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ABC arbitrage

Annual Report May 5, 2021

1060_10-k_2021-05-05_9ae93175-3140-4434-b248-d066f4f9b824.pdf

Annual Report

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ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT Year 2020

18, rue du Quatre Septembre 75002 Paris – France Email: [email protected] Website : www.abc-arbitrage.com

ABC arbitrage Group

ABC arbitrage
Contents
Management report > 3
Consolidated financial statements > 39
Statutory auditor's report on financial statements > 63
Corporate social responsibility report > 69

Disclaimer

This annual report and its constituent parts have been translated from the original French versions. For the purposes of interpretation, the French originals will take precedence over the English translation.

Société ABC arbitrage

Société anonyme au capital de 936,192.848 € Siège social : 18 rue du Quatre Septembre, 75002 Paris 400 343 182 RCS Paris

Tel. : 33 (0)1 53 00 55 00 Fax : 33 (0)1 53 00 55 01 Email : [email protected] Website : http://www.abc-arbitrage.com/

Management report

ABC arbitrage Group

1. Business review 5
2. Activity and statutory accounts 7
3. Research & Development activity 7
4. Subsidiaries and holdings 7
5. Human resources 8
6. Earnings allocation 10
7. Corporate governance 10
7.1. Corporate governance 10
7.2. Board membership 10
7.3. Board practices and procedures 14
7.4. Directors' fees and executive compensation 18
7.5. Table of Delegation of authority and powers to the Board of Directors 26
7.6. Other information 27
8. Internal control 28
8.1. Regulations 28
8.2. Internal control players 28
8.3. Risk assessment 29
8.4. Internal control organization 31
8.5. Preparation of financial and accounting information 32
9. Share performance and share buyback program 34
10. Statutory disclosures 34
11. Dividend policy 35
12. Other elements 35
12.1. Sponsorship 35
12.2. Payment periods 36
12.3. Sumptuary expenditures : Article 223 quater of the French General Tax Code 36
12.4. Post-balance sheet events 36
13. Outlook 37

ABC arbitrage Management Report

1. Business review

Key consolidated figures for 2020 are presented below:

In EUR million Dec. 31, 2020
IFRS
Dec. 31, 2019
IFRS
Change
Advisory revenues - na na
Investment Services Fees(1) 22.5 14.4 56.0%
Net gains at fair value through profit or loss 46.3 22.6 104.9%
Net revenues 68.8 37.0 85.9%
Payroll costs (25.9) (12.0) 116.1%
Occupancy costs (1.4) (1.3) 7.8%
Other expense (5.9) (5.5) 6.4%
Other taxes (0.1) (0.1) 42.6%
Total costs (33.4) (18.9) 76.1%
Income before tax 35.4 18.1 96.1%
Net income attributable to equity holders 35.1 18.3 91.4%

(1) Investment Services Fees relate to the services that the Group's management companies bill to Quartys Limited and ABCA Funds Ireland Plc.

IFRS net revenues amounted to €69 million and net income to €35.1 million at December 31, 2020, with a very significant increase of 91.4%.

Return on equity (ROE) in 2020 was 23.9%.

In EUR thousand Dec. 31, 2020
IFRS
Dec. 31, 2019
IFRS
Equity at January 1, 2020 139,902 146,291
Equity at December 31, 2020 154,031 139,902
Average equity 146,966 143,097
Return on equity 23.9% 12.8%
Gross return on equity 45.0% 24.9%

Return on equity = (net income / average (opening equity + closing equity)) x 100.

Gross return on equity = (proprietary trading revenues / average (opening equity + closing equity)) x 100.

Equity corresponds to shareholders' equity plus provisions adjusted for deferred taxes.

In an exceptional market environment (the benchmark volatility index (VIX) for 2020 stands at 29.3% vs. 15.4% for 2019), the Group has demonstrated its expertise and posted a revenue increase of nearly 86%.

The first half of 2020 was characterized by a more violent volatility shock in March than during the entire 2008 crisis. This shock, linked to the rise of the health crisis, was followed by more than 3 months of volatility and volumes above their levels of the last 5 years.

However, the markets were quickly calmed by the implementation of plans by world governments and the massive intervention of central banks.

These various interventions led to record valuations on North American indices at the end of the year, particularly on "Tech"

stocks. Although the global crisis has generated liquidity needs, these interventions have enabled many companies to avoid operations on their capital.

The listed M&A market (takeover's, public exchange offer's) was particularly affected by the shock of March, and it was not until the last quarter of 2020 that the market returned to a level close to that of 2019.

The overall situation remained febrile throughout the year, with violent market phenomena such as the November 2020 sector rotation following the global vaccination announcements and doubts about the capacity of states to face a persistent pandemic.

