Regulatory News

REG-Nordic Land PLC Final Results - Part 2

Released: 15/07/2009

  
Part 2 : For preceding part double-click [nRn1O6568V]  
  Cost of issue of shares at a premium                  -                        (1,922)         -                                      -                   (1,922)       
  Balance at 3 April 2007                               -                        -               -                                      -                   -             
  Balance at 31 March 2008                              192                      17,059          2,037                                  1,258               20,546        
  
  
The notes form part of these consolidated financial statements.  
  
  Notes to the accounts  
  
Note 1 General Information  
  
Nordic Land plc (the 'Company') is a Jersey incorporated company which invests 
principally in retail property in the Nordic region. The Company was 
incorporated on 3 April 2007. The consolidated financial statements have been 
prepared for the year ended 31 March 2009.  
  
The audited consolidated financial statements were authorised for issuance on 7 
July 2009.  
  
These statements are not statutory accounts and have been extracted from the 
full statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2009, on which the auditors' 
report is unqualified.  
  
Note 2 Basis of preparation  
  
The financial information has been prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the European Union and is 
presented in sterling.  
  
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRSs requires 
management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the 
application of policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, 
income and expense. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on 
historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be 
reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of 
making the judgements about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are 
not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these 
estimates.  
  
Information about significant areas of estimation, uncertainty and critical 
judgements in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect 
on the amounts recognised in the financial statements is included in the 
following notes:  
  
Note 10 - Investment properties  
  
Note 15 - Borrowings  
  
Note 22 - Share-based payments  
  
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost 
basis except for investment properties and derivative financial instruments 
which are both measured at fair value.  
  
New standards and interpretations not yet adopted  
  
A number of new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations are not 
yet effective for the year ended 31 March 2009, and have not been applied in 
preparing these consolidated financial statements.  
  
 
 * IFRIC 13, Customer loyalty programmes (effective date: financial year 
beginning 1 July 2008) 
 * IFRIC 16, Hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation (effective date: 
financial year beginning 1 October 2008) 
 * IFRS 8, Operating segments (effective date: financial year beginning 1 
January 2009) 
 * Revised IAS 1, Presentation of financial statements (effective date: 
financial year beginning 1 January 2009) 
 * Revised IAS 23, Borrowing costs (effective date: financial year beginning 1 
January 2009) 
 * Amendment to IFRS 2, Share-based payment - Vesting conditions and 
cancellations (effective date: financial year beginning 1 January 2009) 
 * Amendment to IAS 32, Financial instruments: Presentation and IAS 1, 
Presentation of financial statements - Puttable financial instruments and 
obligations arising on liquidation (effective date: financial year beginning 1 
January 2009) 
 * Amendment to IFRS 1, First-time adoption of IFRS, and IAS 27, Consolidation 
and separate financial statements - Cost of an investment in a subsidiary, 
jointly-controlled entity or associate (effective date: financial year beginning 
1 January 2009) 
 * Improvements to IFRSs (effective date: financial year beginning 1 January 
2009 or 1 July 2009) 
 * IFRIC 15, Agreements for the construction of real estate (effective date: 
financial year beginning 1 January 2009) 
 * Revised IFRS 1, First-time adoption of IFRS (effective date: financial year 
beginning 1 July 2009) 
 * Basis for conclusion on revised IFRS 1, First-time adoption of IFRS 
 * Implementation guidance on revised IFRS 1, First-time adoption of IFRS 
 * Revised IFRS 3, Business combinations (applies to business combinations for 
which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual 
reporting period beginning on or after 1 July 2009) 
 * Amendment to IAS 27, Consolidated and separate financial statements 
(effective date: financial year beginning 1 July 2009) 
 * Amendment to IAS 39, Financial instruments; Recognition and measurement - 
Eligible hedged items (effective date: financial year beginning 1 July 2009) 
 * IFRS 17, Distribution of non-cash assets to owners (effective date: financial 
year beginning 1 July 2009) 
 * IFRIC 18, Transfer of assets from customers (effective date: applies to 
transfers of assets from customers received on or after 1 July 2009)  
  
The standards and interpretations addressed above will be applied for the 
purposes of the Group consolidated financial statements with effect from the 
dates listed.  
  
