Final Results
Zhejiang Expressway Co
13 March 2002
(A joint stock limited company incorporated in the People's Republic of China)
2001 Results Announcement
Results Highlights:
• Turnover of the Group increased by 44.9% over 2000 to Rmb1,723million
• Net profit attributable to shareholders increased by 19.6% over 2000 to
Rmb761 million
• Earnings per share was Rmb17.51 cents, an increase of 19.6% over 2000
• Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway contributed to 81.9% of
Group's toll income while Shangsan Expressway emerged as another significant
toll income generator with its first full-year of operation in 2001
The directors (the 'Directors') of Zhejiang Expressway Co., Ltd. (the 'Company')
are pleased to announce the audited results of the Company and its subsidiaries
(collectively the 'Group') for the year ended December 31, 2001 (the 'Period'),
prepared in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in Hong
Kong with the basis of preparation as stated in Note 1 below, together with the
2000 comparative figures as follows:
RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS
The Group achieved solid growth during the Period. Total turnover amounted to
Rmb1,722.5 million, representing a 44.9% increase compared to the corresponding
period in 2000 (the 'Previous Period'). Net profit was Rmb760.6 million, a 19.6%
increase over the Previous Period. Earnings per share was Rmb17.51 cents (2000:
Rmb14.64 cents). The Directors are pleased with the results achieved.
In view of the final results, the Directors recommend the payment of a final
dividend of Rmb0.07 per share (approximately HK$0.0660). Together with an
interim dividend of Rmb0.03 per share (approximately HK$0.0283) paid on October
24, 2001, the total dividend payable for the Period amounted to Rmb0.10
(approximately HK$0.0943) per share.
The audited consolidated income statement for the Period, the assets and
liabilities of the Group and relevant financial notes, are set out as below:
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
(All amounts expressed in thousands of Renminbi, except per share data)
Notes Year ended December 31
2001 2000
Turnover 2 1,722,517 1,188,604
Operating costs (392,535) (248,429)
Gross profit 1,329,982 940,175
Other revenue 2 216,690 242,888
Administrative expenses (88,487) (64,978)
Other operating expenses (18,236) (75,317)
Profit from operating activities 1,439,949 1,042,768
Finance costs (215,346) (197,083)
Share of profits of associates 12,396 40,584
Share of loss of a jointly-controlled entity (1,459) (6,517)
Profit before tax 3 1,235,540 879,752
Tax (363,970) (186,391)
Profit before minority interests 871,570 693,361
Minority interests (110,957) (57,360)
Net profit from ordinary activities attributable 760,613 636,001
to shareholders
Transfer to reserves 4 (193,029) (147,187)
Earnings per share 5 17.51 cents 14.64 cents
Assets and liabilities
Total assets 14,477,538 14,586,420
Total liabilities 3,685,828 4,128,921
Minority interests 1,502,629 1,495,364
Net assets 9,289,081 8,962,135
Notes:
1. Basis of Preparation
The financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2001 have been prepared
in accordance with Hong Kong Statements of Standard Accounting Practice ('HKSSAP
'), accounting principles generally accepted in Hong Kong and the disclosure
requirements of the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong).
They have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified with
respect to the measurement of investments in securities.
2. Turnover and revenue
Turnover mainly represents toll income from the operation of expressways, the
value of advertising services rendered, and the value of road maintenance
services rendered, net of relevant revenue taxes.
An analysis of turnover and revenue is as follows:
2001 2000
Rmb'000 Rmb'000
Toll income-third parties 1,756,265 1,219,672
Advertising income - third parties 22,462 15,878
Road maintenance income - third parties 4,649 5,130
Others -- third parties 34,465 15,582
1,817,841 1,256,262
Less: Revenue taxes (95,324) (67,658)
Turnover 1,722,517 1,188,604
Income on short term investments 105,522 153,566
Interest income 41,503 73,195
Rental income 6,726 7,098
Trailer income 8,278 6,821
Exchange gains 53,172 --
Others 1,489 2,208
Other revenue 216,690 242,888
1,939,207 1,431,492
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to Business Tax ('BT'), levied at
5% on toll income and 3%-5% on other services income. In addition, the
subsidiaries are subject to the following types of revenue taxes:
-- City Development Tax, levied at 1% to 7% of BT;
-- Education Supplementary Tax, levied at 3.5% to 4% of BT; and
-- Culture and Education Fees, levied at 3% on advertising income.
