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Company Registration No.: C 35
SANTUMAS SHAREHOLDINGS PLC
Annual Report and Financial Statements
30 April 2023
CONTENTS
DIRECTORS’ AND COMPANY INFORMATION
REGISTRATION
Santumas Shareholdings plc was registered as a public limited liability company under the Companies Act, Cap. 386 of the Laws of Malta on 12 December 1997 with company registration number C35. The Company held a Collective Investment Scheme license from the Malta Financial Services Authority in terms of the Investment Services Act, 1994 until 9 October 2014. As at this date, the Company surrendered its license as a Collective Investment Scheme (CIS) and de-listed its shares on the Malta Stock exchange as a CIS. On the same date Santumas Shareholdings plc was admitted to listing on the Malta Stock Exchange as a Property Company.
BACKGROUND The Company was formed as the Malta New Issues Investment Co. Limited on 29 April 1963. The Company’s name was changed on 18 May 1965 to Malta Shareholdings Limited when the Company was converted to a public company with the objects of carrying on the business of a finance trust in all branches. The name was changed again on 29 September 1978 to Santumas Shareholdings Limited. The Company’s objects also provided for property development, with the main property development being the Santumas Estate at Marsascala.
Calpabrin Properties (Investments) Limited merged into Santumas Shareholdings Limited on 2 April 1987 and Marsascala Development Limited and Santumas Contractors Limited merged into Santumas Shareholdings Limited on 15 December 1989.
On 9 May 1996, the Company was licensed as a Collective Investment Scheme under the Investment Services Act, Cap. 370 of the Laws of Malta by the Malta Financial Services Centre. The Company was registered as a public limited liability company under the Companies Act, Cap. 386 of the Laws of Malta on 12 December 1997, thereby changing its name to Santumas Shareholdings plc.
On 12 December 2003, the Company’s shares were accepted for listing on the Malta Stock Exchange.
On 9 October 2014, the Company surrendered its license as a Collective Investment Scheme (CIS) and de-listed its shares on the Malta Stock Exchange as a CIS. On the same date, Santumas Shareholdings plc was admitted to listing on the Malta Stock Exchange as a Property Company.
DIRECTORS’ REPORT
The Directors submit their annual report and the audited financial statements of Santumas Shareholdings plc (the ‘‘Company’’) for the year ended 30 April 2023.
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY
The principal activity of the Company during the year continued to be the carrying out of investment activities in the form of a listed Property Company. Being a listed Company involves obligations to comply with the Code of Principles of Good Governance (“the Code”) as contained in Appendix 5.1 to Chapter 5 of the Capital Market Rules (previously Listing Rules). Although the Code does not prescribe mandatory rules, it recommends principles of good practice. Compliance with the Code is considered to be in the best interests of the Company and all shareholders and the Company’s activities therefore have been conducted within the outlined principles of good practice.
FINANCIAL RESULTS AND REVIEW OF THE BUSINESS
For the year to 30 April 2023 the company’s investment in financial assets portfolio had an unrealised gain of EUR 228,625 (2022: unrealised loss of EUR 629,380) this representing an 8% increase in value. Therefore, the company’s portfolio continued to increase from a mid-year gain position of EUR 99,710 to the year-end unrealised gain of EUR 228,625. The Malta Stock Exchange Equity Price Index has seen a very narrow fall of 0.01% over the corresponding period, however, some of the larger shareholdings of the company have seen a significant increase in share price leading to a net unrealised gain.
The Statement of Comprehensive Income shows a profit before tax for the year which amounted to EUR 834,161 (2022: EUR293,813 loss before tax). There was a tax charge of EUR98,278 (2022: EUR90,529). The net profit for the year ended 30 th April 2023 was therefore EUR735,883 (2022: EUR384,342 loss after tax).
Dividend income over the twelve months has seen a 34% decrease over the corresponding period. Interest income has seen a 25% increase as compared with the corresponding period.
Administrative expenses are marginally higher than those of previous years. Total expenses for the period increased by EUR3,403 (2022: EUR8,344) which increase is mainly driven by the increase in staff salaries.
The Net Assets of the Company increased by around EUR746,615 (2022: decrease of EUR371,952) which increase is mainly attributable to the total comprehensive profit recognised during the current financial year.
INVESTMENT PROPERTY
There have been no purchases or sales of property during the year under review. The Company’s investment property holdings, excluding capitalisation of ground rents, were professionally valued on 30 April 2023 at EUR3,834,000 (2022: EUR3,546,000) yielding a corresponding unrealised gain of EUR288,000 (2022: EUR103,000) as at 30 April 2023.
FUTURE PROSPECTS
As the Company is heavily invested in the local economy it is inevitably dependent on the domestic economic situation to produce real growth in its asset base. The consensus is that Malta will benefit from a positive moderate real GDP growth in the current year which bodes well for future returns. The Company remains well capitalised with no material debt and is therefore well positioned to face any possible headwinds.
MALTA STOCK EXCHANGE
Trading in company shares on the local market remained thin with a total of 22 (2022: 23) trades throughout the year. As at 30 April 2023 the Company’s share price stood at EUR1.28 (2022: EUR1.09).
NET ASSET VALUE
As at 30 April 2023, the net asset value of the Company per share stood at EUR 1.587 as compared to EUR1.485 at 30 th April 2022. The net asset value has been calculated using the same methodology used to calculate the earnings per share.
PRINCIPAL RISKS
The Company’s principal risks are further disclosed in Note 19 dealing with management of risks as supplemented by Note 3 relating to significant accounting estimates and judgements in applying accounting policies.
DIVIDENDS
The Directors do not propose any dividend for the year.
DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS
As at 30 April 2023, the Directors’ interests, direct and indirect, in the ordinary share capital of the Company were:
As at 30th April 2022, the Directors’ interests, direct and indirect, in the ordinary share capital of the Company were:
* The indirect interests of Mr. Peter Paul Testaferrata Moroni Viani and Mr. Christopher Testaferrata Moroni Viani shown above against their joint name arise due to shareholdings in the same companies that directly or indirectly have an interest in the number of shares shown.
Dr. Norbert Tabone has a non-beneficial interest of 3,444,676 (2022: 3,444,676) ordinary shares in Santumas Shareholdings plc through the shareholding held by Mercury and Amalgamated SICAV as disclosed in Note 20 to the financial statements.
Mr. Roberto Buontempo has a non-beneficial interest of 482,539 (2022: 482,539) ordinary shares in Santumas Shareholdings plc through the shareholding held by the Archdiocese of Malta as disclosed in Note 20 to the financial statements.
No Director has a contract of service with the Company. The Company has not entered into any commitments on behalf of, or made any loans to, the Directors.
STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Directors are required by the Companies Act (Cap. 386 of the Laws of Malta) to prepare financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as adopted by the European Union (“EU”), which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company at the end of each financial year and of the profit or loss of the Company for the year then ended. In preparing the financial statements, the Directors should:
The Directors are responsible for ensuring that proper accounting records are kept which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and which enable the Directors to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act (Cap. 386 of the Laws of Malta). This responsibility includes designing, implementing and maintaining such internal control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. The Directors are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:
GOING CONCERN
The Directors, as required by Capital Market Rule 5.62 have considered the Company’s operational performance, the Statement of Financial Position as at year end as well as the business plans for the coming year, and that they have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, in preparing the financial statements, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS
There were no important events or transactions which took place after the financial reporting date which would require disclosure or adjustment to the financial statements.
INFORMATION PURSUANT TO CAPITAL MARKET RULE 5.64
Share capital information is disclosed in note 14. The issued share capital consists of one class of ordinary shares with equal voting rights attached and freely transferable. The list of shareholders holding 5% or more of the equity share capital is disclosed in Note 20 of the Financial Statements.
