 

Upper East Coast Road 

Nim Road 

Hougang Avenue 2 

33.3 

Central Boulevard 

50 

50 

100 

50 

50 

50 

50 

Chongqing 

Chongqing 

Chongqing 

Chengdu 

Shenyang 

Shenyang 

Shenyang 

17,107

22,863

2,588

26,949

5,906

6,412

6,103

17,955

30,196

5,290

778,648

336,600

385,943

190,362

572,419

346,721

356,624

Annual Report 2010  75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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

V O E U X

S

D E

L

A

R

E N T

  R O A D   C

C O N N A U G H T

7

6

4

Hang
Seng
Bank

L

A

R

E N T

  R O A D   C

3

E T

E

R

W   S T

12

IC
IC

E
E 

H

O

U

S

E S

T

R

E

E

T

Statue
Square

Mandarin
Oriental

5

1

2

Stock
Exchange

U

O

B

R

A

H

R  V I E

Airport Express Station

D
A
O
R

Statue
Square

R
E
T
A
H
C

R

O

A

D

T
H

G

U
A
N

N

O

C

General
Post Office

M

A

N

Y

I

U

S

T

R

E

E

T

L
A
R
T
N
E
C

D
A
O

R

City Hall

HSBC

L
A
R
T
N
E
D C
A
O
X R
U
E
O
S V
E
D

Legislative
Council

J

A

C

K

S

O

Chater
Garden

N

D

A

O

R

R
E
T
A

H

C

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

Since the founding of Hong Kong in 1842, a quarter square mile of land in Central has been the focus of business, finance and Government. 

Today, it is also the location of Hongkong Land’s unique portfolio of interconnected buildings. The northern shoreline of Hong Kong Island has 

been reclaimed four times to 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 2012. 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.

76  Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9

11

8

7

6

5

1

2

3

4

10

12

Beyond Central & Regional Developments

Singapore

One Raffles Link

CityLink Mall

Marina Bay Financial Centre

One Raffles Quay

Singapore

Thailand

Vietnam

D’Pavilion

Waterfall Gardens

Gaysorn

Central Building

63 L´y Thái Tô’

Indonesia

Macau

Hong Kong

Jakarta Land

One Central

The Sail at Victoria

Serenade

Beijing

Chongqing

Shenyang

Central Park

Maple Place

Bamboo Grove

Park Life

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited  

Jardine House  Hamilton  Bermuda

www.hkland.com