3. TAX
No Hong Kong profits tax has been provided as the Group had no taxable profits
in Hong Kong during the year.
The Group was subject to the Corporate Income Tax (the 'CIT') levied at a rate
of 33% of taxable income based on income for financial reporting purposes
prepared in accordance with the laws and regulations in the PRC.
Pursuant to a directive issued by Zhejiang Provincial People's Government in
1997, the Company was entitled to a refund from the Zhejiang Finance Bureau of
an amount equal to 18% of its taxable income in respect of the CIT paid to
Zhejiang tax bureau. According to a directive of the State Council, the Company
was entitled to the tax refund until December 31, 2001. Such beneficial
treatment was not granted to subsidiaries, associates or jointly-controlled
entities of the Company.
As Huajian Transportation Economic Development Center ('Huajian), a state-owned
enterprise established by the Ministry of Communication, became a substantial
shareholder of the Company during the Period, the CIT that the Company paid has
been divided into the national portion and Zhejiang portion. The national
portion of the total CIT paid, being Huajian's portion of the total domestic
shares (ie 16.39%) according to relevant regulations issued by the Ministry of
Finance, is no longer entitled to the 18% refund granted by Zhejiang Provincial
Government.
In this regard, the tax refunded and refundable represents the financial
subsidies received and receivable by the Company from Zhejiang Finance Bureau in
respect of the year.
2001 2000
Rmb'000 Rmb'000
Group:
Tax charged 327,718 185,307
Overprovision in prior year -- (1,474)
Tax refunded/refundable (68,791) (50,840)
258,927 132,993
Deferred 88,432 39,755
Share of tax attributable to associates 17,528 6,074
Share of deferred tax attributable to an associate (1,951) 6,302
Share of deferred tax attributable to a jointly-controlled entity 1,034 1,267
Tax charge for the year 363,970 186,391
There was no material unprovided deferred tax in respect of the year (2000: Nil)
4. Transfer to Reserves
In accordance with the Company Law of the PRC and the articles of association of
the Company, its subsidiaries, its associates and its jointly-controlled entity
(the 'Entities'), the Entities are required to allocate 10% of their profit
after tax, as determined in accordance with the PRC accounting standards and
regulations applicable to the Entities, to the statutory surplus reserve (the '
SSR') until such reserve reaches 50% of the registered capital of the Entities.
As a result, Rmb125,524,000 was transferred collectively for the year ended
December 31, 2001. Subject to certain restrictions set out in the Company Law of
the PRC and the respective articles of association of the Entities, part of the
SSR may be converted to increase the Entities' share capital.
In accordance with the Company Law of the PRC, the Entities are required to
transfer 5% to 10% of their profit after tax, as determined in accordance with
PRC accounting standards and regulations applicable to the Entities, to the
statutory public welfare fund (the 'PWF'), which is a non-distributable reserve
other than in the event of the liquidation of the Entities. For the year ended
December 31, 2001, Rmb62,762,000 was transferred collectively. The PWF must be
used for capital expenditure on staff welfare facilities and these facilities
remain as properties of the Entities.
In addition, Shangsan Co was required by the relevant tax authorities to
transfer its CIT waived for 2000 to its SSR account in 2001. The transfer has
been incorporated in these financial statements.
5. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the net profit from
ordinary activities attributable to shareholders for the year of Rmb760,613,000
(2000: Rmb636,001,000) and the 4,343,114,500 shares (2000: 4,343,114,500 shares)
in issue during the year.
Diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 have
not been calculated as no diluting event existed during these years.
MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
I. BUSINESS REVIEW
During the Period, the Group's turnover was approximately Rmb1,723 million,
representing an increase of 44.9% over 2000. Net profit attributable to
shareholders was Rmb761 million, representing an increase of 19.6% over 2000.
Contribution from the core business of toll road operations continued to
dominate the Group's turnover. Of the total turnover of Rmb1,723 million for the
Period, Rmb1,663 million or 96.6% came from toll collection.
Toll Road Operations
With the first full-year contribution from the Shangsan Expressway following its
completion and opening to traffic on December 26, 2000, toll income for the
Group during the Period grew strongly by 44.0% over the same period in 2000 to
reach Rmb1,756.3 million. A breakdown of toll income contributions among the
expressways operated by the Group and their various sections is set out below:
Toll Income % of Total Growth %
Rmb '000 Toll Income Over 2000
Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway
Jiaxing section 506,463 28.8% 30.0%
Yuhang section 115,560 6.6% 14.1%
Hangzhou section 36,062 2.1% 16.0%
Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway 780,106 44.4% 18.3%
Shangsan Expressway 318,074 18.1% 732.7%
Total 1,756,265 100.0% 44.0%
The significant growth in toll income was also partly attributable to the
adoption of a new vehicle classification policy which started on June 13, 2001.
The new policy effectively increased the average toll collected per vehicle by
approximately 9.50% on the Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway, and by
approximately 8.96% on the Shangsan Expressway.
Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway
During the Period, toll income of the Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway grew
by 21.7% when compared to 2000 to reach Rmb1,438 million, representing
approximately 81.9% of the Group's total toll income (2000:96.9%). Monthly
average daily full trip traffic volume grew by 15.9% over 2000 on average.
There was an unusual surge in traffic volume on the Jiaxing section during the
second half of the year, partly due to traffic diversions from the parallel
section of Nation Road 320 which was partially closed for repairs and renovation
during that time. The surge in traffic is considered to be temporary and is not
expected to last into 2002.
During the Period, the Company introduced a number of measures to provide a
relatively high level of service to expressway users while accommodating growing
traffic: the computer main board used in toll collection was upgraded to reduce
processing time at toll stations, as a result of which incidents of road
congestion was reduced by approximately 21% through streamlining the traffic
monitoring and control system on the expressway. The rechargeable non-contact
prepaid IC card used in paying toll charges was launched in May 2001, which
offers further flexibility and convenience to frequent expressway users, reduces
error rates and improves reliability of the collection and safeguarding of toll
income.
Shangsan Expressway
2001 was the first year of full-year operation since the expressway was fully
completed and opened to traffic in December 2000. Daily full trip traffic volume
grew steadily from an average of 7,901 during the first half of the year to
8,695 during the second half of the year. Daily average full trip traffic volume
for the year was 8,301.
With toll income contribution of approximately Rmb318 million in 2001,
representing 18.1% of the Group's total toll income, the Shangsan Expressway has
become a significant contributor to the Group in both revenue and net profit.
The performance in traffic volume as well as toll income was generally in line
with the latest forecasts provided by the Company's traffic consultant. This was
despite a higher occurrence of partial road closure due to expressway traffic
accidents as well as adverse weather conditions during its first full year of
operation.
Shida Road
Traffic volume on Shida Road benefitted from an increasingly enhanced expressway
network, as well as persistent efforts by Hangzhou Shida Highway Co., Ltd. ('
Shida Co') in promoting the use of Shida Road through traffic radio broadcasting
and installation of road signs. Average daily traffic volume on Shida Road grew
by 65% to reach 6,767 vehicles, while toll income grew by 74.3% to reach Rmb19.2
million.
Due to substantial interest payments and depreciation charges, Shida Co still
recorded a loss of Rmb5.0 million despite its toll income growth, although the
loss was reduced by 67.9% as compared to the loss of approximately Rmb15.6
million during the same period in 2000. The company is expected to break even by
the end of 2002.
Other Businesses
In addition to carrying out advertising business along expressways through a
subsidiary company, the Company is also engaged in retailing petroleum products
as well as in the design and marketing of logistics management and
anti-counterfeiting systems through two of its associate companies, details of
which are set out below.