Pursuant to the Company’s Articles of Association, the appointment of Directors to the Board is reserved exclusively to the Company’s shareholders (in line also with general and commonly accepted practice in Malta). The appointment/removal of Directors requires the majority of the members present at the annual general meeting.
The Company cannot issue shares that would dilute substantial interest without the prior consent of the shareholders. The Directors are empowered to wholly allot for cash shares that do not exceed the authorised share capital of the Company.
It is hereby declared that as at 30 April 2023, information required under Capital Market Rules 5.64.2, 5.64.4, 5.64.5, 5.64.6, 5.64.7, 5.64.10 and 5.64.11 are not applicable to the Company.
AUDITORS
Ernst & Young Malta Limited have indicated their willingness to continue in office and a resolution for their re-appointment will be proposed to the Company at the forthcoming annual general meeting.
Signed on behalf of the Company’s Board of Directors on 29th August 2023 by Anthony P. Demajo and Mario P. Galea as per the Directors’ Declaration on ESEF Annual Financial Report submitted in conjunction with the Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 th April 2023.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT
Given that the Company’s securities are traded on the Malta Stock Exchange, the Company is subject to The Code of Principles of Good Governance (“the Code”) applicable to listed companies. The adoption of the Code is not mandatory but listed companies are required under the Capital Market Rules issued by the Malta Financial Services Authority to include a Statement of Compliance with the Code in their Annual Report, accompanied by a report of the independent auditor.
The Board has considered the principles embodied in the Code and noted the Code’s recommended practices. During the year under review the Company has been in compliance with the Code to the extent that is considered adequate bearing in mind the size and nature of the Company’s operations. Instances of divergence from the code are disclosed and explained below.
PRINCIPLE 1-5: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Company’s Board is composed of three non-executive Directors and three independent non-executive Directors. The Board is under the Chairmanship of Mr. Anthony P. Demajo. The Board is entrusted with the overall direction and management of the Company, including the establishment of strategies for future development and the approval of any proposed property acquisitions and developments. The Company is a Property Company which does not require a complex management structure; accordingly, the role of the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer are combined. The Board has indicated Mr. Mario P. Galea, Dr. Norbert Tabone and Mr. Roberto Buontempo as the independent non-executive members.
Its responsibilities also involve the overseeing of the Company’s internal control procedures and financial performance, and review of business risks facing the Company, ensuring that these are adequately identified, evaluated, managed and minimised. All Directors have access to independent financial advice at the expense of the Company should they require.
During the year under review the Board met three times to discuss the operations and strategy of the Company. The attendance of Directors to the Board meetings is listed below.
PRINCIPLE 6: INFORMATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Company’s management ensures that it provides Directors with relevant information to enable them to effectively contribute to Board decisions. All Directors have access to independent financial advice at the expense of the Company should they require.
PRINCIPLE 8: BOARD COMMITTEES
Investment committee
The Investment committee is responsible for overseeing the maintenance, investment and reinvestment of the Company’s assets covering both the Company’s property holdings and its equity and bond portfolio. Whilst actively managing the securities portfolio, any property investment decisions are referred back to the Board who always take the final decision on any property related matters. The Committee is chaired by Mr. Anthony P. Demajo and has Mr. Christopher Testaferrata Moroni Viani and Mr. Michael Formosa Gauci as members.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee’s primary objective is to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities in dealing with issues of risk, control and governance and to oversee and review the financial reporting process, financial policies and internal control structure. The Committee also oversees the conduct of the external audit and acts to facilitate communication between the Board, management and the auditors. In addition, the Audit Committee has the role and function of scrutinising and evaluating any proposed transaction to be entered into by the Company and a related party to ensure that the execution of any such transaction is at arm’s length and on a commercial basis and ultimately in the best interests of the Company.
The Audit Committee, which is composed of three independent non-executive Directors, meets regularly in terms of the Code. During the year under review Mr. Mario P. Galea served as Chairman and Dr Norbert Tabone together with Mr. Roberto Buontempo served as members. Mr. Michael Formosa Gauci acted as secretary to the Audit Committee. The Committee has met on four occasions during the financial year end under review.
The Board, in terms of Capital Market Rule 5.118, has indicated Mr. Mario P. Galea and Dr. Norbert Tabone as independent non-executive members of the Audit Committee who are considered to be competent in accounting and auditing in view of their considerable experience at a senior level in the audit and advisory field. Furthermore, in terms of Capital Market Rule 5.118, the Board has considered the independence criteria set out in Capital Market Rule 5.117 and concluded that all members of the Audit Committee are independent in terms of the said Capital Markets Rule, as explained further hereunder.
As previously disclosed Dr Norbert Tabone, through the shareholding of Mercury plc and Amalgamated Investments, and Mr Roberto Buontempo, through the shareholding of Archdiocese of Malta, have a non-beneficial interest in Santumas Shareholdings plc by virtue of their being officers in the above-mentioned entities. To ensure that any such non-beneficial interests in no way impinge on the independence of the Audit Committee members, the Board of Directors conducted a detailed analysis and assessment of both members situation to ensure that they can be deemed as truly independent as required by the Capital Market Rules.
Having examined all the surrounding circumstances the Board of Directors concluded that:
Neither of the members concerned has any business, family, or other relationship with the Company, except that of Director and member of the Audit Committee.
Whilst the Audit Committee members are officers of shareholders in the Company, none of the shareholders are controlling shareholders as required under Capital Market Rule 5.119.
None of Mercury plc, Amalgamated Investments and the Archdiocese of Malta have a business relationship with the Company as defined in Capital Market Rule 5.120.
In line with the requirement of Capital Market Rules 5.119.4, 5.119.5 and 5.119.6, none of the directors that are members of the Audit Committee:
In the context of the above considerations the Board believe that none of the Audit Committee members fall within the ambits of the link mentioned in Capital Market Rule 5.119 that could be considered as having an impact on a member’s independence of judgement.
In addition to the above, the Board, in evaluating whether there could be any issue of influence that could taint a member’s independence of mind looked at other factors amongst which the possible impact that any decision which can possibly be made by the Audit Committee could have on Mercury plc, Amalgamated Investments and the Archdiocese of Malta and their respective financial performance or position as a whole. When taking into account the value of each of those entities’ investments in the Company as a proportion of their total portfolios, it is clear that the performance of the Company, driven or otherwise by a decision of its Audit Committee, could hardly have any material impact on the overall performance of each entity.
The position of the Audit Committee members is reviewed after every Annual General Meeting of the Company to ensure that there have been no changes to their situation from the previous year. If there have been any changes these are looked at in detail to ensure that they do not in any way hinder them from acting in a totally independent manner.
PRINCIPLE 9 AND 10: RELATIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS
The Directors consider that the Board properly serves the legitimate interests of all stakeholders in the Company through representation of the shareholders on the Board. Shareholders are also given the opportunity to ask questions at the AGM or submit written questions in advance. The Chairman makes arrangements for the chairman of the Audit Committee to be available to answer questions, if necessary.
The Board ensures that there is sufficient communication with all stakeholders through regular statements on the MSE website and information on areas such as corporate governance and financial statements to be found on the Company website at www.santumasmalta.com
PRINCIPLE 11: CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Directors, members of the Board sub-committee of the Company are or may be involved as Directors or shareholders of or consultants to other companies which deal in similar investments as the Company. Should an actual or potential conflict arise during the tenure of the directorship, the Director will disclose and record the conflict in full and in time to the Board of Directors. Such Director will not participate in discussions concerning matters in which he has a conflict of interest unless the Board finds no objection to the presence of such Director. In any event, the Director will refrain from voting on the matter.