Revised IAS 1, which becomes mandatory for the 2010 financial statements, is 
expected to have significant impact on the presentation of the financial 
statements.  
  
Upon adoption of IFRS 8 "Operating Segments", the Group will disclose additional 
segmental reporting information. The adoption of the revised IAS 23 is not 
expected to have any impact as the Group currently capitalises the interest on 
all qualifying assets.  
  
Upon the adoption of the above new standards it is not expected that there will 
be an effect on reported income or net assets.  
  
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern 
basis which assumes the Group will be able to meet its liabilities as they fall 
due.  The Group's working capital forecasts show that the Group has sufficient 
cash resources to meet its funding requirements over the next 12 months and to 
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.  
  
Note 3 Significant Accounting Policies  
  
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial 
statements are set out below. The accounting policies have been consistently 
applied by the Company and its subsidiaries (together the 'Group').  
  
Basis of consolidation  
  
The financial statements incorporate the net assets and liabilities of the Group 
at the balance sheet date and its results for the year then ended. Results of 
subsidiaries acquired or disposed during a period are included from the 
effective date of acquisition or up to the effective date of disposal as 
appropriate.  The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the 
consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences up to the 
date that control ceases. Control exists when the Company has the power, 
directly or indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of an 
entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.  
  
All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on 
consolidation.  
  
Functional and presentational currency  
  
Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group's entities are 
measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the 
entity operates (the 'functional currency'). The consolidated financial 
statements are presented in sterling, which is the Company's and Group's 
functional and presentational currency.  
  
Share capital  
  
Shares are classified as equity to the extent that they meet the following two 
conditions:  
  
 
 * they include no contractual obligations upon the Company to deliver cash or 
other financial assets or to exchange financial assets or financial liabilities 
with another party under conditions that are potentially unfavourable to the 
Company; and 
 * where the instrument will or may be settled in the Company's own equity 
instruments, it is either a non-derivative that includes no obligation to 
deliver a variable number of the Company's own equity instruments or is a 
derivative that will be settled by the Company exchanging a fixed amount of cash 
or other financial assets for a fixed number of its own equity instruments.  
  
Share issue expenses  
  
The costs incurred by the Company in connection with the issue of shares are 
written off against the share premium account.  
  
Share-based payments  
  
Options  
  
The grant-date fair value of options granted to employees of the Manager and 
Directors of the Company are recognised as an expense, with a corresponding 
increase in equity, over the period that the employees and Directors become 
unconditionally entitled to the options. The amount recognised as an expense is 
adjusted to reflect the actual number of share options that vest.  
  
Performance carry  
  
The Manager is entitled to receive a performance carry equal to 20 per cent. of 
the Total Shareholder Return (defined as the sum of the increase in adjusted net 
asset value per share and dividends per share, divided by the adjusted net asset 
value per share at the beginning of the relevant financial period) in excess of 
8 per cent. per annum for the relevant period, subject to a high watermark, to 
which a performance carry relates. This cost will be recorded on an accruals 
basis. To the extent it is payable by the issue of shares in the Company, the 
cost of such share-based payments is recognised in the Consolidated Income 
Statement by reference to the fair value at the date of payment, together with a 
corresponding increase in equity.  
  
Revenue  
  
Revenue represents amounts receivable calculated on an accruals basis in respect 
of property rental income earned in the normal course of business, net of 
sales-related taxes.    
  
Investment property  
  
Investment properties are properties owned or leased by the Group which are held 
for long-term rental income and for capital appreciation. Investment property is 
initially recognised at cost and re-valued at the balance sheet date to fair 
value, as determined by professionally qualified external valuers.  
  
Any gain or loss arising from the change in fair value is reported in the Income 
Statement. No depreciation is provided in respect of investment property.  
  
Borrowing costs associated with direct expenditure on investment properties 
under development or undergoing refurbishment are capitalised using the average 
rate of interest paid on the relevant debt outstanding until the date of 
practical completion.  
  
