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Hongkong Land Holdings Limited

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FY2017 Annual Report · Hongkong Land Holdings Limited
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Annual Report 2017
Hongkong Land Holdings Limited

WF CENTRAL, a joint venture luxury retail 
centre at Wangfujing in Beijing (front cover).

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

1

2

3

4

6

12

18

20

66

70

71

72

78

79

80

81

82

80  

Hongkong Land

 is a listed leading property investment, management and 

development group.  Founded in 1889, Hongkong Land’s business is built on excellence, 
integrity and partnership.

The Group owns and manages more than 850,000 sq. m. of prime office and luxury  
retail property in key Asian cities, principally in Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing.  
Hongkong Land’s properties attract the world’s foremost companies and luxury brands.

Its Hong Kong Central portfolio represents some 450,000 sq. m. of prime property.   
It has a further 165,000 sq. m. of prestigious office space in Singapore mainly held 
through joint ventures, a luxury retail centre at Wangfujing in Beijing, and a 50% interest  
in a leading office complex in Central Jakarta.  The Group also has a number of high 
quality residential, commercial and mixed-use projects under development in cities 
across Greater China and Southeast Asia.  In Singapore, its subsidiary, MCL Land,  
is a well-established residential developer.

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited is incorporated in Bermuda and has a standard  
listing on the London Stock Exchange, with 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 2017

1

Corporate Information

Directors

Hongkong Land Limited

Directors

Ben Keswick Chairman

Robert Wong Chief Executive

R.M.J. Chow

Simon Dixon Chief Financial Officer

K. Foo

R.L. Garman

Mark Greenberg

D.P. Lamb

C.F. Ling

Y.K. Pang

Jeremy Parr

John Witt

R.C.M. Wong

Corporate Secretary

Neil M. McNamara

Ben Keswick Chairman and  

 Managing Director

Robert Wong Chief Executive

Charles Allen-Jones

Simon Dixon

Mark Greenberg

Adam Keswick

Sir Henry Keswick

Simon Keswick

Dr Richard Lee

Anthony Nightingale

Y.K. Pang

Lord Powell of Bayswater, KCMG

Lord Sassoon, Kt

James Watkins

Percy Weatherall

Michael Wei Kuo Wu

Company Secretary

Neil M. McNamara

Registered Office

Jardine House

33-35 Reid Street

Hamilton

Bermuda

2  

Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Highlights

•  Underlying profit up 14% to a record US$970 million
•  Full-year dividend up 5%
•  Net asset value per share up 18%
•  WF CENTRAL retail complex opens in Beijing
•  Ten new projects secured

Results

Underlying profit attributable to shareholders*

Profit attributable to shareholders

Shareholders’ funds

Net debt

Underlying earnings per share*

Earnings per share

Dividends per share

Net asset value per share

2017
US$m  

2016
US$m

Change
%

970

848

5,585

3,346

36,774

31,294

2,549

2,008

US¢

US¢

41.21

36.03

237.39

142.23

20.00

19.00

US$

US$

15.63

13.30

14

67

18

27

%

14

67

5

%

18

*  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.

Annual Report 2017

3

Chairman’s Statement

Overview

The Group’s investment properties produced higher 

results due to increased rents in Hong Kong and 

portfolio in Hong Kong increased by 17%, primarily due 

to the impact of lower capitalisation rates used by the 

independent valuers.

continuing low vacancies across both Hong Kong  

In Singapore, vacancy in the Group’s office portfolio  

and Singapore.  The contribution from development 

was 0.3%, compared to 0.1% at the end of 2016.   

properties also rose with increased sales completions in 

Rental reversions were negative with the average rent 

mainland China, partially offset by a lower contribution in 

declining to S$9.1 per sq. ft from S$9.3 per sq. ft in 2016.  

Singapore.  Good progress was made in acquiring new 

Completion of the previously announced agreement  

sites during the year.

Performance

to jointly develop a site within the Marina Bay Financial 

District remains subject to the fulfilment of certain 

conditions precedent.

Underlying profit attributable to shareholders rose 14%  

In mainland China, the retail component of the Group’s 

to US$970 million.

Including the net gains of US$4,615 million resulting  

from higher valuations of the Group’s investment 

properties, the profit attributable to shareholders was 

US$5,585 million.  This compares to US$3,346 million  

in 2016, which included net gains of US$2,498 million 

arising from revaluations.

The net asset value per share at 31st December 2017 

was US$15.63, compared with US$13.30 at the end  

of 2016.

luxury retail and hotel complex in Beijing, WF CENTRAL, 

was opened in late 2017.  The hotel component, 

comprising a 74-room Mandarin Oriental hotel, is 

scheduled to open in the second half of 2018.  In Jakarta, 

the development of the fifth tower of World Trade Centre 

was completed in early 2018.  EXCHANGE SQUARE,  

a 25,000 sq. m. mixed-use complex in Phnom Penh,  

was opened at the beginning of 2017.

In January 2018, the Group, in a 49%-owned joint 

venture, completed the purchase of a major freehold  

site in a prime location in the central business district  

The Directors are recommending a final dividend  

of Bangkok in Thailand with a developable area of 

of US¢14.00 per share, providing a total dividend  
for the year of US¢20.00 per share, compared with 
US¢19.00 per share for 2016.

Group Review

Investment Properties

In Hong Kong, vacancy across the office leasing market in 

Central remained low due to tight supply.  Vacancy in the 

Group’s Central office portfolio was 1.4% at the end of 

2017, compared with 2.2% at the end of 2016.  Positive 

rental reversions continued, with average office rents 

increasing to HK$108 per sq. ft from HK$103 per sq. ft in 

440,000 sq. m.

Development Properties

In mainland China, higher completions of primarily 

residential units led to a significant increase in profit 

contribution, while the Group’s attributable interest in 

contracted sales during the year was only marginally 

higher at US$1,112 million than in 2016 due to fewer sales 

launches in the second half.  At 31st December 2017,  

the Group had US$1,032 million in sold but unrecognised 

contracted sales, compared with US$1,083 million at  

the end of 2016.

2016.  The Group’s Central retail portfolio was effectively 

During the year, the Group entered into three new 

fully let with neutral reversions during 2017.  The average 

markets in mainland China with projects in Wuhan, 

rent of HK$224 per sq. ft was 3% higher than the prior 

Nanjing and Hangzhou, and acquired two new sites  

year due to the full-year effect of positive reversions in 

in Chongqing.  The Group’s effective interest in these 

2016.  The value of the Group’s investment property 

primarily residential projects equates to a developable 

area of 768,000 sq. m.

4  

Hongkong Land

In January 2018, the Group secured a commercial site in 

Xinjiekou, Nanjing, a mature business and retail district in 

the heart of the city.  The project has a developable area 

of 235,000 sq. m.

Outlook

The strong contribution from the Group’s investment 

properties to underlying profit is expected to be 

maintained in 2018, while further improvements are 

In Singapore, results were lower with only one project 

anticipated from the Group’s development properties  

completion during the year.  Pre-sales continued at the 

in mainland China and Singapore.

Ben Keswick
Chairman

8th March 2018

Sol Acres project, which is scheduled to complete in 

2018, and at Lake Grande which is due for completion in 

2019.  In May 2017, the Group secured a large residential 

site in eastern Singapore with a developable area of 

98,000 sq. m.

The Group’s joint venture projects in the rest of  

Southeast Asia are progressing on schedule.  During  

the year, the Group entered into agreements to develop 

new residential projects in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, 

increased its interest in an existing joint venture in Jakarta, 

and acquired its partner’s share in a retail mall and some 

mixed-use sites in Kuala Lumpur.

Financing

The Group’s financial position remains strong with  

net debt of US$2.5 billion at 31st December 2017,  

up from US$2.0 billion at the end of 2016.  Net gearing  

at the end of the year was 7%, compared with 6% at the 

end of 2016.  Net debt is expected to move modestly 

higher as payments for committed land purchases are 

funded during 2018.

People

On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend my 

gratitude to all of our staff for their dedication in 

upholding our reputation of providing high quality 

offerings to our tenants and customers, and for their 

commitment to our future growth and success.

Dr Richard Lee will step down from the Board at the 

forthcoming Annual General Meeting and will not  

seek re-election.  We would like to thank him for his 

contribution to the Company.  We are very pleased  

that Christina Ong, Co-Chairman and Senior Partner of 

Singapore law firm Allen & Gledhill LLP, has been invited 

to join the Board with effect from 9th May 2018.

Annual Report 2017

5

Chief Executive’s Review

Hongkong Land produced an excellent result in 2017 

Hong Kong’s positioning as one of Asia’s main financial 

with improved contributions from both its investment 

and business hubs, combined with the scarcity of  

property and development property businesses, leading 

supply of high quality space in Central and the unique 

to a record underlying profit.  The Group continues to 

advantages of the Group’s portfolio, continues to support 

maintain a strong balance sheet and ample financial 

low vacancy and strong rents.

liquidity, and is well-positioned to capitalise on 

opportunities to grow in its key markets.

Strategy

Hongkong Land operates a well-diversified portfolio  

of prime investment properties which it develops and 

holds as long-term investments, and develops premium 

residential and accompanying commercial properties  

for sale.

The Group’s investment properties are predominately 

commercial in nature and located in central business 

districts of Asian gateway cities, with a concentration  

in Hong Kong and Singapore.  Returns principally arise 

from rental income and long-term capital appreciation.  

The commercial portfolios in Hong Kong and Singapore 

provide a steady stream of earnings and are the 

foundation of the strong financial strength that enables 

the Group to pursue new opportunities in its key markets 

in Greater China and Southeast Asia.

2013

38% Banks and other financial services

30% Legal

6% Property

8% Accounting

3% Trading

3% Governments

12% Others

The Group’s development properties are premium 

residential and accompanying commercial developments 

primarily located in mainland China and Singapore, with  

a growing presence in Southeast Asia.  Returns principally 

2017

arise from short to medium-term trading profits.

41% Banks and other financial services

30% Legal

6% Property

7% Accounting

3% Trading

1% Governments

12% Others

Central portfolio office tenant profile  
by area occupied

Hong Kong’s Central Portfolio

In Hong Kong, the Group owns and manages  

12 interconnected prime commercial buildings  

that form the heart of the financial district in Central, 

providing over 450,000 sq. m. of Grade A office  

and luxury retail space.  This integrated mixed-use 

development is positioned as the pre-eminent office, 

luxury retail, restaurant and hotel accommodation in 

Hong Kong, and continues to attract both prime office 

tenants and luxury retailers.

6  

Hongkong Land

Central portfolio top five office tenants  
(in alphabetical order)

in 2017

ANZ

BNP Paribas

JP Morgan

KPMG

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Central portfolio top five retail tenants  
(in alphabetical order)
in 2017

Armani Group

Dickson Concepts

Kering

LVMH Group

Richemont Group

The Group’s 54,000 sq. m. retail portfolio is integrated 

Our performance in these markets depends on the levels 

with the office buildings to create part of the Group’s 

of demand for, and supply of, prime office and luxury 

distinctive and successful mixed-use business model.   

retail space, both of which are influenced by global and 

Its tenants include numerous luxury brand flagship stores, 

regional macro-economic conditions.  The Group is 

as well as leading restaurants that have collectively been 

committed to maintaining excellence in product quality 

awarded a total of nine Michelin stars.  LANDMARK is 

and service to retain and attract tenants and customers, 

firmly established as the iconic shopping and fine dining 

and will continue to seek new opportunities to develop 

destination in Hong Kong.

prime investment properties in Asia.

Other Investment Properties

Development Properties

Outside Hong Kong, the Group has similarly established 

The Group has established a strong and profitable  

itself as a leading provider of prime office and retail 

trading business focusing primarily on the premium 

space.  In Singapore, Hongkong Land’s attributable 

market segment in mainland China and Southeast Asia.  

interest of 165,000 sq. m., principally in the Marina Bay 

While the capital invested in this business is significantly 

Area, includes some of the finest Grade A office space  

lower than in its investment properties, the earnings 

in the market.  In mainland China, the 43,000 sq. m.  

derived from development properties enhance  

retail component of the Group’s WF CENTRAL 

the Group’s overall profits and returns on capital.   

development in Beijing was opened in November 2017, 

The Group’s attributable interest in the developable area 

and planning is underway for further developments  

of its projects at the end of 2017 totalled 8.2 million sq. m., 

in Beijing and Shanghai.

In Indonesia, the Group has attributable interests of  

over 100,000 sq. m. of commercial property through  

its 50%-owned joint venture, Jakarta Land, including  

compared to 7.3 million sq. m. at the end of 2016.   

Of this, construction of approximately 34% had been 

completed at the end of 2017, compared to 31% at  

the end of 2016.

the recently completed 74,000 sq. m. World Trade 

Annual returns from development properties fluctuate 

Centre 3 tower.  In Cambodia, the development of 

due to the nature of the projects and the Group’s 

EXCHANGE SQUARE, a 25,000 sq. m. mixed-use 

accounting policy of only recognising profits on sold 

complex comprising office and retail components in  

properties on completion.  Demand is also dependent on 

the heart of Phnom Penh, was completed in early 2017.

overall economic conditions, which can be significantly 

affected by government policies and the availability  

of credit.  Ongoing land acquisitions are necessary to 

build and maintain a stable income stream over the 

longer term.

Annual Report 2017

7

Review of Investment Properties

Profits from the Group’s investment properties were 

higher in 2017 than 2016, due to positive office rental 

reversions in Hong Kong and continuing low vacancies  

in both Hong Kong and Singapore.

The value of the Group’s investment portfolio in  

Hong Kong at 31st December 2017, based on 

independent valuations, increased by 17% to  

US$30.9 billion when compared to the prior year, 

primarily due to capitalisation rates compressing on 

strong investor demand for commercial property.

Hong Kong

The Hong Kong office leasing market remained buoyant, 

backed by continued tight Grade A office supply and 

steady demand for prime office space, in particular from 

mainland Chinese companies.  Vacancy for the overall 

Central Grade A market was 1.7% at the end of 2017, 

unchanged from the end of 2016.  The Group’s vacancy 

at the end of 2017 was 1.4%, down from 2.2% at the  

end of 2016.  The Group’s average office rent was 

HK$108 per sq. ft, an increase from the 2016 average  

of HK$103 per sq. ft.  Financial institutions, legal firms  

and accounting firms occupy 78% of the Group’s total 

Central portfolio

at 31st December 2017

Capital value (US$m)

Gross revenue (US$m)

Equivalent yield (%)

Office

Retail

25,833

4,727*

740

258*

– One and Two Exchange Square

3.00

– The Landmark Atrium

Average unexpired term  

  of leases (years)

4.50

3.7

2.7

leased office space.

Area subject to renewal/review  

The Group’s retail portfolio in Hong Kong was fully let at 

in 2018 (%)

31

34

31st December 2017, against a backdrop of modestly 

* include hotel

improved market sentiment during the second half of the 

year.  Base rental reversions were largely neutral during 

the year, while the average rent of HK$224 per sq. ft was 

up slightly from the HK$218 per sq. ft achieved in the 

prior year, due to the full year effect of positive reversions 

seen in 2016.

10.84

10.85

11.18

11.64

8.52

12.70

13.14

13.03

13.26

13.82

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

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

8  

Hongkong Land

Chief Executive’s Review 
Singapore

the start of 2018 and the space is in the process of being 

Although the Singapore office leasing market showed 

handed over to tenants.  Occupancy across the portfolio 

signs of improvement towards the end of 2017 as new 

increased to 92% at the end of 2017, compared to 90% 

supply was taken up, a sustained trend is not yet evident.  

at the end of 2016; a strong result amidst a backdrop of 

The overall vacancy across the entire Grade A central 

surplus city-wide office supply.  The average gross rent in 

business district market was 10.8% as at the end of 2017, 

2017 was US$25.1 per sq. m., virtually unchanged from 

compared to 6.7% at the end of 2016.  The Group’s 

the prior year.

office portfolio remained resilient, reflecting its high 

quality and unique positioning.  Vacancy remained low  

at 0.3% at the year end, compared to 0.1% at the end  

of 2016.  The Group’s average rent in 2017 was S$9.1 

per sq. ft, a decrease from S$9.3 per sq. ft in the previous 

year, due to overall negative rental reversions.  Financial 

institutions, legal firms and accounting firms occupy 82% 

of the total leasable area.

In June 2017, the Group signed an agreement to jointly 

construct and manage a site within the Marina Bay 

Financial District of Singapore with a developable area of 

120,000 sq. m.  The conditions precedent to the proposed 

In Phnom Penh, EXCHANGE SQUARE, the Group’s 

25,000 sq. m. prime mixed-use complex in the heart  

of the city’s emerging financial district, was completed  

in early 2017.  The development has secured a number  

of anchor tenants and was 65% occupied at the end  

of 2017.  It continues to see reasonable demand for its 

remaining vacant space.

In October 2017, agreement was reached to jointly 

acquire a freehold site in Bangkok’s central business 

district that will yield a developable area of 440,000 sq. m.  

The transaction closed in January 2018.

joint development proceeding are yet to be fulfilled.

Performances at the Group’s other investment properties 

Other Investment Properties

In Beijing, WF CENTRAL, the Group’s unique lifestyle, 

luxury retail and hotel project in Wangfujing, had the  

soft opening of its retail component in November 2017.  

This prestigious development houses a large number  

of renowned international brands with many making  

their debuts in Beijing.  The development also includes  

a 74-room Mandarin Oriental hotel, which is expected  

to open in the second half of 2018.  In the central 

business district of Beijing’s Chaoyang District, the 

Group’s 30%-owned proposed office development 

project remains under planning.  It will be developed  

as a prime Grade A office building of 120,000 sq. m.

were within expectations.

Review of Development Properties

Earnings from the Group’s development properties were 

significantly higher in 2017 compared to 2016, primarily 

due to higher completions in mainland China, partially 

offset by a lower profit contribution from Singapore.

Mainland China

The Group’s development properties in mainland China 

are located in seven cities, with a concentration in 

Chongqing.  During the year, the Group entered into 

three new markets: namely Wuhan, Nanjing and 

Hangzhou, and acquired two further sites in Chongqing.  

In Shanghai, the Group’s joint venture project with 

The new projects are predominantly residential with 

Lujiazui Group in the Qiantan area of Pudong remains  

accompanying commercial components.

in the planning stage and is also subject to final regulatory 

approval.  The intention is to develop the site into  

a mixed-use project comprising office and retail 

components, with a developable area of 230,000 sq. m.