In this context, all of the Group's business units have seen their activity grow:

  • ABC arbitrage Asset Management SA and ABC arbitrage Asset Management Asia Pte Ltd continued to operate in line with the expectations and objectives set by the group and saw their management fees prosper in this favorable market environment for the quantitative models they develop and operate on behalf of their clients. Management and performance fees received by these two group entities are up +56% compared to 2019.
  • ABCA Funds Ireland Plc, an alternative investment fund, had assets of €289 million at December 31, 2020, compared with €261 million at December 31, 2019 :
    • The ABCA Opportunities sub-fund, designed to partially disconnect from volatility, performed slightly below expectations in first half 2020, without reaching the negative levels experienced by the markets.This underperformance was mainly generated by a significant drawdown on quantitative models exploiting M&A opportunities, which were strongly impacted by investors' search for liquidity. The pace of M&A announcements increased timidly in the second quarter, but remained at around 50% of a normal pace. In the second half of the year, although the overall performance of ABCA Opportunities was slightly positive in July and August, it failed to maintain its course in a very unfavorable market context. Its annual performance level is therefore below that of the previous year: -2.09% vs. +4.56%. The mutualization effect of the strategies helped to mitigate the obstacles presented by the market.
    • The ABCA Reversion sub-fund, which was built to exploit volatility, had a very good start to the year. With an average realized market volatility of 35% during the first half of the year, the overall performance of the fund has been in line with expectations. This was due in particular to high volatility in March 2020 (VIX reached 83 and averaged 56, and realized volatility averaged 84% for the month). During the second half of 2020, ABCA Reversion's performance was relatively in line with the high levels of volatility, particularly through October. However, the announcement of the Pfizer vaccine in November gave way to a strong decorrelation between the indices, a difficult context for the fund. This situation was confirmed in December with very low volatility between regions, which had the impact of weakening ABCA Reversion's performance levels at the end of 2020. ABCA Reversion nevertheless managed to achieve an annual performance significantly higher than that of 2019: +9.6% vs +0.5%.
  • Quartys Limited, a financial instruments trading company, was able to take advantage of these market parameters favorable to its business and closed its financial year with a net profit of €46 million compared to €22.4 million in the 2019 financial year (+105%).

Management fees include services provided by the Group's asset management companies.

Personnel expenses still represent the most significant cost, and are up 116.1%. This increase is due to the increase of the variable portion of compensation in this performance context. This correlation is structural in the Group's compensation system. The other explanatory factors are the implementation of a new compensation system as of January 2020 (review of fixed salary scales to remain competitive in the job market), as well as the increase in the average headcount (average headcount of 81 in 2020 versus 77 people in 2019).

The Group has a net return on equity which is significantly above its minimum threshold of 15%. It reaches nearly 24% compared to 13% in 2019.

Covid-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Following the economic disruption caused by this health crisis, the group took measures to ensure a viable Business Continuity Plan. As a result, all of the group's operations were maintained.

Alert levels have been developed internally, leading to the communication of successive recommendations, the implementation of additional hygiene measures, the tightening of the travel policy to limit risks as much as possible, and the strengthening of the technical set-up so that all employees can work from home under adequate conditions.

Given the seriousness of this global health crisis with as yet unknown consequences, the Group remains particularly attentive to future developments.

2. Activity and statutory accounts

ABC arbitrage key figures for 2020 are presented below1 :

In EUR thousand Dec. 31, 2020
IFRS
Dec. 31, 2019
IFRS
Change
Income 925 732 26.34%
Operating income (2,527) (2,666) -5.22%
Financial income 14,753 25,936 -43.12%
Extraordinary income and expense (51) - N/A
Net Income 11,682 23,217 -49.68%

The decrease in ABC arbitrage's profit for the year is mainly due to the decrease in its financial income, which in turn is mainly explained by the additional depreciation in the gross value of ABC arbitrage Asset Management's shares.

3. Research & Development activity

The Group has always invested in Research and Development (R&D). In view of the continuing development of the quantitative management industry, the Group decided to further strengthen this area when it implemented the 'ABC 2022' strategic plan presented in March 2020. This development involves recruitment and technological investments to enable the launch of new projects and the optimisation of existing strategies. The main objectives are to develop the Group's management capacity and build new strategies capable of performing better in sustained low-volatility scenarios generated by central bank interventions.

4. Subsidiaries and holdings

A list of subsidiaries and holdings can be found in note 3.4. to the parent company financial statements.

At December 31, 2020, ABC arbitrage is furthering its international expansion strategy to take into account the demands of its partner financial institutions as well as competition and regulatory requirements.

It is in a very singular market context (explained in paragraph 1. Business Review, which also provides useful information on ABC arbitrage's subsidiaries and holdings), that the Group demonstrated its resilience and its ability to adapt and react in order to maintain its strong pillars: capital protection and a significant performance offered to its clients.