Advertising Co
During the Period, Zhejiang Expressway Advertising Co., Ltd. ('Advertising Co')
further expanded its advertising business along the expressways operated by the
Group through flexible pricing and incentive marketing strategies. Turnover from
Advertising Co was approximately Rmb21.2 million, representing an increase of
approximately 46.2% over 2000. Contributions from newly acquired businesses
constituted approximately 52% of overall turnover.
Net profit realized by Advertising Co during the Period was approximately Rmb7.3
million, representing a reduction of 43.0% over 2000. The reduction was due to
the first time levy of enterprise income tax, from which the company has been
exempted for the past two years.
Petroleum Co
With a new emphasis on retail sales of petroleum products, Zhejiang Expressway
Petroleum Development Co., Ltd. ('Petroleum Co') was able to realize a 21%
growth in retail sales amid increasing retail competition and substantially
reduced wholesale business.
However, mainly due to a revocation in corporate income tax exemptions which the
Company had enjoyed over the past two years, Petroleum Co suffered a loss of
approximately Rmb10.4 million for the Period.
JoinHands Technology
Following a successful trial run in Zhejiang Province, JoinHands Technology Co.,
Ltd. ('JoinHands Technology') has begun to market its core technology in
logistics management and anti-counterfeiting systems in a number of other
provinces with an aim to become a leading player in the market.
Turnover realized during the Period was approximately Rmb24.9 million, while net
profit was approximately Rmb6.9 million, compared to Rmb6.25 million and Rmb0.25
million, respectively, in 2000.
Project Acquisition
Through arm's length negotiations with relevant parties, the Company was able to
successfully increase its stake in Zhejiang Jiaxing Expressway Co., Ltd. ('
Jiaxing Co'), which is the holding company of the Jiaxing section of the
Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway, details of which are set out below:
• On June 4, 2001, the Company entered into agreements to acquire
a 2.1% and a 1.0% equity interest in Jiaxing Co from Jiaxing Xiuzhou Yitong
Development Company and Jiashan County Yintong Company Limited for a
consideration of Rmb63,249,984 and Rmb30,119,040, respectively.
• Subsequently, on December 26, 2001, the Company entered into
agreements to acquire a 1.5% and a 1.3% equity interest in Jiaxing Co from
Haining Hengtong Development Company and Tongxiang Huatong Company for a
consideration of Rmb44,620,800 and Rmb38,671,400, respectively.
• And finally on January 18, 2002, the Company entered into an
agreement to further acquire a 9.9% equity interest in Jiaxing Co from Jiaxing
Road and Bridge Construction and Development Company for a consideration of
Rmb303,700,000.
In addition to the above, the Company entered into an agreement on December 27,
2001 to acquire a 2% equity interest in Zhejiang Shangsan Expressway Co., Ltd.
('Shangsan Co') which owns and operates the Shangsan Expressway, from Shengzhou
Shangsan Development Company Limited for a consideration of Rmb57,600,000.
Through the above-mentioned transactions, the Company increased its stake in
Jiaxing Co from 84.19% to 99.99% in aggregate, and in Shangsan Co from 61% to
63%, for a total consideration of Rmb537,961,224.
Project Under Construction
Construction works to expand a 44km section of the Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo
Expressway between Hongken and Guzhu from four lanes to six lanes progressed in
accordance with the work schedules. During the Period, soft soil ground
treatment and most of the roadbed buildup works were completed along the
expansion route.
II. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
The Group adopts a financial policy characterized by being both proactive and
prudent. The Directors and senior management review the Group's liability
portfolio from time to time, and make adjustments whenever they deem necessary,
to establish an effective and stable capital structure. In view of the Group's
future profitability, the Directors and senior management also make prudent
investment decisions from time to time with an aim to achieve long-term stable
growth for the Group.
Return on Equity
The return on equity for the Period (before charging the distributable
dividends) was 8.2%, representing an increase of 15.5% over the Previous Period
(i.e. 7.1%).
