Annual Report 2022

47. Management of financial risks

To finance its business activities, the Group uses short, medium and long-term bank loans and lease and hire-purchase agreements as well as cash and short-term deposits. The Group has access to various other financial assets and liabilities, including trade payables and receivables arising directly from its business.

Interest rate and market price risk

As a result of its financing activities, the Group is exposed to an interest rate risk principally stemming from medium- to long-term borrowing at floating rates of interest.

Managing the Group’s interest expenses involves a combination of fixed and floating-rate debt, depending on the market.

Forward interest rate swaps were used in the reporting period to hedge the interest rate level for the planned drawdown of fixed-interest loans to finance investments. These hedging transactions were designated in hedge accounting according to IFRS 9. The hedging rate is 100 % as the full amount of the hedging transactions serves to hedge the underlying transactions at the same amount. The default risk does not have a dominant influence on changes in value. There are no expected ineffectivities. The changes in the market value of hedging transactions were recognised directly and in full in other comprehensive income. With the fixing of conditions in the corresponding loans in 2022, the interest rate swaps were terminated by financial settlement.

As of the balance sheet date, two fully consolidated companies held interest rate swaps for hedging variable-interest rate loans. Due to the minor scope of these instruments, the risk is deemed insignificant.

As of the balance sheet date, 86.7 % (previous year: 85.5 %) of the Group’s borrowing was at fixed interest rates.

Since the fixed-interest financial instruments are not held at fair value, they are not subject to market price risks on the balance sheet.

Market price risks can, however, affect securities and equity investments in particular.

A change in the variable interest rate affects the interest expenses arising from floating-rate loans as well as the interest income from overnight deposits and time deposit investments.

If the variable interest rate had been 0.5 percentage points higher as of the balance sheet date, interest expenses arising from floating-rate loans would have been € 235 thousand p. a. higher (previous year: € 243 thousand p. a.) and interest income from overnight deposits and time deposit investments would have been up to € 953 thousand p. a. higher (previous year: € 1,195 thousand p. a.).

Exchange rate risk

Due to investments in countries outside the eurozone, changes in exchange rates can affect the balance sheet. Foreign currency risks on individual transactions are hedged by currency futures or currency options if required by a market analysis. The hedging transactions are in the same currencies as the hedged item. The Group only concludes currency futures contracts when specific claims or obligations exist, or can be expected with reasonable assurance.

On the balance sheet date, there were currency hedging instruments with a volume of € 40,500 thousand (previous year: € 32,000 thousand) and maturities of up to 18 months. As of 31 December 2022, the market value was € 2,228 thousand (previous year: € 625 thousand). In the reporting year, changes in value from these currency hedging transactions, which constitute financial assets and/or liabilities held at fair value through profit and loss, were recognised in the income statement. These transactions are not included in hedge accounting in accordance with IFRS 9.

Revenue in the HHLA Group is predominantly invoiced in euros, or in the national currencies of the European affiliates. Investments in these countries are largely transacted in euros.

Commodity price risk

The Group is primarily exposed to a commodity price risk when purchasing fuel. Depending on the market situation, the Group can arrange price hedges for part of its fuel requirements. This was not the case at the balance sheet date or on 31 December 2021.

In addition to the market risks mentioned, there are financial risks in the form of credit and liquidity risks.

Credit risk/default risk

The Group only maintains customer relationships on a credit basis with recognised, creditworthy third parties. Clients who wish to complete transactions with the Group on a credit basis are subject to a credit check. Receivables are also monitored on an ongoing basis, with impairment allowances made if risks are identified. Therefore, the Group is not exposed to any additional significant default risks on receivables. The maximum default risk for the trade receivables and other financial receivables is theoretically the carrying amount for the individual receivable. There is no significant concentration of default risks with individual customers.

In respect of some receivables, the Group may obtain securities in the form of guarantees that may be drawn upon as part of contractual arrangements if the counterparty falls into payment default.

The Group applies the simplified approach pursuant to IFRS 9 in order to measure expected credit losses, i.e. the expected lifetime credit losses are applied for trade receivables and contract assets. To measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables and contract assets are consolidated on the basis of shared credit risk characteristics and the number of days overdue.

The contract assets held by HHLA are deemed insignificant.