ABC arbitrage has continued its role as the group's holding company. At the beginning of 2020, and in accordance with the strategic guidelines of the "ABC 2022" plan, it communicated new orientations and a new framework to all its subsidiaries, which remain autonomous in their actions and decisions.

ABC arbitrage has no secondary establishment in France or abroad.

The total assets of the ABCA Funds Ireland Plc amounted to €289 million at December 31, 2020, compared with €261 million at December 31, 2019. The Group maintains its ambition to develop a diversified range of investment funds and to increase its inflows. With this in mind, and on the strength of all the research and development work carried out by ABC arbitrage Asset Management and ABC arbitrage Asset Management Asia Pte Ltd, the capacity of the sub-funds of ABCA Funds Ireland Plc has been increased to enable it to accommodate nearly one billion euros.

Quartys Limited, a financial instruments trading company, has continued to develop its business, diversifying its portfolio's exposure to financial instruments through allocation changes, reviews of risk parameters (particularly in a turbulent market environment where reaction and adaptation were crucial) and the implementation of new quantitative models. The year 2020 was a year with a very high pace of activity in a singular market context. The parameters - exogenous, atypical and favorable to the models selected by Quartys - offered by the markets during the first half of 2020 enabled the company to establish a record half-yearly result of 33 million euros. The second half of the year saw a more usual pace of activity. All this translates into a 105% increase in earnings year-on-year and a Return On Equity of 33% versus 17% in 2019.

1 Cf. French version on ABC arbitrage website.

ABC arbitrage Asset Management Asia Pte Ltd, an asset manager declared as a Registered Fund Management Company (RFMC) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), continued to develop the Group's business in Asian markets. Its revenue increased by more than 50% in 2020, from 719 K€ to 1,090 K€. Due to the investments essential to the ramp-up of its activity, its result shows a deficit of €572 thousand as of December 31, 2020, versus a loss of €738 thousand in 2019. Its contribution to the group is in line with initial expectations, and the structuring efforts currently being made offer good prospects.

ABC arbitrage Asset Management, which is authorized by the French securities regulator (Autorité des Marchés Financiers – AMF), as a portfolio management company under Directive 2011/61/ EU, referred to as the AIFM since 22 July 2014, (updated and validated on the 6th December of 2017), is the Group's main investment management company, with expertise in alternative investment funds, discretionary management mandates, investment strategy advice and trading in financial instruments with qualified investors and professional clients.

On 23 July 2019, the company obtained approval to manage complex financial instruments (extension of approval) and obtained the market passport in France granted by the AMF on 17 September 2019; it also got authorization to market in Switzerland on 17 July 2019.

In 2020, the activity intensified strongly, and ABC arbitrage Asset Management's revenues increased from €14,147K to €21,732K, a significant rise of nearly 54%.

The management company also continued to invest significantly, especially in people, in order to systematically develop its know-how in equity derivatives, to maximize its ability to adapt to market conditions and to develop its sales force with a view to increasing the funds entrusted to it.

ABC arbitrage Asset Management incurred a loss of 7,379 thousand euros in 2020.

Clients' assets amounted €368 million at December 31, 2020.

5. Human resources

The Group employed an average of 81 people in 2020, compared with 77 in 2019.

In 2020, personnel expenses increased by almost 116%. Indeed, the group has been working on a new remuneration system, implemented since January 2020, in order to remain in line with the current competition. This work is in line with the logic of maintaining the recruitment of quality profiles (continuity of the Added Value program). At the same time, the average number of employees has increased by 5%, which has an impact on the evolution of the "fixed" part of the remuneration. In addition, the Group's results in 2020, which were up significantly in a market context with periods of high volatility, automatically led to an upward revision of the variable part of the remuneration of Group employees.

With a view to motivating our people over the long term and aligning their interests with those of our shareholders, management has developed various share-based incentive schemes to drive growth by retaining core skills while containing payroll and other fixed costs in a highly competitive environment.

As part of the Ambition 2016, Step Up 2019 and ABC 2022 plans, the Group carried out the following operations:

Share-based incentive programs:

Name of the
plan
Plan Acquisition
date
Acquisition
period
Number of
shares
Effective
acquisition date
for granted
shares
Number of
shares to be
granted
Number of
shares
definitely
granted
APE-3.1/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 2 68,500 2019 0 23,701
APE-3.2/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 3 68,500 2020 0 16,196
APE-3.3/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 4 68,500 2021 0 26,955*
APE-3.1/2018 Step-up 2019 15/06/2018 2 10,000 2020 0 4,523
APE-3.2/2018 Step-up 2019 15/06/2018 3 10,000 2021 0 6,839*
APE-3.3/2018 Step-up 2019 15/06/2018 4 10,000 2022 10,000 Pending
APE-3.1/2019 Step-up 2019 14/06/2019 2 30,000 2021 0 28,306*
APE-3.2/2019 Step-up 2019 14/06/2019 3 30,000 2022 30,000 Pending
APE-3.3/2019 Step-up 2019 14/06/2019 4 30,000 2023 30,000 Pending
APE-1.1/2020 ABC 2022 17/09/2020 2 40,000 2022 40,000 Pending
Total if
applicable
N/A N/A N/A 365,500 N/A 110,000 106,520

*Taking into account the condition of presence and the results achieved over the period, the number of shares that should be definitively allocated by the end of the first half of 2021.

