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Latvijas Gaze

Quarterly Report Aug 21, 2019

2233_rns_2019-08-21_f4870b3b-48d1-42ce-b5b0-0b173a8b30d1.pdf

Quarterly Report

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"LATVIJAS GĀZE" GROUP CONSOLIDATED AND JSC "LATVIJAS GĀZE" UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE 6-MONTHS PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2019

Prepared in compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union

COUNCIL OF THE JSC "LATVIJAS GĀZE" 3
MANAGEMENT BOARD OF THE JSC "LATVIJAS GĀZE"
4
LATVIJAS GĀZE GROUP IN SHORT
5
STRATEGY AND OBJECTIVES
5
SHARES AND
SHAREHOLDERS OF THE
JSC "LATVIJAS GĀZE"
6
MANAGEMENT REPORT 8
STATEMENT OF BOARD RESPONSIBILITY 14
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 15
CORPORATE INFORMATION15
STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS16
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME16
BALANCE SHEET17
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 19
COMPANY'S STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY20
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS21
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS22

COUNCIL OF THE JSC "LATVIJAS GĀZE"

(Term of office from October 3, 2018 till October 2, 2021)

Kirill Seleznev

(Кирилл Селезнев), 1974 Chairman of the Council

Since 2003, Head of Gas and Liquid Hydrocarbon Marketing and Processing Division, Member of the Management Committee at PJSC "Gazprom"

Juris Savickis, 1946 Vice-Chairman of the Council

Since 1996, President of LLC "ITERA Latvija"

Matthias Kohlenbach, 1969 Member of the Council

Since 2016 Legal Department of Uniper SE, Germany; responsible for international projects

Nicolàs Merigó Cook, 1963 Member of the Council

Since 2010, Chief Executive Officer of Marguerite Adviser S.A. (Luxemburg)

Oleg Ivanov (Олег Иванов), 1974 Member of the Council

Since 2014, Head of the Department for Gas Business Planning, Efficiency Management and Development at PJSC "NK Rosneft"

Elena Mikhaylova (Елена Михайлова), 1977 Member of the Council

Since 2012, Member of the Management Committee, Head of the Asset Management and Corporate Relations Department at PJSC "Gazprom"

Oliver Giese, 1967 Vice-Chairman of the Council

Since 2016, Senior Vice President for Infrastructure Management at Uniper SE (formerly E.ON Global Commodities SE, Düsseldorf, Germany)

David Stephen Harrison, 1970 Member of the Council

Since 2010, Member of the Board of Marguerite Adviser S.A. (Luxembourg)

Hans-Peter Floren, 1961 Member of the Council

Since 2018, Owner and Chief Executive Officer of FLORENGY AG (Essen, Germany)

Vitaly Khatkov (Виталий Хатьков), 1969 Member of the Council

Since 2015, Head of the Department for Pricing and Economic Expert Analysis at PJSC "Gazprom"

Igor Fedorov (Игорь Федоров), 1965 Member of the Council

Since 2013, Member of the Board of Directors, Head of the Department at PJSC "Gazprom"

MANAGEMENT BOARD OF THE JSC "LATVIJAS GĀZE"

(Term of office from August 16, 2018 till August 15, 2021)

Aigars Kalvītis, 1966 Chairman of the Board

Latvian University of Agriculture - Master's Degree in Economics

Sebastian Gröblinghoff, 1979 Vice-Chairman of the Board (term of office from September 1, 2016 till August 31, 2019)

Maastricht University / Netherlands Master's Degree in Economics

Denis Emelyanov, 1979 Vice-Chairman of the Board

Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas, Faculty of Economics and Management – Economist - manager; Economics and

oil and gas enterprises management

Elita Dreimane, 1968 Member of the Board

University of Latvia Faculty of Law, Master's Degree of Social Sciences in Law

LATVIJAS GĀZE GROUP IN SHORT

Latvijas Gāze group is fully committed to ensuring safe and stable natural gas supplies to its customers as well as to strengthening its position as a leader in the Latvian and Baltic energy market. Latvijas Gāze group consists of two business segments:

The natural gas sales & trading segment comprises the purchase, trade and sale of natural gas. The JSC "Latvijas Gāze" (hereinafter also "Company") operates the sales & trading business, which includes wholesale trading and the sale of natural gas to industrial and commercial customers as well as to households.

The natural gas distribution segment provides natural gas distribution services in Latvia. The JSC

"Gaso" holds an exclusive license for the distribution of natural gas on the territory of Latvia. The license is valid until 6 December 2037. The JSC "Gaso" owns and operates all distribution assets necessary to provide the respective services to its more than 400 thousand customers.

The JSC "Gaso" fully complies with the requirements of the Energy Law, which foresees a full legal, structural, and operational separation of the distribution business from the sales & trading activities. The JSC "Gaso" has an own Board of Management and Council that are fully independent from the sales & trading business of the JSC "Latvijas Gāze".

Structure of Latvijas Gāze group as of 30 June 2019

Country of operations Type of business operation Participation
share
JSC "Latvijas Gāze" Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia Sales & trading of natural gas 100%
JSC "Gaso" Latvia Distribution of natural gas

STRATEGY AND OBJECTIVES

OUR OBJECTIVE

To strengthen the position of Latvijas Gāze group as a leader in the Latvian and Baltic energy market by becoming the natural gas supplier of first choice for customers and by ensuring the most stable supply of natural gas for the Baltic region.

OUR MISSION

To contribute to the Baltic region's economy by ensuring the reliable, safe and flexible supply of natural gas to households and businesses at competitive prices.

OUR VISION

To improve people's life through delivering natural gas for a variety of purposes in different segments and to promote the advancement of natural gas as a key source of energy for the benefit of society.

SHARES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF THE JSC "LATVIJAS GĀZE"

SHARES AND SHAREHOLDERS

The shares of the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" are listed on the Nasdaq Riga stock exchange since February 15, 1999, and its ticker code is GZE1R since August 1, 2004. The total number of securities has not changed since 1999.

COMPANY'S SHARE PRICE, OMX RIGA GI AND OMX BALTIC GI INDEX CHANGES (01.01.2016. – 30.06.2019.)

ISIN LV0000100899 Number of securities in
Ticker code GZE1R public offering 25 328 520
List Second list Liquidity provider None
Nominal value 1.40 EUR
Total number of
securities 39 900 000 Source: Nasdaq Riga

The shares of the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" are included in four Baltic country industry indexes, which include public utilities - B7000GI, B7000PI, B7500GI,

In June 2019, in terms of stock market capitalization, the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" ranked number one among the companies listed on the Nasdaq Baltic Secondary List and number five among the TOP 10 Companies listed by market value in Nasdaq Baltic Regulated market.

In the first half of 2019, the market capitalization value of the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" reached 418.95 million EUR, which was 8.6% lower than at the end of the same period in 2018. During the first six months of 2019, the Company's share price moved only slightly and quoted 2.9% higher at the reporting date than at the beginning of the reporting period.

B7500PI, as well as in several geographical indexes - OMXBGI, OMXBPI, OMXRGI.

OMX RIGA (OMXR.) – a domestic index of all shares. Its basket consists of the shares of the Official and Second list of "Nasdaq Riga". The index reflects the current situation and changes at "Nasdaq Riga"

OMX BALTIC (OMXB.) – a Baltic-level index of all shares. Its basket consists of the shares of the Official and Second list of Baltic exchanges. The index reflects the current situation and changes on the Baltic market overall

SHARE PRICE DEVELOPMENT AND SHARE TURNOVER (01.01.2016.-30.06.2019.)

Source: Nasdaq Baltic

INFORMATION ON SHARE TRANSACTIONS (2017 H1 – 2019 H1)

2017 H1 2018 H1 2019 H1
Share price (EUR)
First 8.78 10.00 10.20
Highest 9.82 13.00 10.50
Lowest 7.76 9.90 10.20
Average 8.57 10.67 10.37
Last 9.20 11.50 10.50
Change (From First to Last share price) 4.78% 15.00% 2.94%
Number of transactions 875 413 409
Number of shares traded 110 313 33 203 29 969
Turnover (million EUR) 0.954 0.352 0.310
Capitalization (million EUR) 367.08 458.85 418.95

COMPOSITION OF SHAREHOLDERS AS AT 30.06.2019

SHARES OWNED BY MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODIES OF THE JSC "LATVIJAS GĀZE"

At the date of signing
financial statements
Management Board Number of shares
Chairman of the Board Aigars Kalvitis None
Deputy Chairman of the Board Denis Emelyanov None
Deputy Chairman of the Board Sebastian Gröblinghoff None
Member of the Board Elita Dreimane None
Council
Chairman of the Council Kirill Seleznev None
Deputy Chairman of the Council Juris Savickis None
Deputy Chairman of the Council Oliver Giese None
Member of the Council David Stephen Harrison None
Member of the Council Vitaly Khatkov None
Member of the Council Oleg Ivanov None
Member of the Council Nicolas Merigo Cook None
Member of the Council Matthias Kohlenbach None
Member of the Council Hans-Peter Floren None
Member of the Council Elena Mikhaylova None
Member of the Council Igor Fedorov None

MANAGEMENT REPORT

Two main factors strongly influenced the operating environment for gas traders in Latvia and the Baltic region during the first half of 2019. Firstly, above seasonal-normal temperatures in Latvia as well as in many parts of Europe and Asia led to lower natural gas demand during the core winter months. The average air temperature in Latvia during the period January to June 2019 was 1.5 degrees Celsius higher than during the same period in 2018. Secondly, prices at European natural gas hubs collapsed. During the first six months of the year the price for the GASPOOL front month index, which serves as one of the key reference prices in the Baltic region, dropped by more than 40%. Apart from that, hub prices exhibited a strong short-term volatility including days with price movements of more than one Euro per MWh. Both the mild winter as well as the fall of market prices created significant challenges for natural gas traders in the region and Europe alike.