The return on equity for the year ended December 31, 2000 has been restated
because the shareholders' equity as at December 31, 2000 was adjusted
retrospectively for the proposed final dividend of Rmb0.07 per share according
to the revised HKSSAP 9 (i.e. Events after the balance sheet date). The proposed
final dividend which used to be accounted for as a liability and was restated as
an allocation of retained earnings within capital and reserves in the balance
sheet.
Liquidity
Net Operating Cash Inflows
As a toll road operator, the Group has generated strong and steady cash inflows
from its ordinary operations since its establishment.
2001 2000 Increase
Rmb million Rmb million %
Daily toll income received 4.8 3.3 45.5%
Net operating cash inflows from the year 1,603 1,040 54.1%
Further Financing Arrangements
In addition, the Group is scheduled to issue 300,000,000 shares of domestic
shares in the PRC, the estimated net proceeds of which is expected to amount to
Rmb1 billion.
As a result, the Directors do not anticipate any liquidity concerns in the
foreseeable future.
Capital Expenditure Commitments and Financial Resources
As at December 31, 2001, the Group and the Company had capital expenditure
commitments of Rmb2,589.6 million and Rmb2,068.9 million, respectively. For 2002
and 2003, capital expenditure in the amount of Rmb1,055 million and Rmb350
million respectively are budgeted for the Group.
Capital Structure
As at December 31, 2001, shareholders' equity, interest bearing borrowings and
other non-interest bearing liabilities amounted to Rmb9,289.1 million,
Rmb3,029.0 million and Rmb2,159.4 million, respectively. The gearing ratio (i.e.
representing total liabilities/shareholders' equity) is 55.9% (2000: 62.8%)
The Directors are of the view that the current gearing ratio is relatively low,
thus providing more room for obtaining debt financing for the future development
of the Company.
Cash and Debt Management
For the Period, the Group held Rmb1,831.2 million in cash and cash equivalents,
time deposits and other short-term investments, among which 89.4%, 5.5%, 4.4%
and 0.7% were held in Rmb, US dollars, Euro and Hong Kong dollars respectively.
The average interest rates during the Period for bank deposits were 1.5%, 4.0%,
4.1% and 3.6% respectively for the abovementioned currencies. Meanwhile, total
borrowings for the Period amounted to Rmb3,029.0 million for the Group.
Short-term Investments
Because of the steady cash inflows generated from the core business of toll road
operations of the Group, the Group carried out a number of prudent short-term
investments to maximize returns on funds temporarily idle while limiting
investment risks. For the Period, the market value of the remaining short-term
investments for the Group totalled Rmb1,012.2 million, with 72.5% in government
bonds, 15.9% in convertible bonds, 9.7% in closed-end equity investment funds,
and 2.0% in open-end equity investment funds. In 2001, profit before taxation
from short-term investments was approximately Rmb105.5 million (2000: Rmb153.6
million), and the corresponding average rate of return on investments was
approximately 10.5% (2000: 12.0%).
Borrowings
As at December 31, 2001, total borrowings of the Group amounted to Rmb3,029.0
million, of which Rmb935.4 million was from World Bank loans and Rmb2,093.6
million was from commercial bank loans, Policy loans and corporate bonds. During
the Period, the interest rates of all borrowings of the Group did not have any
material changes when compared with those in 2000. In particular, the floating
rate of World Bank loans in US dollars ranged between 5.1% and 8.8%; the
interest rate of commercial bank short-term loans ranged between 5.0% and 5.6%;
and the interest rate of Policy loans ranged between 3.0% and 5.5%; and the
interest rate of corporate bonds was 3.8%.
Ratio of Gains to Interests
Interest expenses for the Period was Rmb218.0 million (2000: Rmb224.3 million)
while the profit after tax but before interest was approximately Rmb1038.4
million (2000: Rmb849.7 million). The gains to interests ratio was 4.8 (2000:
3.8).