Stock options subscription programs:

Name of the
plan
Plan Acquisition
date
Acquisition
Period
Number of
granted
options
Exercise
period start
date
Options
expired Date
Exercise
adjusted
price
Number of
options to be
granted
Number of
unexercised
options
04/2016 Ambition 2016 14/06/2016 2 373,000 2018 15-juin-2022 5.2354 0 290,137
05/2016 Ambition 2016 14/06/2016 3 313,000 2019 15-juin-2022 5.5658 0 178,350
06/2016 Ambition 2016 14/06/2016 4 313,000 2020 15-juin-2022 5.8962 0 153,606
SO-1.1/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 2 563,333 2018 30-juin-2022 5.2311 0 515,207
SO-1.2/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 3 563,333 2019 30-juin-2022 5.5744 0 395,451
SO-1.3/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 4 563,334 2020 30-juin-2022 5.9177 0 278,433
SO-2.1/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 2 276,000 2019 30-juin-2023 5.5744 0 134,089
SO-2.2/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 3 276,000 2020 30-juin-2023 5.9177 0 102,342
SO-2.3/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 4 276,000 2021 30-juin-2023 6.2609 0 171,655**
SO-1.1/2018 Step-up 2019 15/06/2018 2 155,000 2020 30-juin-2024 6.0926 0 47,270
SO-1.2/2018 Step-up 2019 15/06/2018 3 155,000 2021 30-juin-2025 6.3930 0 104,504**
SO-1.3/2018 Step-up 2019 15/06/2018 4 155,000 2022 30-juin-2026 6.7595 140 000 Pending
Total if
applicable
N/A N/A N/A 3,982,000 N/A N/A N/A 140 000 2,371,046

** Taking into account the condition of presence and the results achieved over the period, number of SARs that should be definitively allocated by the end of the first half of 2021 and thus become exercisable

Stock Appreciation Rights - SAR:

Name of the
plan
Plan Acquisition
date
Acquisition
Period
Number of
granted
units
Exercise
period start
date
Options
expired Date
Exercise
adjusted
price
Number of
units to be
granted
Maximum
number of
units to be
exercised
07/2016 Ambition 2016 22/09/2016 2 745,870 2018 22-sept.-2022 5.4089 0 65,460
08/2016 Ambition 2016 22/09/2016 3 745,870 2019 22-sept.-2022 5.7429 0 49,194
09/2016 Ambition 2016 22/09/2016 4 745,870 2020 22-sept.-2022 6.0770 0 41,223
SAR-4.1/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 2 167,000 2019 NA 5.6098 0 0
SAR-4.2/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 3 167,000 2020 NA 5.2262 0 0
SAR-4.3/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 4 167,000 2021 NA 5.2262 0 80,864***
Total if
applicable
N/A N/A N/A 2,738,610 N/A N/A N/A 0 236,741

*** Taking into account the condition of presence and the results achieved over the period, number of stock-options that should be definitively allocated by the end of the first half of 2021 and thus become exercisable

For all plans:

No shares will vest if net income is less than €12 million a year and they will vest progressively thereafter on a linear basis. In order that 100% of the capital products can be definitively granted, cumulated results must reach :

  • 55 million euros for a plan with a 2 years vesting period
  • 90 million euros for a plan with a 3 years vesting period
  • 125 million euros for a plan with a 4 years vesting period

For example, if net income is €20 million a year over the entire period, 51% shares will vest and if net income is €25 million a year over the entire period, 66% shares will vest.

The expense related to these plans is deferred over the vesting period. The corresponding amount recognised in equity is calculated on the basis of the overall plan value determined on the date of grant by the Board of Directors.

In accordance with IFRS 2, an expense of €240 thousand, calculated on the basis of the estimated probable number of shares under various plans, was recognised in respect of fiscal year 2020 (compared to €193 thousand at December 31, 2019). This expense is related both to the initiation of new programs and to the re-assessment of quantities expected to be granted given the programme's progression and the realized incomes.

The loss on share buybacks used amounted to €603 thousand (vs €1,841 thousand at December 31, 2019).