The milder temperatures during the core winter months particularly affected the result of the Group's distribution segment operated by the JSC "Gaso". The lower year-on-year total gas consumption in Latvia led to a decline in the utilization of the gas distribution system and negatively weighed on the segment's net turnover. In total, the JSC "Gaso" during the first six months of the year transported 701 million m3 through its distribution network, which was 6.7% less than during the same period in 2018. On the contrary, the sales & trading segment, despite the drop in total gas demand in Latvia during the first months of the year, managed to increase its sales by 54% year-onyear. Due to strong deliveries into the Estonian natural gas markets and significantly higher gas demand in the power generation segment during May and June the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" during the first half 2019 in total sold 755 million m3 (7 952 GWh) of natural gas to more than 400 thousand customers.

However, despite a year-on-year increase in the Group's net turnover during the first six months of 2019, EBITDA and net profit dropped significantly in comparison to the same period in 2018. With 11.2 million EUR EBITDA was 2.5 times lower than a year before. The Group's net profit for the first half 2019 amounted to 2.7 million EUR, down from 21.8 million EUR in 2018. The key reason for the deterioration in the financial results relates to a combination of four main unfavourable factors affecting the Group's sales & trading segment.

First, despite the strong sales to Estonia the unusually high temperatures during the core winter months left the sales & trading business with a significantly higher than planned volume of natural gas in the Inčukalns Underground Gas Storage ("IUGS") at the end of the winter season. Due to the rapidly falling market prices, the cost of the gas injected into the IUGS during the third quarter 2018 increasingly became a financial burden. At a certain moment margins for gas supplied from the IUGS turned negative. The sales & trading segment's hedging activities prevented that the losses from this unplanned development were not even higher.

Second, despite positive income from financial derivatives that settled during the first months of the year, mark-to-market losses on open financial derivatives for gas deliveries starting as of November 2019 put a further strain on the segment's half-year financial performance. In line with IFRS accounting rules, the Group recognizes unrealized gains and losses on financial derivatives at fair value through profit and loss.

Third, because of the continuously falling market prices several customers of the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" that had closed fixed prices contracts required price adjustments or even terminated their contracts. Paying the termination fee and closing a new contract seemed to be commercially more attractive to those customers than continuing on the existing terms and conditions. The penalties paid by customers, however, were not sufficient to cover the true losses of the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" stemming from the termination of the contracts and, thus, resulted in significant losses.

Finally, earlier than planned storage bookings further depressed the sales & trading segment's financial result for the first half of 2019. However, the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" expects that respectively lower storage cost during the second half of 2019 will mitigate this effect.

With regard to the further course of business during 2019, the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" expects, that the market environment will remain challenging. Particularly the volatility in market prices and uncertainties around possible congestion issues at the entry point of the IUGS may further weigh on the financial result of the sales & trading business. On the other hand, income from physical supply contracts will begin mitigating mark-to market losses starting as of November. Besides, the early injection of natural gas into the IUGS will lead to respectively lower expenditures for storage capacity in the second half of the year. Although further unfavorable developments may hit the bottom line the sales & trading segment is fully focused to prevent a loss for the segment's full year operations

The sales & trading segment, despite the drop in total gas demand in Latvia during the first months of the year, managed to increase its sales by 54% year-on-year.

Despite the difficult market environment, the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" remains fully committed to achieving the best possible financial performance and creating sustainable value for all stakeholders. In that context, the sales & trading segment will continue to implement and tighten further the ambitious cost savings program initiated in 2018. Apart from that, the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" witnessed the "go-live" for the first module of the sales & trading segment's new billing system and customer portal. The new billing system as well as the customer portal will contribute to reducing the cost of core business processes as well as to improving customer service quality.

Group`s key figures 2019 H1 2018 H1
Natural gas sales, million m3 755 490
Number of employees, average 994 996
Length of distribution lines, km 5 252 5 236
Group`s key financial figures 2019 H1 2018 H1
Restated
EUR'000 EUR'000
Net turnover 190 980 135 453
EBITDA 11 228 28 100
EBITDA, % 5.9 20.7
EBIT 5 173 22 316
EBIT, % 2.7 16.5
Net profit 2 721 21 768
Net profit margin, % 1.4 16.1
Earnings per share, EUR 0.07 0.55
P/E 150.00 20.91

"Latvijas Gāze" Group consolidated and JSC "Latvijas Gāze" unaudited interim condensed financial statements for the 6-months period ended 30 June 2019

Alternative Performance Measures (APM) Formulas
EBITDA
(Profit before income tax, interest,
depreciation and amortization)
EBITDA = Profit of the year + Corporate income tax + Financial
expense - Financial income + Depreciation, amortisation and
impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible
assets
EBITDA,%
(or EBITDA margin)
𝐸𝐵𝐼𝑇𝐷𝐴
EBITDA, % =
x 100%
𝑅𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑐𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑠
EBIT
(Profit before income tax and interest)
EBIT= Profit of the year + Corporate income tax + Financial
expense - Financial income
EBIT,%
(or EBIT margin)
𝐸𝐵𝐼𝑇
EBIT,% =
x 100%
𝑅𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑐𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑠
Net profitability
(or Commercial profitability)
The indicator reflects how much the company earns from
each of the EUR received from customers
𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑓𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟
Net profitability, %=
x 100%
𝑅𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑐𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑠
P/E Ratio
(Relationship between Share Price and
Earnings per Share)
𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑒 30.06.2019
P/E=
𝐸𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟

The management of the Group uses the above-described alternative performance measures to evaluate the Group's performance for a particular financial period as well as to make decisions and allocate resources.

GENERAL MARKET AND INDUSTRY ENVIRONMENT

Unusually warm average temperatures in North West Europe and significantly lower demand for Liquefied Natural Gas ("LNG") in Asia led to rapidly falling natural gas prices in the world markets during the first half of 2019. High storage levels and the influx of competitively priced LNG to North West European markets pushed prices at the major European gas trading hubs down by more than 50% in comparison to late autumn 2018. At the same time, natural gas prices for the upcoming winter season 2019/2020 quoted above the prices for the summer months of 2019 triggering an early start of the storage injection season across Europe.

The ample supply of competitively priced LNG in world markets also led to an increase in the number of scheduled LNG deliveries to the Klaipeda LNG Terminal. All regasification capacities have been reserved at the Klaipeda LNG terminal until the end of the 2018-2019 gas year. Increased LNG deliveries will further strengthen the competitive dynamics in the region and bolster short-term security of supply.

Worldwide political discussions on measures against climate change and the transition to carbon-free economies continued during the first half of 2019. While governments in the Baltic region actively push for a further reduction of fossil fuels in the energy mix until 2030 natural gas will further play a key role in balancing electricity supply from intermittent renewable sources. In that context, water levels in the river Daugava at the beginning of the summer months and price developments at the Nordic power exchange will remain to have a crucial impact on the use of natural gas in power generation during the coming months of the year.

Competition in the Latvian and Baltic natural gas market further intensified during the first six months of the year. In February, the first trading companies started competing with the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" in the formerly fully regulated household segment in Latvia. Apart from that, cross-border competition in the Baltic region also became fiercer leading to increasing pressure on sales margins. The JSC "Latvijas Gāze" expects that the currently observed trends will continue to unfold and the market environment will remain challenging during the rest of 2019.

KEY EVENTS DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 2019

On 1 January 2019, the new distribution network tariffs became effective.

In January, the Finnish, Estonian and Latvian transmission operators agreed to establish a single market area from January 1, 2020, setting common tariffs for the entry points to the gas transmission system in Varska, Korneti, Imatra and Kiemenai.

In February, the first traders started competing with the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" in the formerly fully regulated household segment in Latvia by actively offering natural gas to household customers.

In March, the Conexus Baltic Grid ("CBG") held an "Auction for keeping an active natural gas quantity and ensuring its availability at the storage facility in 2019-2020". In total 2 845 000 MWh of commitments were auctioned. The JSC "Latvijas Gāze" successfully participated in the auction and committed to keep a certain quantity of natural gas in the Inčukalns Underground Gas Storage

OPERATING RESULTS OF THE BUSINESS SEGMENTS

Distribution segment: Net turnover of the Group's distribution segment amounted to 26.9

("IUGS") until end of February 2020 against a respective financial compensation.

In April, the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" successfully managed the "Go-Live" for the first module of its new billing system and customer portal.

