Workflow
太和控股(00718) - 2019 - 年度财报

Financial Performance - The consolidated net loss for the year ended December 31, 2019, reduced by 55.4% to HK$246.8 million, exceeding management expectations amid challenging market conditions [9]. - For the year ended 31 December 2019, the Group's revenue was approximately HK$26.5 million, down by 99.4% from approximately HK$4,314.2 million in the previous year [15]. - The net investment losses for the Group were approximately HK$0.6 million, a decrease of 99.7% compared to approximately HK$186.3 million in the prior year [15]. - The loss attributable to owners of the Company decreased significantly from approximately HK$553.2 million to approximately HK$246.4 million [19]. - The basic loss per share for the year ended 31 December 2019 narrowed to 4.69 HK cents, compared to a loss per share of 10.54 HK cents in 2018 [19]. - The Group recorded a profit of approximately HK$23.6 million in the financial services segment, down from approximately HK$85.7 million in the previous year [28]. - The Group's cost reduction program has significantly reduced various costs, including employee benefits and operating expenses [19]. Investment Strategy - The Company adopted a prudent investment approach in response to global uncertainties, including political issues in the US and economic conflicts between major economies [10]. - The Group's management has adopted a more prudent approach in identifying investment opportunities since 2018 due to unfavorable macroeconomic conditions [17]. - The Directors believe maintaining financial soundness will provide a buffer against potential crises and prepare the Group for emerging opportunities [18]. - The Group aims to maximize returns to shareholders through strategic reshuffling of investment portfolios and realization of capital gains [30]. - Future investment opportunities may arise during economic downturns, potentially allowing the Group to acquire distressed assets at deep discounts [32]. - The Group's investment strategy will be reassessed in light of the unpredictable oil price environment and unprecedented demand decline for oil and petroleum products [37]. Market Conditions - The Hong Kong economy contracted by 1.2% in 2019, marking the first annual decline since 2009 [17]. - The macro-economic environment has become increasingly uncertain due to the ongoing trade dispute between the US and China [32]. - The distressed debt assets market in China grew significantly, with outstanding non-performing loans reaching RMB2.41 trillion by the end of Q4 2019 [30]. - The extreme volatility of oil prices in 2019 led to a lack of commercially attractive trading opportunities, prompting the Group to refrain from engaging in commodity trading activities [37]. Business Segments - The Group's business segments for FY2019 include financial services and asset management, commodity and medical equipment trading, property investment, and mining and exploitation of natural resources [91]. - The Group is considering further developing the medical equipment trading business to meet the demands of hospitals and clinics in China due to a shortage of medical equipment supplies caused by COVID-19 [39]. - The Group is actively seeking property investment and development opportunities to strengthen revenue streams in the property investment segment [39]. - The Group holds four mining rights licenses for three tungsten projects in Mongolia, which are currently at the exploration stage with no active mining operations during the Reporting Period [95]. Corporate Governance - The Board is committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance, emphasizing transparency, independence, accountability, and responsibility [176]. - The Company complied with all applicable code provisions of the Corporate Governance Code throughout the year ended December 31, 2019, with some disclosed deviations [177]. - The roles of the Chairman and CEO are separated, with the Chairman responsible for leadership and strategy formulation, while the CEO manages day-to-day operations [186][188]. - The Board currently consists of three executive directors and three independent non-executive directors, meeting the requirements under Rule 3.10 of the Listing Rules [194]. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Initiatives - The Group is committed to sustainable development and has implemented monitoring and emission reduction measures in its operations to minimize environmental impact [94]. - The Group's ESG Report outlines significant ESG matters, including employee benefits, health and safety, and sustainable supply chain management [92]. - The Group emphasizes the prevention of corruption and fraud as part of its governance framework [92]. - The Group's commitment to corporate social responsibility includes contributions to society and community investment initiatives [92]. Employee Management - The Group's human resources management policy includes recruitment, promotion, and remuneration practices aligned with market standards and industry practices [119]. - Employee benefits include retirement schemes, medical insurance, and various paid leave options, ensuring competitive compensation [120]. - The Group promotes a fair and equitable working environment, prohibiting discrimination in recruitment and employment practices [123]. - The Group emphasizes the importance of employee training and has established systematic training regimens, including induction, on-the-job, and external training [138]. Risk Management - The management will closely monitor various risks, including the US presidential election and global trade disputes, to adjust business or investment plans accordingly [74]. - The Group has implemented a fraud risk assessment mechanism to identify and evaluate fraud risks regularly [171]. - A comprehensive complaint and investigation mechanism is in place, allowing employees, suppliers, and customers to report misconduct [171].