Since the company's incorporation in 1995, a total of 10,148,200 new shares, representing 17% of the capital, have been granted to employees in respect of equity instruments that have vested.

6. Earnings allocation

At December 31, 2020, ABC arbitrage's share capital was represented by 58,512,053 fully paid ordinary shares with a par value of €0.016 each; no change compared to December 31, 2019.

Net consolidated earnings per ordinary share amounted to €0.60 in 2020. Profit for 2020 totaled €0.22.

As a reminder, a year ago, the Executive management proposed to the Board of Directors to gradually introduce a quarterly distribution instead of the usual half-yearly distribution.

Following approval by the General Meeting on 12 June 2020, two distributions of 0.10 euro per share were made in October and December 2020.

Finally, subject to necessary approvals, the Board of Directors had also intended to make an interim dividend payment of €0.10 per share out of FY2020 income during the first half of April 2021 to complete the implementation of the quarterly distribution policy. The Board of Directors confirms this announcement and specifies that an interim dividend of 0.10 euro will be paid on April 13, 2021, with payment on April 15, 2021.

7. Corporate governance

7.1. Corporate governance

The underlying rules of the current governance system are based mainly on common sense and aim to strike an appropriate balance between implementing value added processes for improved security and maintaining the simplicity needed by an organization the size of the ABC arbitrage group.

The Board adopted MiddleNext's corporate governance code for small and midcaps as its reference code when it was published in December 2009. The MiddleNext code was updated in September 2016 and can be consulted on www.middlenext.com. It is approved by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) as a reference code.

ABC arbitrage is an active member of the MiddleNext association. The group shares the association's belief that each company should adapt best governance practices based on its ownership structure, size and legal form, in order for the governance system to be closely aligned with its corporate practices. Dominique CEOLIN, Chief Executive Officer has been appointed President of Middlenext on June 19th 2018. His term ended in June 2020, Dominique CEOLIN is still a member of the Board of Directors of Middlenext.

7.2. Board membership

The Board of Directors acts as a forum for exchanging the views and ideas of the management team that runs the company on a day-to-day basis, the main shareholders who make strategic choices as the company's owners, and external advisers who provide the benefit of their own experience and an objective, independent opinion.

This broad range of backgrounds and interests is considered to be the best way for the Board to work effectively and make the right decisions for the company and its various stakeholders.

As of December 31, 2020, the Board of Directors of ABC arbitrage had five members. A non-voting member of the Board of Directors participates on an ad hoc basis in certain sessions.

The percentage of capital owned as a collective shareholding by the employees being below 3%, there is no member elected by the employees. A representative of the works council is invited to all Board meetings with advisory capacity.

The following table lists the other directorships and offices held by the members of the Board:

Name Independent
administrator
?
Gende
r
Age
(G
M
dat
e)
Nationality Directorships and other offices Grou
p
Listed
comp
any
No 53 French Chief Executive Officer of ABCA AM N
Dominique
CEOLIN
(Chief
executive
M Member of the Board of ABCA AM Asia N
Chairman of the Board of Financière WDD N
officer) Member of the MEDEF commission on governance* N N
Member of the Board of Directors of MiddleNext (President until
June 2020)*
N
Member of the Board of ABCA AM Y N
David HOEY
(Deputy
CEO)
No M 51 Irish Member of the Board of ABCA Asia Y N
Member of the Board of ABCA Funds Ireland Plc N N
Belgian Aubépar Industries SE:
Director of Aubépar SE
N
Chairman of H24 aviation SAS N
Member of the board of Financière de Bailli SA N N
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Lehmann Aviation SAS
(represented by Xavier CHAUDERLOT)
N
AUBEPAR Member of Strategy Committee of Avel Robotics SAS
(represented by Xavier CHAUDERLOT)
N
INDUSTRIES
SE (Director
Xavier
No 57 Manager of SCI La Source du Roubertou N
CHAUDERL
OT is
Permanent
H Xavier CHAUDERLOT:
Chairman of Aubépar Industries S.E.
N
representativ
e of Aubépar
Director of Quartys Ltd N
Industries
SE)
Director of Financière de Bailli SA N
Manager of SCI Bessard Frères et Fils N
Manager of SCI LZ Observatoire N
Manager of SCI LZ Assas N
Manager of SCI LZ Raspail N N
Manager of SCI Immobilière Saint Opportune N N
Manager of SCI Immobilière Saint Anselme N N
F 56 French Managing director of Notus Technologies SAS N
Sabine
ROUX de
BEZIEUX
Director Member of the Supervisory Board of Banque Transatlantique N
Member of the Supervisory Board of Tarkett N Y
Marie-Ange
VERDICKT
Yes F 58 French Member of the Supervisory Board of Wavestone, Chairman of
the Audit Committee
Y
Member of the Supervisory Board of CapHorn Invest N
Member of the Supervisory Board of Interparfums, Chairman of
the Audit Committee
N Y
Member of the Board of Directors of Bonduelle SA N N
Muriel
VIDEMONT
Chief executive of Axa Services, in charge of Finance, risks and
compliance
N N
DELABORD
E (Board
member until
June 12,
2020)
Yes F 51 French Director of strategic projects of Axa Services Y
Member of the Executive Committee of Axa Services N N
Jean 58 French Chairman of Catella Valuation Advisors N N
François
DROUETS
Yes H Member of the steering committee of Catella France N N