On 18 April, the Public Utilities Commission ("PUC") adopted new gas grid connection rules that allow customers to establish a direct connection with the high-pressure transmission system owned and operated by the JSC "Conexus Baltic Grid". So far, all gas customers in Latvia could only connect to the local gas distribution network owned and operated by the JSC "Gaso".

In May, the JSC "Conexus Baltic Grid" in line with the existing tariff methodology announced to reduce the tariff for the one-year bundled capacity product from 3.52 EUR/MWh to 1.13 EUR/MWh. y.

On 19 June, the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" held its Annual Shareholders Meeting".

million EUR during the first half of 2019. In comparison to the same period in the previous year the segment's net turnover dropped by 12.4%. The drop was mainly attributable to a significantly lower utilization of the Latvian natural gas distribution system during the first half of 2019 due to unusually mild temperatures. The segment's EBITDA reached 12.7 million EUR, which is 19.56% lower in comparison to the first half of 2018. Profit before taxes for the first six months of 2019 amounted to 6.8 million EUR, representing a 33% year-on-year decrease for the segment.

In terms of assets, the distribution segment is the largest segment within Latvijas Gāze Group. At the end of the first half of 2019, the segment's assets were worth 262.8 million EUR and comprised 63.2% of the Group's total assets.

Sales & trading segment: During the first six months of 2019, the Group's sales & trading segment generated a net turnover of 164.1 million EUR, (representing 85.9% of total Group's revenues). In comparison to the same period in the

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The JSC "Latvijas Gāze" is exposed to credit, liquidity as well as market risks.

As in previous periods, the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" faced a high customer concentration risk with only a few customers accounting for a significant share of overall sales volumes. To mitigate credit default risks major customers are subject to individual credit risk management policies, which include a number of practices, such as an evaluation of credit limits, a detailed supervision of financial figures, and frequent billing cycles to avoid the accumulation of debt. For transactions with smaller customers Latvijas Gāze group has put in place detailed policies and processes that ensure the continuous monitoring of incoming customer payments and trigger respective customer communication and follow-up actions in case of arising credit issues.

The group's liquidity risk mainly stems from the distinct seasonality of the natural gas business. To ensure security of supply for the winter months the Company usually injects significant gas quantities into the Inčukalns Underground Gas Storage ("IUGS") during the injection season starting in previous year the segment's net turnover increased by 56.6%. The increase was mainly attributable to the strong expansion of natural gas sales outside of the domestic market and high gas demand from the power generation segment. The segment's EBITDA were negative and amounted to minus 1.4 million EUR, compared to a positive 12.4 million EUR in the first half 2018. The segment's EBIT for the first six months of 2019 were also negative and amounted to minus 1.8 million EUR, compared to a positive 11.7 million in the first half of 2018. The period loss after taxes in total summed up to 4.1 million EUR in comparison to a net profit of 11.7 million EUR during the same period in 2018.

At the end of the first quarter 2019, the asset value of the sales & trading segment amounted to 153.2 million EUR, mainly consisting of natural gas in storage and cash reserves.

early summer. While the Company needs to ensure the availability of respective cash reserves to finance the injection of natural gas into the storage during the summer months, customers will typically consume and subsequently pay most of the gas only during the winter period. To actively monitor and manage the liquidity risk the Company continuously improves its internal cash planning tools and instruments. To take account of the increased importance of a systematic and rigorous cash management in a competitive and highly volatile market the Company established a dedicated Treasury function.

On 31 March 2019, the existing overdraft agreement with the Latvian branch of OP Corporate Bank plc expired. Therefore, the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" already in autumn 2018 initiated a public procurement procedure in order to attract sufficient financing for the purchase of natural gas during the next two natural gas injection seasons. At the end of December 2018, the Company signed a new agreement with the Latvian branch of OP Corporate Bank plc on a revolving credit facility with a borrowing capacity of up to 50 million Euro. The agreement covers the period from 1 June 2019 until 31 May 2021. The closed transaction strengthens the overall liquidity of the Company and enables the implementation of a more advanced portfolio optimization strategy.

In comparison to the years before the opening of the Latvian natural gas market to competition the natural gas sales & trading segment faces more market risks. Particularly the greater variety of pricing structures requested by customers have created new risk positions. To actively manage and

FUTURE PROSPECTS

The Company expects that during the second half of the year the general market environment will remain challenging for Latvijas Gāze group. Competition on the supply side is likely to increase further while overall natural gas demand in Latvia will rather stagnate. In the mid-term, the energy strategies recently presented by the Lithuanian and Latvian government foreseeing a further reduction in the use of fossil fuels will exert additional downward pressure on natural gas consumption. However, despite moving at slow pace, the progress in regional market integration and growing trading activity at the Latvian Virtual Trading Point will also open up new sales and business opportunities for Latvijas Gāze group. Nevertheless, ensuring competitive purchase conditions under the existing long-term supply agreement with the PJSC Gazprom and increasing the flexibility of supplies will remain key to safeguard the leading position of Latvijas Gāze group in the Latvian natural gas market and to

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

The JSC "Latvijas Gāze" is party to a long-term natural gas sales and purchase agreement ("the Agreement") with the PJSC "Gazprom". Under the Agreement, the Company is obliged to buy a defined annual quantity based on take-or-pay mitigate these risks, the Company established a separate Risk Management function. Apart from that, the Company continuously monitors and develops further its risk management policies and strategies. Although internal market risk mitigation, e.g. through negotiating supply agreement terms and working with the sales portfolio, is the preferred risk mitigation option, the Company actively uses financial hedging instruments.

enable the further expansion into neighbouring markets.

The Company plans to explore additional markets and analyze opportunities for expanding its business into new segments. Starting from the year 2020, the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" will deliver natural gas to customers in Finland. The Company will continue to analyze business opportunities arising around LNG and gas powered technologies in the Baltic region.

To improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its billing processes as well as to increase customer satisfaction the sales & trading segment will, therefore, continue with the implementation of a new billing system and customer portal.

Overall, Latvijas Gāze group can build on its strong reputation in the Latvian market and remains fully committed to retaining its position as the most reliable natural gas supplier in Latvia and expanding its activities in the Baltic region.

terms. In case Latvijas Gāze fails to offtake the defined minimum quantities, it may incur financial and legal obligations. The PJSC "Gazprom" holds 34% of the shares in the JSC "Latvijas Gāze".

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In July 2019 the Company paid out dividends in amount of 21 945 thousand EUR. Since June 30, 2019 up to the signing of these financial statements there have been no events with effect on the financial position or financial results of the Company and the Group as at the balance sheet date.

STATEMENT OF BOARD RESPONSIBILITY

The Board of the Joint Stock Company "Latvijas Gāze" is responsible for the preparation of the "Latvijas Gāze" Group consolidated and the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" unaudited interim condensed financial statements for the 6-months period ended 30 June 2019 (further – Financial statements), which consist of the Company's and the Company's and its subsidiary (further - Group's) financial statements. Financial statements for the 6-months period ended 30 June 2019 have been prepared in compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards adopted by the European Union.

According to the information available to the management of the Company, the Financial statements provide a true and fair view of the Company's and the Group's assets, liabilities, financial position, operational results and cash flows in all key aspects. The principles of recognition and valuation of items observed in the preparation of financial information were the same as in the annual accounts.

The Financial statements were approved by the Board of the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" on August 21, 2019, and they are signed on behalf of the Board by:

Aigars Kalvītis Chairman of the Board

Sebastian Gröblinghoff Deputy Chairman of the Board

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Prepared in compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards as Adopted by the European Union

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Company Latvijas Gāze, Joint Stock Company
LEI code 097900BGMO0000055872
Registration number, place and date of
registration
Unified registration number 40003000642
Riga, Latvia, March 25, 1991
re-registered in Commercial Register on December 20, 2004
Address Vagonu street 20, Riga, Latvia, LV-1009
Corporate management report and Non
financial report
www.lg.lv
Major shareholders PAS Gazprom (34.0%)
Marguerite Gas II.S.a.r.l. (28.97%)
Uniper Ruhrgas International GmbH (18.26%)
ITERA Latvija SIA (16.0%)
Financial period January 1- June 30, 2019

STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS

Note Group
01.01-
30.06.2019
Group
01.01-
30.06.2018
Company
01.01-
30.06.2019
Company
01.01-
30.06.2018
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Restated Restated
Revenue, including excise duty 195 200 140 477 170 066 113 168
Less excise duty (4 220) (5 024) (4 233) (5 036)
Revenue from contracts with customers 2 190 980 135 453 165 833 108 132
Other income 1 792 1 879 1 063 1 344
Raw materials and consumables used 3 (160 590) (92 439) (159 777) (91 595)
Personnel expenses
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of
property, plant and equipment and intangible
4 (12 496) (12 431) (2 202) (2 305)
assets (6 055) (5 784) (302) (268)
Other operating expenses 5 (8 458) (4 362) (6 596) (2 597)
Dividends received from subsidiary - - - 1 796
Operating profit / (loss) 5 173 22 316 (1 981) 14 507
Financial income - 40 - 40
Financial expense (184) (512) (68) (385)
Profit / (loss) before taxes 4 989 21 844 (2 049) 14 162
Corporate income tax (2 268) (76) (2 268) -
Profit / (loss) for the period 2 721 21 768 (4 317) 14 162