Despite government cooling measures, sales 

performance remained resilient.  Total contracted sales  

in 2017 was US$1,112 million, marginally higher than the 

US$1,105 million achieved in the prior year as a strong 

In One Central Macau, occupancy in the retail portfolio was 

selling performance in the first half of the year was offset 

92%, compared to 95% in the prior year.  Tenant sales 

by fewer sales launches in the second half.  The Group’s 

were up 2% as the market showed signs of stabilising.

attributable interest in revenue recognised, including its 

In Jakarta, development of the fifth tower at the Group’s 

50%-owned joint venture, Jakarta Land, was completed at 

share of revenue in joint ventures and associates, rose to 

US$1,347 million in 2017 from US$676 million in 2016, 

an increase of 99%, due to the timing of completions.

Annual Report 2017

9

At 31st December 2017, the Group’s attributable  

a total developable area of approximately 493,000 sq. m.  

interest in sold but not yet recognised contracted sales 

The project is planned to be developed in three phases  

amounted to US$1,032 million, a decrease of 5% from 

to 2022.

US$1,083 million at the end of 2016.

In Nanjing, the Group entered into a joint venture with 

Chongqing, the largest city in western China, remains  

China Merchants Property Development and Country 

the most significant market in the country for the Group’s 

Garden in March 2017 to develop a mixed-use site  

development properties, representing some 53% of its 

within Qinhuai District.  The project comprises residential, 

mainland China exposure in this sector.  There are three 

retail and serviced apartments, and a hotel, with a total 

wholly-owned projects, Yorkville South, Yorkville North 

developable area of approximately 218,000 sq. m.   

and a project in Dazhulin acquired in August 2017 

The project is planned to be developed in two phases  

adjacent to New Bamboo Grove, and five 50%-owned 

to 2021.

joint ventures, being Bamboo Grove, New Bamboo 

Grove, Landmark Riverside, Central Avenue and a newly 

acquired project in Lijia, a residential area along the south 

bank of the Jialing River.

Following the end of 2017, the Group acquired a 

commercial site in Xinjiekou, a mature business and  

retail district in the heart of the Nanjing central business 

district.  The project comprises offices and retail over  

The newly acquired 100%-owned site adjacent to  

a developable area of 235,000 sq. m. and will be 

New Bamboo Grove is primarily residential with a total 

developed in one phase to 2023.

developable area of some 161,000 sq. m.  The new 

50%-owned site located in Lijia is also primarily residential 

with a total developable area of some 114,000 sq. m.  

Both projects will be completed in a single phase in 2020.

In Hangzhou, the Group entered into a joint venture  

with Yanlord and Transfar Group in August 2017 to 

develop two mixed-used sites in Xiaoshan District.   

The project mainly comprises residential, retail and 

The Group’s attributable interest in revenue recognised  

serviced apartments, with a total developable area of 

in Chongqing, including its share of revenue in joint 

approximately 776,000 sq. m.  The project is planned  

ventures and associates, rose to US$806 million in 2017 

to be developed in three phases to 2022.

from US$509 million in 2016, an increase of 58%, due  

to the timing of completions.  The Group’s attributable 

Singapore

interest in the developable area of its Chongqing projects 

The Group completed one residential project during 2017, 

at the end of 2017 totalled 4.3 million sq. m., compared 

the 699-unit LakeVille project, which was fully sold.

to 4.1 million sq. m. at the end of 2016.  Of this, 

construction of approximately 48% had been completed 

at the end of 2017, compared to 41% at the end of 2016.

The 1,327-unit Sol Acres executive condominium 

development, which is scheduled for completion in 2018, 

was 96% pre-sold at the end of 2017.  The 710-unit Lake 

In Shanghai, the Group holds a 50% joint venture interest 

Grande project, a residential site located adjacent to the 

to develop a prime residential project, Parkville, which is 

LakeVille project, which is scheduled for completion in 

located in Pudong within Shanghai’s inner-ring road.  The 

2019, was 98% pre-sold.

project consists of residential and commercial space with 

a total developable area of approximately 230,000 sq. m.  

Of this, construction of approximately 33%, comprising 

some offices and the entire residential component, had 

been completed at the end of 2017.  The Group’s share 

Construction of Margaret Ville, a 309-unit residential 

project with a developable area of 239,000 sq. ft, is 

underway with completion scheduled in 2021.  Pre-sales 

are expected to commence in the first half of 2018.

of sales recognised was US$399 million.

In May 2017, the Group successfully tendered for  

In Wuhan, the Group entered into a 50%-owned joint 

venture with Zall Group in February 2017 to develop a 

mixed-use site within the Dongxihu District.  The project 

comprises residential, retail and office components, with 

a residential site at Sims Avenue, near the Eunos MRT 

station.  The project will yield approximately 1,400 units 

over a developable area of 98,000 sq. m.  Construction 

will commence in 2018 and is expected to complete  

by 2021.

10  

Hongkong Land

Chief Executive’s ReviewOther Development Properties

In Vietnam, the Group secured two new residential sites 

In Indonesia, construction of the Group’s residential 

in Ho Chi Minh City.  In July 2017, the Group conditionally 

projects is progressing well.  Nava Park, the Group’s 

entered into a 64%-owned joint venture to develop  

49%-owned joint venture with Bumi Serpong Damai,  

a prime residential site in District 2 of the city.  The project 

is a 67 hectare site in the southwest of central Jakarta.  

will yield a total developable area of approximately 

Upon completion in 2029, Nava Park will comprise a mix 

175,000 sq. m., consisting of over 1,000 luxury 

of landed houses, villas, mid-rise apartments and low-rise 

apartments.  The project will be developed over two 

commercial components.  Of the 653 units which have 

phases through to 2024.

been launched for sale, 74% had been pre-sold as at the 

end of 2017.  The first phase of the launched units was 

completed in 2017, while the second phase is due for 

completion by stages through to 2020.

In December 2017, the Group conditionally entered  

into a 70%-owned joint venture to develop a prime 

residential site in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City.   

The project will comprise a 530-unit luxury residential 

Anandamaya Residences, the 40%-owned joint venture 

tower with a total developable area of approximately 

project with affiliate Astra International, is a 509-unit luxury 

57,000 sq. m.  The project will be developed in a single 

apartment development.  Construction is scheduled to 

phase and is expected to complete in 2021.

complete in the second half of 2018.  As of the end of 

2017, 94% of the units had been pre-sold.  In January 

2018, the Group agreed to develop another residential 

site, Arumaya, with Astra International.  It will consist of 

262 luxury garden villas and apartments and is expected 

to complete in 2022.

In Thailand, the Group secured its first residential project 

in Bangkok, under a 49%-owned joint venture, in February 

2017.  The site, which is located in the Sukhumvit area  

of Bangkok, will be developed as a 338-unit high-rise 

luxury condominium tower with total developable area  

of approximately 38,000 sq. m.  The project will be 

Asya (formerly Jakarta Garden City), the joint venture  

developed in a single phase and is expected to complete 

in which the Group has a 33.5% attributable interest,  

in 2020.

is a 68 hectare site located east of central Jakarta.   

The project will yield a total developable area of 

approximately one million sq. m., comprising landed 

houses, villas, apartments and low-rise commercial 

shophouses.  The project will be developed in multiple 

phases through to 2031.  Pre-sale of the first phase  

was launched in December 2017.

In the Philippines, construction is continuing at  

Two Roxas Triangle, the 40%-owned luxury 182-unit 

residential condominium tower in Manila’s central  

Makati area.  The development is expected to be 

completed in 2018.  At the end of 2017, 96% of the  

units had been pre-sold.

Outlook

The Group’s investment property portfolio is expected  

to continue generating stable returns in 2018.  In the 

development properties business, higher profits are 

expected from mainland China and Singapore.

We take pride in delivering outstanding services and 

products to our tenants and customers by upholding the 

highest standards of quality.  These are the core values 

which have served as the foundation of Hongkong Land’s 

long-term success.  The Group intends to utilise its strong 

balance sheet and disciplined investment approach  

to further strengthen its market positions and achieve 

At Mandani Bay, a 40%-owned 20 hectare development 

sustained growth.

comprising principally residential units with some  

office and retail components in Cebu, construction 

progress remains on track with the project planned  

to be developed in multiple phases through to 2035.   

Robert Wong
Chief Executive

Of the 2,118 units launched, 50% was pre-sold at the  

8th March 2018

end of 2017.

Annual Report 2017 11

Financial Review

Results

The Group’s underlying profit attributable to shareholders 

in 2017 was US$970 million, up 14% from the prior year.  

This result can be analysed by reportable segment at  

the operating profit level, and unallocated expenses.  

Each of these items in the below table includes the 

Group’s share of results from its associates and joint 

ventures.  Given the significance of the Group’s joint 

ventures, this provides a clear summary of the Group’s 

performance during the year.

2017
US$m

2016
US$m

Investment Properties,  

  underlying operating profit

988

953

Development Properties,  

  underlying operating profit

Corporate costs

540

(68)

286

(62)

Underlying operating profit

1,460

1,177

The Group’s operating profit from Investment Properties 

was US$988 million, a 4% increase on the prior year.   

The improved results were mostly attributable to the 

Hong Kong Central office portfolio, on positive rental 

reversions and continued low vacancies.  The Hong Kong 

Central retail portfolio, which continues to be effectively 

fully occupied, had a moderately improved performance 

over the prior year, whilst the contribution from the 

Singapore portfolio was slightly lower in 2017 due to 

negative rental reversions.

In Hong Kong, strong results continued at the Group’s 

office portfolio on 5% higher average rents due to  

tight supply and steady demand for prime office space.  

The retail portfolio benefited from the full-year effect  

of positive reversions in 2016, resulting in a 3% increase 

in average rents.  The Hong Kong Central Portfolio 

generated 85% of the operating profit contributed by  

the Group’s Investment Properties sector, marginally 

higher than the prior year of 83%.

Net financing charges

Tax

Non-controlling interests 

Underlying profit attributable  

(104)

(371)

(15)

(102)

(214)

(13)

In Singapore, the contribution to the Group’s Investment 

Properties segment was marginally lower in 2017 than 

the prior year, due to overall negative rental reversions.  

Singapore contributed to 12% of the Group’s Investment 

Properties segment, marginally lower than the prior year 

of 13%.

to shareholders 

970

848

Underlying earnings per share

41.21

36.03

contribution due to opening expenses incurred.

US¢

US¢

In mainland China, the retail component of WF CENTRAL 

in Beijing was opened in November 2017, with a negative 

12  

Hongkong Land

 
The contribution from the Development Properties 

In Singapore, there was one project completion,  

segment was US$540 million, an 89% increase on the 

namely LakeVille (699 units).  The 2017 operating  

prior year, primarily due to a higher contribution from 

profit contribution declined compared to the prior year, 

mainland China, that was only partially offset by a lower 

despite moderately higher revenues, mainly due to a 

contribution from Singapore.  The Group’s mainland 

decline in margins caused by the timing of the LakeVille 

China results benefited from higher completions, and 

land purchase.

collectively a higher margin, whereas Singapore’s 

contribution was lower as a result of lower margins 

enjoyed on the project that completed in 2017.

In mainland China, the Group’s attributable interest in 

revenue, being the Group’s share of completed units 

handed over to customers, increased by 99% compared 

to the prior year due to higher completions.  Earnings 

contribution increased by 176% compared to the prior 

year driven by both higher completions and improved 

Other locations are predominately under development 

and are yet to make a meaningful contribution to 

operating profit.

Net financing charges of US$104 million were 2% higher 

than the prior year primarily due to slightly higher average 

net borrowings as a result of the Group’s investments 

during the year.  Average borrowing costs remained 

largely unchanged from the prior year at 3.6%.

margins, predominately due to the first time recognition 

The tax charge, which includes Land Appreciation Tax at 

of profits at the Parkville development in Shanghai.

the Group’s development properties projects in mainland 

Revenue was recognised at the following projects in 

mainland China:

China, increased by 73% to US$371 million, with a higher 

effective tax rate of 25.2% from the prior year’s 19.7%, 

primarily due to higher Land Appreciation Tax.

Project

City

Attributable  
interest

Maple Place

Beijing

Yorkville North

Chongqing

Yorkville South

Chongqing

Bamboo Grove

Chongqing

New Bamboo  

  Grove

Landmark  

  Riverside

Chongqing

Chongqing

Central Avenue

Chongqing

WE City

Parkville

Chengdu

Shanghai

%

90

100

100

50

50

50

50

50

50

Number of units sold
2016
2017

13

844

940

1,431

31

767

1,155

347

Non-Trading Items

In 2017, the Group had net non-trading gains of 

US$4,615 million compared with US$2,498 million  

in 2016.  These arose principally on revaluations of the 

Group’s investment properties, including its share of joint 

ventures, which were performed at 31st December 2017 

by independent valuers.

1,322

–

The gains on valuation came predominately from the 

1,438

482

730

490

216

512

1,069

–

Group’s Central office portfolio in Hong Kong due to  

a compression in capitalisation rates on a continuation  

of strong investor demand for Grade A office space  

in Central, and an increase in open market rents.   

The Central portfolio increased in value by 17% to 

US$30.6 billion.

Annual Report 2017 13

Cash Flows

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

Operating activities

Operating profit, excluding non-trading items

Net interest

Tax paid

Payments for development properties sites

Expenditure on development properties projects

Sale proceeds from development properties

Dividends received from joint ventures

Others

Investing activities

Major renovations capex

Investments in and advances to associates and joint ventures

Development expenditure

Acquisition of a subsidiary

Payment of deposit for a joint venture

Financing activities

Dividends paid by the Company

Net drawdown of borrowings

Others

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at 1st January

Effect of exchange rate changes

2017
US$m

2016
US$m

908

(76)

(137)

(549)

(298)

1,018

94

(160)

971

(75)

(141)

(79)

(336)

953

88

(285)

800

1,096

(108)

(670)

(106)

(43)

(20)

(947)

(443)

239

11

(193)

(340)

1,898

58

(92)

(1)

(148)

–

(4)

(245)

(444)

26

(24)

(442)

409

1,566

(77)

Cash and cash equivalents at 31st December

1,616

1,898

The cash inflows from operating activities for the year 

portfolio was more than offset by lower underlying  

were US$800 million, compared with US$1,096 million  

profits from wholly-owned development properties in 

in 2016.  The decrease of US$296 million was principally 

mainland China and Singapore.  Furthermore, the Group 

due to lower operating profit from the Group’s 

paid US$549 million to acquire development property 

subsidiaries, and higher payments for wholly-owned 

sites, predominately attributable to the Margaret  

residential development sites.  The Group’s operating 

Drive and Eunosville projects in Singapore (collectively 

profit from its subsidiaries (excluding non-trading  

US$245 million), and a new site acquired in Chongqing 

items) was US$908 million, 6% lower than the prior year.  

(US$287 million), as compared to US$79 million in 2016.

An improved contribution from the Hong Kong Central 

14  

Hongkong Land

Financial ReviewCash outflows from investing activities were  

US$947 million, compared to US$245 million in  

the prior year.  The increase of US$702 million was  

mainly due to an increase in investment activity.   

Net funding of the Group’s joint venture projects totalled 

US$670 million, a significant increase on US$1 million  

in the prior year primarily due to an increase in new  

joint venture developments.  Similar to the prior year, 

development expenditure of US$106 million was 

principally for the WF CENTRAL project in Beijing, whilst 

capital expenditure of US$108 million related to major 

renovations, principally in respect of the Hong Kong 

Central portfolio.

Under financing activities, the Company paid dividends 

of US$443 million, being the 2016 final dividend of 

US¢13.00 per share and the 2017 interim dividend  

of US¢6.00 per share, in line with the prior year.   

The Group also had a net drawdown of borrowings  

of US$239 million.

Dividends

The Board is recommending a final dividend of  

US¢14.00 per share for 2017, providing a total annual 

dividend of US¢20.00 per share, an increase of 5%  

over 2016.  The final dividend will be payable on  

16th May 2018, subject to approval at the Annual  

General Meeting to be held on 9th May 2018, to 

shareholders on the register of members at the close  

of business on 23rd March 2018.  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 

Cash and cash equivalents was US$282 million lower  

to enhance yield.  Appropriate credit guidelines are in 

at the end of 2017.  Taken together with an increase in 

place to manage counterparty credit risk.

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 and to 

provide some protection against market uncertainties.  

Overall, the Group’s funding arrangements are designed 

to keep an appropriate balance between equity and debt 

from banks and capital markets, both short and long 

term, to give flexibility to develop the business.

The Group’s Treasury operations are managed as cost 

centres and are not permitted to undertake speculative 

transactions unrelated to underlying financial exposures.

borrowings, this resulted in an increase in the Group’s  

net debt at 31st December 2017, which has moved  

up to US$2,549 million, from US$2,008 million at the 

beginning of the year.

Year-end debt summary*

2017
US$m

1,504

1,238

555

112

364

393

–

5

2016
US$m

1,507

1,248

675

139

78

265

5

–

4,171

1,622

3,917

1,909

2,549

2,008

US$ bonds/notes

HK$ bonds/notes

HK$ bank loans

S$ bonds/notes

S$ bank loans

RMB bank loans

PHP bank loans

THB bank loans

Gross debt

Cash

Net debt

* Before currency swaps

Annual Report 2017 15

Funding

The Group is well financed with strong liquidity.   

Net gearing was 7% at 31st December 2017, up from  

6% at the end of 2016.  Interest cover, calculated as  

the underlying operating profits, including the Group’s 

share of associates and joint ventures’ operating profits, 

divided by net financing charges including the Group’s 

share of associates and joint ventures’ net financing 

charges, was 14.0 times, up from 11.5 times in 2016.

11%

10%

8%

6%

7%

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Net debt

Equity

Net debt as a percentage of equity

Both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s have maintained 

their credit ratings of Hongkong Land Holdings Limited  

at A3 and A respectively.

During the year, bilateral revolving facilities of  

US$1.6 billion were signed with a number of banks to 

refinance facilities expiring in 2017 and the first half  

of 2018.

The average tenor of the Group’s debt was 5.9 years at 

31st December 2017, down from 6.4 years at 2016 year 

Interest
rate

52% Fixed

48% Floating

Currency

Maturity

76% HK$

15% S$

9% RMB

46% >5 years

43% 2-5 years

6% 1-2 years

5% <1 year

Debt profile at 31st December 2017

At 31st December 2017, the Group had total committed 

lines of approximately US$6.8 billion.  Of these lines, 58% 

were sourced from banks with the remaining 42% from 

the capital markets.  At the end of 2017, the Group had 

drawn US$4.1 billion of these lines leaving US$2.7 billion 

of committed, but unused, facilities.  Adding the Group’s 

year end cash balances, the Group had overall liquidity  

at 31st December 2017 of US$4.3 billion, down from 

US$4.5 billion at the end of 2016.