ABCA : ABC arbitrage ABCA AM : ABC arbitrage Asset Management ABCA Asia : ABC arbitrage Asset Management Asia * Only for the Chairman and CEO of ABCA we also indicate the associative mandates to be transparent on the use of his time: Dominique CEOLIN was also Chairman of the Board of MiddleNext until July 2020

The directors have the experience and expertise required to fulfil their duties.

Dominique CEOLIN, Chairman, is a qualified actuary and holds an advanced degree in mathematics and information technology. In 1994, he joined ABN Amro Securities France where he took part in developing the Domestic Arbitrage business. In 1995, he used this experience to help found ABC arbitrage.

Aubépar Industries SE, the historic shareholder, represented by Xavier CHAUDERLOT, co-founder of the group, is still one of the main shareholders with 14%. Its representative on the Board combines in-depth knowledge of arbitrage operations with an objective view of the business.

The other members qualify as independent directors based on the definition of MiddleNext's corporate governance code.

Sabine ROUX DE BEZIEUX is a graduate of ESSEC business school and has a degree in accounting and financial studies (DECF). She started her career in CCF's investment banking division before spending 13 years at Arthur Andersen. From 2002 to 2012, she directed her own consulting service, Advanceo, before joining the Board of several listed companies and becoming CEO of Notus Technologies. She has been involved for more than ten years in Foundation, first with ARAOK which she co-created in 2005, and then by creating the association "Un Esprit de Famille", which gathers family foundations in France. She is also active in the associative sector, as treasurer of "United Way L'Alliance" and President of "Fondation de la Mer".

Marie-Ange VERDICKT is a graduate of the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce in Bordeaux (1984) and a member of the SFAF. After having gained experience as an auditor at Deloitte and as an analyst at Euronext, in 1998 she joined Financière de l'Echiquier, a portfolio management company where she was a mutual fund manager for 15 years. She has also developed Socially Responsible Investment practices during that time.

Muriel VIDEMONT DELABORDE (member of the Board of Directors until June 12, 2020) holds an engineering degree from ESPCI ParisTech and an MBA from the University of Toronto. After working for the Boston Consulting Group, where she rose to the position of Principal, in 2009 she became Head of Strategic Projects for the Life & Health Partnership Division at Allianz France, where she was appointed Head of Strategy and Strategic Project Steering in 2011 and has been Vice President Controlling & Financial Steering since 2013. In 2018 she joined the Axa Group as Executive Director of AXA Services.

Jean-François DROUETS is a graduate of HEC business school and has a post-graduate diploma (DESS) in conveyancing law and is a Chartered Surveyor. He is the chairman and founder of Catella Valuation Advisors, a real estate valuation and consulting firm owned by Swedish group Catella. He provides the group with the benefit of his broad business experience.

The Board exercised its right to invite any person of its choice to take part in Board meetings on a consultative basis or as a non-voting member, to provide additional insight. No non-voting member of the Board of Directors attended a meeting of the Board of Directors in 2020.

A representative of the Works Council, Antoine ROBILLARD, is invited to all Board meetings. Antoine ROBILLARD joined the group on April 1, 2016 and works as a stock exchange legal expert.

In accordance with the by-laws, each director owns at least one thousand shares of the company.

Application of the principle of equal representation of women and men :

Women account for 40% of Board members. Excluding the founding shareholder directors, women represent 67% of the Board (two in three members). By comparison, the average representation of women on company boards was about 45.7% for SBF 120 companies at 6 March 2020 (source: Ethics & Boards).

Independent directors:

The definition of independent director is the same as set out in recommendation 3 of the MiddleNext Code:

  • is not and has not been in the past five years an employee or executive officer of the company or a group company;
  • must not have a significant business relationship with the company or its group (client, supplier, competitor, banker, etc), and must not have been in such a situation within the last two years;
  • is not a major shareholder of the company and do not have a significant percentage of voting rights;
  • is not related by close family ties to an executive officer or major shareholder;
  • has not been an auditor of the company in the previous six years.

Term of office:

The choice of four-year terms is suited to the specific needs of the company, within the limits laid out by the law and in line with recommendation no.9 of the MiddleNext code.

