SWIRE PACIFIC A(00019)2022-04-06 08:34Financial Performance - In 2021, the company's equity return improved to 1.3%, up from -4.1% in 2020, representing a 5.4 percentage point increase [7]. - The company reported a profit attributable to shareholders of HKD 3,364 million, a significant recovery from a loss of HKD 10,999 million in the previous year [8]. - Basic profit for the year was HKD 5,300 million, compared to a loss of HKD 3,969 million in 2020 [8]. - The company achieved a recurring basic profit of HKD 4,885 million, a recovery from a loss of HKD 609 million in the previous year [8]. - Revenue increased to HKD 92,403 million, up 15% from HKD 80,032 million [9]. - Operating profit surged to HKD 10,522 million, a 290% increase from HKD 2,695 million [9]. - Basic earnings per share for 'A' shares improved to HKD 3.53, compared to a loss of HKD 2.64 in the previous year [10]. - Basic earnings per share for 'B' shares increased to HKD 0.71, up from a loss of HKD 0.53 [10]. - The company's attributable profit for 2021 was HKD 7,131 million, up from HKD 4,132 million in 2020, marking a significant increase of 72.5% [47]. - The company reported a loss of HKD 1,931 million from investment property valuation, an improvement from a loss of HKD 4,421 million in 2020 [44]. Dividends and Shareholder Returns - The 'A' share dividend per share increased by 53% to HKD 2.60, compared to HKD 1.70 in 2020 [7]. - The board announced an interim dividend of HKD 1.60 per 'A' share and HKD 0.32 per 'B' share for 2021, with a commitment to distribute at least half of recurring net profit as dividends [28]. - The company reported a second interim dividend of HKD 0.52 per share, with the ex-dividend date set for April 6, 2022 [29]. Debt and Financial Stability - Total equity, including non-controlling interests, reached HKD 324,168 million, a 2% increase from HKD 319,146 million [9]. - The net debt decreased slightly to HKD 38,655 million, down 1% from HKD 38,900 million [9]. - The capital to net debt ratio (excluding lease liabilities) improved to 11.9%, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points from 12.2% [9]. - The net debt-to-equity ratio as of December 31, 2021, was 11.9%, indicating strong financial stability [16]. - The net debt ratio at the end of 2021 was 11.9%, slightly lower than 12.2% at the end of 2020 [29]. Business Segments and Investments - The beverage division distributed Coca-Cola products to a population of 762 million in Greater China and the United States [5]. - The company holds an 18.13% stake in Cathay Pacific Airways, which operated 234 aircraft at the end of 2021 [5]. - The company completed the sale of its 50% stake in Hong Kong United Dockyards in September 2021 [5]. - The company plans to invest HKD 7 billion in a new retail-led integrated development project in Xi'an, China [15]. - The company is focusing on sustainable development and expanding into healthcare and sustainable food sectors [4]. - The company plans to continue seeking investment opportunities in private healthcare services, particularly in major urban areas in mainland China [5]. - Swire Properties plans to invest over HKD 100 billion in various development projects over the next decade, with more than half allocated to mainland China [18]. - The group aims to invest over HKD 20 billion in healthcare businesses in mainland China over the next decade [18]. Real Estate Performance - The recurring basic profit for the real estate sector remained stable at HKD 58.24 billion, compared to HKD 58.34 billion in the previous year, with significant growth in retail rental income from mainland China [16]. - The real estate sector continued to be the largest source of profit for the group, with a recurring net profit of HKD 5.824 billion in 2021, compared to HKD 5.834 billion in 2020 [28]. - The real estate segment maintained stable performance with a profit of HKD 5,824 million in 2021, slightly down from HKD 5,834 million in 2020 [199]. - The total floor area of completed properties reached 22,681 thousand square feet as of December 31, 2021, with ongoing developments adding an additional 2,860 thousand square feet [43]. - The total floor area of completed properties in Hong Kong is 12 million square feet, with an additional 1.2 million square feet under construction [39]. - The total area of properties under development in mainland China is projected to reach 1,685 thousand square feet, contributing to future growth [43]. Market Conditions and Challenges - The aviation sector's performance was impacted by ongoing travel restrictions, with a reported attributable loss of HKD 55.527 billion for 2021, compared to a loss of HKD 216.48 billion in 2020 [28]. - Cathay Pacific recorded a loss of HKD 23.8 billion in 2021, significantly reduced from a loss of HKD 97.551 billion in 2020, with a notable improvement in the second half of the year [28]. - The hotel business in mainland China and the U.S. is expected to recover strongly, while Hong Kong's hotel outlook remains challenging due to ongoing travel restrictions [30]. - The retail market in Hong Kong showed signs of recovery in 2021, but the resurgence of COVID-19 in early 2022 has impacted this recovery [116]. - The company faced increased raw material costs and operating expenses, which partially offset revenue growth [142]. Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility - The company is committed to sustainable development, integrating environmental, social, and governance elements into its operations [16]. - Swire Properties aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 [30]. - The company is committed to investing in employee training and development to ensure fair and equal opportunities [30]. - The company aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 as part of its sustainability strategy [155]. Strategic Initiatives and Future Outlook - The company is enhancing its core businesses and consolidating its asset portfolio to prepare for new opportunities [29]. - The company is actively developing new products to meet changing consumer preferences, particularly in the beverage sector [29]. - The company continues to manage the Two Brickell City Centre and Three Brickell City Centre office buildings after their sale in 2020 [70]. - The company anticipates significant revenue growth in mainland China for 2022, assuming continued control of the pandemic and strong economic growth [145].