4,455

593

662

812

308

end.  Approximately 48% of the Group’s borrowings were 

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022
& beyond

at floating rates and the remaining 52% were either fixed 

rate borrowings or covered by interest rate hedges with 

major credit worthy financial institutions, broadly in line 

with the end of 2016.

Committed facility maturity  
at 31st December 2017 (US$m)

16  

Hongkong Land

Financial ReviewGross Assets

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The Group’s gross assets, including its share of joint 

A review of the principal risks and uncertainties facing  

ventures, (excluding cash balances) is analysed below,  

the Group is set out on page 78.

by activity and by location.

90% Investment Properties

10% Development Properties
90% Investment Properties

10% Development Properties

Gross assets by activity

77% Hong Kong

12% Southeast Asia
77% Hong Kong
11% Mainland China and Macau
12% Southeast Asia

11% Mainland China and Macau

Gross assets by location

Accounting Policies

The Directors continue to review the appropriateness  

of the accounting policies adopted by the Group  

with regard to developments in International Financial 

Reporting Standards.  The accounting policies are 

consistent with those of the prior year.  A number of  

new standards and amendments, which are effective  

for accounting periods beginning after 2017, have  

been published and will be adopted by the Group from 

their effective dates.  The new standard that will have  

the greatest impact on the Group’s underlying profit  

from 2018 is IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with 

Customers.  The new standard is expected to change  

the Group’s revenue recognition in Singapore (excluding 

executive condominiums, which will continue to be 

recognised on completion), and the Philippines, from 

completion to percentage of completion, leading to the 

earlier recognition of revenue.

Simon Dixon
Chief Financial Officer

8th March 2018

Annual Report 2017 17

Directors’ Profiles

Ben Keswick* Chairman and Managing Director
Mr Ben Keswick joined the Board as Managing Director  

Mark Greenberg
Mr Greenberg joined the Board in 2006.  He is group 

in 2012 and became Chairman in 2013.  He has held a 

strategy director of Jardine Matheson.  He had previously 

number of executive positions since joining the Jardine 

spent 16 years in investment banking with Dresdner 

Matheson group in 1998, including finance director and 

Kleinwort Wasserstein in London.  He is also a director of 

then chief executive officer of Jardine Pacific between 

Jardine Matheson Limited, Dairy Farm, Jardine Cycle & 

2003 and 2007 and, thereafter, group managing director 

Carriage and Mandarin Oriental, and a commissioner of 

of Jardine Cycle & Carriage until 2012.  He has an MBA 

Astra and Bank Permata.

from INSEAD.  Mr Keswick is chairman of Jardine 

Matheson Limited and Jardine Cycle & Carriage and  

a commissioner of Astra.  He is also chairman and 

managing director of Dairy Farm and Mandarin Oriental, 

managing director of Jardine Matheson and Jardine 

Strategic, and a director of Jardine Pacific and  

Jardine Motors.

Robert Wong* Chief Executive
Mr Wong joined the Board as Chief Executive in 2016.   

He joined the Group in 1985 and has extensive experience 

in property management and development.  As a director 

of Hongkong Land Limited since 1996, he had prime 

responsibility for the Group’s residential property business.  

He is a member of both The Royal Institution of Chartered 

Surveyors and The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors.

Simon Dixon* Chief Financial Officer
Mr Dixon joined the Board as Chief Financial Officer  

in 2016.  A Chartered Accountant, he joined the Jardine 

Matheson group in 2006 from PricewaterhouseCoopers.  

He was previously finance director of Astra, prior to which 

he was group treasurer of Jardine Matheson from 2006  

to 2010.

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.

Adam Keswick
Mr Adam Keswick joined the Board in 2012.  Having 

joined Jardine Matheson in 2001, he was appointed to 

the board in 2007 and was deputy managing director 

from 2012 to 2016.  Mr Keswick is also deputy chairman 

of Jardine Lloyd Thompson and a director of Dairy Farm, 

Jardine Strategic and Mandarin Oriental.  He is also  

a director of Ferrari, and a supervisory board member  

of Rothschild & Co.

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 and 

Mandarin Oriental.  He is also vice chairman of the Hong 

Kong Association.

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

holding company since 1983.  He was Chairman of  

the Company from 1983 to 1988 and from 1989 to 

2013.  He joined the Jardine Matheson group in 1962  

and is a director of Dairy Farm, Jardine Matheson,  

Jardine Strategic and Mandarin Oriental.

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 honorary 

chairman of TAL Apparel.  He is also a director of Jardine 

Matheson and Mandarin Oriental.

* Executive Director

18  

Hongkong Land

Anthony Nightingale
Mr Nightingale joined the Board in 2006 and was 

Lord Sassoon, Kt
Lord Sassoon joined the Board in 2013.  He began his 

Managing Director of the Company from 2006 to 2012.  

career at KPMG, before joining SG Warburg (later UBS 

He is also a director of Dairy Farm, Jardine Cycle & 

Warburg) in 1985.  From 2002 to 2006 he was in the 

Carriage, Jardine Matheson, Jardine Strategic, Mandarin 

United Kingdom Treasury as a civil servant, where  

Oriental, Prudential, Schindler, Shui On Land and Vitasoy, 

he had responsibility for financial services and enterprise 

and a commissioner of Astra.  He is chairman of The 

policy.  Following this, he chaired the Financial Action 

Sailors Home and Missions to Seamen in Hong Kong.

Task Force; and conducted a review of the UK’s system  

Y.K. Pang
Mr Pang has been a Director of the Company since 2007.  

He was Chief Executive of the Group from 2007 to 2016.  

He is deputy managing director of Jardine Matheson, 

chairman of Jardine Pacific, and chairman and chief 

executive of Jardine Motors.  He previously held a 

number of senior executive positions in the Jardine 

Matheson group, which he joined in 1984.  Mr Pang  

is also deputy chairman of Jardine Matheson Limited,  

of financial regulation.  From 2010 to 2013 Lord Sassoon 

was the first Commercial Secretary to the Treasury  

and acted as the Government’s Front Bench Treasury 

spokesman in the House of Lords.  He is a director of 

Dairy Farm, Jardine Lloyd Thompson, Jardine Matheson 

and Mandarin Oriental.  He is also chairman of the 

China-Britain Business Council.

James Watkins
Mr Watkins joined the Board in 2009.  He was a director 

and a director of Dairy Farm, Jardine Matheson (China), 

and group general counsel of Jardine Matheson from 

Jardine Strategic, Mandarin Oriental, Yonghui Superstores 

1997 to 2003.  Mr Watkins qualified as a solicitor in 1969 

and Zhongsheng.  He is chairman of the General 

and was formerly a partner of Linklaters.  He is also  

Committee of the Employers’ Federation of Hong Kong 

a director of IL&FS India Realty Fund II, Jardine Cycle  

and a past chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber 

& Carriage and Mandarin Oriental.

of Commerce.

Lord Powell of Bayswater, KCMG
Lord Powell rejoined the Board in 2008, having first 

Percy Weatherall
Mr Weatherall joined the Board in 1994 and was 

Managing Director from 2000 to 2006.  He first joined  

served as a Director between 1992 and 2000.  He was 

the Jardine Matheson group in 1976 and retired from 

previously Private Secretary and adviser on foreign affairs 

executive office in 2006.  He is also a director of Dairy 

and defence to British Prime Ministers, Baroness Thatcher 

Farm, Jardine Matheson, Jardine Strategic and Mandarin 

and Rt Hon John Major.  He is a director of LVMH Moët 

Oriental.  He is chairman of Corney & Barrow and  

Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Matheson & Co, Mandarin 

the Nith District Salmon Fishery Board.

Oriental and Northern Trust Corporation.  Previously 
president of the China-Britain Business Council and 

chairman of the Singapore-British Business Council,  

he is currently a British Business Ambassador.  He is  

an independent member of the House of Lords.

Michael Wei Kuo Wu
Mr Wu joined the Board in 2012.  He is chairman and 

managing director of Maxim’s Caterers in Hong Kong.   

He is also a non-executive director of Hang Seng Bank 

and Jardine Matheson.

Annual Report 2017 19

Consolidated Profit and Loss Account

for the year ended 31st December 2017

Underlying 
business 
performance

Note

US$m

2017

Non-
trading 
items

US$m

Underlying 
business 
performance

US$m

Total

US$m

2016

Non-
trading 
items

US$m

Total

US$m

Revenue

Net operating costs

Change in fair value of investment properties

Gain on acquisition of a subsidiary

Asset impairment reversals

Operating profit

Net financing charges

  – financing charges

  – financing income

Share of results of associates and joint ventures

  – before change in fair value of 

   investment properties

5

6

11

11

11

7

8

1,959.8

(1,052.2)

907.6

–

–

–

1,959.8

1,993.9

(1,052.2)

(1,023.3)

907.6

970.6

–

–

–

1,993.9

(1,023.3)

970.6

–

–

–

4,677.9

4,677.9

3.0

–

3.0

–

–

–

–

2,549.9

2,549.9

–

1.2

–

1.2

907.6

4,680.9

5,588.5

970.6

2,551.1

3,521.7

(121.3)

43.1

(78.2)

298.5

–

–

–

–

(121.3)

43.1

(110.4)

41.5

(78.2)

(68.9)

298.5

(53.1)

117.0

–

–

–

–

(110.4)

41.5

(68.9)

117.0

(57.9)

  – change in fair value of investment properties

11

–

(53.1)

–

(57.9)

Profit before tax

Tax

Profit after tax

Attributable to:

298.5

(53.1)

245.4

117.0

(57.9)

59.1

1,127.9

4,627.8

5,755.7

1,018.7

2,493.2

3,511.9

9

(156.8)

(1.8)

(158.6)

(168.1)

0.8

(167.3)

971.1

4,626.0

5,597.1

850.6

2,494.0

3,344.6

Shareholders of the Company

Non-controlling interests

969.7

4,615.7

5,585.4

847.8

2,498.5

3,346.3

1.4

10.3

11.7

2.8

(4.5)

(1.7)

971.1

4,626.0

5,597.1

850.6

2,494.0

3,344.6

US¢

US¢

US¢

US¢

Earnings per share (basic and diluted)

10

41.21

237.39

36.03

142.23

20  

Hongkong Land

 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the year ended 31st December 2017

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income/(expense)

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:

Remeasurements of defined benefit plans

Tax on items that will not be reclassified

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

Net exchange translation differences

  – net gain/(loss) arising during the year

  – transfer to profit and loss

Revaluation of other investments

Cash flow hedges

  – net (loss)/gain arising during the year

  – transfer to profit and loss

Tax relating to items that may be reclassified

Share of other comprehensive income/(expense) of associates  

  and joint ventures

Other comprehensive income/(expense) for the year, net of tax

Note

2017

US$m

2016

US$m

5,597.1

3,344.6

9

9

2.3

(0.4)

1.9

69.4

11.2

80.6

51.4

(27.8)

(2.8)

(30.6)

5.1

237.2

343.7

345.6

(1.2)

0.2

(1.0)

(172.1)

–

(172.1)

(9.1)

41.8

(2.5)

39.3

(6.5)

(144.9)

(293.3)

(294.3)

Total comprehensive income for the year

5,942.7

3,050.3

Attributable to:

Shareholders of the Company

Non-controlling interests

5,925.8

16.9

3,055.2

(4.9)

5,942.7

3,050.3

Annual Report 2017 21

Note

2017

US$m

2016

US$m

12

13

14

15

16

17

15

18

19

20

20

16

19

21

106.9

32,481.0

5,550.8

103.0

28.5

15.5

0.1

44.9

27,712.3

4,460.7

52.2

60.1

8.7

–

38,285.8

32,338.9

2,534.6

498.4

10.6

1,622.1

2,217.4

480.3

9.2

1,908.9

4,665.7

4,615.8

(1,694.9)

(190.6)

(113.5)

(1,999.0)

2,666.7

(3,980.3)

(126.9)

–

(36.9)

(1,490.3)

(220.7)

(80.0)

(1,791.0)

2,824.8

(3,695.7)

(121.5)

(1.8)

(30.3)

36,808.4

31,314.4

235.3

386.9

235.3

386.9

36,151.5

30,672.2

36,773.7

34.7

31,294.4

20.0

36,808.4

31,314.4

Consolidated Balance Sheet

at 31st December 2017

Net operating assets
Tangible fixed assets

Investment properties

Associates and joint ventures

Other investments

Non-current debtors

Deferred tax assets

Pension assets

Non-current assets

Properties for sale

Current debtors

Current tax assets

Bank balances

Current assets

Current creditors

Current borrowings

Current tax liabilities

Current liabilities

Net current assets

Long-term borrowings

Deferred tax liabilities

Pension liabilities

Non-current creditors

Total equity
Share capital

Share premium

Revenue and other reserves

Shareholders' funds

Non-controlling interests

Approved by the Board of Directors on 8th March 2018

Ben Keswick
Robert Wong
Directors

22  

Hongkong Land

 
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

for the year ended 31st December 2017

Share 
capital

US$m

Share 
premium

US$m

Revenue 
reserves

US$m

Hedging 
reserves

US$m

Exchange 
reserves

US$m

Note

Attributable to 
shareholders 
of the 
Company

Attributable  
to non- 
controlling 
interests

US$m

US$m

Total  
equity

US$m

2017
At 1st January

Total comprehensive income

Dividends paid by  

the Company

Dividends paid to  

  non-controlling  

  shareholders

Unclaimed dividends forfeited

22

235.3

386.9

31,093.6

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

5,638.7

(447.0)

–

0.5

18.6

(26.3)

(440.0)

31,294.4

313.4

5,925.8

20.0

16.9

31,314.4

5,942.7

–

–

–

–

–

–

(447.0)

–

(447.0)

–

0.5

(2.2)

–

(2.2)

0.5

At 31st December

235.3

386.9

36,285.8

(7.7)

(126.6)

36,773.7

34.7

36,808.4

2016

At 1st January

Total comprehensive income

Dividends paid by  

the Company

Dividends paid to  

  non-controlling  

  shareholders

Unclaimed dividends forfeited

Change in interests  

in subsidiaries

22

235.3

386.9

28,205.8

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3,336.2

(447.0)

–

0.5

(1.9)

(9.1)

27.7

(133.9)

(308.7)

28,685.0

3,055.2

35.4

28,720.4

(4.9)

3,050.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2.6

(447.0)

–

(447.0)

–

0.5

0.7

(4.2)

–

(4.2)

0.5

(6.3)

(5.6)

At 31st December

235.3

386.9

31,093.6

18.6

(440.0)

31,294.4

20.0

31,314.4

Total comprehensive income included in revenue reserves mainly comprises profit attributable to shareholders of the Company  
of US$5,585.4 million (2016: US$3,346.3 million) and a fair value gain on other investments of US$51.4 million (2016: loss of  
US$9.1 million).  The cumulative fair value gain on other investments amounted to US$65.8 million (2016: US$14.4 million).

Annual Report 2017 23

 
 
 
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

for the year ended 31st December 2017

Operating activities
Operating profit

Depreciation

Reversal of writedowns on properties for sale

Change in fair value of investment properties

Gain on acquisition of a subsidiary

Asset impairment reversals

(Increase)/decrease in properties for sale

Decrease/(increase) in debtors

Increase/(decrease) in creditors

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

Acquisition of a subsidiary

Investments in and advances to associates and joint ventures

Payment of deposit for a joint venture

Cash flows from investing activities

Financing activities
Drawdown of borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Dividends paid by the Company

Dividends paid to non-controlling shareholders

Change in interests in subsidiaries

Cash flows from financing activities

Net cash (outflow)/inflow

Cash and cash equivalents at 1st January

Effect of exchange rate changes

Note

6

6

12

2017

US$m

2016

US$m

5,588.5

3,521.7

3.0

–

3.1

(3.2)

(4,677.9)

(2,549.9)

(3.0)

–

(69.7)

26.7

51.3

41.9

(117.8)

(137.2)

94.4

800.2

(108.2)

(105.5)

(42.6)

(670.5)

(20.1)

(946.9)

825.1

(586.1)

(443.4)

(3.8)

15.0

(193.2)

(339.9)

1,898.4

58.1

–

(1.2)

392.4

(131.7)

(7.5)

36.4

(111.4)

(140.6)

88.1

1,096.2

(91.3)

(148.2)

–

(1.4)

(4.2)

(245.1)

266.7

(240.6)

(443.8)

(4.2)

(20.2)

(442.1)

409.0

1,565.9

(76.5)

Cash and cash equivalents at 31st December

23

1,616.6

1,898.4

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 (‘IFRS’),  
including International Accounting Standards (‘IAS’) and Interpretations adopted by the International Accounting Standards 
Board.  The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and under the historical cost convention  
except as disclosed in the accounting policies below.

There are no new standards or amendments, which are effective in 2017 and relevant to the Group’s operations, that have  
a material impact on the Group’s accounting policies and disclosures.

New standards and amendments effective after 2017 which are relevant to the Group’s operations and yet to be adopted

A number of new standards and amendments, which are effective for accounting periods beginning after 2017, have been 
published and will be adopted by the Group from their effective dates.  The Group’s assessment of the impact of these 
standards and amendments is set out below. 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (effective from 1st January 2018) 
The standard replaces IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’, addresses the classification, measurement 
and derecognition of financial assets and liabilities, and includes a new expected credit losses model for financial assets that 
replaces the incurred loss impairment model used today.  A substantially-reformed approach to hedging accounting is introduced.

The Group does not expect the new guidance to have a significant impact on the classification and measurement of its  
financial assets and financial liabilities.  At 31st December 2017, the Group had investments in equity securities classified  
as available-for-sale with a fair value of US$103 million.  Under IFRS 9, the gains and losses arising from changes in fair value  
of these investments will be recognised in profit and loss, instead of through other comprehensive income.  Such fair value 
gains or losses on revaluation of these investments will be classified as non-trading items.  The above change will not have any 
impact on the Group’s underlying profit attributable to shareholders and shareholders funds.  The Group’s profit attributable  
to shareholders for the year ended 31st December 2017 would increase by US$51 million.

The new hedge accounting rules will align the accounting for hedging instruments closely with the Group’s risk management 
practices.  The Group does not expect a significant impact on the accounting for its hedging relationships.

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (effective from 1st January 2018) 
The standard establishes a comprehensive framework for the recognition of revenue.  It replaces IAS 11 ‘Construction 
Contracts’ and IAS 18 ‘Revenue’ which covers contracts for goods and services.  The core principle in the framework is that 
revenue is recognised when control of a good or service transfers to a customer.  The new standard will change the Group’s 
revenue recognition on certain property sales from completion method to percentage of completion method.  This will lead  
to earlier recognition of revenue when compared to the current completion method.