Sales of investment property are recognised when contracts have been 
unconditionally exchanged during the period and the significant risks and 
rewards of ownership have been transferred.  
  
Acquisitions of corporate interests in investment property are accounted for on 
consolidation as if the Group had acquired the underlying property asset 
directly. Accordingly, no goodwill arises on such acquisitions as any difference 
between the fair values of the assets acquired and the acquisition consideration 
are allocated to the investment property asset, which is subject to subsequent 
revaluation under IAS 40.  
  
Impairment of assets  
  
The Group assesses at each reporting date whether there is objective evidence 
that an asset may be impaired.  If any such indication exists the Group makes an 
estimate of the asset's recoverable amount.  An asset's recoverable amount is 
the higher of the asset's fair value less costs to sell and its value in use and 
is determined on an asset by asset basis.  When the carrying amount of an asset 
exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered impaired and is written 
down to its recoverable amount.  
  
An assessment is made at each reporting date as to whether there is any 
indication that previously recognised impairment losses may no longer exist or 
may have decreased.  If such an indication exists, the recoverable amount is 
estimated and the corresponding impairment loss that was previously booked is 
reversed.  
  
Financial instruments  
  
Classification  
  
Management determines the classification of financial instruments at initial 
recognition.  The Group classifies its financial assets into the following 
categories:  
  
 
 * Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss 
 * Loans and receivables  
  
The Group classifies its financial liabilities into the following categories:  
  
 
 * Financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss 
 * Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost  
  
Derecognition  
  
The Group derecognises a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash 
flows from the financial asset expire or it transfers the financial asset and 
the transfer qualifies for derecognition in accordance with IAS 39.  
  
A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation specified in the 
contract is discharged, cancelled or expired.  
  
Trade and other receivables  
  
Trade and other receivables are reported at their fair value. As trade and other 
receivables have a short expected term, they are valued at face value without 
discounting. Trade and other receivables are reported at the amount they are 
expected to realise after a deduction for doubtful debts, which is made on a 
case by case basis.  
  
A provision for impairment is made when there is objective evidence (such as the 
probability of insolvency or significant financial difficulties of the debtor) 
that the Group will not be able to collect all the amounts due under the 
original terms of the invoice. Impaired debts are derecognised when they are 
assessed as uncollectable.  
  
Cash and cash equivalents  
  
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand and on demand deposits that are 
readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an 
insignificant risk of changes in value. In order to be classified as cash and 
cash equivalents, the maturity of the cash and cash equivalents instruments is 
three months or less at the time of acquisition.  
  
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings  
  
All loans and borrowings are initially recognised at their issue proceeds, net 
of issue costs associated with the borrowing.  
  
After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are 
subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.  
Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any issue costs, and any 
discount or premium on settlement.  Borrowing costs are recognised on an 
accruals basis in the Income Statement using the effective interest rate 
method.  
  
Gains and losses are recognised in the Income Statement when the liabilities are 
derecognised, as well as through the amortisation process.  
  
Derivative financial instruments  
  
The Group may use derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps 
to hedge its risks associated with interest rate fluctuations.  Such derivative 
financial instruments are stated at fair value, based on market prices, 
estimated future cash flows and forward rates as appropriate. Any gains or 
losses arising from changes in fair value are taken directly to the Income 
Statement.  
  
In accordance with its treasury policy, the Group does not hold or issue 
derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.  
  
Trade and other payables  
  
Trade and other payables are non-interest bearing and are reported at their 
amortised cost. As trade payables have a short expected term, they are valued at 
their face value without discounting.  
  
Taxation  
  
With effect from the 2009 year of assessment, Jersey abolished the exempt 
company regime for existing companies. Profit arising in the Company for the 
2009 year of assessment and future periods will be subject to tax at the rate of 
0%. In the prior year the Company was exempt from taxation under the provisions 
of Article 123A of the Income Tax (Jersey) Law 1961 as amended.  Certain 
subsidiary undertakings are subject to foreign taxes in respect of foreign 
source income; provision for such taxes is made on the basis of taxable 
profits.  
  