The Audit Committee of the Company has the task of ensuring that any potential conflicts of interest that may arise at any moment, pursuant to these different roles held by Directors, are handled in the best interest of the Company and according to law. The independent non-executive Directors on the Audit Committee provide an effective measure to ensure that transactions vetted by the Audit Committee are determined on an arms-length basis.
PRINCIPLE 12: CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Company seeks to adhere to sound principles of corporate social responsibility by conducting its operations in an ethical manner. The Board is mindful of the environment and its responsibility within the community in which it operates.
INTERNAL CONTROL AND RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
This information is being provided in terms of Capital Market Rule 5.97.4.
The Company is a Property Company which does not require an elaborate management structure. The Board of Directors is responsible for the general management of the Company whilst the day-to-day management has been delegated to the Company Secretary and certain functions to the Board sub-committees. The Directors believe that the current organisational structures are adequate for the current activities of the Company. The Directors will maintain these structures under continuous review to ensure that they meet the changing demands of the business.
GENERAL MEETINGS
This information is being provided in terms of Capital Market Rule 5.97.6.
The manner in which the general meeting is conducted is outlined in Articles of the company’s Articles of Association, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, Cap.386 of the Laws of Malta.
All shareholders registered in the Shareholders’ Register on the Record Date as defined in the Capital Market Rules, have the right to attend, participate and vote in the general meeting. A shareholder or shareholders holding not less than 5% in nominal value of all the shares entitled to vote at the general meeting may request the Company to include items on the agenda of a general meeting and/or table draft resolutions for items included in the agenda of a general meeting. Such requests are to be received by the Company at least forty-six (46) days before the date set for the relative general meeting.
A shareholder who cannot participate in the general meeting can appoint a proxy by written or electronic notification to the Company. Every shareholder represented in person or by proxy is entitled to ask questions which are pertinent and related to items on the agenda of the general meeting and to have such questions answered by the Directors or such persons as the Directors may delegate for that purpose.
NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE
PRINCIPLE 1-5: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As detailed above under the heading “Internal Control and Risk Management System” the size of the Company and its level of activity do not justify an elaborate management structure. The Board of Directors are actively involved in the general management of the Company and therefore fully cognisant of all its activities.
PRINCIPLE 6: INFORMATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Full adherence by the Company with the provisions of Principle 6 of the Code is not deemed necessary taking into account the size, nature and operations of the Company. The Company does not feel the need to establish and/or implement a succession plan for senior management in light of its existing organisational structures though such structure will be kept under continuous review so as to meet the changing demands of the business.
PRINCIPLE 7: EVALUATION OF THE BOARD’S PERFORMANCE
Under the present circumstances, the Board does not consider it necessary to appoint a committee to carry out a performance evaluation of its role as the Board’s performance is always under the scrutiny of the shareholders.
PRINCIPLE 8: COMMITTEES
The Company does not have a Remuneration Committee as recommended by Principle 8. The Company does not have any employees other than the Company Secretary and a full-time employee engaged to carry out general secretarial duties. In such circumstances it is felt that any remuneration related matters are best dealt with by the Board.
The Company does not have a Nomination Committee as recommended by Principle 8. Appointments to the Board of Directors of the Company are determined by shareholders of the Company in accordance with the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Company considers that the members of the Board provide the level of skill, knowledge and experience expected in terms of the Code.
Signed on behalf of the Company’s Board of Directors on 29th August 2023 by Anthony P. Demajo and Mario P. Galea as per the Directors’ Declaration on ESEF Annual Financial Report submitted in conjunction with the Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 th April 2023.
REMUNERATION REPORT
1. TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Company does not have a Remuneration Committee as recommended by Principle 8. The Company does not have any employees other than the Company Secretary/Senior Executive and a full-time employee engaged to carry out general secretarial duties. In such circumstances, it has been determined that any remuneration related matters are dealt with by the Board.
The company pays remuneration in accordance with its remuneration policy which was approved at the 58 th Annual General Meeting on the 29 th of October 2021.
2. REMUNERATION STRATEGY Consideration of the required skills and competencies necessary for Directors to execute the Company’s business strategy and serve its long-term interests , including its operational sustainability, is considered to be relevant in establishing the appropriate level of fees to be paid . Moreover, consideration is also given to the circumstances of the Company to ensure that the compensation offered matches current market expectations. Regular review of the renumeration paid is undertaken to ensure that the Company can continue to attract and retain suitable Directors who can provide the collective skills and experience for the proper functioning of the Board.
3. REMUNERATION OF THE DIRECTORS During the financial year ended 30 April 2023, the Board of directors of Santumas Shareholding plc was wholly composed of six non-Executive Directors which directors are members of the board who do not have a role in the day-to-day executive management of the company.
The maximum annual aggregate remuneration payable to non-executive directors is approved by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting in terms of Article 64 of the Company Articles of Association . The maximum aggregate emoluments of all Directors were fixed at EUR25,000 at the Annual General Meeting held on 14 th October 2016.
The aggregate remuneration payable to the non-executive directors has two components:
There were no changes in the remuneration structure when compared to the financial year ended 30 th April 2022. Non-Executive Directors are not entitled to any variable remuneration, profit sharing arrangements, share options, contractual pension, termination or retirement benefits or any other non-cash benefits.
The following table provides a summary of the remuneration paid for the year ended 30 April 2023 for each individual Director . The same remuneration was paid for the year ended 30 April 2022.
4. SHAREHOLDERS INVOLVEMENT As disclosed in Section 3, the maximum annual aggregate remuneration payable to non-executive directors is approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting in terms of Article 64 of the Company Articles of Association . The maximum aggregate emoluments of all Directors was fixed at EUR25,000 at the Annual General Meeting held on 14 th October 2016.
In accordance with Capital Market Rule 12.26L, the remuneration report will be submitted for discussion in the annual general meeting as a separate item of the agenda, given that the company meets the criteria of a small and medium sized companies as defined by article 3(2) and (3) of Directive 2013/34/EU. Moreover, in line with Capital Market Rule 12.26M, this remuneration report shall be made available on the company’s website for a period of 10 years following its publication.
5. SENIOR EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION For the purposes of this remuneration report, a senior executive shall mean “any person reporting directly to the Board of Directors” as per definition provided in the Capital Market Rules, Appendix 5.1, article 8A. The terms and conditions of employment of the senior executive are set and approved by the board of directors. The senior executive within the company is not entitled for termination payments and/or other payments linked to early termination .
The senior executive is not eligible for a variable remuneration, profit sharing arrangements, share options or pension benefit arrangements. During the year under review, the total emoluments relating to the senior executive member were of EUR37,500 (2022: EUR35,832), which emoluments relate to a fixed pay.
6. CONTENTS OF THE REMUNERATION REPORT The contents of the Remuneration Report have been reviewed by the external Auditors to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of Appendix 12.1 to Chapter 12 of the Capital Market Rules.
Signed on behalf of the Company’s Board of Directors on 29th August 2023 by Anthony P. Demajo and Mario P. Galea as per the Directors’ Declaration on ESEF Annual Financial Report submitted in conjunction with the Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 th April 2023
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOMEfor the year ended 30 April 2023
The accounting policies and explanatory notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITIONas at 30 April 2023
The accounting policies and explanatory notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
The financial statements have been authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 29th August 2023 and were signed on its behalf by Anthony P. Demajo and Mario P. Galea as per Directors’ Declaration on ESEF Annual Financial Report submitted in conjunction with the Annual Report for the year ended 30th April 2023:
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITYfor the year ended 30 April 2023
The accounting policies and explanatory notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWSfor the year ended 30 April 2023
The accounting policies and explanatory notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. CORPORATE INFORMATION
Santumas Shareholdings PLC (the “Company”) is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in Malta whose shares are publicly traded. The registered office is located at Britannia House /1, 9 Old Bakery Street, Valletta VLT 1450, Malta.