Name Position Date of first term Date last
elected to the
Board
Term ends
Dominique CEOLIN Director October 10, 1997 June 14, 2019 AGM held to approve the 2022
financial statements
Chairman of the
Board
October 10, 1997 June 14, 2019 AGM held to approve the 2022
financial statements
Aubépar Industries SE
Represented by Xavier CHAUDERLOT
Director June 1, 2012 June 12, 2020 AGM held to approve the 2023
financial statements
Jean-François DROUETS Director April 11, 2006 June 14, 2019 AGM held to approve the 2022
financial statements
Sabine ROUX de BEZIEUX Director Mars 10, 2011 June 14, 2019 AGM held to approve the 2022
financial statements
Marie-Ange VERDICKT Director January 24, 2013 June 16, 2017 AGM held to approve the 2020
financial statements

AGM: Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

Conflicts of interest and code of conduct:

Dominique CEOLIN is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ABC arbitrage. The Board decided to combine the two roles after making sure that the principles of segregation of executive and supervisory functions would be upheld through sufficient counterweight to his powers and that the combined Chairman/Chief Executive role would not therefore pose a threat to the Group.

The Board asked the compliance officer, Gaëtan FOURNIER, to relate any unusual events or potential conflicts of interest. In 2020, no such events were brought to the Board's attention by the compliance officer, Chairman or any of the directors. The Charter of the Board explicitly requires all members of the Board to assess whether they are faced with a potential, perceived or actual conflict of interest both as soon as they take up their directorship and throughout their entire term of office, and, if they are, to disclose the situation at the next Board meeting. The director concerned must then abstain from voting on any matters involved with or affected by the conflict.

At the beginning of each Board meeting, the Board assesses the independence of its directors and identifies any potential conflict of interest areas. During this assessment, the directors are required to declare in writing that they are not aware of any conflict of interest that has not already been disclosed to the Board.

Compliance with codes of conduct and regulations is a key concern for Board members in accordance with recommendation 1 and 2 of MiddleNext's code, particularly in view of Directors' deontology and absence of conflict of interest.

This emphasis has been reinforced in view of the growing interest shown in this matter by investors in funds managed by ABC arbitrage Asset Management. In 2020, 81% of investors in number representing 52% of ABCA Funds Ireland share capital sent a due diligence questionnaire to the asset management company, which included questions about whether there had been any investigations or criminal, civil or administrative proceedings involving the company, an affiliated company or any of their key executives or employees over the past five years.

Appointment of directors:

The suitability of potential candidates for election to the Board of Directors is reviewed in a full Board meeting and several meetings are then arranged between the candidate or candidates and the independent directors, without the Chairman being present. Non-voting directors are then appointed by decision of all the members of the Board.

At annual general meetings, each director is proposed for election or re-election in a separate resolution, in accordance with recommendation 8 of MiddleNext's code, to allow shareholders to freely decide on the membership of the Board. The list of candidates for election or re-election to the Board has been posted on the Group's website, along with details of their experience and skills.

7.3. Board practices and procedures

Directors' Charter:

On December 7, 2010, the Board drew up a Directors' Charter setting out the Board's key practices and principles which are in line with recommendation N°7 of the MiddleNext code.

The Charter describes the Board's roles and powers, as well as certain specific rules to be adhered to by directors in addition to the relevant provisions of French law and the company's bylaws. This is a purely internal document and under no circumstances does it take precedence over French company law or any related regulations or the relevant provisions of the company's bylaws.

The Directors' Charter can be viewed on the company's website.

The Directors' Charter was updated on April 23, 2020. The changes made are in line with the new model of Charter of the board of directors published by Middlenext on April 18, 2020.

This latest update notably allowed the compliance with the Sapin 2 law of December 9, 2016 on the fight against corruption.

Board committees:

Recommendation 6 of the MiddleNext Code requires us to report to you on the special committees created by the Board, namely the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Strategy Committee. Members are designated on a case-by-case basis depending on the issues to be addressed. They meet at the request of executive management or any Board member.

⬜ Audit Committee

As a reminder, the Accounts Review Committee was redesignated as the Audit Committee by the Board of Directors on January 17, 2017.

The Audit Committee is composed of four Directors - until June 12, 2020 and the end of the mandate of Muriel VIDEMONT DELABORDE - (Aubépar Industries represented by Xavier CHAUDERLOT, Sabine ROUX DE BEZIEUX, Marie-Ange VERDICKT and Muriel VIDEMONT DELABORDE) including three Independent Directors within the meaning of MiddlexNext Code, being notified that the other Directors and the Executive Management are allowed to join the meetings.