Deferred taxation  
  
Deferred income tax is recognised on all temporary differences arising between 
the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the 
financial statements, with the following exceptions:  
  
 
 * where the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of 
goodwill or of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business 
combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor 
taxable profit or loss; 
 * in respect of temporary differences associated with investments in 
subsidiaries, where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference can 
be controlled by the Group and it is probable that the temporary difference will 
not reverse in the foreseeable future; and 
 * deferred income tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is 
probable that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible 
temporary differences, carry-forward of unused tax assets and unused tax losses 
can be utilised.  
  
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured on an undiscounted basis 
at the tax rates that are expected to apply when the related asset is realised 
or liability is settled, based on tax rates and laws enacted or substantially 
enacted at the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related 
deferred tax asset is realised or the deferred tax liability is settled.  
Deferred income tax is recognised in the Income Statement except when it relates 
to items that are credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the 
deferred tax is also dealt with in equity.  
  
Segmental analysis  
  
The Group has a single geographical and business segment, being investment in 
property in the Nordic region.  
  
Management fees  
  
Under the terms of the Management Agreement, the Manager, Lathe Investments 
(Nordic) LLP, is entitled to receive an annual management fee dependent on the 
consolidated gross assets of the Group.  Fees are recorded on an accruals 
basis.  
  
Foreign currencies  
  
The assets and liabilities of foreign entities are translated into sterling at 
the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date and their income 
statements and cash flows are translated at the average rate for the year. 
Exchange differences arising from the retranslation of the net investment in 
foreign entities are dealt with in reserves. Transactions in currencies other 
than the Group's functional currency are recorded at the exchange rate 
prevailing at the transaction dates. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting 
from settlement of these transactions and from retranslation of monetary assets 
and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the Income 
Statement except when qualifying as hedges, in which case they are dealt with in 
reserves.  
  
Note 4 Net rental income  
  
The Group engages in only one class of business activity, being investment in 
retail property. All operations are continuing and are based in the Nordic 
region.  
  
Note 5 Operating (loss)/profit  
  
Operating (loss)/profit is stated after charging:  
  
 
                                                            31 March      3 April 2007 to      
                                                            2009          31 March2008         
                                                            £000          £000                 
                                                                                               
  Auditors' remuneration for audit and non-audit services   54            67                   
  Asset management fees payable to the Manager (note 20)    458           382                  
  Performance fee payable to the Manager (note 20)          -             468                  
  Share-based payments (note 22)                            77            526                  
                                                                                               
                                                                                               
  
  
The analysis of auditors' remuneration is as follows:  
  
 
                                                           31 March          3 April 2007 to              
                                                           2009              31 March 2008                
                                                           £000              £000                         
                                                                                                          
  Audit fees payable to the Company's auditors and their   33                30                           
  associates for the audit of the Company's and Group                                                     
  financial statements                                                                                    
                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                
  Non-audit fees payable to the Company's auditors and                                                    
  their associatesfor:                                                                                    
  - Tax services                                           17                14                           
  - Other services                                         4                 23                           
                                                                                                             
  Total auditors' remuneration                                         54                             67  
                                                                                                             
  
  
In addition to the fees disclosed above, fees amounting to £nil (2008: £104,000) 
were paid to associates of KPMG Channel Islands Limited for due diligence 
services relating to property acquisitions, and £nil (2008: £312,000) for 
financial reporting and taxation advice relating to the admission to AIM.  
  
Note 6 Financial income  
  
 
                        31 March      3 April 2007 to      
                        2009          31 March2008         
                        £000          £000                 
                                                           
                                                           
  Interest receivable   191           291                  
                                                           
  
  
Note 7 Financial expenses  
  
 
                                             31 March      3 April 2007 to      
                                             2009          31 March2008         
                                             £000          £000                 
                                                                                
  Interest on bank loans                     2,749         2,102                
  Other finance costs                        113           81                   
                                                                                
  Interest payable and other finance costs   2,862         2,183                
                                                                                
  
  
Note 8 Income tax  
  
 
                                       31 March      3 April 2007 to      
                                       2009          31 March 2008        
                                       £000          £000                 
                                                                          