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Note Group
01.01-
30.06.2019
Group
01.01-
30.06.2018
Company
01.01-
30.06.2019
Company
01.01-
30.06.2018
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Profit / (loss) for the period 2 721 21 768 (4 317) 14 162
Other comprehensive income - items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
Change in revaluation reserve of property, plant
and equipment 7 72 24 - -
Total other comprehensive income 72 24 - -
Total comprehensive income / (loss) for the period 2 793 21 792 (4 317) 14 162

The Financial statements were approved by the Board of the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" on August 21, 2019, and they are signed on behalf of the Board by:

Aigars Kalvītis
Chairman of the Board

Sebastian Gröblinghoff Deputy Chairman of the Board

BALANCE SHEET

Note Group Group Company Company
30.06.2019 31.12.2018 30.06.2019 31.12.2018
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 6 7 232 6 644 4 233 3 341
Property, plant and equipment 7 235 492 238 465 777 848
Investment in subsidiary 8 - - 194 534 194 534
Other debtors 93 26 6 6
Total non-current assets 242 817 245 135 199 550 198 729
Current assets
Inventories 9 14 761 103 963 12 803 102 442
Pre-payments for inventories 35 954 5 036 35 953 5 025
Trade receivables 32 955 36 175 31 612 34 964
Income tax receivable - 63 - 63
Other current assets 3 250 5 827 2 740 5 451
Cash and cash equivalents 86 276 16 280 65 234 4 845
Total current assets 173 196 167 344 148 342 152 790
TOTAL ASSETS 416 013 412 479 347 892 351 519

The Financial statements were approved by the Board of the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" on August 21, 2019, and they are signed on behalf of the Board by:

Aigars Kalvītis Chairman of the Board

Sebastian Gröblinghoff Deputy Chairman of the Board

BALANCE SHEET (continued)

Note Group Group Company Company
30.06.2019 31.12.2018 30.06.2019 31.12.2018
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Equity
Share capital 55 860 55 860 55 860 55 860
Share premium 20 376 20 376 20 376 20 376
Reserves 124 630 127 079 204 460 204 460
Retained earnings / (loss) 90 337 107 040 (570) 25 692
Total equity 291 203 310 355 280 126 306 388
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings 10 27 125 29 167 - -
Deferred income 11 18 424 18 658 - -
Employee benefit obligations 2 306 2 264 125 125
Total non-current liabilities 47 855 50 089 125 125
Current liabilities
Trade payables 3 483 5 581 4 493 9 928
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 10 3 500 11 886 - 8 386
Deferred income 11 1 028 1 019 - -
Dividends unpaid 21 945 - 21 945 -
Corporate income tax 2 268 - 2 268 -
Other liabilities 12 44 731 33 549 38 935 26 692
Total current liabilities 76 955 52 035 67 641 45 006
Total liabilities 124 810 102 124 67 766 45 131
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 416 013 412 479 347 892 351 519

The Financial statements were approved by the Board of the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" on August 21, 2019, and they are signed on behalf of the Board by:

Aigars Kalvītis Chairman of the Board

Sebastian Gröblinghoff Deputy Chairman of the Board

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Share
capital
Share
premium
Reva
luation
reserve
Employee
benefits
revaluation
reserve
Retained
earnings
Total
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
December 31, 2017 55 860 20 376 132 193 (87) 99 712 308 054
Transactions with owners:
Dividends - - - - (23 142) (23 142)
Total transactions with owners
Depreciation of revaluation reserve
- - - - (23 142) (23 142)
and disposal of revalued assets - - (5 285) - 5 285 -
Comprehensive income:
Profit for the year - - - - 25 185 25 185
Other comprehensive income - - 68 190 - 258
Total comprehensive income - - 68 190 25 185 25 443
December 31, 2018 55 860 20 376 126 976 103 107 040 310 355
Transactions with owners:
Transferred to unpaid dividends - - - - (21 945) (21 945)
Total transactions with owners
Depreciation of revaluation reserve
- - - - (21 945) (21 945)
and disposal of revalued assets - - (2 521) - 2 521 -
Comprehensive income:
Profit for the year - - - - 2 721 2 721
Other comprehensive income - - 72 - - 72
Total comprehensive income - - 72 - 2 721 2 793
June 30, 2019 55 860 20 376 124 527 103 90 337 291 203

The Financial statements were approved by the Board of the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" on August 21, 2019, and they are signed on behalf of the Board by:

Aigars Kalvītis Chairman of the Board

Sebastian Gröblinghoff Deputy Chairman of the Board

COMPANY'S STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Share capital Share
premium
Employee
benefits
revaluation
reserve
Reorgani
sation
reserve
Retained
earnings
Total
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
December 31, 2017 55 860 20 376 (172) 204 545 25 641 306 250
Transactions with owners:
Dividends
Total transactions with
owners
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(23 142)
(23 142)
(23 142)
(23 142)
Comprehensive income:
Profit for the year - - - - 23 193 23 193
Other comprehensive income - - 87 - - 87
Total comprehensive income - - 87 - 23 193 23 280
December 31, 2018 55 860 20 376 (85) 204 545 25 692 306 388
Transactions with owners:
Transferred to unpaid dividends - - - - (21 945) (21 945)
Total transactions with owners - - - - (21 945) (21 945)
Comprehensive loss:
Loss for the year - - - - (4 317) (4 317)
Total comprehensive loss - - - - (4 317) (4 317)
June 30, 2019 55 860 20 376 (85) 204 545 (570) 280 126

The Financial statements were approved by the Board of the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" on August 21, 2019, and they are signed on behalf of the Board by:

Aigars Kalvītis Chairman of the Board

Sebastian Gröblinghoff Deputy Chairman of the Board

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Group Group Company Company
01.01-
30.06.2019
01.01-
30.06.2018
01.01-
30.06.2019
01.01-
30.06.2018
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Cash flow from operating activities Restated
Profit / (loss) before corporate income tax 4 989 21 844 (2 049) 14 162
Adjustments:
- depreciation of property, plant and equipment 5 119 5 037 128 121
- amortisation of intangible assets 937 747 173 148
- income from participating interests - - - (1 796)
- losses from long-term asset exclusions 11 18 - -
- interest expenses 183 164 68 37
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
- in accounts receivable 9 836 23 923 6 063 18 218
- in inventories 89 203 69 157 89 639 69 519
- in advances for inventories (30 918) (18 580) (30 928) (18 580)
- in accounts payable 4 112 (17 309) 7 442 (14 106)
Corporate income tax received back / (paid) 63 (63) 63 (63)
Net cash inflow from operating activities 83 535 84 938 70 599 67 660
Cash flow from investing activities
Payments for property, plant and equipment (971) (1 375) (66) (42)
Payments for intangible assets (1 968) (998) (1 690) (387)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 11 2 - -
Cash transferred in reorganisation - - - (5 458)
Dividends received - - - 1 796
Net cash outflow from investing activities (2 928) (2 371) (1 756) (4 091)
Cash flow from financing activities
Interest paid (183) (164) (68) (37)
Overdraft paid (8 386) (3 361) (8 386) (3 361)
Loan paid (2 042) (875) - -
Net cash outflow from financing activities (10 611) (4 400) (8 454) (3 398)
Net cash flow 69 996 78 167 60 389 60 171
Cash and cash equivalents
at the beginning of the reporting period 16 280 24 817 4 845 21 558
Cash and cash equivalents
at the end of the reporting period 86 276 102 984 65 234 81 729

The Financial statements were approved by the Board of the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" on August 21, 2019, and they are signed on behalf of the Board by:

Sebastian Gröblinghoff Deputy Chairman of the Board

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Segment information

In 2019 and 2018, Latvijas Gāze group consists of two segments - natural gas sales & trading segment and distribution segment.

The natural gas sales & trading segment comprises the purchase, trade and sale of natural gas. The JSC "Latvijas Gāze" operates the sales & trading business, which includes wholesale trading and the sale of natural gas to industrial and commercial customers as well as to households.

The distribution segment provides natural gas distribution services in Latvia. The JSC "Gaso" holds an exclusive license for the distribution of natural gas on the territory of Latvia. JSC "Gaso" owns and operates all distribution assets.

The information included in the operating segments corresponds to the information used by the Board of JSC "Latvijas Gāze" for the gas sales and trading segment and the Board of the JSC "Gaso" for the gas distribution segment in making operational decisions and allocating resources. Given the regulatory requirements provided in the Energy Law, segments are managed separately.

The Board of each company assesses the performance of each respective segment based on EBITDA (adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) and monitors profit before taxes. As the segments are based on legal entities, transactions between entities are eliminated (see Note 2).