The principal activity of the Company was to carry out investment activities as a Collective Investment Scheme as licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority. On 9 October 2014, the Company has surrendered its license as a collective investment scheme (CIS) and de-listed its shares on the Malta Stock Exchange as a CIS. On the same date, Santumas Shareholdings plc was admitted to listing on the Malta Stock Exchange as a Property Company.
2.1 BASIS OF PREPARATION AND STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
Statement of compliance The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union (EU) and the Companies Act, 1995 (Cap 386 of the Laws of Malta).
Basis of measurement The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention, except for leasehold property under property, plant and equipment, investment properties and financial assets at fair value through profit and loss that have been measured at fair value. The financial statements are presented in euro (EUR).
Going concern These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis since the company remains well capitalised with no external debt and is therefore well positioned to continue operating for the foreseeable future.
2.2 CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND DISCLOSURES
Standards, interpretations, and amendments to published standards as adopted by the European Union effective during the year ended 30 April 2023
During the financial year under review, the company adopted new standards, amendments and interpretations to the existing standards that are mandatory for the company’s accounting period starting 1 May 2022. The adoption of these revisions to the requirements of IFRSs as adopted by the EU did not result in substantial changes to the company’s accounting policies.
Standards, interpretations, and amendments to published standards as adopted by the European Union that are not yet effective
Up to the date of approval of these financial statements, certain new standards, amendments and interpretations to existing standards have been published but are not yet effective for the current reporting period and which have not been adopted early.
The changes resulting from these standards are not expected to have a material effect on the financial statements of the Company.
Standards, interpretations, and amendments issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) but not yet endorsed by the EU
The adoption of the above-mentioned standards, interpretations and amendments are not expected to have an impact on the financial statements or performance of the company.
2.3 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below:
Revenue recognition Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the revenue is reliably measured. The following specific revenue criteria must also be met before revenue is recognised:
Interest income Interest income is included in the Statement of Comprehensive Income on an accruals basis using the effective interest rate method that is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial instrument to the net carrying amount of the financial asset.
Investment income Ground rents and other rents are included in the Statement of Comprehensive Income on an accrual basis.
Dividend income is included in the Statement of Comprehensive Income when the right to receive the payment is established.
Upon disposal of investment properties consisting of land, property and ground rents capitalised, the difference between the proceeds from disposal and the carrying amount is recognised as a gain or loss through the statement of comprehensive income.
Sale of rights income The company earns income from sale of rights when it waivers, revokes, cancels or removes some or all of its existing conditions and residual rights on certain properties that the company would still have such rights on.
Income from sale of rights is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income when a public deed is executed between the company and the purchaser.
Such rights are not recognised as an asset due to the significant uncertainty of the quantum and timing of the expected future economic benefits. Thus, given the high uncertainty around measurement, the company concluded that any estimate would not provide relevant and faithful representation of such rights.
The company is not recognising a contingent asset as it has concluded that it does not have any indication whatsoever of which rights may be extinguished in the future, thus rendering such events as not probable.
Taxes Current income tax Current income tax assets and liabilities for the current and prior years are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.
Deferred income tax Deferred taxation is provided using the liability method, on temporary differences, at the reporting date, arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying values for financial reporting purposes. Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences, except:
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the year when the asset is realised or the liability is settled, based on tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantially enacted at the reporting date.
Under this method the Company is required to make provision for deferred income taxes on the revaluation of certain non-current assets. Such deferred tax is charged or credited directly to the Statement of Comprehensive Income and is charged or credited directly to equity if the tax relates to items that are credited or charged in the same or a different period, directly to equity.
Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that future taxable profit will be available such that realisation of the related tax benefit is probable.
Foreign currency translation
The financial statements are presented in Euro, which is the Company’s functional and presentation currency. Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded at the functional currency rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the functional currency rate of exchange ruling at the year-end date. All differences are taken to the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates as at the dates of the initial transactions. Non-monetary items measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the date when the fair value was determined.
Fair value measurement
The Company measures investment properties, leasehold properties under property, plant and equipment and financial assets at fair value through profit or loss at fair value at each balance sheet date.
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement is based on the presumption that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place either:
The principal or the most advantageous market must be accessible to the Company.
The fair value of an asset or a liability is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming that market participants act in their economic best interest.
A fair value measurement of a non-financial asset takes into account a market participant's ability to generate economic benefits by using the asset in its highest and best use or by selling it to another market participant that would use the asset in its highest and best use. The Company uses valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data is available to measure fair value, maximising the use of relevant observable inputs and minimising the use of unobservable inputs.
All assets and liabilities for which fair value is measured or disclosed in the financial statements are categorised within the fair value hierarchy, described as follows, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole:
For assets that are recognised in the financial statements on a recurring basis, the Company determines whether transfers have occurred between levels in hierarchy by re-assessing categorisation (based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting period. External valuers are involved for valuation of investment properties and leasehold properties at least every two years or earlier whenever their fair values differ materially from their carrying amounts.
For the purpose of fair value disclosures, the Company has determined classes of assets and liabilities on the basis of the nature, characteristics and risks of the asset or liability and the level of the fair value hierarchy as explained above.
Leases
Company as a lessor Leases in which the Company does not transfer substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of an asset are classified as operating leases. Rental income arising is accounted for on a straight-line basis over the lease terms and is included in revenue in the statement of profit or loss due to its operating nature. Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and recognised over the lease term on the same basis as rental income. Contingent rents are recognised as revenue in the period in which they are earned.
Investment properties consisting of land, buildings, and leasehold property
Investment properties, consisting of properties not occupied by the Company and held to earn rentals and for capital appreciation, are regarded as long-term investments. All investments are measured initially at cost, being the fair value of the consideration given, including acquisition charges associated with the investment. The carrying amount includes the cost of replacing part of an existing investment property at the time that cost is incurred if the recognition criteria are met; and excludes the costs of day to day servicing of an investment property. Subsequent to initial recognition, investment properties are stated at fair value, which reflects market conditions at the year-end date. This is based on market valuations performed by independent professional architects every two years or earlier whenever their fair values differ materially from their carrying amounts. In the year when a market valuation is not performed, an assessment of the fair value is performed to reflect market conditions at the year-end date.
Gains or losses on changes in the fair values of investment properties are taken to the Statement of Comprehensive Income in accordance with IAS 40 “Investment Property”. Unrealised gains are subsequently transferred to other reserves in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act, Cap. 386 of the Laws of Malta.
Investment properties are derecognised when either they have been disposed of or when the investment property is permanently withdrawn from use and no future economic benefit is expected from its disposal. Any gains or losses on the retirement or disposal of an investment property are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income in the year of retirement or disposal.
Investment properties consisting of ground rents capitalised
On 30 April 1990, the Directors capitalised the ground rents. The value of this asset was included with non-current assets with a resultant increase in the capitalisation reserve included within other reserves.
Subsequent to initial recognition, ground rents are measured at fair value using the capitalisation approach. The capitalisation rate for non-revisable ground rents is determined by reference to local legislation whilst the capitalisation rate for revisable ground rents is based on inputs that reflect the current market conditions.