  Current income tax charge/(credit)   10            (38)                 
  Deferred taxation                    (710)         1,192                
                                                                          
  Tax (credit)/charge                  (700)         1,154                
                                                                          
  
  
With effect from 1 January 2009, the income tax rate for companies in Jersey was 
reduced from 20% to 0% and exempt company status for all companies was 
abolished. The existing exempt company status of the Company and its Jersey 
subsidiary remained in place until 31 December 2008 at which time they moved to 
a 0% rate of income tax. The current tax (credit)/charge and deferred tax 
calculations represent corporate income tax on income arising in Sweden, that is 
subject to income tax at 26.3%, and Luxembourg, at 29.63%.  
  
  The tax on the Group's (loss)/profit before tax differs from the theoretical 
amount that would arise using the tax rates applicable to the consolidated 
entities as follows:  
  
 
                                                          31 March      3 April 2007 to      
                                                          2009          31 March 2008        
                                                          £000          £000                 
                                                                                             
  (Loss)/profit before tax                                (4,503)       1,886                
                                                                                             
  Income tax calculated at the Jersey income tax rate of  -             -                    
  0%                                                                                         
                                                                                             
  Effects of:                                                                                
  Taxation of income in other countries                   10            (38)                 
  Deferred taxation arising from temporary differences                                       
  in the period                                           (710)         1,192                
                                                                                             
  Tax (credit)/charge                                     (700)         1,154                
                                                                                             
  
  
Note 9 Earnings per share  
  
Earnings per share and EPRA earnings per share have been calculated, using the 
weighted average number of shares in issue during the year of 19,645,000 (2008: 
17,433,213), as follows:  
  
 
                                                         31 March        31 March        3 April         3 April        
                                                         2009            2009            2007 to         2007 to        
                                                         Loss            Earnings        31 March        31 March       
                                                         After tax       per share       2008            2008           
                                                                                         Profit          Earnings       
                                                                                         After tax       per share      
                                                         £000            pence           £000            pence          
                                                                                                                        
  (Loss)/profit for the year/period                      (3,803)         (19.4)p         732             4.2p           
                                                                                                                        
  Loss/(gain) on revaluation of investment properties    3,721           18.9p           (2,947)         (16.9)p        
  Change in fair value of derivative instruments         272             1.5p            (272)           (1.5)p         
  Deferred tax on revaluation of investment properties   (710)           (3.6)p          1,192           6.8p           
  Loss on abortive transaction                           -               -               104             0.6p           
                                                                                                                        
  EPRA loss                                              (520)           (2.6)p          (1,191)         (6.8)p         
                                                                                                                        
  
  
Basic and diluted earnings per share are the same, as the issued share options 
are currently anti-dilutive.  
  
EPRA earnings per share, excluding the (loss)/gain on revaluation of investment 
properties, the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments and 
exceptional items, all net of attributable taxation, is an accepted property 
industry measure for reporting recurring profits.  
  
Note 10 Investment properties  
  
 
                                      As at           As at          
                                      31 March        31 March       
                                      2009            2008           
                                      £000            £000           
                                                                     
  Opening balance                     67,878          -              
  Investment properties acquired      -               64,511         
  Capital expenditure on properties   486             89             
  Foreign exchange (losses)/gains     (440)           331            
  (Loss)/gain on revaluation          (3,721)         2,947          
                                                                     
                                      64,203          67,878         
                                                                     
  
  
The fair value of investment properties is based on a valuation at 31 March 2009 
by DTZ Sweden AB performed in accordance with the Appraisal and Valuation 
Standards of RICS, on the basis of market value.  
  
Note 11 Derivative financial instruments  
  
At 31 March 2008, the fair value of derivative financial instruments had been 
calculated by discounting the expected future cash flows at prevailing interest 
rates.  As explained in note 15, all loans are on a fixed interest rate basis 
and the Group does not currently have any direct derivative financial 
instruments with the lender or any other third parties. Therefore, the value 
previously attributable to derivative financial instruments has been 
derecognised.    
  