Group 6 months 2019 Gas distribution Gas trade Total
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
EBITDA 12 673 (1 445) 11 228
Depreciation and amortisation 5 753 302 6 055
Financial expense 116 68 184
Profit / (loss) before taxes 6 804 (1 815) 4 989
Group 6 months 2018 Gas distribution Gas trade Total
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
EBITDA 15 755 12 345 28 100
Depreciation and amortisation 5 516 268 5 784
Financial income - (40) (40)
Financial expense 127 385 512
Profit before taxes 10 112 11 732 21 844
Company / Gas trade 6 months
2019
6 months
2018
EUR'000 EUR'000
EBITDA (1 679) 14 775
Depreciation and amortisation 302 268
Financial income - 40
Financial expense 68 385
Profit / (loss) before taxes (2 049) 14 162
Group 6 months 2019 Gas distribution Gas trade Total
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 1 183 1 756 2 939
Segment assets 30.06.2019 262 848 153 165 416 013
Group 6 months 2018 Gas distribution Gas trade Total
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 1 944 429 2 373
Segment assets 30.06.2018 264 988 143 074 408 062
Company / Gas trade 6 months 2019 2018
EUR'000 EUR'000
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 1 756 429
Segment assets 30.06. 347 892 337 805

2. Revenue from contracts with customers

Group Gas trade Gas distribution
6 months 2019 Latvia Other countries Latvia TOTAL
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Segment revenue 170 616 14 710 25 982 211 308
Inter-segment revenue (21 228) - - (21 228)
Connection and other service fees
recognised as revenue - - 512 512
Other revenue 1 - 387 388
149 389 14 710 26 881 190 980
Group Gas trade Gas distribution
6 months 2018 Latvia Other countries Latvia TOTAL
Restated EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Segment revenue 123 128 4 921* 29 786 157 835
Inter-segment revenue (23 272) - - (23 272)
Connection and other service fees
recognised as income - - 499 499
Other revenue 1 - 390 391
99 857 4 921 30 675 135 453

*Amounts shown net of sales to foreign clients at Latvian virtual trading points as compared with data reported in "Latvijas Gāze" Group consolidated and JSC "Latvijas Gāze" unaudited interim financial statements for the 6-months period ended 30 June 2018.

Company Gas trade
6 months 2019 Latvia Other countries
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Segment revenue 150 215 14 256 164 471
Other revenue 908 454 1 362
151 123 14 710 165 833
Company Gas trade
6 months 2018 Latvia Other countries TOTAL
Restated EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Segment revenue 101 807 4 921* 106 728
Other revenue 1 404 - 1 404
103 211 4 921 108 132

*Amounts shown net of sales to foreign clients at Latvian virtual trading points as compared with data reported in "Latvijas Gāze" Group consolidated and JSC "Latvijas Gāze" unaudited interim financial statements for the 6-months period ended 30 June 2018.

3. Raw materials and consumables used

Group
6 months
2019
Group
6 months
2018
Company
6 months
2019
Company
6 months
2018
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Restated Restated
Natural gas purchase 159 950 91 780* 159 755 91 571*
Costs of materials, spare parts and fuel 640 659 22 24
160 590 92 439 159 777 91 595

*Amounts shown net of excise duty as compared with data reported in "Latvijas Gāze" Group consolidated and JSC "Latvijas Gāze" unaudited interim financial statements for the 6-months period ended 30 June 2018.

4. Personnel expenses

Group
6 months
2019
Group
6 months
2018
Company
6 months
2019
Company
6 months
2018
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Wages and salaries 9 452 9 384 1 675 1 716
State social insurance contributions 2 263 2 243 388 400
Life, health and pension insurance 618 604 87 77
Other personnel costs 163 200 52 112
12 496 12 431 2 202 2 305

5. Other operating expenses

Group
6 months
2019
Group
6 months
2018
Company
6 months
2019
Company
6 months
2018
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Net fair value losses on financial derivatives 4 301 - 4 301 -
Selling and advertising costs
Expenses related to premises
305 1 126 226 1 071
(rent, electricity, security and other services) 523 652 172 241
Donations, financial support 735 38 712 1
Office and other administrative costs 1 019 853 447 497
Taxes and duties 526 613 287 412
Costs of IT system maintenance, communications and transport 840 696 380 295
Other costs 209 384 71 80
8 458 4 362 6 596 2 597

Other operating expenses position includes a net amount of (4 301) thousand EUR originating from financial hedging activities. 1 661 thousand EUR out of this amount is attributable to operational activities during the 6 months reporting period. The remaining amount for outstanding derivatives of (5 962) thousand EUR is evaluated on a mark-to-market basis as of the balance sheet date. (7 325) thousand EUR is attributable to operational activity in 2019 and 1 363 thousand EUR is attributable to operational activity in 2020.

6. Intangible assets

Group
30.06.2019
Group
31.12.2018
Company
30.06.2019
Company
31.12.2018
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Cost
As at the beginning of period 17 557 13 889 3 541 1 294
Additions 1 525 4 075 1 065 2 260
Disposals - (406) - (13)
As at the end of period 19 082 17 558 4 606 3 541
Amortisation
As at the beginning of period 10 913 9 899 200 75
Amortisation 937 1 421 173 138
Disposals - (406) - (13)
As at the end of period 11 850 10 914 373 200
Net book value as at the end of the period 7 232 6 644 4 233 3 341

As at 30 June 2019 the Group has payables for intangible assets for a total of EUR 466 thousand (as at 31 December 2018: EUR 909 thousand), and the Company has payables for intangible assets for a total of EUR 57 thousand (as at 31 December 2018: EUR 682 thousand).

7. Property, plant and equipment

Group Land,
buildings,
construc
tions
Machinery
and
equipment
Other
fixed
assets
Costs of
items under
construction
Total
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Cost or revalued amount
31.12.2018 545 105 32 620 15 565 393 593 683
Additions 72 - 57 2 038 2 167
Reclassified 410 209 171 (790) -
Disposals (88) (18) (59) - (165)
30.06.2019 545 499 32 811 15 734 1 641 595 685
Depreciation
31.12.2018 323 273 20 697 11 248 - 355 218
Calculated 3 385 1 059 675 - 5 119
Disposals (69) (16) (59) - (144)
30.06.2019 326 589 21 740 11 864 - 360 193
Net book value as of 30.06.2019 218 910 11 071 3 870 1 641 235 492
Net book value as of 31.12.2018 221 832 11 923 4 317 393 238 465

As at 30 June 2019 the Group has payables for property, plant and equipment for a total of EUR 629 thousand.

Group Land, buildings,
constructions
Machinery
and
equipment
Other
fixed
assets
Costs of
items under
construction
Total
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Cost or revalued amount
31.12.2017 542 402 31 784 14 436 447 589 069
Additions 3 822 1 124 1 547 (54) 6 439
Disposals (1 119) (288) (418) - (1 825)
31.12.2018 545 105 32 620 15 565 393 593 683
Depreciation
31.12.2017 317 458 18 822 10 313 - 346 593
Calculated 6 688 2 142 1 310 - 10 140
Disposals (873) (267) (375) - (1 515)
31.12.2018 323 273 20 697 11 248 - 355 218
Net book value as of 31.12.2018 221 832 11 923 4 317 393 238 465
Net book value as of 31.12.2017 224 944 12 962 4 123 447 242 476

As at 31 December 2018 the Group has payables for property, plant and equipment for a total of EUR 152 thousand.

"Latvijas Gāze" Group consolidated and JSC "Latvijas Gāze"

unaudited interim condensed financial statements for the 6-months period ended 30 June 2019

Company Land, buildings,
constructions
Machinery
and
equipment
Other
fixed
assets
Costs of
items under
construction
Total
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Cost or revalued amount
31.12.2018 - - 1 263 - 1 263
Additions - - 57 - 57
Disposals - - (2) - (2)
30.06.2019 - - 1 318 - 1 318
Depreciation
31.12.2018 - - 415 - 415
Calculated - - 128 - 128
Disposals - - (2) - (2)
30.06.2019 - - 541 - 541
Net book value as of 30.06.2019 - - 777 - 777
Net book value as of 31.12.2018 - - 848 - 848

As at 30 June 2019 the Company has payables for property, plant and equipment for a total of EUR 4 thousand.

Company Land,
buildings,
construc
tions
Machinery
and
equipment
Other
fixed
assets
Costs of items
under
construction
Total
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Cost or revalued amount
31.12.2017 - - 1 198 - 1 198
Additions - - 186 - 186
Disposals - - (121) - (121)
31.12.2018 - - 1 263 - 1 263
Depreciation
31.12.2017 - - 272 - 272
Calculated - - 245 - 245
Disposals - - (102) - (102)
31.12.2018 - - 415 - 415
Net book value as of 31.12.2018 - - 848 - 848
Net book value as of 31.12.2017 - - 926 - 926

As at 31 December 2018 the Company has payables for property, plant and equipment for a total of EUR 13 thousand.