Gains or losses on changes in the fair values of ground rents are taken to the Statement of Comprehensive Income in accordance with IAS 40 “Investment Property”. Unrealised gains are subsequently transferred to other reserves in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act, Cap. 386 of the Laws of Malta.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are initially recorded at cost. Leasehold property is subsequently measured at revalued amount, being its fair value at the date of revaluation less depreciation and impairment. All other property, plant and equipment, are subsequently stated at cost amounts less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment in value, if any.
Leasehold premises consist of property that is occupied by the Company as its offices. It is Company policy to carry out a professional market valuation of leasehold every two years or earlier which is frequently enough to ensure that the fair value of the revalued asset does not differ materially from its carrying amount. To the extent that a revaluation results in an increase in the carrying amount of the asset, the increase is credited to the revaluation reserve within equity. To the extent that a revaluation results in a decrease in the carrying amount of the asset, the decrease is charged against the revaluation reserve to the extent that the decrease does not exceed the amount held in the revaluation reserve in respect of that same asset; any excess of the decrease is taken to the Statement of Comprehensive Income. The accumulated depreciation at the date of the revaluation is eliminated against the gross carrying amount of the asset and the net amount restated to the revalued amount of the asset.
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Depreciation is provided on property, plant and equipment, other than leasehold property, at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value based on prices prevailing at the date of acquisition, of each asset on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life.
The annual rates used for this purpose are:
Depreciation is provided on leasehold property to write off the valuation on a straight-line basis over the remaining period of the lease. Each year, the difference between the depreciation based on the revalued carrying amount of the asset (the depreciation charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Income) and depreciation based on the asset’s original cost, is transferred from the revaluation reserve to retained earnings.
Impairment of non-financial assets
The Company assesses at each reporting date whether there are indications of impairment for all non-financial assets. If any such amount exists, or when impairment testing for an asset is required, the Company makes an estimate of the asset’s recoverable amount. Where the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered impaired and is written down to the recoverable amount.
Financial instruments
A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument of another entity.
(a) Financial assets
Initial recognition and measurement Financial assets are classified at initial recognition, at amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI), and fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL).
The classification of financial assets at initial recognition depends on the financial asset’s contractual cash flow characteristics and the Company’s business model for managing them. With the exception of receivables that do not contain a significant financing component or for which the company has applied the practical expedient, the company initially measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL), transaction costs.
In order for a financial asset to be classified and measured at amortised cost or FVOCI, it needs to give rise to cash flows that are ‘solely payments of principal and interest (SPPI)’ on the principal amount outstanding. This assessment is referred to as the SPPI test and is performed at an instrument level.
The company’s business model for managing financial assets refers to how it manages its financial assets in order to generate cashflows. The business model determines whether cash flows will result from collecting contractual cash flows, selling the financial assets, or both.
Subsequent measurement
For purposes of subsequent measurement, financial assets are classified in four categories:
The company holds no financial assets through categories i), ii), and iii), except for receivables, measured at amortised cost. All other financial assets of the company have been designated at fair value through profit or loss.
Financial assets at amortised cost
The Company measures financial assets at amortised cost if both of the following conditions are met:
Financial assets at amortised cost are subsequently measured using the effective interest (EIR) method and are subject to impairment. Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised, modified or impaired.
The Company’s financial assets at amortised cost are the receivables as per note 12 include receivables.
Fair value through profit and loss
This category is the most relevant to the Company, as all financial assets are measured at fair value through profit and loss. The company does not hold any equity instruments for trading. In view of this, the company has elected to measure equity instruments at fair value through profit and loss, and therefore, it does not elect to irrevocably measure them at fair value through other comprehensive income.
Derivatives, including separated embedded derivatives, are also classified as held for trading unless they are designated as effective hedging instruments.
For debt instruments, if the business model does not fall within the category of ‘hold to collect’ or ‘hold to collect and sell’ then such debt instrument is recognised and classified at fair value through profit or loss (‘FVTPL’). Furthermore, debt instruments may be designated at fair value through profit or loss on initial recognition if doing so eliminates, or significantly reduces, an accounting mismatch.
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are carried in the statement of financial position at fair value with net changes in fair value recognised in the statement of profit or loss.
Derecognition
A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is primarily derecognised when:
When the Company has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from an asset or has entered into a pass-through arrangement, it evaluates if, and to what extent, it has retained the risks and rewards of ownership. When it has neither transferred nor retained substantially all of the risks and rewards of the asset, nor transferred control of the asset, the Company continues to recognise the transferred asset to the extent of its continuing involvement.
Impairment of financial assets
The Company recognises an allowance for expected credit losses (ECLs) for all debt instruments not held at fair value through profit or loss. ECLs are based on the difference between the contractual cash flows due in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the Company expects to receive, discounted at an approximation of the original effective interest rate. The expected cash flows will include cash flows from the sale of collateral held or other credit enhancements that are integral to the contractual terms.
ECLs are recognised in two stages. For credit exposures for which there has not been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, ECLs are provided for credit losses that result from default events that are possible within the next 12-months (a 12-month ECL). For those credit exposures for which there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, a loss allowance is required for credit losses expected over the remaining life of the exposure, irrespective of the timing of the default (a lifetime ECL).
For trade receivables and contract assets, the Company applies a simplified approach in calculating ECLs. Therefore, the Company does not track changes in credit risk, but instead recognises a loss allowance based on lifetime ECLs at each reporting date. The Company has established a provision matrix that is based on its historical credit loss experience, adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to the debtors and the economic environment.
(b) Financial liabilities Initial recognition and measurement Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition, as financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, loans and borrowings, payables, or as derivatives designated as hedging instruments in an effective hedge, as appropriate.
All financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value and, in the case liabilities at amortised cost, net of directly attributable transaction costs.
The Company’s financial liabilities are made up of payables.
Subsequent measurement The measurement of financial liabilities depends on their classification, as described below:
(i) Financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss; Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss include financial liabilities held for trading and financial liabilities designated upon initial recognition as at fair value through profit or loss.
Financial liabilities are classified as held for trading if they are incurred for the purpose of repurchasing in the near term. This category also includes derivative financial instruments entered into by the Company that are not designated as hedging instruments in hedge relationships as defined by IFRS 9. Separated embedded derivatives are also classified as held for trading unless they are designated as effective hedging instruments.
(ii) Payables; This is the category most relevant to the Company. After initial recognition, payables are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the EIR method. Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when the liabilities are derecognised as well as through the EIR amortisation process.
Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortisation is included as finance costs in the statement of profit or loss.
Derecognition
A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires. When an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as the derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability. The difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognised in the Income Statement.
(c) Offsetting of financial instruments
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the Statements of Financial Position when there is currently a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are composed of cash at bank and short-term deposits. For the purposes of the Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and cash equivalents, as defined above, net of outstanding bank overdrafts.
Trade and settlement date accounting
All “regular way” purchases and sales of financial assets are recognised on the “trade date,” that is, the date the Company commits to purchase or sell the asset. Regular way purchases and sales are purchases and sales of financial assets that require delivery of assets within the time frame generally established by regulation or convention in the marketplace.
Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate of the obligation can be made.
Contingent liabilities and contingent assets are not recognised. A contingent liability is disclosed unless the possibility of an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits is remote. A contingent asset is disclosed where an inflow of economic benefits is probable.
Employee benefits
The Company contributes towards the State pension in accordance with local legislation. Short-term employee benefit obligations are measured on undiscounted basis and recognised as an expense in the Statement of Comprehensive Income in the period they are incurred.