The expected losses given default are based on the payment profiles of the transactions over a period of twelve months prior to 31 December 2022 and the corresponding historic defaults in this period. HHLA also factors anticipated changes to the economic environment into its calculations of these losses given default. HHLA also believes that the portfolio of older trade receivables, which increased year-on-year as of 31 December 2022, will be serviced in parts. Furthermore, HHLA has observed trade receivables on a case-by-case basis and made valuation allowances where necessary. The impact on the consolidated financial statements is immaterial. On this basis, the following impairment was calculated on trade receivables as of the balance sheet date and as of 31 December 2021:

Determination of impairment on trade receivables as of 31 December 2022

in € thousand

 

not due

 

1 - 90
days overdue

 

91 - 180
days overdue

 

181 - 270
days overdue

 

271 - 360
days overdue

 

more than 360 days overdue

 

Total

Trade receivables before impairment

 

143,210

 

53,745

 

5,836

 

2,810

 

1,829

 

2,728

 

210,158

Expected losses

 

0.21 %

 

0.77 %

 

9.97 %

 

19.54 %

 

33.79 %

 

57.51 %

 

 

Impairment of the reporting year

 

299

 

414

 

582

 

549

 

618

 

1,569

 

4,031

Trade receivables after impairment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

206,127

Determination of impairment on trade receivables as of 31 December 2021

in € thousand

 

not due

 

1 - 90
days overdue

 

91 - 180
days overdue

 

181 - 270
days overdue

 

271 - 360
days overdue

 

more than 360 days overdue

 

Total

Trade receivables before impairment

 

142,818

 

34,798

 

10,017

 

819

 

755

 

2,081

 

191,288

Expected losses

 

0.10 %

 

0.62 %

 

3.54 %

 

45.30 %

 

42.12 %

 

77.32 %

 

 

Impairment of the reporting year

 

149

 

215

 

355

 

371

 

318

 

1,609

 

3,017

Trade receivables after impairment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

188,271

Impairments on trade receivables showed the following trends:

Development of the valuation allowances on trade receivables

in € thousand

 

2022

 

2021

Valuation allowances as of 1 January

 

3,017

 

3,309

Additions (valuation allowances recognised as expenses)

 

2,021

 

1,782

Used

 

- 36

 

- 325

Reversals

 

- 971

 

- 1,749

Valuation allowances as of 31 December

 

4,031

 

3,017

Trade receivables are derecognised when a reasonable assessment indicates that there is no prospect of them being realised. The indicators pointing to no prospect of realisation following a reasonable assessment include the failure of a debtor to commit to a repayment plan agreed with the Group and, provided there is no information to the contrary, the failure to make contractually agreed payments after being in arrears for 360 days.

Impairment losses on trade receivables are shown as other operating expenses in the operating result. Amounts that have been written off and are then generated in subsequent periods are recognised as other operating income.

The default risk in the case of derivative financial instruments and cash, cash equivalents and short-term deposits is, in theory, that of counterparty default and is therefore equivalent to the carrying amounts of the individual financial instruments. The risk of default may be considered very low since as a rule, the Group only conducts derivative financial transactions and liquid investments with counterparties with good and regularly reviewed credit ratings. In addition, credit risks may arise if the contingent liabilities listed in Note 46 are incurred.

Liquidity risk

The Group guarantees sufficient liquidity at all times through medium-term liquidity planning, diversifying the maturities of loans and leases, and through existing lines of credit and funding commitments. If covenants have been agreed for individual loans, they are continually monitored to ensure compliance. HHLA will introduce measures it deems necessary to ensure that the covenants are met.

For details of the maturities of financial liabilities and liabilities to related parties, please refer to the table of residual maturities for non-current and current financial liabilities under Note 38 and the summary of non-current and current liabilities to related parties under Note 40.

Expected liquidity outflows due to future interest payments for loans and for liabilities from leases

 

 

Up to 1 year

 

1 to 5 years

 

Over 5 years

 

Total

in € thousand

 

31.12.2022

 

31.12.2021

 

31.12.2022

 

31.12.2021

 

31.12.2022

 

31.12.2021

 

31.12.2022

 

31.12.2021

Outflow of liquidity for future interest payments on fixed-interest loans

 

4,700

 

4,375

 

15,314

 

14,466

 

7,926

 

9,324

 

27,940

 

28,165

Outflow of liquidity for future interest payments on floating-rate loans

 

1,562

 

1,075

 

4,684

 

3,412

 

4,677

 

4,082

 

10,923

 

8,569

For liabilities from leases

 

21,626

 

18,878

 

70,555

 

66,178

 

190,143

 

179,111

 

282,324

 

264,167

 

 

27,888

 

24,328

 

90,553

 

84,056

 

202,746

 

192,517

 

321,187

 

300,901

As of the balance sheet date, two fully consolidated companies held interest rate swaps. Due to the minor scope of these instruments, the risk is deemed insignificant.

Financial instruments

Carrying amounts and fair values

The tables below show the carrying amounts and fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities, as well as their level in the fair value hierarchy; see also Note 6 and Note 7.