8. Investment in subsidiary

Company
EUR'000
Invested during reorganisation 1.12.2017 194 534
Balance sheet value 30.06.2019 and 31.12.2018 194 534

"Latvijas Gāze" Group consolidated and JSC "Latvijas Gāze" unaudited interim condensed financial statements for the 6-months period ended 30 June 2019

Shares held 30.06.2019 31.12.2018
JSC "Gaso" 100% 100%
Subsidiary's
equity
Subsidiary's
equity
Subsidiary's
profit
Subsidiary's
profit
30.06.2019 31.12.2018 30.06.2019 30.06.2018
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
JSC "Gaso" 205 611 198 501 7 038 9 401

9. Inventories

Group Group Company Company
30.06.2019 31.12.2018 30.06.2019 31.12.2018
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Natural gas and fuel 12 803 102 442 12 803 102 442
Materials and spare parts 2 027 1 597 - -
Allowance for slow-moving inventory (69) (76) - -
14 761 103 963 12 803 102 442

10. Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Loans Group Group Company Company
30.06.2019 31.12.2018 30.06.2019 31.12.2018
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Loan from JSC "SEB banka"
Long-term part of the loan 27 125 29 167 - -
Short-term part of the loan (i.e. less than 12 months) 3 500 3 500 - -
Overdraft from "OP Corporate Bank" plc
Branch in
Latvia - 8 386 - 8 386
30 625 41 053 - 8 386

In 2017 the Company received a long term year loan of 35 000 thousand EUR for 5 years. Under the reorganisation, the Company transferred this loan to the newly established acquiring Joint Stock Company "Gaso". The loan is due for repayment starting in April 2018. Loan interest rate is fixed % p.a. plus 6 month EURIBOR. Overdraft interest rate is fixed % p.a. plus 3 month EURIBOR.

11. Deferred income

Group Group Company Company
30.06.2019 31.12.2018 30.06.2019 31.12.2018
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Income from residential and corporate customers' contributions to construction of gas pipelines:
Long-term part 18 424 18 658 - -
Short-term part 1 028 1 019 - -
19 452 19 677 - -

Changes of deferred income

Group
6 months
2019
Group
6 months
2018
Company
6 months
2019
Company
6 months
2018
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Balance at the beginning of the year 19 677 20 169 - 5
Received from residential and corporate customers
during reporting year 287 252 - -
Included in income of reporting year (512) (499) - -
Total transfer to next years 19 452 19 669 - 5

12. Other liabilities

Group Group Company Company
30.06.2019 31.12.2018 30.06.2019 31.12.2018
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Prepayments received 21 679 18 679 21 586 18 652
Derivative financial instruments 8 353 421 8 353 421
Value added tax 7 790 5 732 7 383 4 867
Accrued costs 2 337 4 302 526 1 159
Excise tax 209 1 139 207 1 137
Vacation pay reserve 1 185 881 137 137
Salaries 785 777 148 177
Social security contributions 1 357 620 341 91
Personnel income tax 768 313 204 40
Real estate tax 90 - - -
Other current liabilities 177 679 50 11
Natural resource tax 1 6 - -
33 38
44 731 549 935 26 692

13. Related party transactions

No individual entity exercises control over the Company. The Company and the Group had following transactions with entities disclosed below, which own or owned more than 20% of the shares that deemed to provide a significant influence over the Company. Since 2017 JSC "Latvijas Gāze" has newly established subsidiary JSC "Gaso".

"Latvijas Gāze" Group consolidated and JSC "Latvijas Gāze"

unaudited interim condensed financial statements for the 6-months period ended 30 June 2019

Income or expenses Group
01.01.-
30.06.2019
Group
01.01.-
30.06.2018
Company
01.01.-
30.06.2019
Company
01.01.-
30.06.2018
EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000 EUR'000
Income from provision of services
JSC "Gaso" - - 1 949 2 184
Expenses on natural gas purchase
PJSC "Gazprom" 67 447 19 292 67 447 19 292
Expenses on natural gas distribution and
other services
JSC "Gaso" - - 19 715 21 585
Related party payables and receivables Group
30.06.2019
Group
31.12.2018
Company
30.06.2019
Company
31.12.2018
Receivables from related companies
JSC "Gaso" - - 146 811
Advance payments to related entities
PJSC "Gazprom" 35 953 22 782 35 953 22 782
Payables to related companies for natural gas and services
PJSC "Gazprom" - 1 394 - 1 394
JSC "Gaso" - - 1 477 6 052

14. Summary of significant accounting policies

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied during all years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Basis of preparation

The consolidated and separate financial statements (financial statements) of the JSC "Latvijas Gāze" are prepared in accordance with the International Reporting Standards (IFRS) and interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) as adopted for use in the European Union, and are presented together in one document.

The financial statements are prepared on a historical cost basis, except for derivative financial instruments that are measured at fair value and certain classes of property, plant and equipment that are carried at revalued amount, as disclosed in the notes below.

All amounts shown in these financial statements are presented in thousands of Euros (EUR), unless identified otherwise. Euros (EUR) is the functional and presentational currency of the Group and Company.

Restatements of 2018 due to reclassification

Excise duty

At the end of 2018, the management decided to change the accounting policy for excise tax in the statement of profit or loss where it is now deducted from the net revenue. Comparative information for the period ended 30 June 2018 is adjusted retrospectively. The impact of restatement was as follows:

Group 6 months 2018
EUR'000
Company 6 months 2018
EUR'000
As originally
reported
Restated Change As originally
reported
Restated Change
Revenue, net
Raw materials and
139 978 134 954 (5 024) 113 168 108 132 (5 036)
consumables used (97 463) (92 439) 5 024 (96 631) (91 595) 5 036

Presentation of retained earnings and reserves in the balance sheet and statement of changes in equity of the Company and the Group

The Group has changed the presentation of the equity line items in the balance sheet of the Company and Group as of 31 December 2018 and restated the comparative balance sheet of 30 June 2018. Presentation of retained earnings and other equity items was also changed on the statement of changes in equity of the Company and Group. The statement of changes in equity was restructured to provide more clarity, where the information previously presented in the notes was brought to the statement of changes in equity for greater prominence. The equity section of the balance sheet was restructured accordingly.

Presentation of dividends received from subsidiary undertaking

To present dividends received from its subsidiary undertaking as a part of operating profit, the Company changed the presentation of dividends received from showing it below Operating profit to showing it within. Also in the statement of cash flows dividends received from subsidiary undertaking are reclassified from Financing activities to Investing activities.

Changes in accounting policies

This note explains the impact of the adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers on the Group's and Company's financial statements.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

IFRS 9 replaces the provisions of IAS 39 that relate to the recognition, classification and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities, de-recognition of financial instruments, impairment of financial assets and hedge accounting.

The adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments from 1 January 2018 resulted in changes in accounting policies, although no adjustments were recognised to the amounts in the financial statements.

Impairment of financial assets

The Company and the Group have the following types of financial assets that are subject to the expected credit loss model:

  • trade receivables for sales of goods and from the provisions of services,
  • bank deposits,
  • cash and cash equivalents.

The Company and the Group were required to revise its impairment methodology under IFRS 9 for each of these classes of assets. As a result of the change in impairment methodology there was no material increase of the loss allowance on 1 January 2018, thus no adjustments were made to the Group's and Company's retained earnings and equity.

While cash and cash equivalents are also subject to the impairment requirements of IFRS 9, the identified impairment loss was immaterial as at 31 December 2018 and as at 30 June 2019.

The estimated increase of loss allowance was not material, i.e., it was 109 thousand EUR (the Company and the Group) as at 1 January 2018, therefore no cumulative adjustment was recorded in the opening balance sheet on 1 January 2018.

IFRS 15 Revenue from contracts with customers

The Group has adopted IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers from 1 January 2018 using the modified retrospective application, with the effect of initially applying this standard recognised at the date of initial application (i.e. 1 January 2018). The Group incurs connection fee revenues that have been previously recognised as deferred income and gradually amortised to the profit or loss as "Other income" under the previous accounting policy. With implementation of IFRS 15, it was determined that such revenues fall under "Revenues from contracts with customers" and deferral remains to be appropriate under IFRS 15. Reclassification was made in comparative information for the period ended 30 June 2018 to report these revenues consistently as in the period ended 30 June 2019.

As a result of the application the following adjustments were recognised to the amounts in the financial statements at 30 June 2018:

Group 6 months 2018
in EUR'000
Company 6 months 2018
in EUR'000
Original Original
(previous New (previous New Difference
accounting (IFRS 15) Difference accounting (IFRS 15)
policy) policy)
Revenue 134 954 135 453 499 108 132 108 132 -
Other income 2 378 1 879 (499) 1 344 1 344 -

Financial instruments

Financial assets Classification

The Company and the Group classify their financial assets in the following measurement categories:

  • those to be measured subsequently at fair value (either through OCI or through profit or loss), and
  • those to be measured at amortised cost.

The classification depends on the Company's and Group's business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows.

Recognition and de-recognition

Regular way purchases and sales of financial assets are recognised on trade-date, the date on which the Company and the Group commit to purchase or sell the asset.

Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the financial assets have expired or have been transferred and the Company and the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership.

Measurement

At initial recognition, the Company and Group measure a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss (FVPL), transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset. Transaction costs of financial assets carried at FVPL are expensed in profit or loss.

Debt instruments

Subsequent measurement of debt instruments depends on the Group's business model for managing the asset and the cash flow characteristics of the asset. All Group's and Company's debt instruments are classified in the amortised cost measurement category.