Events after the reporting date
Events after the reporting date are those events, favourable and unfavourable, that occur between the reporting date and the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue. Adjusting events require the Company to adjust the amounts recognised in its financial statements while non-adjusting events do not require any adjustments to the amounts recognised in the financial statements.
3. SIGNIFICANT accounting judgements, estimates and ASSUMPTIONS
In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are required to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect reported income, expenses, assets, liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Use of available information and application of judgment are inherent in the formation of estimates. Actual results in the future could differ from such estimates and the differences may be material to the financial statements. These estimates are reviewed on a regular basis and if a change is needed, it is accounted in the period the changes become known. The significant judgements and estimates are as follows:
Fair value of investment properties and revaluation of property, plant and equipment
The Company carries its investment properties at fair value, with changes in fair value being recognised in the Profit and Loss Account. In addition, it measures land and buildings classified under property, at revalued amounts with changes in fair value being recognised in Other Comprehensive Income.
Market valuations, with respect to investment property (excluding ground rents) and property, plant and equipment are performed by independent professional architects every two years or earlier whenever their fair values differ materially from their carrying amounts. In the year when a market valuation is not performed, an assessment of the fair value is performed by management to reflect market conditions at the year-end date. For the valuation of ground rents, on an annual basis, management reviews the major inputs used in the calculation of the fair value in line with local legislation and market conditions.
The last valuation was performed in April 2023 as further disclosed in notes 9 and 10.
In the opinion of the management, except for the above, the accounting estimates, assumptions and judgments made in the course of preparing these financial statements are not difficult, subjective or complex to a degree which would warrant their description as significant in terms of the requirements of IAS 1 (revised) - ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’.
4. investment income
i. Other income includes income from concession of contractual rights on certain properties.
5. expenses by nature
Professional fees also include remuneration payable to the Company’s auditors as follows:
6. EMPLOYEE INFORMATION
a. Staff costs
b. Staff numbers
The average number of persons employed by the Company during the year was as follows:
7. income tax expense
The components of income tax expense for the year ended 30 April are:
The income tax on profit differs from the theoretical income tax expense that would apply on the Company’s profit before tax using the applicable tax rate in Malta of 35% (2022: 35%) as follows:
8. PROFIT/(Loss) PER SHARE
The profit per share of EUR 0.101 (2022: loss per share of EUR0.053) is calculated on the profit/(loss) for the year attributable to the ordinary shareholders, divided by the average number of ordinary shares in issue and ranking for dividend during the year.
9. INVESTMENT PROPERTIES
Land and buildings include leasehold properties with a carrying amount of EUR270,000 (2022: EUR84,000). Leasehold property is classified as investment properties when the property is held for capital appreciation and for which a market exists.
a. Land and buildings
Valuation process
Market valuations, with respect to investment property excluding ground rents, are performed by independent professional architects every two years or earlier whenever their fair values differ materially from their carrying amounts. In the year when a market valuation is not performed, an assessment of the fair value is performed by management to reflect market conditions at the year-end date.
An independent valuation of the Company’s investment property, land and buildings, was performed by a qualified, independent valuer to determine the fair value as at 30 April 2023. The fair value movements were credited to profit and loss and subsequently transferred to other reserves under equity. As at 30 April 2023, management also assessed whether there are any significant changes to the significant inputs of the valuation.
Valuation techniques and inputs
The Company’s investment property land and buildings consists mainly of plots of land with a carrying amount of EUR2,741,000 (2022: EUR2,662,000) together with other commercial buildings with a carrying amount of EUR1,093,000 (2022: EUR884,000). The investment property that has been valued using the comparable method has been categorised to fall within level 2 of the fair valuation hierarchy whilst investment property valued using the capitalisation method is classified within level 3 of the aforementioned hierarchy. The different levels in the fair value hierarchy have been defined in Note 9c.
The Company’s policy is to recognise transfers into and out of fair value hierarchy levels as of the date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer. As at year end, one of the properties that falls under commercial buildings with a fair value of EUR 270,000 (2022: EUR 84,000) was transferred from Level 2 to Level 3. This was brought about as the directors applied the capitalisation method as at year end compared to the comparable method applied as at previous year end. The capitalisation method was considered to give a more realistic value to this particular investment property. During the year the company recognised an unrealised gain of EUR 186,000 (2022: EUR 2,000) on such investment property.
For all properties, their current use equates to the highest and best use.
For level 2 fair value of the investment property land and buildings, the valuation was determined by the comparable method.
For level 3 fair value of the investment property commercial buildings, the valuation was determined by the capitalization method. Management reviews the major inputs used in the calculation of the fair value in line with market conditions. The main inputs for the capitalisation method are as follows:
Information about fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
The below is a summary of the investment property land and buildings split by the valuation methodologies explained above:
b. Ground rents Valuation process For the valuation of ground rents, on an annual basis, management reviews the major inputs used in the calculation of the fair value in line with local legislation and market conditions. Ground rents on property are received annually. Ground rent income is used as a basis for the capitalisation of the ground rents.
These ground rents are redeemable, and the ground rent capitalisation represents the redemption amount or the present value of the expected cash flows. The valuation of ground rents is determined by the capitalisation method. The capitalisation rate for non-revisable ground rents is determined by reference to local legislation whilst the capitalisation rate for revisable ground rents is based on inputs that reflect the current market conditions.
Valuation techniques and inputs Information about fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
c. Fair value hierarchy
The Company uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of investment property by valuation technique:
Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair values are observable, either directly or indirectly Level 3: techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data.
For each valuation of investment property classified under as Level 3, annual rent or ground rent and capitalisation rate have been determined to be the significant unobservable inputs. The higher the annual rent or ground rent, the higher the fair value will be and conversely the lower the annual rent or ground rent, the lower the fair value. The lower the capitalisation rate, the higher the fair value will be and conversely the higher the capitalisation rate, the lower the fair value. Transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 fair value hierarchies are disclosed in Note 9a.
10. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
* This transfer relates to the accumulated depreciation as at the revaluation date that was eliminated against the gross carrying amount of the revalued asset.
Leasehold buildings were acquired in the financial year ended 30th April 1993 at a cost of EUR34,097. The remaining life of the lease is 30 years. The Company uses the revaluation model for leasehold buildings.
These leasehold buildings were last revalued in April 2023 at EUR180,000 (2022: EUR177,000). An independent valuation of the leasehold buildings was performed by same valuers for investment property land and building. The valuation for this commercial building was determined by the comparable method. It has been categorised to fall within Level 2 of the fair valuation hierarchy. There were no transfers between levels during the year. The different levels in the fair value hierarchy have been defined in Note 9c.
Had leasehold buildings not been included in the financial statements at revaluation less accumulated depreciation, the carrying amount at 30 April 2023, based on cost less accumulated depreciation charged on cost, would have been EUR16,487 (2022: EUR17,055).
Fully depreciated fixtures, fittings and equipment are still in use.
11. FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS
a) Fair values:
Fair value hierarchy
The Company uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation technique:
Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair values are observable, either directly or indirectly Level 3: techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data.
Included with the financial assets classified as Level 2, is a Professional Investor Fund, the price of which started being quoted annually as from October 2014 and on ad hoc basis when there is an entry or exit of units in that fund. Observable inputs that may otherwise be a Level 1 input will be rendered Level 2 if the information relates to a market that is not active. Accordingly, this investment was transferred from Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy to Level 2 during the financial year end 2015.