Based on the Group’s assessment, it is estimated that the change in the above property sale recognition method will reduce  
the Group’s underlying profit attributable to shareholders for the year ended 31st December 2017 by about 2% but will increase 
the Group’s shareholders’ funds as at 1st January 2018 by about 0.2%.  

IFRS 16 Leases (effective from 1st January 2019) 
The standard replaces IAS 17 ‘Leases’ and related interpretations.  It will result in lessees bringing almost all their leases onto  
the balance sheet as the distinction between operating leases and finance leases is removed.  The model requires a lessee  
to recognise a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, except for leases with a term of less than 12 months or with low-value.  
IFRS 16 will affect primarily the accounting for the Group’s operating leases.  As at 31st December 2017, the Group had total 
commitments under operating leases of US$10 million (refer Note 25).  The accounting for lessors will not change significantly.  
The impact of IFRS 16 on the Group businesses is expected to be insignificant.

Apart from the above, there are no other standards or amendments that are not yet effective and that would be expected to 
have a material impact to the Group.  

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.

Annual Report 2017 25

1 

Principal Accounting Policies  continued

Basis of consolidation

i)   The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries, and the Group’s 

interests in associates and joint ventures.

ii)  A subsidiary is an entity over which the Group has control.  The Group controls an entity when the Group is exposed to,  

or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through  
its power over the entity.

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.  The Group recognises  
the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the recognised identifiable net assets of the acquired subsidiary.   
In a business combination achieved in stages, the Group remeasures its previously held interest in the acquiree at its 
acquisition-date fair value and recognises 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.

iii)  An associate is an entity, not being a subsidiary or joint venture, over which the Group exercises significant influence.   

A joint venture is a type of joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights  
to the net assets of the joint venture.  Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control of an arrangement,  
which exists only when decisions about the relevant activities require unanimous consent of the parties sharing control.

Associates and joint ventures are included on the equity basis of accounting.

Profits and losses resulting from upstream and downstream transactions between the Group and its associates and joint 
ventures are recognised in the consolidated financial statements only to the extent of unrelated investor’s interests in  
the associates and joint ventures.

iv)  Non-controlling 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, 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.

26  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements 
 
 
 
1 

Principal Accounting Policies  continued

Impairment of non-financial assets

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.  Non-financial assets other than goodwill that suffered an impairment are reviewed for possible 
reversal of the impairment annually.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the sum of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interests in the 
acquiree, and the acquisition-date fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree over the acquisition-date fair 
value of the Group’s share of the net identifiable assets acquired.  Non-controlling 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 is stated after deducting the carrying amount of 
goodwill relating to the entity sold.

Leasehold land

Leasehold land represents payments to third parties to acquire short-term interests in property.  These payments are stated  
at cost and are amortised over the useful life of the lease which includes the renewal period if the lease can be renewed by  
the Group without significant cost.

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Long-term interests in leasehold land are classified as finance leases and grouped under tangible fixed assets if substantially  
all risks and rewards relating to the land have been transferred to the Group, and are amortised over the useful life of the lease.  
Grants related to tangible assets are deducted in arriving at the carrying amount of the assets.  The building component of 
owner-occupied leasehold properties are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment.  Other tangible fixed 
assets are stated at cost less amounts provided for 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 
Leasehold land 

3 – 10 years
period of the lease

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.

Annual Report 2017 27

1 

Principal Accounting Policies  continued

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 commercial properties are calculated on the discounted net rental income allowing for 
reversionary potential.  The market value of residential properties are arrived at by reference to market evidence of transaction 
prices for similar properties.  Changes in fair value are recognised in profit and loss.

Investments

Investments are classified by management as available for sale or held to maturity on initial recognition.  Available-for-sale 
investments are shown at fair value.  Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value are recognised in other 
comprehensive income and accumulated in equity.  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 12 months after the balance sheet date.

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 and are recognised in profit and loss.

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.

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.

Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are charged to profit and loss on a 
straight line basis over the period of the lease.  When a lease is terminated before the lease period has expired, any payment 
required to be made to the lessor by way of penalty is recognised as an expense in the year in which termination takes place.

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 12 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 financial institutions, 
and bank and cash balances, net of bank overdrafts.  In the balance sheet, bank overdrafts are included in current borrowings.

28  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements1 

Principal Accounting Policies  continued

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.

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 as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for 
at least 12 months after the balance sheet date.

Current and deferred tax

The tax expense for the year comprises current and deferred tax.  Tax is recognised in profit and loss, except to the extent that 
it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or direct in equity.  In this case, the tax is also recognised in other 
comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet 
date in the countries where the Group operates and generates taxable income.  Management periodically evaluates positions 
taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation.  It establishes 
provisions where appropriate on the basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

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.

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 arising from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are recognised in other 
comprehensive income in the year in which they occur.  Past service costs are recognised immediately in profit and loss.

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

Annual Report 2017 29

1 

Principal Accounting Policies  continued

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.  Changes in the fair  
value relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in profit and loss.  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 other comprehensive income 
and accumulated 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 12 months after the balance  
sheet date.

Offsetting financial instruments

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the balance sheet when there is a legally enforceable 
right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or realise the asset and settle the liability 
simultaneously.  The legally enforceable right must not be contingent on future events and must be enforceable in the normal 
course of business and in the event of default, insolvency or bankruptcy of the company or the counterparty.

30  

Hongkong Land

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

Earnings per share are calculated on profit attributable to shareholders and on the weighted average number of shares in issue 
during the year.

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.

v) 

Interest income is recognised on a time proportion basis taking into account the principal amounts outstanding and  
the interest rates applicable.

Pre-operating costs

Pre-operating costs are expensed as they are incurred.

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, cross-currency 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 account.  It is the Group’s policy not to enter into derivative transactions for 
speculative purposes.  The notional amounts and fair values of derivative financial instruments at 31st December 2017 are 
disclosed in Note 24.

Annual Report 2017 31

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 cross-currency swaps and 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 entities 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 2017, there are no significant monetary balances held by group 
companies that are denominated in a non-functional currency other than the cross-currency swap contracts with contract 
amounts of US$1,648 million (2016: US$1,637 million).  Differences resulting from the translation of financial statements 
into the Group’s presentation currency are not taken into consideration.

Since the Group manages the interdependencies between foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk of foreign currency 
borrowings using cross-currency swaps, the sensitivity analysis on financial impacts arising from cross-currency swaps is 
included in the sensitivity assessment on interest rates under the interest rate risk section.

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 fixed rate borrowings and 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.  At 31st December 2017, the Group’s interest rate hedge was 52% (2016: 56%) 
with an average tenor of seven years (2016: eight years).  The interest rate profile of the Group’s borrowings after taking into 
account hedging transactions are set out in Note 20.

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 generally up to five years or longer to match the maturity of the underlying exposure.  Forward rate 
agreements and interest rate swaps have the economic effect of converting borrowings from floating rates to fixed rates.

Fair value interest rate risk is the risk that the value of a financial asset or liability and derivative financial instrument will 
fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates.  The Group manages its fair value interest rate risk by entering into 
interest rate swaps which have the economic effect of converting borrowings from fixed rates to floating rates, to maintain 
the Group’s fixed rate instruments within the Group’s guideline.

32  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 

Financial Risk Management  continued

Financial risk factors continued

i)  Market risk continued

Interest rate risk continued
At 31st December 2017, 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$3 million (2016: US$8 million) higher/lower and hedging reserve would have 
been US$55 million (2016: US$59 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, mainland China 
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 account 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.

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 2017, if the price of listed available-for-sale investments 
had been 25% higher/lower with all other variables held constant, total equity would have been US$26 million (2016:  
US$13 million) higher/lower unless impaired.  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 and capital adequacy ratios of counterparties, and limiting the aggregate risk to 
any individual counterparty.  The utilisation of credit limits is regularly monitored.  At 31st December 2017, 98% (2016: 83%) 
of deposits and balances with banks and financial institutions were made to institutions with Moody’s credit ratings of  
no less than A3, 1% (2016: 11%) at Baa1 and 1% (2016: 6%) at Baa2 or below.  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  
leased principally to corporate companies with appropriate credit history, and 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, the Group undertakes 
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.

Annual Report 2017 33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 

Financial Risk Management  continued

Financial risk factors continued

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 2017, total committed and uncommitted borrowing facilities amounted to US$7,040 million  
(2016: US$6,662 million) of which US$4,171 million (2016: US$3,917 million) was drawn down.  Undrawn committed 
facilities, in the form of revolving credit and term loan facilities, totalled US$2,658 million (2016: US$2,607 million).

The following table analyses the Group’s non-derivative financial liabilities, net-settled derivative financial liabilities and 
gross-settled financial instruments into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period at the balance sheet 
date to the contractual maturity date.  Derivative financial liabilities are included in the analysis if their contractual maturities 
are essential for an understanding of the timing of the cash flows.  The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual 
undiscounted cash flows.

Within  
one year
US$m

Between 
one and  
two years 
US$m

Between  
two and  
three years
US$m

Between  
three and  
four years
US$m

Between  
four and  
five years
US$m

Beyond  
five years
US$m

Total  
undiscounted 
 cash flows
US$m

395.4

645.8

452.6

12.2

518.1

6.5

546.4

1,149.2

2,160.2

5,221.9

0.2

0.2

3.0

667.9

73.9

65.0

374.0

508.9

150.2

145.0

486.5

8.9

132.4

128.2

559.2

10.3

68.0

60.5

556.3

544.8

1,097.9

1,088.5

2,078.7

2,032.0

474.7

1.7

240.8

2,788.6

4,923.8

0.2

3.3

533.3

74.0

63.6

74.0

63.6

150.9

137.7

132.9

122.1

68.0

59.4

1,655.0

1,643.9

2,154.8

2,090.3

2017
Borrowings

Creditors

Gross settled derivative  

financial instruments

  – inflow

  – outflow

2016

Borrowings

Creditors

Gross settled derivative  

financial instruments

  – inflow

  – outflow

34  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 and the Group’s share of underlying operating profit of associates and joint 
ventures divided by net financing charges including the Group’s share of net financing charges within associates and joint 
ventures.  The Group does not have a defined gearing or interest cover benchmark or range. 

The ratios at 31st December 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

Gearing ratio (%) 
Interest cover (times) 

Fair value estimation

2017 
7 
14 

2016
6
12

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 values of derivative financial instruments are determined using rates quoted by the Group’s bankers at the 
balance sheet date.  The rates for interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts are calculated by 
reference to market interest rates and foreign exchange rates.

There were no changes in valuation techniques during the year.

Annual Report 2017 35

 
 
 
 
 
2 

Financial Risk Management  continued

Fair value estimation continued

i)  Financial instruments that are measured at fair value continued

The table below analyses financial instruments carried at fair value, by the levels in the fair value measurement hierarchy.

2017
Assets

Available-for-sale financial assets

  – listed securities

Derivative designated at fair value

  – through other comprehensive income

  – through profit and loss

Liabilities

Derivative designated at fair value

  – through other comprehensive income

  – through profit and loss

2016

Assets

Available-for-sale financial assets

  – listed securities

Derivative designated at fair value

  – through other comprehensive income

  – through profit and loss

Liabilities

Derivative designated at fair value

  – through profit and loss

Quoted 
prices in 
active 
markets 
US$m

Observable 
current 
market 
transactions 
US$m

103.0

–

–

–

4.8

9.7

Total
US$m

103.0

4.8

9.7

103.0

14.5

117.5

–

–

–

52.2

–

–

52.2

(7.7)

(8.6)

(7.7)

(8.6)

(16.3)

(16.3)

–

28.0

16.5

44.5

52.2

28.0

16.5

96.7

–

(7.6)

(7.6)

There were no transfers among the two categories during the year ended 31st December 2017.

36  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements 
 
2 

Financial Risk Management  continued

Fair value estimation continued

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.

Financial instruments by category

The fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities, together with carrying amounts as at 31st December 2017 and 2016 
are as follows:

Loans  
and 
receivables
US$m

Derivatives 
used for 
hedging
US$m

Available-
for-sale 
US$m

Other  
financial 
instruments 
at amortised 
cost
US$m

Total  
carrying  
amount
US$m

Fair value 
US$m

2017
Assets

Other investments

Debtors

Bank balances

Liabilities

Borrowings

Creditors

2016

Assets

Other investments

Debtors

Bank balances

Liabilities

Borrowings

Creditors

–

217.9

1,622.1

1,840.0

–

–

–

–

288.1

1,908.9

2,197.0

–

–

–

–

14.5

–

14.5

–

(16.3)

(16.3)

–

44.5

–

44.5

–

(7.6)

(7.6)

103.0

–

–

103.0

–

–

–

52.2

–

–

52.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

103.0

232.4

103.0

232.4

1,622.1

1,622.1

1,957.5

1,957.5

(4,170.9)

(4,170.9)

(4,292.7)

(667.9)

(684.2)

(684.2)

(4,838.8)

(4,855.1)

(4,976.9)

–

–

–

–

52.2

332.6

52.2

332.6

1,908.9

1,908.9

2,293.7

2,293.7

(3,916.4)

(3,916.4)

(3,988.3)

(533.3)

(540.9)

(540.9)

(4,449.7)

(4,457.3)

(4,529.2)

Annual Report 2017 37

 
 
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 subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

The initial accounting on the acquisition of subsidiaries, 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.

On initial acquisition or acquisition of further interests in an entity, an assessment of the level of control or influence exercised 
by the Group is required.  For entities where the Group has a shareholding of less than 50%, an assessment of the Group’s  
level of voting rights, board representation and other indicators of influence is performed to consider whether the Group  
has de facto control, requiring consolidation of that entity, or significant influence, requiring classification as an associate.

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.  For investment properties in Hong Kong,  
mainland China and Singapore, capitalisation rates in the range of 2.75% to 3.50% for office (2016: 3.20% to 3.85%) and  
3.75% to 5.00% for retail (2016: 4.50% to 5.50%) are used in the fair value determination.

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

The Group tests annually whether goodwill and other assets that have indefinite useful lives suffered any impairment.  Other 
assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the 
asset exceeds its recoverable amount.  The recoverable amount of an asset or a cash generating unit is determined based  
on the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value-in-use, calculated on the basis of management’s assumptions  
and estimates.  Changing the key assumptions, including the discount rates or the growth rate assumptions in the cash flow 
projections, could materially affect the value-in-use calculations.

In determining when an 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 through sale.  
Thus deferred tax on revaluation of investment properties held by the Group are calculated at the capital gain 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. 

38  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements3  Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgements  continued

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, but follows the consistent 
methodology as set out in the Group’s accounting policies.

4 

Segmental Information

Operating segments are identified on the basis of internal reports about components of the Group that are regularly reviewed 
by the executive directors of the Company for the purpose of resource allocation and performance assessment.  The Group  
has two operating segments, namely Investment Properties and Development Properties.  No operating segments have been 
aggregated to form the reportable segments.  Set out below is an analysis of the Group's underlying profit and total equity  
by reportable segment.  

2017

2016

Investment 
Properties
US$m

Development 
Properties
US$m

Corporate
US$m

Total
US$m

Investment
Properties
US$m

Development 
Properties
US$m

Corporate
US$m

Total
US$m

Revenue

Net operating costs

Share of operating profit of  

1,049.0

(197.5)

910.8

(786.9)

–

1,959.8

(67.8)

(1,052.2)

988.8

(182.9)

1,005.1

(778.9)

–

1,993.9

(61.5)

(1,023.3)

  associates and joint ventures

136.4

415.8

–

552.2

146.4

60.0

–

206.4

Underlying operating profit

987.9

539.7

(67.8)

1,459.8

952.3

286.2

(61.5)

1,177.0

Net financing charges

  – subsidiaries

  – share of associates and  

 joint ventures

Tax

  – subsidiaries

  – share of associates and  

joint ventures

Non-controlling interests

  – subsidiaries

  – share of associates and  

   joint ventures

Underlying profit attributable  

to shareholders

Non-trading items:

  – change in fair value of  
   investment properties

  – gain on acquisition of  

   a subsidiary

  – asset impairment reversals

Profit attributable to shareholders

(78.2)

(26.2)

(104.4)

(156.8)

(214.2)

(371.0)

(1.4)

(13.3)

(14.7)

969.7

4,612.7

3.0

–

4,615.7

5,585.4

(68.9)

(33.2)

(102.1)

(168.1)

(46.4)

(214.5)

(2.8)

(9.8)

(12.6)

847.8

2,497.3

–

1.2

2,498.5

3,346.3

Annual Report 2017 39

   
   
 
 
 
 
4 

Segmental Information  continued

By geographical location
Greater China

Southeast Asia and others

Corporate, net financing charges and tax

By business

2017
Investment Properties

Development Properties

Unallocated assets and liabilities

2016

Investment Properties

Development Properties

Unallocated assets and liabilities

By geographical location

2017
Greater China

Southeast Asia and others

Unallocated assets and liabilities

2016

Greater China

Southeast Asia and others

Unallocated assets and liabilities

Revenue

Underlying
operating profit

Underlying profit  
attributable to
shareholders

2017
US$m

2016
US$m

2017
US$m

2016
US$m

2017
US$m

2016
US$m

1,302.5

1,396.7

1,315.4

657.3

597.2

–

–

212.2

(67.8)

975.7

262.8

1,293.7

211.1

959.0

261.5

(61.5)

(535.1)

(372.7)

1,959.8

1,993.9

1,459.8

1,177.0

969.7

847.8

 Investment 
 properties 
US$m

Segment assets
 Properties 
 for sale 
US$m

 Segment 
  liabilities 
US$m

 Unallocated 
 assets and  
liabilities 
US$m

 Total 
 assets and 
 liabilities 
US$m

 Others 
US$m

36,813.0

–

–

–

5,525.9

–

478.3

502.7

–

(695.7)

(2,093.3)

–

–

36,595.6

3,935.3

–

(3,722.5)

(3,722.5)

36,813.0

5,525.9

981.0

(2,789.0)

(3,722.5)

36,808.4

31,891.6

–

–

–

4,052.9

–

385.4

459.6

–

(652.4)

(2,184.5)

–

–

31,624.6

2,328.0

–

(2,638.2)

(2,638.2)

31,891.6

4,052.9

845.0

(2,836.9)

(2,638.2)

31,314.4

32,502.8

3,837.4

4,310.2

1,688.5

–

–

551.4

429.6

–

(1,889.4)

(899.6)

–

–

35,002.2

5,528.7

–

(3,722.5)

(3,722.5)

36,813.0

5,525.9

981.0

(2,789.0)

(3,722.5)

36,808.4

27,893.7

2,587.6

3,997.9

1,465.3

–

–

436.4

408.6

–

(1,867.2)

(969.7)

–

–

29,050.5

4,902.1

–

(2,638.2)

(2,638.2)

31,891.6

4,052.9

845.0

(2,836.9)

(2,638.2)

31,314.4

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

40  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements5 

Revenue

Rental income

Service income

Sales of properties

2017

US$m

911.7

140.3

907.8

1,959.8

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

Total contingent rents included in rental income amounted to US$8.8 million (2016: US$10.4 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.

