43. Notes to the Cash Flow Statement

Free Cash Flow

The balance of the cash inflow from operating activities and the cash outflow from investing activities makes up the free cash flow. This indicates what cash resources are available for dividend distribution or the redemption of existing loans. The free cash flow fell as against the previous year from € 185,639 thousand to € 144,276 thousand. The drop is mainly due to the increased cash outflow for investing activities. In addition to the year-on-year reduction in payments arising from the disposal of non-current assets, the increase in the cash outflow for is due primarily to the development in short-term deposits. Cash flow from operating activities showed positive development. The increase is due to a higher operating result () and also to a drop in trade receivables and other assets. Higher tax payments in the year under review had the opposite effect and put pressure on the cash flow from operating activities in a year-on-year comparison.

Change in Liabilities from Financing Activities

The balance of the proceeds from the issuance of bonds and (financial) loans and payments for the redemption of (financial) loans produces the change in liabilities from financing activities pursuant to 7. In the reporting year, the Group made payments for the redemption of (financial) loans in the amount of € 40,494 thousand. There were no proceeds from the issuance of bonds and (financial) loans. This change in the liabilities from financing activities is reflected in the reduction in liabilities to banks in the amount of € 41,471, see also Note 38. The change is also due to exchange rate effects amounting to € - 2,255 thousand and to other effects in the amount of € 1,278 thousand.

Financial Funds

Financial funds include cash in hand and bank balances with a remaining term of up to three months and receivables and liabilities relating to HGV. Receivables from HGV are overnight deposits available on demand. They are recognised at nominal value.

Financial Funds

in € thousand

 

31.12.2017

 

31.12.2016

Cash and cash equivalents with a maturity up to 3 months

 

49,953

 

12,869

Short-term deposits with a maturity of 4–12 months

 

20,000

 

18,795

Bank balances and cash in hand

 

131,561

 

145,528

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term deposits

 

201,514

 

177,192

Receivables from HGV

 

74,000

 

74,000

Short-term deposits with a maturity of 4–12 months

 

- 20,000

 

- 18,795

Financial funds at the end of the period

 

255,514

 

232,397

Investments

Payments for investments in property, plant and equipment, investment property and intangible assets.

EBIT

Earnings before interest and taxes.

IAS

International Accounting Standards.