The fair value of financial assets classified as Level 3 was determined by reference to the net asset value of Companies. During the year the Company did not recognise fair value loss or gain (2022: no loss or gain) with respect to financial assets classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. No dividend income was received during 2023 and 2022 from these investments. There were no movements in the holding of these investments during 2023 and 2022.
b) Acquisition cost:
c) Movement in fair value as recorded in the statement of comprehensive income:
d) Reconciliation of fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss:
12. RECEIVABLES
(i) Ground rents are received annually and are non-interest bearing. Ground rents receivable are past due but not impaired. The ageing analysis is as follows:
13. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents included in the statement of cash flows comprise the following statement of financial position amounts:
14. SHARE CAPITAL
15. RESERVES
Share premium
The share premium account represents the excess over the nominal value of proceeds from the issue of shares in the Company’s capital at a value above nominal value. This reserve is not available for distribution.
Revaluation reserve This reserve arises from the revaluation of leasehold property. This reserve is not available for distribution.
Other reserves
Other reserves represent unrealised fair value gains on investment properties and financial assets. This reserve is not available for distribution.
Retained earnings
This represents the accumulated realised gains net of unrealised and realised losses of the company.
16. DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY
The liability for deferred taxation for the year is analysed as follows:
Deferred income taxes are calculated on all temporary differences under the liability method using a principal tax rate of 35% (2022: 35%), property tax of 10% or 8% (2022: 10% or 8%) and withholding tax of 15% (2022: 15%). Deferred income tax as at 30 April relates to the following:
17. PAYABLES
(i) Ground rents are paid on demand once they are due and are non-interest bearing. Ground rents are settled upon receipt of claim.
(ii) Other payables are repayable on demand.
18. NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
The net asset value per share is calculated by dividing the net asset value by the number of ordinary shares in issue. As at 30 April 2023 the net asset value per share stood at EUR1.587 (2022: EUR1.485).
Net asset value per share is computed by dividing the net assets by the average number of shares in issue. Any increase in shares by way of bonus issue is treated as having been in issue for the whole year and included in the NAV calculation of all earlier periods presented.
19. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The Company has various financial assets such as financial assets at fair value through profit and loss, receivables and cash at bank, which arise directly from its operations. The Company’s principal financial liabilities are composed of payables.
The Company did not enter into derivative transactions. It is, and has been throughout the year, the Company’s policy that no trading in derivatives shall be undertaken.
The main risks arising from the Company’s financial instruments are credit risk, liquidity risk and market risk (which is composed of foreign exchange currency risk, interest rate risk and equity price risk). The Board of Directors reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks which are summarised below.
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that counterparty will not meet its obligation under a financial instrument leading to a financial loss. The Company is exposed to credit risk from its operating activities primarily from investments classified as fair value through profit or loss, receivables and deposits with banks.
The Company trades only with recognised and creditworthy third parties. Credit risk relating to financial assets is addressed through careful selection of the issuers of securities bought by the Company. The Company obtains expert technical advice from its stockbrokers and monitors the markets for changes in the credit status of companies in which securities are held.
The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of bonds as disclosed in notes 11 and each class of financial assets as disclosed in notes 12 and 13. The Directors are of the opinion that these amounts are recoverable in full. Cash at bank are placed with quality financial institutions. Other than ground rents receivable, mentioned in the following paragraph, none of the financial assets are neither past due nor impaired. Therefore, the Company has no significant concentration of credit risk.
No provisions have been made against ground rent receivables since the Company is entitled to enforce these amounts on the basis of contracts on which the property giving rise to the ground rents is available as a security.
The Company’s exposure to concentration of risk as at 30 April 2023, arising from financial instruments exceeding 10% of the Net Asset Value of the Company with the same counterparty, amounted to EUR1,319,031 (11.36% of NAV) and EUR1,890,171 (16.28% of NAV). As at 30 April 2022, these exposures amounted to EUR1,205,903 (11.10% of NAV) and EUR1,568,654 (14.44% of NAV).
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will be unable to meet its payment obligations when they fall due. The Company monitors its risk to a shortage of funds using a recurring liquidity planning tool. This tool considers the maturity of its financial liabilities and projected cash flows from operations.
The Company’s objective is to maintain a balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of potential borrowing facilities and payables.
Market risk
Market risk is the risk that the fair value of financial assets will fluctuate due to changes in the market variables such as exchange rates, interest rates and equity prices.
Foreign exchange currency risk
The Company has sterling pounds denominated cash at bank equivalent to EUR1,867 (2022: EUR1,779) and transactional currency exposures arising from its US dollar denominated financial assets at fair value through profit or loss with a carrying amount equivalent EUR53,638 (2022: EUR60,588). The Company monitors movements in the currencies in which these assets are held although they do not significantly affect the Company’s Statement of Financial Position.
Interest rate risk
The Company’s favourable bank balances earn interest at rates determined by the banks. In view of the Company’s marginal net cash and cash equivalents, the amount of interest rates risk is not considered to be significant.
The Company’s financial assets should not be significantly influenced by changes in interest rates since most holdings are equity and managed funds. A reasonably possible change in interest rates is not expected to have a significant effect on the fair value of fixed interest rate bonds.
Equity price risk
Equity price risk is the risk that the fair values of equities decrease as the result of changes in the levels of equity indices and the value of individual stocks.
The effect on the Statement of Comprehensive Income (as a result of a change in the fair value of equity instruments held at fair value through profit or loss at year end) due to a reasonably possible change in the Malta Stock Exchange index, with all other variables held constant is as follows:
Fair value measurement
At 30 April 2023 and 30 April 2022, the carrying amounts of receivables, cash at bank, and payables approximated their fair values. Refer to Notes 9, 10 and 11 for fair value techniques and the following fair value measurement hierarchy of investment property, property plant and equipment, and financial assets at fair value through profit or loss.
Capital management
The primary objective of the Company’s capital management is to ensure that it maintains healthy capital ratios in order to support its business and maximise shareholder value. The Company manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it, in light of changes in economic conditions. To maintain or adjust capital structure, the Company may adjust dividend payments to shareholders, return capital to shareholders or issue new shares. No changes were made in the objectives, policies or process during the year ended 30 April 2023 and 30 April 2022.
20. SHAREHOLDINGS
As at 30 April 2023
A. Substantial direct interests
B. Composition of shareholding
As at 30 April 2022
A. Substantial direct interests
B. Composition of shareholding
21. RELATED PARTY Transactions
The Directors are considered by the Company to be Key Management Personnel. The Directors’ remuneration is disclosed in Note 5 of these financial statements.
22. CONTINGENT LIABILITY
The Company has received a notice from the Commissioner of Inland Revenue pursuant to the exemption order of 4 September 2010, in which notice it is allegedly indicated that a tax balance of EUR155,156 (2022: EUR155,156) is due. According to the Company’s records, the amount claimed is under dispute in its entirety.
23. DIVIDENDS
The Directors do not propose any dividends or bonus issue for the financial year ended 30 April 2023.
24. OPERATING SEGMENTS
The company has not identified operating segments as its activities are managed on an aggregate basis as one business unit.
25. EVents after the reporting period
No significant events have occurred after the reporting date and up to the date of these financial statements.
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORTto the Shareholders of Santumas Shareholdings plc
Report on the audit of the financial statements
Opinion We have audited the financial statements of Santumas Shareholdings plc (the “Company”), which comprise the Statement of Financial Position as at 30 April 2023, and the Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Statement of Changes in Equity and the Statement of Cash Flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Company as at 30 April 2023, and of its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (“IFRS”) and the Companies Act, Cap. 386 of the Laws of Malta (the “Companies Act”).
Basis for opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and the Companies Act. Our responsibilities under those standards and under the Companies Act are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) as issued by the International Ethics Standards Board of Accountants (IESBA Code) together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in accordance with the Accountancy Profession (Code of Ethics for Warrant Holders) Directive issued in terms of the Accountancy Profession Act, Cap. 281 of the Laws of Malta , and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the IESBA Code. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Key audit matters incorporating the most significant risks of material misstatements, including assessed risk of material misstatements due to fraud
We have fulfilled the responsibilities described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report, including in relation to these matters. Accordingly, our audit included the performance of procedures designed to respond to our assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements. The results of our audit procedures, including the procedures performed to address the matters below, provide the basis for our audit opinion on the accompanying financial statements.
Valuation of investment property
The investment properties represent a significant part of the total assets (43%) of the Company and is valued at fair value for an amount of €5.39 million as at 30 April 2023.
Management is determining fair value of its investment property on an annual basis based on independent professional architect’s valuation which is carried out every two years or earlier, whenever the fair values differ materially from the carrying amount. As disclosed in Note 9, for all investment property, except for ground rents, management has used the valuation carried out by external valuers as at 30 April 2023. For the valuation of ground rents, management used the capitalization method by applying a discount factor to the future rental cashflows.
Reason for the designation as a key audit matter
The valuation of the investment property at fair value is highly dependent on estimates and assumptions such as market knowledge and historical transactions (comparable method) and rental value and discount rates (capitalization method).
In view of the uncertainty, complexity and subjectivity involved and the fact that the investment property is a significant asset on the Statement of Financial Position, we have designated the measurement of the investment properties as a key audit matter.
Our audit procedures over the valuation of investment property included amongst others:
We have also assessed the company’s disclosures relating to the assumptions used in the valuation of investment property presented in note 9 to the financial statements.
Other information The Directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon other than our reporting on other legal and regulatory requirements. 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, 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 in this regard.
Responsibilities of the Directors and those charged with governance for the financial statements The Directors are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with IFRS, and the requirements of the Companies Act respectively and for such internal control as the Directors 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 Company’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 Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Company’s financial reporting process.
Auditor’s 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 auditor’s 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 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. As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit. We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, actions taken to eliminate threats or safeguards applied. From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.
Report on other legal and regulatory requirements
Matters on which we are required to report by the Companies Act Directors’ report We are required to express an opinion as to whether the Directors’ report has been prepared in accordance with the applicable legal requirements. In our opinion the Directors’ report has been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act. In addition, in the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we are required to report if we have identified material misstatements in the Directors’ report. We have nothing to report in this regard.
Other requirements We also have responsibilities under the Companies Act to report if in our opinion:
We have nothing to report to you in respect of these responsibilities.
Appointment We were appointed as the statutory auditor of the Company on 1 May 2004, and subsequently reappointed at the Company’s general meetings for each financial year thereafter. The total uninterrupted engagement period as statutory auditor, including previous renewals and reappointments amounts to 19 years.
Consistency with the additional report to the audit committee Our audit opinion on the financial statements expressed herein is consistent with the additional report to the audit committee of the Company, which was issued on the same date as this report.
Non-audit services No prohibited non-audit services referred to in Article 18A (1) of the Accountancy Profession Act, Cap. 281 of the Laws of Malta were provided by us to the Company, and we remain independent of the Company as described in the Basis for opinion section of our report. No other services besides statutory audit services and services disclosed in the annual report and in the financial statements were provided by us to the Company.
Report on compliance with the requirements of the European Single Electronic Format Regulatory Technical Standard (the “ESEF RTS”), by reference to Capital Markets Rule 5.55.6
We have undertaken a reasonable assurance engagement in accordance with the requirements of Directive 6 issued by the Accountancy Board in terms of the Accountancy Profession Act (Cap. 281) - the Accountancy Profession (European Single Electronic Format) Assurance Directive (“the ESEF Directive 6”) on the annual financial report of the Company for the year ended 30 April 2023, entirely prepared in a single electronic reporting format.
Responsibilities of the directors The directors are responsible for the preparation of the annual financial report, including the financial statements, by reference to Capital Markets Rule 5.56A, in accordance with the requirements of the ESEF RTS.
Our responsibilities Our responsibility is to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the annual financial report, including the financial statements, comply in all material respects with the ESEF RTS based on the evidence we have obtained. We conducted our reasonable assurance engagement in accordance with the requirements of ESEF Directive 6.
Our procedures included:
We believe that the evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Opinion In our opinion, the annual financial report for the year ended 30 April 2023 has been prepared in XHTML format in all material respects.
Matters on which we are required to report by the Capital Market Rules
Corporate governance statement
The Capital Market Rules also require the auditor to include a report on the statement of compliance prepared by the directors. We are also required to express an opinion as to whether, in the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have identified material misstatements with respect to the information referred to in Capital Market Rules 5.97.4 and 5.97.5.
We read the statement of compliance and consider the implication for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial statements included in the annual report. Our responsibilities do not extend to considering whether this statement is consistent with the other information included in the annual report.
We are not required to, and we do not, consider whether the Board’s statements on internal control included in the statement of compliance cover all risks and controls, or form an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s governance procedures or its risk and control procedures.
In our opinion:
Other requirements
Under the Capital Market Rules we also have the responsibility to review the statement made by the Directors, that the business is a going concern, together with supporting assumptions or qualifications as necessary.
We have nothing to report to you in respect of these responsibilities.
Remuneration report
The Capital Market Rules issued by the Malta Financial Services Authority require the directors to prepare and include in their annual report a Remuneration Report including the contents as prescribed in Appendix 12.1 of the Capital Market Rules.
As referred to in Capital Market Rule 12.26N, the auditor is required to check that the information that needs to be provided in the remuneration report, in line with the terms required by Chapter 12 of the Capital Market Rules including Appendix 12.1, has been included in the such report.
In our opinion, the remuneration report has been properly prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Capital Market Rules issued by the Malta Financial Services Authority.
The partner in charge of the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is Frank Cassar for and on behalf of
Ernst & Young Malta Limited Certified Public Accountants 29 August 2023
SUPPLEMENTARY STATEMENTS
Statement I
OPERATING ACCOUNT
Statement II
INVESTMENTS
LOCAL QUOTED
Banks Bank of Valletta Plc HSBC Bank Malta Plc MeDirect Bank Malta Plc Fimbank Plc APS Bank Plc
Investment funds Amalgamated Investments Sicav Plc
Telecommunications Loqus Holdings Plc GO Plc
Technology BMIT Technologies Plc
Breweries and beverages Simonds Farsons Cisk Plc
Insurance Mapfre Middlesea Plc
Marina services Grand Harbour Marina Plc
Airlines and airports Malta Int. Airport Plc
Postal services MaltaPost Plc
Property company Malta Properties Company Plc Trident Estates plc Melite Finance Plc Hili Properties Plc Stivala Group Finance Plc Plaza Centres Plc
Oil and gas Medserv Plc
Retail PG Plc M&Z Plc
LOCAL UNQUOTED
Investment funds The Malta Development Fund Limited
Insurance Citadel Insurance Plc
Statement III
ANALYSIS OF COMPANY PORTFOLIO
Financial Assets at fair value through profit and loss are classified into current and non-current assets, based on maturity date. However, during the current and prior financial year, there were no financial assets at fair value through profit and loss classified as current.
PROPERTY
Included under Investment Properties and Property, plant and equipment
Statement IV
FIVE YEAR STATEMENTSFOR THE YEARS ENDED 30 APRIL 2019 TO 30 April 2023
INCOME STATEMENTS
Statement V
FIVE YEAR KEY FIGURES AND RATIOSFOR THE YEARS ENDED 30 APRIL 2019 TO 30 April 2023
KEY FIGURES AND RATIOS
Notes
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