 
                                     As at           As at          
                                     31 March        31 March       
                                     2009            2008           
                                     £000            £000           
                                                                    
  Derivative financial instruments   -               272            
                                                                    
  
  
Note 12 Trade and other receivables  
  
 
                                   As at           As at          
                                   31 March        31 March       
                                   2009            2008           
                                   £000            £000           
                                                                  
  Rental debtors                   281             189            
  Prepayments and accrued income   97              130            
  Other debtors                    -               44             
                                                                  
                                   378             363            
                                                                  
  
  
The carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximate their fair 
value.  
  
The Group's credit risk is primarily the risk that a rental debtor will be 
unable to pay amounts in full when due, with a maximum exposure equal to the 
carrying amount of the debtor. As at 31 March 2009 (31 March 2008: £nil) no 
provision had been made for any doubtful debts.  
  
Note 13 Cash and cash equivalents  
  
 
                              As at           As at          
                              31 March        31 March       
                              2009            2008           
                              £000            £000           
                                                             
  Cash and cash equivalents   5,336           6,838          
                                                             
  
  
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash held by the Group and short-term 
deposits with an original maturity of three months or less. The carrying value 
of these assets equals their fair value.  
  
The credit risk on liquid funds is limited because the counterparties are banks 
with high credit ratings.  
  
Note 14 Trade and other payables  
  
 
                                           As at           As at          
                                           31 March        31 March       
                                           2009            2008           
                                           £000            £000           
                                                                          
  Accounts payable - trade                 329             244            
  Deferred income                          879             987            
  Accruals                                 926             931            
  Other creditors                          20              168            
  Performance fee payable to the Manager   -               468            
                                                                          
                                           2,154           2,798          
                                                                          
  
  
The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables 
approximate to their fair value.  
  
Note 15 Borrowings  
  
 
                                                  As at           As at          
                                                  31 March        31 March       
                                                  2009            2008           
                                                  £000            £000           
                                                                                 
  Amounts falling due after more than one year:                                  
  Bank loans                                      50,013          50,285         
  Unamortised borrowing costs                     (317)           (425)          
                                                                                 
                                                  49,696          49,860         
                                                                                 
  
  
The bank loans represent borrowings of SEK 592.7 million.  The weighted-average 
interest rate is 5.45% per annum. The interest rates on all loans are fixed 
until maturity of the borrowings in April 2012, with an option to extend for a 
further year.  
  
The bank loans are secured on the shares of the borrowing subsidiaries and their 
investment properties.  
  
The loans to acquire the properties were originally provided by Lehman Brothers 
Bankhaus AG ('Lehman'). On 23 May 2008 the loans were transferred to a 
commercial-mortgage-backed-securities ('CMBS') vehicle, Excalibur Funding No 1 
PLC ('Excalibur'), set up by Lehman to be the lender of a portfolio of loans. 
Excalibur took over all the rights and obligations under the Lehman loan 
agreement, including the capital expenditure commitment facility of SEK 110 
million (£9.3 million).  
  
The loan agreement states that Nordic Land pays interest to Excalibur on a 
fixed-interest basis. The Group does not have any floating-rate obligations 
under the terms of the loan. Lehman previously advised that Nordic Land 
benefitted from movements in interest rates in relation to the underlying 
derivative financial instruments put in place within the Lehman group of 
companies (and thus subsequently Excalibur) to achieve the fixed interest rates 
on our loans.  The value of these derivative financial instruments was accounted 
for in the Balance Sheet on the advice of Lehman. However, since the loans were 
transferred to Excalibur, the service agent has advised that there are no 
underlying derivative financial instruments within Excalibur to which Nordic 
Land is a party to the derivative contract. Hence the value of the derivative 
financial instruments has been derecognised.  
  
The loans have been accounted for at amortised cost at the Balance Sheet date, 
in accordance with IFRS, and the fair value is disclosed below.  Nordic Land's 
only obligation is to pay interest at fixed rates and repay loans at par value 
at maturity.  
  
As stated above, Excalibur took over the commitment to provide a capital 
expenditure loan facility of some £9.3 million (2008: £9.3 million).  This 
facility had been intended to be used to fund part of the costs for the 
development project at Borlssnge and a drawdown notice has been submitted to 
Excalibur to receive the funds.  Neither the funds nor confirmation that the 
facility exists have yet been received.    
  
The Directors estimate that the book value and fair value of the Group's bank 
loans are:  
  
 
               Book value      Fair value      Book value      Fair value     
               31 March 2009   31 March 2009   31 March 2008   31 March 2008  
               £000            £000            £000            £000           
                                                                              
  Bank loans   50,013          54,013          50,285          50,013         
  
  
Note 16 Financial instruments  
  
Financial risk management objectives and policies  
  
The Group's activities expose it to a variety of market, capital and financial 
risks, including:  
  
 
 * market risk (including currency risk, price risk and interest rate risk) 
 * credit risk 
 * liquidity risk  
  
The main risks arising from the Group's financial instruments are detailed below 
together with the policies adopted by the Board to manage these risks.  
  
These risks are managed by the Group under policies approved by the Board of 
Directors. The Group's risk management policies are established to identify and 
analyse the risks faced by the Group, to set appropriate risk limits and 
controls, and to monitor risks and adherence to limits. Risk management policies 
are reviewed regularly to reflect changes in market conditions and the Group's 
operational activities.  
  
Financial risks relate to trade and other receivables, trade and other payables, 
cash and cash equivalents and borrowings.  The Group may also enter into 
derivative transactions, primarily fixed interest rate swaps, for the purpose of 
managing the interest rate risk arising from funding the acquisition of the 
Group's properties.  
  
In accordance with its treasury policy, the Group does not hold or issue 
derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.  
  
Capital risk management  
  
The Group's objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group's 
ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for 
shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain satisfactory 
levels of financial resources to mitigate against financial risk.  
  
The capital structure of the Group consists of a mixture of bank loans, cash and 
cash equivalents and retained earnings, all as disclosed in the Balance Sheet. 
In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the 
amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue 
new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.  
  
Consistent with others in the industry, the Group monitors capital on the basis 
of the gearing ratio. This ratio is calculated as net debt divided by the value 
of the Group's properties. Net debt is calculated as bank loans less cash and 
cash equivalents.  
  
The gearing ratio at the year end is as follows:  
  
 
                                   As at           As at            
                                   31 March        31 March         
                                   2009            2008             
                                   £000            £000             
                                                                    
  Bank loans                       49,696          49,860           
  Cash and cash equivalents        (5,336)         (6,838)          
                                                                    
  Net debt                         44,360          43,022           
                                                                    
                                                                    
  Value of investment properties   64,203          67,878           
                                                                    
                                                                    
  Net gearing ratio                69.1%           63.4%            
                                                                    
                                                                    
  Gross gearing ratio              77.4%           73.5%            
                                                                    
  
  
Categories of financial instruments  
  
The Group's financial instruments relate to trade and other receivables, 
derivative financial instruments, cash and cash equivalents, trade and other 
payables and borrowings.   
  
In all cases, the Directors consider that the carrying amount of the Group's 
financial instruments approximate to their fair value, except for Borrowings 
(see note 15).  
  
Currency risk  
  
The Group operates in the Nordic region and is exposed to foreign exchange risk 
arising primarily with respect to the Swedish krona and Euros.  Foreign exchange 
risk arises from future commercial transactions, recognised monetary assets and 
liabilities and net investment in foreign operations.  
  
The Group's approach to managing its foreign currency exposure is to match, as 
far as possible, local currency assets with local currency liabilities.  The 
Group's policy is not to undertake any speculative currency hedging 
arrangements.  
  
At the reporting date the Group had the following exposure, measured as a 
proportion of net non-monetary and monetary assets:  
  
 
                  As at 31 March 2009   As at 31 March 2008  
  Currency                                                   
                                                             
  Swedish krona   81.9%                 82.9%                
  Euro            (0.1%)                0.1%                 
  
  
The following table sets out the Group's total exposure to foreign currency risk 
and the net exposure to foreign currencies of monetary assets and liabilities:  
  
 
                  Monetary assets   Monetary liabilities   Net exposure   Monetary assets   Monetary liabilities   Net exposure   
  
  
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