For financial assets and financial liabilities not held at fair value, there is no disclosure of the fair value in the fair value hierarchy where the carrying amount serves as a reasonable approximation of the fair value.

Financial assets as of 31 December 2022

 

 

Carrying amount

 

Fair value

in € thousand

 

Amortised cost

 

Fair value through profit or loss

 

Fair value through other compre­hensive income

 

Balance sheet
value

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

Financial assets measured at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets

 

 

 

5,191

 

3,766

 

8,957

 

3,766

 

5,191

 

 

 

8,957

 

 

0

 

5,191

 

3,766

 

8,957

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets not measured at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets

 

15,162

 

 

 

 

 

15,162

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables

 

206,127

 

 

 

 

 

206,127

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables from related parties

 

86,884

 

 

 

 

 

86,884

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term deposits

 

116,435

 

 

 

 

 

116,435

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

424,608

 

0

 

0

 

424,608

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities as of 31 December 2022

 

 

Carrying amount

 

Fair value

in € thousand

 

Amortised cost

 

Fair value through profit or loss

 

Balance sheet
value

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

Financial liabilities measured at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities not measured at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

 

704,766

 

 

 

704,766

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities from bank loans

 

354,787

 

 

 

354,787

 

 

 

316,408

 

 

 

316,408

Liabilities from leases

 

284,598

 

 

 

284,598

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities from Settlement obligation, current

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other financial liabilities, non-current

 

37,928

 

 

 

37,928

 

 

 

37,928

 

 

 

37,928

Other financial liabilities, current

 

27,453

 

 

 

27,453

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade liabilities

 

111,789

 

 

 

111,789

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities to related parties

 

481,345

 

 

 

481,345

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities from leases

 

458,758

 

 

 

458,758

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Liabilities to related parties

 

22,587

 

 

 

22,587

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,297,900

 

0

 

1,297,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets as of 31 December 2021

 

 

Carrying amount

 

Fair value

in € thousand

 

Amortised cost

 

Fair value through profit or loss

 

Fair value through other compre­hensive income

 

Balance sheet
value

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

Financial assets measured at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets

 

 

 

1,151

 

3,788

 

4,939

 

3,788

 

1,151

 

 

 

4,939

 

 

0

 

1,151

 

3,788

 

4,939

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets not measured at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets

 

14,845

 

 

 

 

 

14,845

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables

 

224,039

 

 

 

 

 

224,039

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables from related parties

 

73,997

 

 

 

 

 

73,997

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term deposits

 

130,625

 

 

 

 

 

130,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

443,506

 

0

 

0

 

443,506

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities as of 31 December 2021

 

 

Carrying amount

 

Fair value

in € thousand

 

Amortised cost

 

Fair value through profit or loss

 

Balance sheet
value

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

Financial liabilities measured at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

 

 

 

58

 

58

 

 

 

58

 

 

 

58

 

 

0

 

58

 

58

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities not measured at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

 

723,024

 

 

 

723,024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities from bank loans

 

334,568

 

 

 

334,568

 

 

 

334,051

 

 

 

334,051

Liabilities from leases

 

293,693

 

 

 

293,693

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities from Settlement obligation, current

 

33,434

 

 

 

33,434

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other financial liabilities, non-current

 

44,210

 

 

 

44,210

 

 

 

44,210

 

 

 

44,210

Other financial liabilities, current

 

17,119

 

 

 

17,119

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade liabilities

 

131,108

 

 

 

131,108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities to related parties

 

501,119

 

 

 

501,119

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities from leases

 

482,280

 

 

 

482,280

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Liabilities to related parties

 

18,839

 

 

 

18,839

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,355,251

 

0

 

1,355,251

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where no material differences between the carrying amounts and fair values of the financial instruments are reported under non-current financial liabilities with details of fair value, they are recognised at their carrying amount. Otherwise, the fair value must be stated.

A net amount of € 2,228 thousand (previous year: € 625 thousand) for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss was reported as changes in value under financial income in the income statement; see Note 16.

Valuation methods and key unobservable input factors for calculating fair value

The table below shows the valuation methods used for level 2 and level 3 fair value measurement along with the key unobservable input factors utilised.

Financial instruments not measured at fair value

Type

Valuation method

Key unobservable input factors

Financial liabilities
(liabilities from bank loans and other financial liabilities, non-current)

Discounted cash flows

Not applicable

There was no reclassification between the individual valuation levels in the reporting year.

IFRS
International financial reporting standards.
Investments
Payments for investments in property, plant and equipment, investment property and intangible assets.
Revenue
Revenue from sales or lettings and from services rendered, less sales deductions and VAT.

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