2016

US$m

858.8

130.8

1,004.3

1,993.9

2016

US$m

766.7

525.0

579.4

341.2

2017

US$m

821.8

618.2

727.9

321.6

2,489.5

2,212.3

Annual Report 2017 41

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 writedowns on properties for sale

Depreciation of tangible fixed assets

Employee benefit expense

  – salaries and benefits in kind

  – defined contribution pension plans

  – defined benefit pension plans

Auditors’ remuneration

  – audit

  – non-audit services

The number of employees at 31st December 2017 was 1,883 (2016: 1,621).

2017

US$m

(933.5)

17.0

(135.7)

2016

US$m

(923.0)

11.7

(112.0)

(1,052.2)

(1,023.3)

(754.4)

(179.1)

–

(3.0)

(122.1)

(1.6)

(1.6)

(125.3)

(1.6)

(0.5)

(2.1)

(756.0)

(170.2)

3.2

(3.1)

(106.4)

(1.5)

(1.5)

(109.4)

(1.5)

(0.4)

(1.9)

42  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements7  Net Financing Charges

Interest expense

  – bank loans and overdrafts

  – other borrowings

Total interest expense

Interest capitalised

Commitment and other fees

Financing charges

Financing income

2017

US$m

(28.3)

(107.7)

(136.0)

32.1

(103.9)

(17.4)

(121.3)

43.1

(78.2)

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
Investment Properties

Development Properties

Underlying business performance

Non-trading items:

Change in fair value of investment properties

2017

US$m

82.1

216.4

298.5

(53.1)

245.4

Results are shown after tax and non-controlling interests in the associates and joint ventures.

The Group’s share of revenue of associates and joint ventures was US$1,324.6 million (2016: US$538.5 million).

2016

US$m 

(24.2)

(106.9)

(131.1)

34.1

(97.0)

(13.4)

(110.4)

41.5

(68.9)

2016

US$m 

89.4

27.6

117.0

(57.9)

59.1

Annual Report 2017 43

9 

Tax

Tax charged to profit and loss is analysed as follows:

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 fair value of investment properties not taxable 

in determining taxable profit

Income not subject to tax

Expenses not deductible in determining taxable profit

Withholding tax

Land appreciation tax in mainland China

Others

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

Remeasurements of defined benefit plans

Cash flow hedges

2017

US$m

2016

US$m 

(168.0)

(149.3)

(1.8)

11.2

9.4

0.8

(18.8)

(18.0)

(158.6)

(167.3)

(924.1)

(580.5)

773.4

22.5

(7.3)

(4.6)

(19.6)

1.1

419.0

24.6

(8.4)

(8.8)

(13.8)

0.6

(158.6)

(167.3)

(0.4)

5.1

4.7

0.2

(6.5)

(6.3)

The applicable tax rate for the year of 16.8% (2016: 16.8%) represents the weighted average of the rates of taxation prevailing 
in the territories in which the Group operates.

Share of tax charge of associates and joint ventures of US$192.8 million (2016: US$47.4 million) is included in share of results 
of associates and joint ventures.

44  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements 
10  Earnings per Share

Earnings per share are calculated on profit attributable to shareholders of US$5,585.4 million (2016: US$3,346.3 million) and  
on the weighted average number of 2,352.8 million (2016: 2,352.8 million) shares in issue during the year.

Earnings per share are additionally calculated based on underlying profit attributable to shareholders.  A reconciliation of 
earnings is set out below:

Underlying profit attributable to shareholders

Non-trading items (see Note 11)

2017

2016

Earnings  
per share
US¢

41.21

US$m 

969.7

4,615.7

US$m  

847.8

2,498.5

Earnings  
per share

US¢  

36.03

Profit attributable to shareholders

5,585.4

237.39

3,346.3

142.23

11  Non-trading Items

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

Change in fair value of investment properties

Deferred tax on change in fair value of investment properties

Gain on acquisition of a subsidiary

Asset impairment reversals

Share of results of associates and joint ventures

  – change in fair value of investment properties

  – deferred tax

Non-controlling interests

2017

US$m

2016

US$m 

4,677.9

2,549.9

(1.8)

3.0

–

(74.5)

21.4

(53.1)

(10.3)

0.8

–

1.2

(56.9)

(1.0)

(57.9)

4.5

4,615.7

2,498.5

Annual Report 2017 45

 
12 

Investment Properties

2017
At 1st January

Exchange differences

Additions

Transfer

Increase in fair value

At 31st December

Freehold properties

Leasehold properties

2016

At 1st January

Exchange differences

Additions

Increase/(decrease) in fair value

At 31st December

Freehold properties

Leasehold properties

Completed 
commercial 
properties
US$m

Under 
development 
commercial 
properties
US$m

Completed 
residential 
properties
US$m

Total
US$m

26,665.6

(170.9)

68.3

990.7

4,620.4

804.2

48.4

145.6

(990.7)

39.4

242.5

(0.6)

–

–

27,712.3

(123.1)

213.9

–

18.1

4,677.9

32,174.1

46.9

260.0

32,481.0

170.1

32,310.9

32,481.0

23,984.7

(25.4)

132.6

2,573.7

741.4

(45.0)

143.4

(35.6)

231.2

24,957.3

(0.6)

0.1

11.8

(71.0)

276.1

2,549.9

26,665.6

804.2

242.5

27,712.3

157.3

27,555.0

27,712.3

The Group measures its investment properties at fair value.  The fair values of the Group’s investment properties at  
31st December 2017 and 2016 have been determined on the basis of valuations carried out by independent valuers who  
hold a recognised relevant professional qualification and have recent experience in the locations and segments of the investment 
properties valued.  The Group employed Jones Lang LaSalle to value its commercial investment properties in Hong Kong, 
mainland China, Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia which are either freehold or 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 Council and the HKIS Valuation Standards 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 81.  The valuations are comprehensively reviewed by the Group.

At 31st December 2017, investment properties of US$898.7 million (2016: US$676.1 million) were pledged as security for 
borrowings (see Note 20).

46  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements12 

Investment Properties  continued

Fair value measurements of residential properties using no significant unobservable inputs
Fair values of completed residential properties are generally derived using the direct comparison method.  This valuation 
method is based on comparing the property to be valued directly with other comparable properties, which have recently 
transacted.  However, given the heterogeneous nature of real estate properties, appropriate adjustments are usually required  
to allow for any qualitative differences that may affect the price likely to be achieved by the property under consideration.

Fair value measurements of commercial properties using significant unobservable inputs
Fair values of completed commercial properties in Hong Kong and Singapore are generally derived using the income 
capitalisation method.  This valuation method is based on the capitalisation of the net income and reversionary income potential 
by adopting appropriate capitalisation rates, which are derived from analysis of sale transactions and valuers’ interpretation of 
prevailing investor requirements or expectations.  The prevailing market rents adopted in the valuation have reference to valuers’ 
view of recent lettings, within the subject properties and other comparable properties.

Fair values of completed commercial properties in Vietnam and Cambodia are generally derived using the discounted cash flow 
method.  The net present value of the income stream is estimated by applying an appropriate discount rate which reflects the 
risk profile.

Fair values of under development commercial properties are generally derived using the residual method.  This valuation method 
is essentially a means of valuing the land by reference to its development potential by deducting development costs together 
with developer’s profit and risk from the estimated capital value of the proposed development assuming completion as at the 
date of valuation. 

The Group’s policy is to recognise transfers between fair value measurements as of the date of the event or change in 
circumstances that caused the transfer. 

Information about fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs at 31st December 2017:

Fair value
US$m

Valuation method

Range of significant unobservable inputs

Prevailing market  
rent per month
US$

Capitalisation/
discount rate
%

Completed properties
Hong Kong

Mainland China

Singapore

Vietnam and Cambodia

Total

30,559.8

Income capitalisation

5.1 to 37.2 per square foot

2.75 to 5.00

Income capitalisation

96.6 per square metre

3.75

Income capitalisation

7.3 to 8.8 per square foot

3.50 to 4.80

Discounted cash flow

21.0 to 44.8 per square metre

12.50 to 15.00

898.7

573.6

142.0

32,174.1

Prevailing market rents are estimated based on independent valuers’ view of recent lettings, within the subject properties and 
other comparable properties.  The higher the rents, the higher the fair value.

Capitalisation and discount rates are estimated by independent valuers based on the risk profile of the properties being valued.  
The lower the rates, the higher the fair value.

Annual Report 2017 47

 
 
13  Associates and Joint Ventures

Unlisted associates

Unlisted joint ventures

Share of attributable net assets

By business
Investment Properties

Development Properties

Movements of associates and joint ventures during the year:

At 1st January

Exchange differences

Share of results after tax and non-controlling interests

Share of other comprehensive income/(expenses)  

  after tax and non-controlling interests

Dividends received and receivable

Investments in and advances to/(repayments from)  

  associates and joint ventures

Acquisition of a subsidiary

Transfer to subsidiary on further acquisiton of interest

Others

At 31st December

2017

US$m

306.2

5,244.6

5,550.8

3,517.4

2,033.4

5,550.8

2016

US$m 

123.9

4,336.8

4,460.7

3,382.3

1,078.4

4,460.7

Associates

Joint ventures

2017
US$m

2016
US$m

2017
US$m

2016
US$m

123.9

0.6

84.7

24.3

(0.9)

73.6

–

–

–

136.8

(0.1)

(19.3)

(21.2)

(1.2)

28.9

–

–

–

4,336.8

4,480.8

25.9

160.7

212.9

(94.3)

627.2

15.9

(41.2)

0.7

13.9

78.4

(123.7)

(85.9)

(27.5)

–

–

0.8

306.2

123.9

5,244.6

4,336.8

The material joint ventures of the Group are listed below.  These joint ventures have share capital consisting solely of ordinary 
shares, which are held directly by the Group.

Nature of investments in material joint ventures in 2017 and 2016:

Name of entity

Nature of business

Properties Sub F, Ltd

BFC Development LLP

Central Boulevard Development Pte Ltd

One Raffles Quay Pte Ltd

Property investment

Property investment

Property investment

Property investment

Country of 
incorporation/ 
principal place  
of business

Macau

Singapore

Singapore

Singapore

% of  
ownership  
interest

2017

2016

49.0

33.3

33.3

33.3

49.0

33.3

33.3

33.3

48  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements13  Associates and Joint Ventures  continued

Summarised financial information for material joint ventures
Set out below are the summarised financial information for the Group’s material joint ventures. 

Summarised balance sheet at 31st December:

Properties 
Sub F, Ltd
US$m

BFC 
Development 
LLP
US$m

Central 
Boulevard 
Development 
Pte Ltd
US$m

One Raffles 
Quay  
Pte Ltd
US$m

1,373.2

3,627.6

2,797.3

2,767.4

25.2

29.5

54.7

12.9

1.9

14.8

16.9

5.4

22.3

11.8

2.1

13.9

(777.5)

(200.4)

2017
Non-current assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Other current assets

Total current assets

Non-current liabilities

Financial liabilities (excluding trade payables)

–

(1,274.9)

(1,211.1)

Other non-current liabilities (including trade payables)

(145.5)

–

(20.9)

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Financial liabilities (excluding trade payables)

Other current liabilities (including trade payables)

Total current liabilities

Net assets

2016

Non-current assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Other current assets

Total current assets

Non-current liabilities

(145.5)

(1,274.9)

(1,232.0)

(977.9)

–

(47.2)

(47.2)

(0.7)

(62.1)

(62.8)

(6.3)

(35.3)

(41.6)

(3.6)

(48.6)

(52.2)

1,235.2

2,304.7

1,546.0

1,751.2

1,373.7

3,301.5

2,546.9

2,526.1

43.7

32.0

75.7

10.9

3.5

14.4

32.0

8.9

40.9

15.0

0.5

15.5

Financial liabilities (excluding trade payables)

Other non-current liabilities (including trade payables)

(15.4)

(143.8)

(1,175.1)

(1,118.4)

–

(19.6)

(717.1)

(183.6)

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Financial liabilities (excluding trade payables)

Other current liabilities (including trade payables)

Total current liabilities

Net assets

(159.2)

(1,175.1)

(1,138.0)

(900.7)

(0.4)

(41.7)

(42.1)

(0.8)

(63.6)

(64.4)

(5.6)

(31.4)

(37.0)

(3.3)

(47.3)

(50.6)

1,248.1

2,076.4

1,412.8

1,590.3

Annual Report 2017 49

13  Associates and Joint Ventures  continued

Summarised statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31st December:

2017
Revenue

Depreciation and amortisation

Interest income

Interest expense

Profit from underlying business performance

Income tax expense

Profit after tax from underlying business performance

Profit after tax from non-trading items

Profit after tax

Other comprehensive income/(expense)

Properties 
Sub F, Ltd
US$m

BFC 
Development 
LLP
US$m

Central 
Boulevard 
Development 
Pte Ltd
US$m

One Raffles 
Quay  
Pte Ltd
US$m

81.3

(7.6)

–

(0.4)

40.7

(4.8)

35.9

13.2

49.1

(10.1)

150.7

–

0.1

(38.5)

78.4

(13.2)

65.2

57.7

122.9

169.7

109.4

–

0.2

(28.2)

54.5

(8.7)

45.8

43.5

89.3

114.5

118.2 

–

0.1 

(21.6)

70.3 

(11.9)

58.4 

33.3 

91.7 

128.2 

Total comprehensive income

39.0

292.6

203.8

219.9 

Group’s share of dividends received and receivable  

from joint ventures

9.7

21.4

23.5

19.6 

2016

Revenue

Depreciation and amortisation

Interest income

Interest expense

Profit from underlying business performance

Income tax expense

Profit after tax from underlying business performance

Profit after tax from non-trading items

Profit/(loss) after tax

Other comprehensive expense

86.1

(7.5)

–

(0.9)

45.1

(4.9)

40.2

(169.1)

(128.9)

(0.9)

168.5

(0.1)

0.1

(45.8)

85.1

(14.2)

70.9

(3.8)

67.1

(33.3)

105.7

(0.1)

0.2

(29.2)

51.2

(8.5)

42.7

(3.6)

39.1

(36.9)

121.1 

– 

0.1 

(22.3)

70.9 

(11.9)

59.0

(3.0)

56.0 

(36.5)

Total comprehensive income/(expense)

(129.8)

33.8

2.2

19.5 

Group’s share of dividends received and receivable 

 from joint ventures

11.7

27.2

17.2

19.6 

The information above reflects the amounts presented in the financial statements of the joint ventures adjusted for differences 
in accounting policies between the Group and the joint ventures, and fair value of the joint ventures at the time of acquisition.

50  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements 
 
13  Associates and Joint Ventures  continued

Reconciliation of summarised financial information
Reconciliation of the summarised financial information presented to the carrying amount of the Group’s interest in the material 
joint ventures for the year ended 31st December:

2017
Net assets

Shareholders’ loans

Adjusted net assets

Properties 
Sub F, Ltd
US$m

BFC 
Development 
LLP
US$m

Central 
Boulevard 
Development 
Pte Ltd
US$m

One Raffles 
Quay  
Pte Ltd
US$m

1,235.2

–

2,304.7

1,274.9

1,546.0

–

1,751.2

100.8

1,235.2

3,579.6

1,546.0

1,852.0

Interest in joint ventures (%)

49.0

33.3

33.3

33.3

Group’s share of net assets in joint ventures

605.4

1,193.2

515.3

617.4

2016

Net assets 

Shareholders’ loans

Adjusted net assets

1,248.1

15.8

2,076.4

1,175.1

1,412.8

–

1,590.3

93.3

1,263.9

3,251.5

1,412.8

1,683.6

Interest in joint ventures (%)

49.0

33.3

33.3

33.3

Group’s share of net assets in joint ventures

619.3

1,083.8

470.9

561.2

The Group has interests in a number of individually immaterial joint ventures.  The following table analyses, in aggregate,  
the share of profit and other comprehensive income and carrying amount of these joint ventures.

Share of profit

Share of other comprehensive income/(expense)

Share of total comprehensive income/(expense)

2017

US$m

35.3

80.3

115.6

2016

US$m 

87.3

(87.8)

(0.5)

Carrying amount of interests in these joint ventures

2,313.3

1,601.6

At 31st December 2017, the Group’s commitments to provide funding to its joint ventures, if called, amounted to  
US$1,293.6 million (2016: US$404.5 million).

There were no contingent liabilities relating to the Group’s interest in the joint ventures at 31st December 2017 and 2016.

Annual Report 2017 51

14  Other Investments

Available-for-sale financial assets

  – listed securiites

15  Debtors

Trade debtors

Other debtors

  – third parties

  – associates and joint ventures

Non-current

Current

By geographical area of operation
Greater China

Southeast Asia and others

2017

US$m

2016

US$m 

103.0

52.2

2017

US$m

84.8

400.5

41.6

526.9

28.5

498.4

526.9

261.9

265.0

526.9

2016

US$m 

176.9

323.6

39.9

540.4

60.1

480.3

540.4

255.0

285.4

540.4

Trade and other debtors excluding derivative financial instruments are stated at amortised cost.  The fair value of these debtors 
approximates their carrying amounts, as the impact of discounting is not significant.  Derivative financial instruments are stated 
at fair value.

An allowance for impairment of trade debtors is made based on the estimated irrecoverable amount determined by reference 
to past default experience.  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 debt is impaired.

At 31st December 2017, trade debtors of US$8.0 million (2016: US$5.9 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

2017

US$m

5.5

0.6

–

1.9

8.0

2016

US$m 

5.1

0.4

0.3

0.1

5.9

The risk of trade and other debtors that are neither past due nor impaired at 31st December 2017 becoming impaired is low as 
they have a good track record with the Group.  Based on past experience, management believes that no impairment allowance 
is necessary in respect of these balances as there has not been a significant change in credit quality and the balances are still 
considered fully recoverable.

52  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements15  Debtors  continued

Other debtors are further analysed as follows:

Prepayments

Derivative financial instruments

Amounts due from associates and joint ventures

Others

16  Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

2017

US$m

294.5

14.5

41.6

91.5

442.1

Accelerated 
capital 
allowances
US$m

Revaluation 
surpluses of 
investment 
properties
US$m

Other 
temporary 
differences
US$m

Tax losses
US$m

2017
At 1st January

Exchange differences

Credited/(charged) to profit and loss

Charged to other comprehensive income

Acquisition of a subsidiary

At 31st December

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

2016

At 1st January

Exchange differences

Credited/(charged) to profit and loss

Charged to other comprehensive income

At 31st December

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

0.1

–

0.4

–

–

0.5

0.5

–

0.5

0.5

–

(0.4)

–

0.1

0.1

–

0.1

(75.4)

0.6

(5.4)

–

–

(80.2)

–

(80.2)

(80.2)

(70.3)

–

(5.1)

–

(75.4)

–

(75.4)

(75.4)

(1.7)

(0.1)

(1.8)

–

–

(3.6)

–

(3.6)

(3.6)

(2.5)

–

0.8

–

(1.7)

–

(1.7)

(1.7)

2016

US$m 

207.9

44.5

39.9

71.2

363.5

Total
US$m

(112.8)

(2.2)

9.4

4.7

(10.5)

(35.8)

(2.7)

16.2

4.7

(10.5)

(28.1)

(111.4)

15.0

(43.1)

15.5

(126.9)

(28.1)

(111.4)

(16.6)

0.4

(13.3)

(6.3)

(88.9)

0.4

(18.0)

(6.3)

(35.8)

(112.8)

8.6

(44.4)

8.7

(121.5)

(35.8)

(112.8)

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$5.0 million (2016: US$0.9 million) arising from unused tax losses of US$17.9 million  
(2016: US$5.0 million) have not been recognised in the financial statements.  Included in the unused tax losses,  
US$6.6 million (2016: US$5.0 million) have no expiry date. 

Annual Report 2017 53

17  Properties for Sale

Properties under development

Completed properties

Provision for impairment

2017

US$m

2,374.4

173.5

2,547.9

(13.3)

2016

US$m 

1,968.2

262.7

2,230.9

(13.5)

2,534.6

2,217.4

At 31st December 2017, properties under development which were not scheduled for completion within the next 12 months 
amounted to US$1,385.8 million (2016: US$1,386.4 million).

18  Bank Balances

Deposits with banks and financial institutions

Bank balances

By currency
Chinese renminbi

Hong Kong dollar

Malaysian ringgit

Singapore dollar

United States dollar

Others

2017

US$m

1,345.1

277.0

1,622.1

182.7

38.5

25.8

620.0

753.3

1.8

2016

US$m 

994.3

914.6

1,908.9

1,010.1

21.1

0.7

207.7

667.3

2.0

1,622.1

1,908.9

Deposits and bank balances of certain subsidiaries amounting to US$45.6 million (2016: US$122.7 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 deposits with banks and financial institutions is 1.4% (2016: 1.2%) per annum.

54  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements19  Creditors

Trade creditors

Other creditors

Tenants‘ deposits

Derivative financial instruments

Rent received in advance

Proceeds from properties for sale received in advance

Non-current

Current

By geographical area of operation
Greater China

Southeast Asia and others

2017

US$m

482.0

185.9

253.5

16.3

22.1

772.0

1,731.8

36.9

1,694.9

1,731.8

1,142.1

589.7

1,731.8

2016

US$m 

403.0

130.3

222.6

7.6

19.9

737.2

1,520.6

30.3

1,490.3

1,520.6

854.8

665.8

1,520.6

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.

20  Borrowings

Current

  Bank overdrafts

  Bank loans

  Current portion of long-term borrowings

  – bank loans

  – notes

Long-term

  Bank loans

  Notes

Secured

Unsecured

2017

Carrying 
amount 
US$m

Fair value
US$m

2016

Carrying 
amount
US$m

Fair value
US$m

5.5

5.0

180.1

–

190.6

5.5

5.0

180.1

–

190.6

10.5

–

175.1

35.1

220.7

10.5

–

175.1

35.1

220.7

1,127.0

2,853.3

1,127.0

2,975.1

838.0

2,857.7

838.0

2,929.6

3,980.3

4,102.1

3,695.7

3,767.6

4,170.9

4,292.7

3,916.4

3,988.3

392.9

3,778.0

4,170.9

264.7

3,651.7

3,916.4

Annual Report 2017 55

 
 
20  Borrowings  continued

The fair values are based on market prices or are estimated using the expected future payments discounted at market interest 
rates ranging from 1.5% to 6.5% (2016: 1.4% to 6.2%) per annum.  This is in line with the definition of 'observable current 
market transactions' under the fair value measurement hierarchy.  The fair value of current borrowings approximates their 
carrying amounts, as the impact of discounting is not significant. 

Secured borrowings at 31st December 2017 and 2016 were certain subsidiaries' bank borrowings which were secured against 
their investment properties.

The borrowings are further summarised as follows:

By currency

2017
Hong Kong dollar

Singapore dollar

Chinese renminbi

Others

2016

Hong Kong dollar

Singapore dollar

Chinese renminbi

Others

Fixed rate borrowings

Weighted 
average 
interest rates
%

Weighted 
average period 
outstanding
Years

3.6

2.5

4.9

2.4

3.5

2.8

5.0

2.9

7.6

2.2

–

–

8.6

3.2

–

–

Floating 
rate 
borrowings
US$m

Total
US$m

1,165.4

3,153.2

430.6

392.9

5.4

619.4

392.9

5.4

US$m

1,987.8

188.8

–

–

2,176.6

1,994.3

4,170.9

1,996.4

181.0

–

–

1,288.1

3,284.5

180.6

264.7

5.6

361.6

264.7

5.6

2,177.4

1,739.0

3,916.4

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

56  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements20  Borrowings  continued

The movements in borrowings are as follows:

2017
At 1st January

Exchange differences

Transfer

Change in fair value

Change in bank overdrafts

Drawdown of borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

At 31st December

2016

At 1st January

Exchange differences

Transfer

Change in fair value

Change in bank overdrafts

Drawdown of borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

At 31st December

Bank 
overdrafts
US$m

Long-term 
borrowings
US$m

Short-term 
borrowings
US$m

10.5

3,695.7

–

–

–

(5.0)

–

–

22.6

(180.3)

(2.9)

–

817.7

(372.5)

210.2

1.3

180.3

(0.5)

–

7.4

(213.6)

Total
US$m

3,916.4

23.9

–

(3.4)

(5.0)

825.1

(586.1)

5.5

3,980.3

185.1

4,170.9

3.3

3,740.7

–

–

–

7.2

–

–

(20.9)

(205.3)

(7.4)

–

261.7

(73.1)

165.6

1.8

205.3

–

–

5.0

(167.5)

3,909.6

(19.1)

–

(7.4)

7.2

266.7

(240.6)

10.5

3,695.7

210.2

3,916.4

The exposure of the Group's borrowings to interest rate changes and the contractual repricing dates at 31st December after 
taking into account hedging transactions are as follows:

Within one year

Between one and two years

Between two and three years

Between three and four years

Between four and five years

Beyond five years

2017

US$m

1,994.3

102.3

239.8

–

265.3

1,569.2

4,170.9

2016

US$m 

1,739.0

–

103.1

232.3

–

1,842.0

3,916.4

Annual Report 2017 57

20  Borrowings  continued

An analysis of the carrying amount of notes at 31st December is as follows:

Maturity

2017

Non-current
US$m

2016

Current
US$m

Non-current
US$m

2017

2019

2019

2019

2020

2020

2020

2020

2021

2022

2022

2022

2022

2023

2023

2024

2025

2025

2026

2027

2027

2027

2028

2028

2029

2030

2031

2032

2040

–

25.5

38.4

38.4

66.2

63.9

112.0

63.9

66.4

52.2

488.7

38.8

25.5

140.0

38.2

402.7

38.3

611.9

38.3

99.0

60.4

25.5

37.9

41.3

50.5

102.3

25.2

30.1

31.8

35.1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

25.7

38.7

38.7

67.3

64.4

103.6

64.3

66.8

52.6

487.7

39.1

25.7

141.0

38.5

405.5

38.5

613.3

38.6

99.6

60.8

25.7

38.1

41.6

50.9

103.2

25.4

30.3

32.1

2,853.3

35.1

2,857.7

Medium term notes

  S$50m 8-year notes at 3.86%

  HK$200m 10-year notes at 4.135%

  HK$300m 10-year notes at 4.1875%

  HK$300m 10-year notes at 4.25%

  HK$500m 10-year notes at 4.22%

  HK$500m 10-year notes at 4.24%

  S$150m 10-year notes at 3.43%

  HK$500m 10-year notes at 3.95%

  HK$500m 12-year notes at 4.28%

  HK$410m 10-year notes at 3.86%

  US$500m 10-year notes at 4.50%*

  HK$305m 10-year notes at 3.00%

  HK$200m 10-year notes at 2.90%

  HK$1,100m 10-year notes at 3.95%

  HK$300m 10-year notes at 3.95%

  US$400m 10-year notes at 4.625%*

  HK$300m 15-year notes at 4.10%

  US$600m 15-year notes at 4.50%*

  HK$302m 15-year notes at 3.75%

  HK$785m 15-year notes at 4.00%

  HK$473m 15-year notes at 4.04%

  HK$200m 15-year notes at 3.95%

  HK$300m 15-year notes at 3.15%

  HK$325m 15-year notes at 4.22%

  HK$400m 15-year notes at 4.40%

  HK$800m 20-year notes at 4.11%

  HK$200m 20-year notes at 4.125%

  HK$240m 20-year notes at 4.00%

  HK$250m 30-year notes at 5.25%

*  Listed on the Singapore Exchange.

58  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements21  Share Capital

Authorised
Shares of US$0.10 each

Issued and fully paid
At 1st January and 31st December

22  Dividends

Ordinary shares in millions

2017

2016

2017

US$m

2016

US$m

4,000.0

4,000.0

400.0

400.0

2,352.8

2,352.8

235.3

235.3

Final dividend in respect of 2016 of US¢13.00 (2015: US¢13.00) per share
Interim dividend in respect of 2017 of US¢6.00 (2016: US¢6.00) per share

2017

US$m

305.8

141.2

447.0

2016

US$m 

305.8

141.2

447.0

A final dividend in respect of 2017 of US¢14.00 (2016: US¢13.00) per share amounting to a total of US$329.4 million  
(2016: US$305.8 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 2018.

23  Cash and Cash Equivalents

Bank balances

Bank overdrafts (see Note 20)

2017

US$m

1,622.1

(5.5)

2016

US$m 

1,908.9

(10.5)

1,616.6

1,898.4

Annual Report 2017 59

24  Derivative Financial Instruments

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

Designated as cash flow hedges

  – cross currency swaps

Designated as fair value hedges

  – interest rate swaps

  – cross currency swaps

2017

Positive  
fair value
US$m

Negative 
fair value
US$m

2016

Positive  
fair value
US$m

Negative  
fair value
US$m

4.8

2.5

7.2

7.7

–

8.6

28.0

2.9

13.6

–

–

7.6

Interest rate swaps
The notional principal amounts of the outstanding interest rate swap contracts at 31st December 2017 were US$64.0 million 
(2016: US$99.1 million).

The fair values of interest rate swaps are based on the estimated cash flows discounted at market rates ranging from 1.3%  
to 2.0% (2016: 1.0% to 2.3%) per annum. 

Cross currency swaps
The contract amounts of the outstanding cross currency swap contracts at 31st December 2017 were US$1,647.9 million 
(2016: US$1,636.9 million).

2017

US$m

23.4

1,293.6

48.6

1,342.2

1,365.6

3.5

2.5

3.8

9.8

2016

US$m 

81.8

404.5

136.7

541.2

623.0

2.6

1.5

1.3

5.4

25  Commitments

Capital commitments

  Authorised not contracted

  Contracted not provided

  – contributions to joint ventures

  – others

Operating lease commitments

  Due within one year

  Due between one and two years

  Due between two and five years

60  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements 
 
26  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.

27  Related Party Transactions

The parent company of the Group is Jardine Strategic Holdings Limited and the ultimate holding company is Jardine Matheson 
Holdings Limited (‘JMH‘).  Both companies are incorporated in Bermuda.

In the normal course of business, the Group has entered into a variety of transactions with the subsidiaries, associates and  
joint ventures of JMH (‘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 (‘JML‘)  
in 2017 was US$4.9 million (2016: US$4.2 million), being 0.5% per annum of the Group‘s underlying profit in consideration  
for management consultancy services provided by JML, a wholly-owned subsidiary of JMH.

Property and other services
The Group rented properties to Jardine Matheson group members.  Gross rents on such properties in 2017 amounted to 
US$21.2 million (2016: US$20.2 million).

The Group provided consultancy services to Jardine Matheson group members in 2017 amounting to US$0.2 million  
(2016: US$0.4 million).

Jardine Matheson group members provided property maintenance and other services to the Group in 2017 in aggregate 
amounting to US$63.9 million (2016: US$53.7 million).

Hotel management services
Jardine Matheson group members provided hotel management services to the Group in 2017 amounting to US$3.4 million 
(2016: US$2.4 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 15 and 19).  The amounts are not material.

Directors‘ emoluments
Details of Directors‘ emoluments (being the key management personnel compensation) are shown on page 73 under  
the heading of ‘Directors‘ Appointment, Retirement, Remuneration and Service Contracts‘.

Annual Report 2017 61

28  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

  Amounts due from subsidiaries

Creditors and other accruals

Total equity
Share capital (see Note 21)

Revenue and other reserves

  Contributed surplus

  Share premium

  Revenue reserves

Shareholders’ funds

2017

US$m

2016

US$m 

4,481.7

1,473.8

5,955.5

(26.8)

4,481.7

1,371.4

5,853.1

(23.7)

5,928.7

5,829.4

235.3

235.3

2,249.6

386.9

3,056.9

5,693.4

5,928.7

2,249.6

386.9

2,957.6

5,594.1

5,829.4

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.

62  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements29  Principal Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures

The principal subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures of the Group at 31st December 2017 are set out below.

Attributable
interests
2017 2016
%

%

Issued share capital

Main activities

Place of 
incorporation

Subsidiaries

Hongkong Land China Holdings Ltd*

100

100

USD 

200,000,000

Investment holding

Bermuda

Hongkong Land International  

100

100

USD 

200,000,000

Investment holding

Bermuda

  Holdings Ltd*

Hongkong Land Ltd*

100

100

USD 

12,000

Group management

Bermuda

The Hongkong Land Company, Ltd

100

100

HKD 

1,293,180,006

Investment holding

Hong Kong

The Hongkong Land Property  

100

100

HKD 

200

Property investment

Hong Kong

  Company, Ltd

HKL (Chater House) Ltd

100

100

HKD 

1,500,000

Property investment

Hong Kong

HKL (Landmark Hotel) Ltd

100

100

HKD 

2

Hotel investment

Hong Kong

HKL (Prince‘s Building) Ltd

100

100

HKD 

200

Property investment

Hong Kong

Hongkong Land (HK) Investments Ltd

100

–

HKD 

2,102,106,003

Investment holding

Hong Kong

Mulberry Land Company Ltd

100

100

HKD 

200

Property investment

Hong Kong

Hongkong Land (Chongqing) 

100

100

USD 

479,990,000

Property development Mainland China

  Development Co Ltd

Hongkong Land (Chongqing North)  

100

100

HKD 

3,980,000,000

Property development Mainland China

  Development Co Ltd

Hongkong Land (Chongqing)  

Investment and Holding Co Ltd

Hongkong Land (Chonqqing)  

  Xinchen Development Co Ltd

100

100

–

–

USD 

30,000,000

Investment holding

Mainland China

RMB 

20,000,000

Property development Mainland China

Wangfu Central Real Estate  

84

84

RMB 

3,500,000,000

Property investment

Mainland China

  Development Co Ltd

HKL (Esplanade) Pte Ltd

100

100

SGD 

150,000,000

Property investment

Singapore

HKL Treasury (Singapore) Pte Ltd

100

100

SGD 

The Hongkong Land Treasury  

100

100

SGD 

  Services (Singapore) Pte Ltd

2

2

Finance

Finance

Singapore

Singapore

* Owned directly

Annual Report 2017 63

 
 
29  Principal Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures  continued

Attributable
interests
2017 2016
%

%

Issued share capital

Main activities

Place of 
incorporation

Subsidiaries continued

MCL Land Limited

100

100   SGD 

511,736,041

Investment holding

Singapore

MCL Land (Brighton) Pte Ltd

100

100   SGD 

1,000,000

Property development

Singapore

MCL Land (Everbright) Pte Ltd

100

–

SGD 

1

Property development

Singapore

MCL Land (Regency) Pte Ltd

100

100

SGD 

3,000,000

Property development

Singapore

MCL Land (Vantage) Pte Ltd

100

100

SGD 

1,000,000

Property development

Singapore

Hongkong Land  

100

–

Riels 

4,000,000

Property investment

Cambodia

(Premium Development) Ltd

Golden Quantum Acres Sdn Bhd

100

50

MYR 

2,764,210

Property development Malaysia

MCL Land (Pantai View) Sdn Bhd

100

100

MYR 

2,260,000

Property investment

Malaysia

MCL Land (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd

Central Building Ltd

100

65

50

65

MYR 

USD 

4,000,000

Property development Malaysia

1,991,547

Property investment

Vietnam

Doan Ket International Co Ltd

73.9

73.9

USD 

7,291,500

Property investment

Vietnam

HKL (Treasury Services) Ltd

100

100

USD 

The Hongkong Land Notes Co Ltd

100

100

USD 

The Hongkong Land Finance  

100

100

USD 

(Cayman Islands) Co Ltd

1

2

2

Finance

Finance

British Virgin  

Islands

British Virgin  

Islands

Finance

Cayman Islands

Associates and joint ventures

Normelle Estates Ltd

Properties Sub F, Ltd

Beijing Landmark Trinity Real  
  Estate Development Co Ltd

Beijing Premium Real Estate Ltd

Chongqing Central Park Co Ltd

Chongqing Lijia Development Co Ltd

Chengdu Premium Property  

  Development Co Ltd 

50

49

30

40

50

50

50

50

49

30

40

50

HKD 

MOP 

10,000

Property investment

Hong Kong

1,000,000

Property investment

Macau

RMB 

2,800,000,000

Property development Mainland China

USD 

12,000,000

Property development Mainland China

HKD 

4,640,000,000

Property development Mainland China

–

RMB 

20,000,000

Property development Mainland China

50

USD 

699,980,000

Property development Mainland China

China West Premier Housing  

50

50

USD 

569,960,000

Property development Mainland China

  Development Co Ltd

64  

Hongkong Land

Notes to the Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
29  Principal Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures  continued

Attributable
interests
2017 2016
%

%

Issued share capital

Main activities

Place of 
incorporation

Associates and joint ventures continued

Hangzhou Kesheng Property  

  Development Co Ltd

Hangzhou Keyi Property  

  Development Co Ltd

30

30

–

–

RMB 

50,000,000

Property development Mainland China

RMB 

50,000,000

Property development Mainland China

Longfor Hongkong Land (Chongqing)  

50

50

RMB 

1,275,920,000

Property development Mainland China

  Development Co Ltd

Longhu Land Ltd

Nanjing Shengxiangyuan Property  

  Development Co Ltd

Shanghai Xujing Property Co Ltd

Wuhan Dream Land Investment and  

  Development Co Ltd

50

33

50

50

50

USD 

27,000,000

Property development Mainland China

–

RMB 

30,000,000

Property development Mainland China

50

RMB 

4,200,000,000

Property development Mainland China

–

RMB 

1,200,000,000

Property development Mainland China

BFC Development LLP

33.3

33.3

SGD 

N/A

Property investment

Singapore

Central Boulevard Development  

33.3

33.3

SGD 

  Pte Ltd

One Raffles Quay Pte Ltd

33.3

33.3

SGD 

6

6

Property investment

Singapore

Property investment

Singapore

PT Astra Modern Land

33.5

–

IDR  3,870,000,000,000

Property development

Indonesia

PT Brahmayasa Bahtera

PT Bumi Parama Wisesa

PT Jakarta Land

Sunrise MCL Land Sdn Bhd

NorthPine Land Inc

Roxas Land Corporation

Gaysorn Land Co Ltd

S36 Property Co Ltd

Nassim JV Co Ltd

Jardine Gibbons Properties Ltd

40

49

50

50

40

40

49

49

50

40

40

49

50

50

40

40

49

IDR 

166,000,000,000

Property development

Indonesia

IDR  1,950,000,000,000

Property development

Indonesia

IDR 

3,320,000,000

Property investment

Indonesia

MYR 

2,000,000

Property development Malaysia

Peso 

1,224,635,200

Property development

The Philippines

Peso 

3,133,000,000

Property development

The Philippines

THB 

61,250,000

Property investment

Thailand

–

THB 

310,000,000

Property development

Thailand

50

40

VND  286,200,000,000

Property development Vietnam

BD 

600,000 ‘A’

Property investment

Bermuda

400,000 ‘B’

Annual Report 2017 65

 
 
Independent Auditors’ Report

To the members of Hongkong Land Holdings Limited

Report on the audit of the financial statements

Opinion

In our opinion, Hongkong Land Holdings Limited’s Group financial statements (the ‘financial statements’):
•  give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s affairs as at 31st December 2017 and of its profit and cash flows for the year  

then ended;

•  have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRSs’) as issued by the International 

Accounting Standards Board (IASB); and

•  have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 1981 (Bermuda).
What we have audited
We have audited the financial statements, included within the Annual Report, which comprise: the Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 
31st December 2017; the Consolidated Profit and Loss Account, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Consolidated 
Cash Flow Statement, and the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the year then ended; and the Notes to the Financial 
Statements, which include a description of the significant accounting policies.

Certain required disclosures have been presented in the Corporate Governance section on page 73, rather than in the notes to  
the consolidated financial statements.  These disclosures are cross-referenced from the consolidated financial statements and are 
identified as audited.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (‘ISAs (UK)’) and applicable law.  Our responsibilities 
under ISAs (UK) are further described in the Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report.   
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Independence
We remained independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial 
statements in the UK, which includes the Financial Reporting Council’s (‘FRC’s’) Ethical Standard as applicable to listed entities, and  
we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

Our audit approach

Overview
Materiality
•  Overall Group materiality: US$383.0 million which represents 1% of total non-current assets.
•  Specific Group materiality, applied to balances not related to investment properties: US$56.0 million which represents 5% of 

Underlying Profit before tax.

Audit scope
•  A full scope audit was performed on seven entities.  These subsidiaries accounted for 94% of the Group’s revenue, 97% of the 

Group’s profit before tax and 80% of the Group’s total non-current assets.

•  Full scope audits of three joint ventures were also performed which accounted for 2% of the Group’s profit before tax and 6% of  

the Group’s total non-current assets.

•  Specified procedures were performed over selected material financial statement line items for 17 other entities.
Key audit matter
•  Valuation of investment properties.
The scope of our audit
As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and assessed the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements.  
In particular, we looked at where the Directors made subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting estimates 
that involved making assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain.  As in all of our audits we also addressed 
the risk of management override of internal controls, including evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the Directors that 
represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

66  

Hongkong Land

Our audit approach continued

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in the auditors’ professional judgement, were of most significance in the audit of the financial 
statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) 
identified by the auditors, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the 
audit and directing the efforts of the engagement team.  These matters, and any comments we make on the results of our procedures 
thereon, were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and  
we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.  This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our audit.

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Valuation of investment properties
Refer to Note 3 (Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgements) 
and Note 12 (Investment Properties) to the consolidated 
financial statements.

The fair value of the Group’s investment properties amounted to 
US$32,481.0 million at 31st December 2017, with a revaluation 
gain of US$4,677.9 million recognised as a non-trading item in 
the consolidated profit and loss account for the year.  The Group’s 
property portfolio principally consists of commercial properties.

The valuation of the Group’s investment property portfolio is 
inherently subjective due to, among other factors, the individual 
nature of each property, its location, prevailing market returns 
and the expected future rentals for that particular property.

The valuations were carried out by third party valuers (the 
‘valuers’).  In determining a property’s valuations, the valuers 
make assumptions, judgements and estimates in key areas.  
Valuations are principally derived using the income capitalisation 
method.  Judgements are made in respect of capitalisation 
rates and market rents.

We focused on the valuation of investment properties due  
to the significant judgements and estimates involved in 
determining the valuations.

We assessed the valuers’ qualifications and their expertise, 
considering whether there were any matters that might  
have affected their objectivity or may have imposed scope 
limitations upon their work.  We found no evidence to suggest 
that the objectivity of the valuers in their performance of the 
valuations was compromised.

Our work focused on the highest value properties in the 
portfolio, namely the buildings in the financial district of  
Central, Hong Kong.

We read the valuation reports for the Hong Kong properties 
covering the majority of the total investment property portfolio 
and considered the valuation approach used was appropriate 
for each property and suitable for use in determining the 
carrying value.  We performed testing, on a sample basis, on  
the input data used in the valuation process to satisfy ourselves 
of the accuracy of the property information supplied to the 
valuers by management, for example agreement of lease terms 
to tenancy agreements and other supporting documents.

We understood and assessed the Group’s controls over data 
used in the valuation of the investment property portfolio and 
management’s review of the valuations.

The audit team, including our valuation specialists, attended 
meetings with the valuers at which the valuations and the  
key assumptions therein were discussed.  We compared  
the capitalisation rates used by the valuers with an estimated 
range of expected yields, determined via reference to 
published benchmarks and market information.  We evaluated 
year-on-year movements in capital value and rentals with 
reference to publicly available information and market rents.  
We evaluated whether assumptions were appropriate in light  
of the evidence provided by significant transactions which  
had taken place in local markets during the year.

We concluded that the assumptions used in the valuations were 
supportable in light of available evidence.

How we tailored the audit scope
We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed sufficient audit work to be able to give an opinion on the financial 
statements as a whole, taking into account the geographic locations and structure of the Group, the accounting processes and 
controls in place and the industry in which the Group operates.

The Group’s accounting processes are structured around finance functions, which are responsible for their own accounting records 
and controls, which in turn, report financial information to the Group’s finance function in Hong Kong to enable them to prepare 
consolidated financial statements.

Annual Report 2017 67

Independent Auditors’ Report

Our audit approach continued

How we tailored the audit scope continued
In establishing the overall approach to the Group audit, we determined the type of work that needed to be performed by members  
of the Group engagement team or by component auditors from within the PwC Network and other auditors operating under our 
instruction.  Where the work was performed by component auditors, we determined the level of involvement we needed to have in 
the audit work at those components to be able to conclude whether sufficient appropriate audit evidence had been obtained as a 
basis for our opinion on the financial statements as a whole.  The Group engagement team was involved in the significant reporting 
entities in scope for Group reporting during the audit cycle through a combination of meetings, visits and conference calls.  The lead 
Group audit partner and other senior team members undertook multiple visits to Hong Kong during the audit and were involved 
throughout the year in regular conference calls and other forms of communication to direct and oversee the audit throughout the 
year.  Other senior team members visited a number of countries, including Singapore and mainland China during the audit to review 
the work of component teams with regular communication throughout the year.

A full scope audit of the complete financial information was performed for seven subsidiaries which accounted for 94% of the Group’s 
revenue, 97% of the Group’s profit before tax and 80% of the Group’s total non-current assets.  Full scope audits of the complete 
financial information were also performed for three principal joint ventures which accounted for 2% of the Group’s profit before tax 
and 6% of the Group’s total non-current assets.  Specified procedures were performed over selected material financial statement  
line items for 17 other entities.  This, together with procedures performed on centralised functions and at the Group level (on the 
consolidation and other areas of significant judgement), gave us the evidence we needed for our opinion on the financial statements 
as a whole.

Materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality.  We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality.   
These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of  
our audit procedures on the individual financial statement line items and disclosures and in evaluating the effect of misstatements, 
both individually and in aggregate on the financial statements as a whole.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

Overall Group materiality

How we determined it

Rationale for benchmark applied

US$383.0 million

1% of total non-current assets

A key determinant of the Group’s value is investment property.  As non-current assets 
primarily comprise investment properties, we set an overall Group materiality level based  
on total non-current assets

We set a specific materiality level of US$56.0 million for items not related to the carrying value of investment properties and their 
related fair value changes (either wholly owned or held within joint ventures).  This equates to 5% of Underlying Profit before tax.

For each component in the scope of our Group audit, we allocated a materiality that is less than our overall Group materiality.   
The range of materiality allocated across components was US$1.0 million to US$21.0 million.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit of investment  
property related items above US$19.0 million as well as misstatements below that amount that in our view, warranted reporting  
for qualitative reasons.  For all other account balances, we agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them 
misstatements identified during our audit above US$2.8 million as well as misstatements below that amount that in our view, 
warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In accordance with ISAs (UK) we are required to report if the Directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation 
of the financial statements is not appropriate or the Directors have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material 
uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about the Group’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for 
a period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue.  We have nothing to report.

However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this statement is not a guarantee as to the Group’s ability to 
continue as a going concern.

68  

Hongkong Land

Reporting on other information

The other information comprises all of the information in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our auditors’ 
report thereon.  The Directors are responsible for the other information.  Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the 
other information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this 
report, any form of assurance thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider 
whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or 
otherwise appears to be materially misstated.  If we identify an apparent material inconsistency or material misstatement, we are 
required to perform procedures to conclude whether there is a material misstatement of the financial statements or a material 
misstatement of the other information.  If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement 
of this other information, we are required to report that fact.  We have nothing to report based on these responsibilities.

Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit

Responsibilities of the Directors for the financial statements
As explained more fully in the Responsibility Statement set out on page 71, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of  
the financial statements in accordance with the applicable framework and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view.  
The Directors are also responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial 
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, 
disclosing as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Directors either 
intend to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditors’ report that includes our opinion.  Reasonable assurance is  
a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material 
misstatement when it exists.  Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, 
they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the FRC’s website at:  
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.  This description forms part of our auditors’ report.

Use of this report
This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the company’s members as a body in accordance with  
Section 90 of the Companies Act 1981 (Bermuda) and for no other purpose.  We do not, in giving these opinions, 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.

John Baker
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants
London
8th March 2018

(a)  The maintenance and integrity of the Hongkong Land Holdings Limited website is the responsibility of the Directors; the work 

carried out by the auditors does not involve consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept no responsibility 
for any changes that may have occurred to the financial statements since they were initially presented on the website.

(b)  Legislation in Bermuda governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in  

other jurisdictions.

Annual Report 2017 69

Five Year Summary

2013

US$m

2014

US$m

2015

US$m

2016

US$m

2017

US$m

Profit attributable to shareholders

1,190

1,327

2,012

3,346

5,585 

Underlying profit attributable to shareholders

935

930

905

848

970

Investment properties

23,583

23,697

24,957

27,712

32,481

Net debt

3,025

2,657

2,341

2,008

2,549

Shareholders’ funds

26,857

27,548

28,685

31,294

36,774

Net asset value per share

11.41

11.71

12.19

13.30 

15.63 

US$

US$

US$

US$

US$

39.73

39.52

38.44

41.21

36.03

18.00

19.00

19.00

19.00

20.00

15.63

13.30

11.41

11.71

12.19

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Underlying earnings

Dividends

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Underlying earnings/dividends  
per share (US¢)

Net asset value per share (US$)

70  

Hongkong Land

Responsibility Statement

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

a. 

b. 

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

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 
Guidance and Transparency Rules 4.1.8 to 4.1.11 issued by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.

For and on behalf of the Board

Robert Wong
Simon Dixon
Directors
8th March 2018

Annual Report 2017 71

Corporate Governance

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited is incorporated in Bermuda.  The Company’s property interests are almost entirely in Asia.   
The Company’s equity shares have a standard listing on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, and secondary listings in 
Bermuda and Singapore.  The Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (the ‘DTRs’) issued by the Financial Conduct Authority in 
the United Kingdom (the ‘FCA’) require that this Report address all relevant information about the corporate governance practices 
applied beyond the requirements under Bermuda law.

The Company attaches importance to the corporate stability and opportunities that result from it being part of the Jardine Matheson 
Holdings Limited (‘Jardine Matheson’) group, which is considered to be fundamental to the Company’s ability to pursue a long-term 
strategy in Asian markets.  By coordinating objectives, establishing common values and standards, and sharing experience, contacts 
and business relationships, Jardine Matheson helps the Group to optimise its opportunities in the countries in which it operates.

The Group is committed to high standards of governance.  The system of governance it has adopted is based on a well-tried 
approach to oversight and management that has been developed over many years by the members of the Jardine Matheson group.   
It enables the Group to benefit from Jardine Matheson’s strategic guidance and professional expertise, while at the same time the 
independence of the Board is respected and clear operational accountability rests with the Company’s executive management team.

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 to be, or to appoint, the Managing Director of the Company.  
Reflecting this, and the Jardine Matheson group’s 50% interest 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 as well as Jardine Matheson’s deputy 
managing director, group finance director, group strategy director and group general counsel.

The presence of Jardine Matheson representatives on the Board and on the board of HKL, as well as on its audit and finance 
committees, provides an added element of stability to the Company‘s financial planning and supervision, enhancing its ability  
to raise finance and take a long-term view of business development.  It also eases the ability of management to work effectively 
together in exploiting the full range of the Jardine Matheson group’s commercial strengths.

The Directors of the Company retain full power to manage the business affairs of the Company, other than matters reserved to be 
exercised by the Company in general meeting under Bermuda legislation or the Company’s Bye-laws.  Among the matters on which 
the Board decides are the Group’s business strategy, its annual budget, dividends and major corporate activities.

The Board 

The Company currently has a Board of 16 Directors.  Their names and brief biographies appear on pages 18 and 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 Board composition  
and operation helps to provide the Company with the necessary stability as it seeks to grow its business.

The role of the Chairman is to lead the Board as it oversees the Group’s strategic and financial direction, while the principal role  
of the Managing Director is to act as chairman of HKL and of its finance committee.  Ben Keswick is currently appointed to both 
positions.  The responsibility for running the Group’s business and all the executive matters affecting the Group rests with the  
Chief Executive, Robert Wong.  The implementation of 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.

The Board is scheduled to hold four meetings in 2018 and ad hoc procedures are adopted to deal with urgent matters.  In 2017  
one meeting was held in Bermuda and three were held in Asia.  The Board receives high quality, up to date information for each of  
its meetings.  In addition, certain Directors of the Company who do not serve on the board of HKL and who are based outside Asia 
regularly visit Asia and Bermuda to discuss the Group’s business, as well as to participate in the four strategic reviews that precede  
the regular 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 at Board meetings.

72  

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, or from the Jardine Matheson group or externally, including by using the services of specialist 
executive search firms.  The aim is to appoint individuals who combine international best practice with familiarity of or adaptability to 
Asian markets.  When appointing non-executive Directors, the Board pays particular attention to the Asian business experience and 
relationships that they can bring.

Each new Director is appointed by the Board and, in accordance with the Company’s Bye-laws, each new Director so appointed is 
subject to retirement at the first annual general meeting after appointment.  Thereafter, Directors are subject to retirement by rotation 
under the Bye-laws 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 does not extend to the Chairman or Managing Director.

At this year’s Annual General Meeting to be held on 9th May 2018, Dr Richard Lee is to retire and will not seek re-election.  It is 
proposed that Christina Ong will join the Board following the Annual General Meeting.  In accordance with Bye-law 85, Mark Greenberg, 
Lord Powell of Bayswater, James Watkins and Percy Weatherall retire by rotation 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.  Executive Directors joining from outside the Group may be offered an 
initial fixed-term service contract to reflect any requirement for them to relocate.

Recommendations and decisions on remuneration and other benefits payable or made available to executive Directors result from 
consultations between the Chairman and other Directors as he considers appropriate.  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.

For the year ended 31st December 2017, the Directors received from the Group US$8.2 million (2016: US$7.7 million) in Directors’ 
fees and employee benefits, being US$0.9 million (2016: US$0.8 million) in Directors’ fees, US$7.0 million (2016: US$6.6 million)  
in short-term employee benefits including salary, bonuses, accommodation and deemed benefits in kind and US$0.3 million  
(2016: US$0.3 million) in post-employment benefits.  The information set out in this paragraph forms part of the audited  
financial statements.

The Company has in place notional share option plan under which cash bonuses are paid based on the performance of the 
Company’s share price over a period.  The notional plan was established to provide longer-term incentives for executive Directors  
and senior managers.  Notional share options are granted after consultation between the Chairman and the Chief Executive as well  
as 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.

Annual Report 2017 73

Corporate Governance

Audit Committee 

The Board has established within HKL an audit committee (the ‘Audit Committee’), the current members of which are Y.K. Pang,  
Mark Greenberg, Jeremy Parr and John Witt; they have extensive knowledge of the Group while at the same time not being directly 
involved in operational management.  The chairman, 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.  The Audit Committee meets and reports 
to the Board semi-annually.

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 with the executive management and a report is received from the external auditors.  The external auditors also have 
access to the full Board, in addition to the Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and other senior executives.

The Audit Committee keeps under review the nature, scope and results of the audits conducted by the internal audit function.   
The Audit Committee’s responsibilities extend to reviewing the effectiveness of both the internal and external audit functions; 
considering the independence and objectivity of the external auditors; and reviewing and approving the level and nature of  
non-audit work performed by the external auditors.

The terms of reference of the Audit Committee can be found on the Company’s website at www.hkland.com.

Risk Management and Internal Control

The Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s systems of risk management and internal control.  The Board has delegated to the 
Audit Committee responsibility for providing oversight in respect of risk management activities.  The Audit Committee considers the 
Group’s principal risks and uncertainties and potential changes to the risk profile, and reviews the operation and effectiveness of the 
Group’s systems of internal control and the procedures by which these risks are monitored and mitigated.  The Audit Committee 
considers the systems and procedures on a regular basis, and reports to the Board semi-annually.  The systems of internal control are 
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.

Executive management is responsible for the implementation of the systems of internal control throughout the Group.  The internal 
audit function also monitors the effectiveness of the systems of internal control and the approach taken by the business units to risk.  
The internal audit function is independent of the operating businesses and reports its findings, and recommendations for any 
corrective action required, to the Audit Committee.

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 is set out in the Group’s Code of Conduct, which is a set of guidelines to which every employee must adhere, and is 
reinforced and monitored by an annual compliance certification process.  

The Audit Committee 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.

The principal risks and uncertainties facing the Company are set out on page 78.

74  

Hongkong Land

Directors’ Responsibilities in respect of the Financial Statements

The Directors are required under the Bermuda Companies Act 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 are required to 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.  The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

Code of Conduct

The Group conducts business in a professional, ethical and even-handed manner.  Its ethical standards are clearly set out in its Code  
of Conduct, which is modelled on the Jardine Matheson group’s code of conduct.  The Code of Conduct 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 of Conduct prohibits the giving or receiving of illicit payments, and 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 Code of Conduct also encourages inclusion and diversity, and requires all employees to be treated fairly, impartially and with 
dignity and respect.  As a multinational Group with a broad range of businesses operating across Asia, the Group believes in promoting 
equal opportunities in recruiting, developing and rewarding its people regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, 
disability, age or background.  The scale and breadth of the Group’s businesses necessitate that they seek the best people from the 
communities in which they operate most suited to their needs.

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.

Directors’ Share Interests

The Directors of the Company in office on 8th March 2018 had interests (within the meaning of the EU Market Abuse Regulation 
(‘MAR’), which applies to the Company as it is listed on the London Stock Exchange) as set out below in the ordinary share capital of 
the Company.  These interests include those notified to the Company in respect of the Directors’ closely associated persons (as that 
term is used under MAR).

Charles Allen-Jones 
Dr Richard Lee 
Anthony Nightingale 
Y.K. Pang 

60,000
3,678,685
2,184
38,000

In addition, Robert Wong held share options in respect of 900,000 ordinary shares issued pursuant to the Company’s notional share 
option plan.

Substantial Shareholders

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 1,176,616,646 ordinary shares 
carrying 50.01% 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 8th March 2018.

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

Annual Report 2017 75

 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance

Governance Principles

The Company’s primary listing on the London Stock Exchange is a standard listing on the Main Market.  Under a standard listing,  
the Company is subject to the UK Listing Rules (other than those which apply only to companies with a premium listing), the DTRs,  
the UK Prospectus Rules and MAR.  The Company, therefore, is bound by the rules in relation to continuous disclosure, periodic 
financial reporting, disclosure of interests in shares and market abuse, including the rules governing insider dealing, market 
manipulation and the disclosure of inside information.  The Company is also subject to regulatory oversight from the FCA, as the 
Company’s principal securities regulator, and is required to comply with the Admission and Disclosure Standards of the Main Market 
of the London Stock Exchange.

When shareholders approved the Company’s move to a standard listing from a premium listing in 2014, the Company stated that  
it intended to maintain certain governance principles on the same basis as was then applicable to the Company’s premium listing,  
as follows:

1.  When assessing a significant transaction, being a larger transaction which would be classified as a class 1 transaction under the 

provisions of the UK Listing Rules, the Company will engage an independent financial adviser to provide a fairness opinion on the 
terms of the transaction.

2. 

In the event of a related party transaction, being a transaction with a related party which would require a sponsor to provide a fair 
and reasonable opinion under the provisions of the UK Listing Rules, the Company will engage an independent financial adviser  
to confirm that the terms of the transaction are fair and reasonable as far as the shareholders of the Company are concerned.  

3.  Further, as soon as the terms of a significant transaction or a related party transaction are agreed, an announcement will be issued 
by the Company providing such details of the transaction as are necessary for investors to evaluate the effect of the transaction 
on the Company.

4.  At each annual general meeting, the Company will seek shareholder approval to issue new shares on a non-pre-emptive basis for 

up to 33% of the Company’s issued share capital, of which up to 5% can be issued for cash consideration.

5.  The Company will continue to adhere to its Securities Dealing Rules.  These rules, which were based on the UK Model Code, have 

since been revised to follow the provisions of MAR with respect to market abuse and disclosure of interests in shares.

6.  The Company will continue its policies and practices in respect of risk management and internal controls.

Related Party Transactions

Details of transactions with related parties entered into by the Company during the course of the year are included in Note 27 to  
the financial statements on page 61.

Securities Purchase Arrangements

The Directors have the power under the Bermuda Companies Act and the Company’s Memorandum of Association to purchase  
the Company’s shares.  Any shares so purchased shall be treated as cancelled and, therefore, reduce the issued share capital of  
the Company.  When the Board reviews the possibility for share repurchases, it will take into consideration the potential for the 
enhancement of earnings or asset values per share.  When purchasing such shares, the Company is subject to the provisions of MAR.

Takeover Code

The Company is subject to a Takeover Code, based on London’s City Code on Takeovers and Mergers.  The Takeover Code provides 
an orderly framework within which takeovers can be conducted and the interests of shareholders protected.  The Takeover Code has 
statutory backing, being established under the Acts of incorporation of the Company in Bermuda.

76  

Hongkong Land

Annual General Meeting

The 2018 Annual General Meeting will be held on 9th May 2018.  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.  A corporate website is maintained containing  
a wide range of information of interest to investors at www.hkland.com.

Power to Amend Bye-laws

The Bye-laws of the Company can be amended by the shareholders by way of a special resolution at a general meeting of  
the Company.

Annual Report 2017 77

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 74 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 Guidance and Transparency Rules 
issued by the Financial Conduct 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 and Financial 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, increase net financing charges, or result in 
reduced valuations of the Group’s investment properties or in the Group being unable to meet in full its strategic objectives.

The steps taken by the Group to manage its exposure to financial risk are set out in the Financial Review on page 15 and Note 2 to  
the financial statements on pages 31 to 37.

Commercial 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, tender terms, product 
specification or levels of service can have an adverse effect on earnings or market share, as can construction risks in relation to new 
developments.  Significant pressure from such competition may also lead to reduced margins.  The quality and safety of the products 
and services provided by the Group are important and there is an associated risk if they are below standard, while any damage to 
brand equity or reputation might adversely impact the ability to achieve acceptable revenues and profit margins. 

The potential impact due to the disruption to IT systems or infrastructure, whether by cyber-crime or other reasons, may be significant.

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.

78  

Hongkong Land

Shareholder Information

Financial Calendar

2017 full-year results announced 

Shares quoted ex-dividend on the Singapore Exchange  

Shares quoted ex-dividend on the London Stock Exchange  

Share registers closed  

Annual General Meeting to be held 

2017 final dividend payable 

2018 half-year results to be announced 

Shares quoted ex-dividend on the Singapore Exchange  

Shares quoted ex-dividend on the London Stock Exchange  

Share registers to be closed 

2018 interim dividend payable 

* Subject to change

Dividends

8th March 2018

21st March 2018

22nd March 2018

26th to 30th March 2018

9th May 2018

16th May 2018

26th July 2018 *

15th August 2018 *

16th August 2018 *

20th to 24th August 2018 *

10th October 2018 *

Shareholders will receive their cash 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 2017 final dividend by 
notifying the United Kingdom transfer agent in writing by 27th April 2018.  The sterling equivalent of dividends declared in United 
States dollars will be calculated by reference to a rate prevailing on 2nd May 2018.  Shareholders holding their shares through  
CREST in the United Kingdom will receive their cash dividends in sterling only.  Shareholders holding their shares through The Central 
Depository (Pte) Limited (‘CDP’) in Singapore will receive their cash dividends in 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  
Link Market Services (Jersey) Limited 
12 Castle Street 
St Helier, Jersey JE2 3RT 
Channel Islands 

United Kingdom Transfer Agent
Link Asset Services
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU
United Kingdom

Singapore Branch Registrar
M & C Services Private Limited
112 Robinson Road #05-01
Singapore 068902

Press releases and other financial information can be accessed through the internet at www.hkland.com.

Annual Report 2017 79

Offices

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited

Jardine House
33-35 Reid Street
Hamilton
Bermuda
Tel +1441 292 0515
E-mail: gpobox@hkland.com
Philip A. Barnes

Hongkong Land Limited

One Exchange Square, 8th Floor
Hong Kong
Tel +852 2842 8428
E-mail: gpobox@hkland.com
Robert Wong

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
E-mail: gpobox.bj@hkland.com
James Zhang

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
E-mail: gpobox.cq@hkland.com
Ling Chang Feng

Hongkong Land (Philippines) Consultancy, Inc.

1803 The Taipan Place
F. Ortigas Jr. Road
Ortigas Center
Pasig City 1605
Philippines
Tel +632 625 6880
E-mail: gpobox.ph@hkland.com
Lee Chee Hoe

Hongkong Land (Premium Investments) Limited

Exchange Square Unit 702, 7th Floor
No. 19 & 20
Street 106, Village 2
Sangkat Wat Phnom
Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh
Cambodia
Tel +855 2399 2063
E-mail: gpobox.cambodia@hkland.com
Dawn Shu

80  

Hongkong Land

Hongkong Land (Shanghai) Management 
Company Limited

Unit 1601a, 07-08 Finance Square
333 Jiujiang Road, Huangpu District
Shanghai 200001
China
Tel +8621 6333 3921
E-mail: gpobox.sh@hkland.com
Calvin Tong

Hongkong Land (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

One Raffles Quay
North Tower #34-03
Singapore 048583
Tel +65 6238 1121
E-mail: gpobox.sg@hkland.com
Robert Garman

HKL (Vietnam) Consultancy and Management 
Company Limited

Suite 704, The Metropolitan
235 Dong Khoi
Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Tel +8428 3827 9006
E-mail: gpobox.hcmc@hkland.com
Cosimo Jencks

Beijing Yee Zhi Real Estate Consultancy Co., Ltd.

Room 1013, 10/F
Office Tower 1 Beijing APM
No. 138 Wangfujing Street
Dongcheng District
Beijing 100006
China
Tel +8610 6520 4828
E-mail: gpobox.bj@hkland.com
Stanley Ko

MCL Land Limited

78 Shenton Way #33-00
Singapore 079120
Tel +65 6221 8111
E-mail: gpobox.mcl@hkland.com
Tan Wee Hsien

PT Hongkong Land Consultancy  
and Management

World Trade Centre 1, 17th Floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 29–31
Jakarta 12920
Indonesia
Tel +6221 521 1125
E-mail: gpobox.indonesia@hkland.com
Theodore Chuang

Report of the Valuers

To Hongkong Land Holdings Limited

Dear Sirs

Revaluation of Investment Properties Held under Freehold and Leasehold

Further to your instructions, we have valued in our capacity as external valuers the investment properties held under freehold and 
leasehold as described in the consolidated financial statements of Hongkong Land Holdings Limited.  We are of the opinion that  
the market value of the investment properties held under freehold in Cambodia and leasehold in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and 
Vietnam as at 31st December 2017, totalled US$32,467,800,000 (United States Dollars Thirty Two Billion Four Hundred Sixty Seven 
Million and Eight Hundred Thousand).

Our valuations were prepared in accordance with the International Valuation Standards by the International Valuation Standards 
Council and The HKIS Valuation Standards 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, 8th February 2018

Annual Report 2017 81

Lettable area of the property

Location

Total 

Office 

Retail 

(in thousands of square metres)

35 

43 

139 

63 

44 

24 

44 

10 

51 

43 

20 

29 

123 

286 

42 

60 

15 

19 

25 

17 

4 

7 

30 

39 

53 
47 
30 
– 
4 

59 

44 

– 

31 

10 

38 

– 

– 

23 

71 
52 

57 
95 
117 

37 

56 

14 

17 

17 

5 

3 

6 

5 

4 

– 
– 
– 
5 
– 

4 

– 

24 

13 

– 

13 

43 

20 

6 

– 
– 

2 
7 
8 

5 

4 

1 

2 

8 

12 

1 

1 

Major Property Portfolio

at 31st December 2017

Investment Properties

Attributable 

interests

Alexandra House

Chater House

Exchange Square

  One Exchange Square
  Two Exchange Square
  Three Exchange Square
  Podium
  The Forum

Jardine House

Gloucester Tower

Landmark Atrium

Edinburgh Tower

York House

Prince’s Building

WF CENTRAL

One Central

One Raffles Link

One Raffles Quay

  North Tower
  South Tower

%

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

84

49

100

33.3

Marina Bay Financial Centre

33.3

  Tower 1
  Tower 2
  Tower 3

World Trade Centre 1

World Trade Centre 2

World Trade Centre 5

World Trade Centre 6

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Beijing, mainland China

Macau

Singapore

Singapore
Singapore

Singapore
Singapore
Singapore

50

50

50

50

Jakarta, Indonesia

Jakarta, Indonesia

Jakarta, Indonesia

Jakarta, Indonesia

EXCHANGE SQUARE

100

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Gaysorn

Central Building

63 Ly Thai To

49

65

73.9

Bangkok, Thailand

Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi, Vietnam

82  

Hongkong Land

Development Properties

interests

 Location

property 

completed

developed

Attributable 

area of the 

Construction 

to be 

Developable 

Under 

construction/

(in thousands of square metres)

Central Park

WE City

Central Avenue

Landmark Riverside

New Bamboo Grove

Lijia Project

Liangjiang Project

Yorkville North

Yorkville South

Xiaoshan Project

Yue City

Parkville

Wuhan Dream Land

Sol Acres

Lake Grande

Margaret Ville

Anandamaya Residences

Asya

Nava Park

%

40

50

50

50

50

50

100

100

100

30

33

50

50

100

100

100

40

33.5

49

Beijing, mainland China

Chengdu, mainland China

Chongqing, mainland China

Chongqing, mainland China

Chongqing, mainland China

Chongqing, mainland China

Chongqing, mainland China

329

896

1,101

996

640

114

161

Chongqing, mainland China

1,088

Chongqing, mainland China

Hangzhou, mainland China

Nanjing, mainland China

Shanghai, mainland China

Wuhan, mainland China

Singapore

Singapore

Singapore

Jakarta, Indonesia

Jakarta, Indonesia

Serpong, Greater Jakarta, 

Indonesia

Begonia

50

Seremban Forest Heights, 

Greenwoods Village

Two Roxas Triangle

Pampanga Property 

The ESSE Sukhumvit 36

The Nassim

Malaysia

40

40

40

49

50

Cavite, The Philippines

Manila, The Philippines

Pampanga, The Philippines

Bangkok, Thailand

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

881

776

218

230

493

115

50

22

116

1,064

784

33

442

98

103

38

31

329

396

133

410

218

–

–

375

556

–

–

227

–

–

–

–

–

–

61

–

316

–

–

–

–

–

500

968

586

422

114

161

713

325

776

218

3

493

115

50

22

116

1,064

723

33

126

98

103

38

31

Annual Report 2017 83

Major Property Portfolio

Hong Kong – Central District

R A L

E N ’ S   R O A D   C E N T

Q U E

P

E

D

D

E

R

S

T

R

E

E

T

R A L

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

D E

I

C

E

H

O

U

S

E

9a

10

9

8

S

T

R

E

E

T

11

  R O A D   C E N T

L

A

R

3

C O N N A U G H T

Hongkong Land properties

Public car park

Pedestrian bridges

Mass Transit Railway access

L
A
R
T
N
E
C

Standard
Chartered
Bank

D
A
O
R

S
’

N
E
E
U
Q

Bank of
China

L
A
R
T
N
E

D C

HSBC

A
O
X R
U
E
O
S V

E
D

7

IC

E H

6

O

U

S

E S

T

R

E

E

T

12

1

2

Stock
Exchange

O

A R B

H

4

U R   V IE W  S T R E E T
Airport E xpress Station
G  S T R E E T

N

Statue
Square

D
A
O
R

R
E
T
A
H
C

Statue
Square

N R

O

A

D

N

O

C

Mandarin
Oriental

L
A
R
T
N
E
C

D
A

O
R

T
H

G

U
A
N

J

A

C

K

S

O

5

General
Post Office

H E U

N   C

A

M

M

A

N

Y

I

U

S

T

R

E

E

T

D

A

O  R O

G   W

N

L U

9a

10

9

7

8

11

6

1

2

5

3

4

12

1  One Exchange Square
2  Two Exchange Square
3  Three Exchange Square
4  The Forum 

Jardine House
5 
6  Chater House
7  Alexandra House

8  Gloucester Tower
9  Edinburgh Tower
9a  The Landmark Mandarin Oriental

10  York House
11  Landmark Atrium
12  Prince’s Building

84  

Hongkong Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beijing, China

Chengdu, China

WF CENTRAL

CBD Site*

Central Park

WE City*

Chongqing, China

Bamboo Grove

New Bamboo Grove*

Liangjiang Project*

Lijia Project*

Chongqing, China

Central Avenue*

Landmark Riverside

Yorkville South

Yorkville North

Hangzhou, China

Nanjing, China

Shanghai, China

Wuhan, China

Xiaoshan Project*

Yue City*

Parkville*

Wuhan Dream Land*

* This rendering is for reference only, subject to change and government approval.

Macau

Thailand

One Central

Gaysorn

The ESSE Sukhumvit 36*

British Embassy compound

Indonesia

WTC

Anandamaya Residences*

Nava Park

Asya*

Vietnam

Central Building

63 Ly Thai To

The Nassim*

29B NDC*

Thu Thiem River Park Project*

Cambodia

Philippines

Central Mansions

EXCHANGE SQUARE

Roxas Triangle Towers*

Mandani Bay*

Singapore

Marina Bay Financial Centre

One Raffles Quay

One Raffles Link

LakeVille

Sol Acres

Lake Grande*

Singapore

Malaysia

Margaret Ville*

Eunosville*

Wangsa Walk Mall

* This rendering is for reference only, subject to change and government approval.

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited
Jardine House  Hamilton  Bermuda

www.hkland.com