Amortised cost

Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows where those cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest are measured at amortised cost. Interest income from these financial assets is included in finance income using the effective interest rate method. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition is recognised directly in profit or loss and presented in other income/ (expenses). Foreign exchange gains and losses and impairment losses are presented within other income /(expenses) in the statement of profit or loss.

As at 30 June 2019 and 31 December 2018, the following financial assets of the Company and Group were classified in this category:

  • trade receivables;
  • accrued income;
  • bank deposits;
  • cash and cash equivalents.

Equity instruments

The Group and the Company have no investments in equity instruments.

Derivative financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments are carried at their fair value. All derivative instruments are carried as assets when fair value is positive and as liabilities when fair value is negative. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are included in profit or loss for the reporting period. The Company and the Group do not apply hedge accounting.

Impairment

The Company and the Group assess on a forward-looking basis the expected credit losses ("ECL") associated with its debt instruments carried at amortised cost. The impairment methodology applied depends on whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk.

The measurement of ECL reflects:

  • an unbiased and probability weighted amount that is determined by evaluating a range of possible outcomes,
  • time value of money and
  • all reasonable and supportable information that is available without undue cost and effort at the end of each reporting period about past events, current conditions and forecasts of future conditions.

For trade receivables and accrued income without a significant financing component the Company and the Group apply a simplified approach permitted by IFRS 9 and measures the allowance for impairment losses at expected lifetime credit losses from initial recognition of the receivables. As individual assessment is not possible due to the large number of individual balances, only the significant debtors are assessed individually. Receivables that are not individually assessed for impairment are classified into groups of receivables based on days overdue and are collectively assessed for impairment.

Revenue from contracts with customers

Revenue is income arising in the course of the Company's and Group's ordinary activities. Revenue is measured in the amount of transaction price. Transaction price is the amount of consideration to which the Company and the Group expect to be entitled in exchange of transferring control over promised goods or services to a customer, excluding the amounts collected on behalf of third parties. The Company and the Group recognises revenue when it transfers control of a good or service to a customer.

Sale of natural gas – wholesale

The Company and the Group sell natural gas in the wholesale market. Revenue is recognized at the point in time when the product (natural gas) is delivered to the wholesaler (buyer) and he has full discretion as to the place and price of the products, and the wholesaler (buyer) has no claim for performance of the contract that could affect the acceptance of the products from the wholesaler (buyer). Delivery takes place when products are delivered to a particular location, the prescription and limitation risks are passed on to the wholesaler (buyer), and the Company and the Group have objective evidence that all acceptance-transfer criteria are met.

It is considered that there is no financing element here, because the sale is made with a credit term of 10-30 days, which corresponds to the prevailing market practice.

A receivable is recognised when the goods are delivered as this is the point in time that the consideration is unconditional because only the passage of time is required before the payment is due.

Sale of natural gas to end users – commercial customers and households

The Company and the Group sell natural gas to end users – corporate customers and households. These sales meet over the time recognition criteria as the customer receives and uses the benefits simultaneously as the gas is delivered. Revenue is recognised based on the actual quantities delivered up to the end of the reporting period, normally one month, as the gas sold is priced on a per quantity basis.

Households settle their debts according to equalized payment schedules with end-dates not necessarily coinciding with calendar year-end, based on the actual consumption during previous settlement year. Management exercises judgement when estimating revenue for quantities delivered but not yet billed to these customers. This is determined using an established methodology within the Group.

If the contract includes variable consideration, revenue is recognised only to the extent that it is highly probable that there will be no significant reversal of such consideration.

Excise duty

The excise duty is levied on the natural gas delivered to the end user and is calculated on the basis of fixed rate per quantity delivered depending upon purpose of use of natural gas by the end user. The Company and Group acts as an agent in collecting the excise duty from customers, and paying it to the government, therefore revenue is recognised net of excise tax levied on the customers.

Sale of services – natural gas distribution

The Group provides natural gas distribution services to the gas traders who sell the natural gas to end users. Revenue from providing services is recognised over time in the period in which the services are rendered. The management exercises judgement related to the quantity of natural gas delivered to the household end-customers of the Group, as explained in the policy "Sale of natural gas to end users – commercial customers and households" above.

Connection fees

When connecting to the gas network, the clients must pay a connection fee based on the actual costs of infrastructure to be built in order to connect them to the network. The management has concluded that the connection fees do not represent a separate performance obligation from the ongoing provision of network distribution services, and thus the revenue from connection fees is deferred and recognised as revenue over the estimated customer relationship period which, in management's view, approximates 30 years. Connection fees received from customers are carried in the statement of financial position as "Deferred income" within long-term liabilities.

Contract assets and contract liabilities related to contracts with customers

Due to equalised invoicing and settlement arrangements with household customers, these customers routinely are in the position of over-payment in relation to their actual consumption. It is also common for households to make an advance payment for the whole year ahead, based on the actual consumption of prior settlement year. There are also corporate customers who have overpaid to the Company and Group for the goods and services received. The balances of overpaid amounts that represent contract liabilities are offset against future consumption. They are reported within other liabilities as prepayments received. Contract asset that relates to contract with the natural gas transmission and storage operator, where the Company and the Group has undertaken commitment to store an agreed quantity of natural gas in the underground storage for particular period of time is reported as accrued income within other current assets. The revenue is receivable when all the conditions of the contract are fulfilled.

Financing component

The Company and the Group do not have any contracts where the period between the transfer of the promised goods or services to the customer and payment by the customer exceeds one year. Consequently, the Company and the Group do not adjust any of the transaction prices for the time value of money.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are tangibles, which are held for use in the supply of goods and in the provision of services, and used in more than one period. The Company`s and the Group's main asset groups are buildings and constructions, which include distribution gas pipelines, as well as equipment and machinery that is mainly related to technical gas distribution.

The Group's buildings and constructions (including the gas distribution system) and equipment and machinery are recognised at fair value as determined under the policy of revaluation of fixed assets approved by the Board, less accumulated depreciation and impairment loss. Revaluation shall be made with sufficient regularity to ensure the carrying amount does not differ materially from the one, which would be determined using fair value at the end of the reporting period. All other property, plant and equipment groups (including land) are stated at historical cost, less accumulated depreciation and impairment charge. The historical cost includes expenditure directly attributable to the acquisition of the items.

Assets purchased, but not yet ready for the intended use or under installation process are classified under "Assets under construction". Subsequent costs are included in the asset's carrying amount or recognised as separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Company or the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the profit or loss statement for the financial period when they are incurred.

Upon revaluation of property, plant and equipment, the accumulated depreciation is changed in proportion to changes in the gross value of the property, plant and equipment revalued. Increases in the carrying amount arising on revaluation of buildings, gas distribution system and equipment are credited to Revaluation reserve in shareholders' equity. Decreases that offset previous increases of the same asset are charged against revaluation reserve directly in equity; any further decreases are charged to the profit or loss statement. The revaluation surplus is transferred to retained earnings on the retirement or disposal of the asset. Each year, the difference between depreciation based on the revalued carrying amount of the asset charged to profit or loss and depreciation based on the asset's original cost is reclassified from the property, plant and equipment revaluation reserve to retained earnings.

Land and assets under construction are not depreciated. Depreciation on other assets is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their cost or revaluated amounts to their residual values over their estimated useful lives, as follows:

years
Buildings 20 - 100
Constructions, including gas distribution system 40 - 60
Machinery and equipment 5 - 30
Other fixed assets 3.33 - 10

The assets' useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted as appropriate, at the end of each reporting period. An asset's carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset's carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.

Gains or losses on disposals are determined by comparing carrying amount with proceeds and are charged to the profit or loss statement during the period when they are incurred.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets primarily consist of software licences and patents. Intangible assets have a finite useful life and are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment loss.

Amortisation is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate the cost of intangible assets over their useful lives. Generally, intangible assets are amortised over a period of 5 to 10 years.

Impairment of non-financial assets

All the Company's and the Group's non-financial assets, except for land, have a finite useful life. Assets subject to amortisation or depreciation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset's carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount.

The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset's fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. For the purpose of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash generating units). Non-financial assets having suffered impairment are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date.

Inventories

Inventories are stated in the balance sheet at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs of completion and estimated costs necessary to make the sale. The cost of natural gas is composed of the gas purchase price and is determined using FiFo (first in first out) method. The cost of other materials, spare parts and other inventories is determined using the weighted average method.

The value of outdated, slow-moving or damaged inventories has been provisioned for.

Operating leases

The Company is a lessee. Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any financial incentives received from the lessor) are charged to the profit or loss account on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

Principles of consolidation

Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity when the group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power to direct the activities of the entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases.

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated in consolidation.

As at 30 June 2019, there is only one subsidiary in the consolidated group – JSC "Gaso" which was established on 1 December 2017 as a result of a reorganisation (spun-off of distribution business segment from the parent company JSC "Latvijas Gāze".) The reorganisation was determined to be a transaction among entities under common control and was recorded based on predecessor values. As a result, on the reorganisation date, the assets and liabilities with resulting entries in equity were transferred to the opening balance sheet of subsidiary based on their predecessor amounts in the books of JSC "Latvijas Gāze". The reorganisation as such did not impact the consolidated financial statements following an establishment of Group as consolidated financial statements continued to report the natural gas trading and distribution business in one consolidated entity.