Foreign Exchange Exposure
With the Company's advance repayment of the World Bank loan denominated in US
dollars during 2001, as at December 31, 2001, the Group's liabilities mainly
represents the World Bank loan borrowed for the construction of
Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway of approximately US$113 million.
In addition, the Company's dividends for H shares are settled in HK dollars.
Currently, the exchange rates of Rmb are still stable and the Directors do not
anticipate any material foreign exchange exposure to the Group. However, there
can be no assurance that the foreign exchange exposure will not affect the
operating results of the Group.
Contingent Liability
Other than a loan guarantee provided to a jointly-controlled entity, namely,
Shida Co, of Rmb30 million, the Group does not have any contingent liability as
at December 31, 2001.
Pledges and Guarantees of Assets
As at December 31, 2001, the details of pledged and guaranteed assets of the
Company are set out below:
The Company provided a guarantee of RMB 200 million in respect of corporate
bonds issued by Shangsan Co in November 2000. The maturity of the bonds is 3
years with an annual simple interest rate of 3.78%. The principal and the
interest have to be paid in a lump sum when they fall due.
The Company has provided a guarantee of Rmb565 million in respect of bank loans
to Shangsan Co from February 2001 to July 2004, and has provided a guarantee of
Rmb30 million in respect of bank loans to Shida Co from September 2001 to
September 2007 .
Shangsan Co has provided a guarantee of Rmb280 million in respect of bank loans
to the Company from February 2001 to February 2002.
Other than the guarantees above, the Group does not have any other guarantees
and pledges of assets.
OUTLOOK FOR 2002
2001 was an excellent year for China, capped with its successful entry into the
World Trade Organization in November, a development that has been anticipated
with both excitement and anxiety across the country. Nowhere was the news more
welcomed than in Zhejiang Province, where the economy is dominated with small to
medium-sized non-state-owned enterprises eager to join the global competition.
While the forecast GDP growth rate for Zhejiang Province is slightly lower in
2002 when compared with the past few years, growth in traffic volume on the
expressways operated by the Group is expected to be higher than the regional GDP
growth rate.
The long awaited fuel tax may be implemented later in 2002. The move is
structured to reduce government red tape by substituting various administrative
fees levied on vehicle owners with one flat surcharge on fuel consumption. This,
combined with the immediate reduction in the prices of both domestic and
imported car following China's WTO accession, will make owning a private car in
China easier than ever before, serving to boost traffic volume growth on the
expressways.
Given the favourable economic environment, the Company will continue to pursue
excellence in all aspects of its operations with a view to enhancing
profitability and shareholder value. Meanwhile, the Company will also take
advantage of the improved investment environment resulting from the latest round
of restructuring of state-owned assets, to actively pursue potential projects to
further expand its toll road portfolio within Zhejiang Province, whilst keeping
a close eye on suitable projects outside of the province.
Change in Directors and Senior Management
At the meeting of the Directors held on March 13, 2002, the Directors resolved
to accept the proposal by Mr. Xia Linzhang to resign from his current
directorship, and submit his proposal for approval by the shareholders of the
Company at the upcoming annual general meeting; the Directors also resolved to
accept the proposal to elect Ms. Zhang Yang to be a non-executive (external)
director of the Company, and to submit the proposal for approval by the
shareholders of the Company at the upcoming annual general meeting.
At the same board meeting, the Directors resolved to accept Mr. Geng Xiaoping's
proposal to resign from the post of General Manager of the Company, and resolved
to appoint Mr. Fang Yunti as General Manager of the Company, and Mr. Zhang
Jingzhong as Deputy General Manager of the Company. The terms of office for Mr.
Fang and Ms. Zhang is from March 14, 2002 to February 28, 2003. Mr. Geng
continues to serve as Chairman of the Company.
By Order of the Board
Geng Xiaoping
Chairman
Hong Kong, March 13, 2002
A detailed results announcement containing all the information required by
paragraphs 45(1) to 45(3) of Appendix 16 to the Listing Rules will be
subsequently published on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited's website at
http://www.hkex.com.hk in due course.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange