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The results on non-effective cash flow hedges are presented within the costs of raw materials, consumables,
services and subcontracted work and amount to EUR 1.4 million positive in 2016 (2015: EUR 0.3 million
negative).
Netting of financial instruments
The company does not net financial instruments in its statement of financial position.
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
28.3
The Board of Management’s policy is to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain customer,
investor, creditor and market confidence and to support the future development of the business. The Board
of Management monitors the return on equity, which the Group defines as net operating income divided by
total shareholders’ equity, excluding minority interests. The Board of Management also monitors the level of
dividend to be paid to holders of ordinary shares. For the dividend policy, see the Shareholders Information
in the Annual Report.
The Board of Management seeks to maintain a balance between the higher returns that might be possible
with higher levels of borrowings and the benefits of a sound capital position. The Group’s target is to
achieve a long-term return on equity of at least 12%. In 2016 the return was −16.5% (2015: 12.8%);
adjusted for impairments after tax, the return on equity in 2016 was 8.1% (2015: 13.3%).
There were no changes in the Group’s approach to capital management during the year. Neither the
Group nor any Group companies are subject to externally imposed capital requirements.
The Group’s solvency calculated as the ratio of total liabilities (EUR 2,441 million; 2015: EUR 2,883
million) to Group equity (EUR 3,123 million; 2015: EUR 3,722 million) amounted to 0.78 (2015: 0.77) at
the reporting date.
OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
28.4
By decision of the General Meeting of Shareholders held on 9 May 2001 the foundation Stichting
Continuïteit KBW (the ‘Foundation’) was granted the right to acquire cumulative protective preference
shares in Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. for an amount equal to the nominal amount of the ordinary
shares outstanding at the time of issue of the shares concerned, minus the nominal value of one ordinary
share. This right qualifies as a derivative financial liability and is subject to the following important
conditions. The cumulative protective preference shares shall only be issued to the Foundation against
payment of at least one fourth of the nominal sum. Additional payments on cumulative protective preference
shares shall only take place after Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. will have called these payments. After
the issue of cumulative protective preference shares to the Foundation, Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. is
obliged, if the Foundation so requires, to reverse the issue by buyback or by cancellation with repayment,
at the discretion of Foundation. The dividend regarding the cumulative protective preference shares, if
issued, is equal to the average of the Euribor interest, calculated for loans with a term of one year – pro
rata the number of days to which such percentage applied – during the financial year for which the
distribution is made, plus a maximum of four percentage points. The lastly mentioned increase shall be
determined by the board of directors, subject to the approval of the supervisory board. The interest and
credit risk is limited. The fair value of the option right is zero. The option of issuing such cumulative
protective preference shares was not exercised during the period under review.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2016 – BOSKALIS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2016