Reorganisation and investment in subsidiary

In the separate financial statements of the parent company, investment in subsidiary's capital is accounted at cost less any impairment loss. The cost of investment was determined with the reference to the carrying amount in the predecessor's (i.e., JSC "Latvijas Gāze") books of assets and liabilities that were transferred to subsidiary AS "Gaso" as a result of reorganisation.

Reorganisation was determined to be a transaction between entities under common control and accounted for at predecessor values based on the following:

In the course of the reorganization process, JSC "Latvijas Gāze" acquired ownership of 100% of JSC "Gaso" shares in exchange for the net assets transferred to JSC "Gaso", thereby acquiring non-monetary assets (shares) in exchange for a combination of non-monetary and monetary assets and liabilities (i.e., JSC "Gaso" transferable assets according to the asset allocation act).

  • The assets and liabilities of the new group immediately after the reorganization were the same as assets and liabilities of JSC "Latvijas Gāze" immediately before the reorganization;
  • The absolute and relative participation of JSC "Latvijas Gāze" shareholders in the net assets of the newly created group immediately after the reorganization was the same as their share in the net assets of JSC "Latvijas Gāze" immediately before the reorganization.

Dividends from the subsidiary are recognised in the separate financial statements of the Company when the right to receive the dividend is established. The dividend is recognised in the profit or loss statement.

As a result of this reorganisation the Company and the Group recognised a reorganisation reserve which arose as a result of a difference between the net assets received and transferred within reorganisation process. This reserve may not be used for distribution and can only be offset if there is a future reorganisation between entities under common control resulting in a negative difference.

If there is objective evidence that the carrying amount of the investment in the subsidiary exceeds its recoverable amount, the impairment loss is calculated as the difference between these two amounts and recognised immediately in profit or loss. The recoverable amount of investment is the higher of its fair value less costs of disposal and it value in use. Value in use is the present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from the investment in subsidiary. Impairment loss for the with regard to investment in subsidiary is reversed if the recoverable amount of investment has increased above the previously estimated recoverable amount used in measuring the recognised impairment loss, but reversal should not exceed the initial cost of investment.

Segment reporting

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decisionmaker of each legal entity in the Group (i.e., the parent entity and subsidiary). Although the internal reporting formats are similar for both entities, there is no single chief operating decision-maker for the whole group, given the legal requirements regarding operational independence of natural gas distribution operator from its vertically integrated parent company – the largest natural gas trading operator in Latvia. Management Board and Supervisory Board of each entity are regarded as chief operating decision-makers who are responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of each segment.

Share capital and dividend authorised

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. No preference shares have been issued. Incremental external costs directly attributable to the issues of new shares are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds. Dividend distribution to the Group's parent company's shareholders is recognized as a liability in the Company's and Group's financial statements in the period in which the dividends are approved by the shareholders.

Trade and other payables

These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Company and the Group prior to the end of the reporting period which are unpaid. The amounts are unsecured and usually paid within 30 days of recognition with an exception of personnel related accruals where the payment terms might be up to 12 months. If the payment is not due within 12 months after the reporting period, such payables are presented as non-current. Trade and other payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Borrowings and borrowing costs

Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Fees paid for establishment of loan facilities are recognised as transaction costs of the loan to the extent that it is probable that some or all of the facility will be drawn down. Borrowings are removed from the balance sheet when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expired. Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Company and the Group have an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period.

General and specific borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of a qualifying asset are capitalised during the period of time that is required to complete and prepare the asset for its intended use or sale. Qualifying assets are assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use or sale. All other borrowing costs are recognised in the profit or loss statement in the period in which they are incurred. Other borrowing costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Company or the Group have a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and the amount can be reliably estimated. Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses.

Provisions are measured at the present value according to the management's best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the end of the reporting period.

Employee benefits

Wages, salaries and bonus plans

Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits, annual leave and bonuses that are expected to be settled wholly within 12 months after the end of the period in which the employees render the related service are recognised in respect of employees' services up to the end of the reporting period and are measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled. The Company and the Group recognise a liability and expense for bonuses based on a formula that takes into consideration the profit attributable to the Company's shareholders after certain adjustments. The Company and the Group recognise liability where contractually obliged or where there is a past practice that has created a constructive obligation. The liabilities are presented as current employee benefit obligations in the balance sheet.

Social security and pension contributions

The Company and the Group pay social security contributions for state pension insurance to the state funded pension scheme in compliance with the Latvian legislation. The state funded pension scheme is a fixed-contribution pension plan whereby the Company and the Group have to make payments in an amount specified by law. The Company and the Group also pay contributions to an external fixed-contribution private pension plan. The Company and the Group do not incur legal or constructive obligations to pay further contributions if the state funded pension scheme or private pension plan is unable to meet its liabilities towards employees. The social security and pension contributions are recognised as an expense on an accrual basis and are included within staff costs.

Vacation pay accrual

The amount of accrual for unused annual leave is determined by multiplying the average daily wage of employees for the last six months of the reporting year by the amount of accrued but unused annual leave at the end of the reporting year.

Post-employment and other employee benefits

Under the Collective Agreement, the Company and the Group provide certain defined benefits upon termination of employment and over the rest of life to employees whose employment conditions meet certain criteria. The amount of benefit liability is calculated annually based on the current salary level and the number of employees who are entitled or may become entitled to receive those payments, as well as based on actuarial assumptions, using the projected unit credit method.

The present value of the benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using the market rates on government bonds.

The net interest cost is calculated by applying the discount rate to the net balance of the defined benefit obligation. This cost is included in employee benefit expense in the statement of profit or loss.

Re-measurement gains and losses arisen from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are recognised in other comprehensive income in the period in which they occur within separate reserve "Employee benefits revaluation reserve". They are included in retained earnings in the statement of changes in equity and in the balance sheet.

Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation resulting from plan amendments or curtailments are recognised immediately in profit or loss as past service costs.

Income tax

On July 28, 2017 there was a new Corporate Income Tax Law adopted whereby from January 1, 2018 onwards profit generated after 2017 shall be taxed when being distributed. The new law no longer contains provisions that cause temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in financial accounting and their tax base, hence no deferred income tax assets or liabilities arise in the individual company level.

Starting from the taxation year 2018, the corporate income tax is calculated for distributed profits (20/80 from the net amount payable to shareholders). The tax on the distributed profit will be recognised when the Company's shareholders decide upon distribution. For this reason, there is no current corporate tax charge in the Company's or Groups statement of profit or loss for the year ended 30 June 2019. Corporate income tax is also paid on conditionally distributed profits (non-business related disbursements, entertainment and donation costs exceeding certain criteria and similar). Such tax is not regarded as income tax in the context of IAS 12 as it is calculated on the gross rather than net amounts, and recognised in the statement of profit or loss as other operating cost.

Given the changes in the tax law as explained above, the Company and Group de-recognised in the year ended 31 December 2017 deferred tax liabilities carried forward from 2016, in the profit or loss or other comprehensive income or directly in equity, as appropriate, depending upon whether they related to the items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity or not.

The Group recognises deferred tax liability for taxable temporary differences associated with investment in subsidiary (arising from existence of untaxed retained earnings arisen after 1 January 2018 in subsidiary) except to the extent that it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future, i.e., the untaxed retained earnings will not be distributed from subsidiary to the parent company in foreseeable future. In the reporting periods ended 30 June 2019 and 31 December 2018 the management of the Group did not recognise the deferred tax liability in the consolidated financial statement related to the above, after exercising significant judgement which has been described in Note Critical accounting estimates and judgements.

Related parties

Related parties are defined as the Company's shareholders with a significant influence and the entities where these shareholders have control or joint control, as well as members of the Council and the Board of the Company or its subsidiary, their close relatives and entities in which they have a significant influence or control.

Correction of prior period error

In 2018, an error in the Company's statement of cash flows reported in the financial statements for the period ended 30 June 2018 was discovered related to the presentation of the cash transferred to the subsidiary during the reorganisation, which was originally reported in in financial statements for the period ended 30 June 2018 as change in accounts payable. In fact, this cash outflow of EUR 5 458 thousand should have been reported within cash flows from investing activities whereas change in accounts payable within cash flows from operating activities should be increased by EUR 5 458 thousand. In the Company's financial statements for the period ended 30 June 2019, the comparative statement of cash flows for the period ended 30 June 2018 was restated to correct the error as described above. As a result of restatement, the amount of net cash inflow from operating activities increased by EUR 5 458 thousand and the amount of net cash outflow from investing activities increased by EUR 5 458 thousand accordingly.

15. Subsequent events

In July 2019 the Company paid out dividends in amount of 21 945 thousand EUR.

Since 30 June 2019 up to the signing of these financial statements there have been no events with effect on the financial position or financial results of the Company and the Group as at the balance sheet date.

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