The Board of Directors of January 17, 2017 appointed Muriel VIDEMONT DELABORDE, independent director, as Chairman of the Audit Committee. Post June 12, 2020, the presidency of the committee was entrusted to Marie-Ange VERDICKT. The duties and functioning of the audit committee were redefined in accordance with the recommendations of the MiddleNext code by the Board of Directors and are included in the Audit Committee charter signed in 2019. Without prejudice to the Board, the Audit Committee has three main missions :

  • firstly, monitoring issues relating to the preparation and control of accounting and financial information. The audit committee monitors the process for preparing financial information and, where appropriate, makes recommendations to ensure its integrity. It examines the Group's draft interim and annual consolidated financial statements, the annual financial statements of ABC arbitrage, as well as the presentation made by management
  • describing the Group's risk exposure and material off-balance sheet as well as the selected accounting options. - secondly, the audit committee ensures the existence and effectiveness of internal control systems, internal audit and the management of the most significant risks that the group may face in the course of its activities.
  • Following the strengthening of its missions on risk monitoring, it carries out at least once a year an overall review of the main risks to which the Group may be exposed.
  • thirdly, the Committee monitors the statutory audit of the Group's annual and half-yearly consolidated financial statements and the company's annual financial statements, ensures the independence of the Statutory Auditors and, more generally, monitors the performance of their assignment.

The members have both financial and accounting expertise and knowledge of the group's business sector. Their skills and backgrounds enable the Committee to fulfill its mission with the required experience.

The Audit Committee adopted a charter on December 3, 2019 in order to take into account the new missions assigned to it following the audit reform that came into force on June 17, 2016.

The Audit Committee met on March 19, 2020 to review the 2019 financial statements. It was composed of all Committee members. Gaëtan FOURNIER (Head of Finance and Internal control) and the others Directors who wished to join also attended. The Committee also met on September 17, 2020 to review the 2020 interim financial statements. All the members of the Audit Committee attended. Gaëtan FOURNIER also attended as the Secretary General. Lastly, the Audit Committee met on November 19, 2020 for a session focusing on the internal control system, a review of risk mapping and a study of the statutory auditors' audit plan for the closing of the 2020 financial statements.

The Audit Committee reported to the Board on the findings of the audit, it also explained to the Board how the statutory audit contributes to the integrity of financial reporting and what role it had played in this process.

This integrity was also verified by the following controls:

  • The Group does not entrust mission to the statutory auditors apart from certification of the accounts; The audit committee confirmed with the Group's finance department that they had submitted them every request different from accounts certification.
  • The Group has not renewed or appointed a new auditor.
  • The audit committee checked that the audit firms had indeed submitted their report to the audit committee before issuing their final report. The audit committee discussed with the auditors the key points of the audit and noted that there were no matters requiring particular attention in its internal control system or its accounting system.

During the year 2020, the Audit Committee strived to fulfil its mission to assist and inform the Board of Directors. After each meeting of the Audit Committee, it reported to the Board on its work and summaries and issued recommendations on specific points of attention. These recommendations were discussed within the Board.

In addition to its main tasks, the Audit Committee reported to the Board on :

  • The review of the draft of the Annual Financial Report ;
  • The review of the financial press releases prepared by the General Management ;
  • The review of the Corporate Governance Report ;
  • The monitoring of the main risk areas and the internal control system, in particular the updating of the risk mapping
  • ; ● Monitoring the independence of the statutory auditors and getting a written statement from them ;
  • The review of the audit approach proposed by the statutory auditors for discussion (fees, process, risks, hedging, etc.) ;
  • The review of anti-abuse market procedures and codes of conduct ;
  • The cash management monitoring.

The Committee's role, ahead of the Board meetings held to approve the financial statements, is to review a report of all significant events during the period and particularly key issues relating to the financial statements, whether raised internally or by the statutory auditors during their audit work.

At the two meetings held in 2020, in particular, the following points were discussed:

  • Overview of the Group's operating activities
    • Analysis of results in relation to the market environment
    • Current strategy
    • Analysis of important events concerning the Group's companies
    • Overview and analysis of business risks
    • Changes in the operating structure and relationships with the main counterparties
  • Accounting, regulatory and tax changes
  • Changes in headcount, compensation policy and monitoring of corporate actions
  • Ongoing pending litigation
  • ABC arbitrage share price
  • Distributable income

⬜ Compensation Committee

This committee's role is to prepare the Board's compensation-related decisions and, more generally, to review compensation policy issues. The aim is to diversify and optimize the group's compensation policy in order to attract, motivate and retain its executives and employees and thereby preserve and improve the group's performance.

The Strategy Committee is made up of all directors, who may consult external advisors with specialized knowledge of the matter at hand. The Strategy Committee meets as frequently as necessary to fulfil its remit.

During 2020, the Committee met once, on February 18 2020. These topics were also discussed at the November 19, 2020 Strategy Committee.

⬜ Strategy Committee

The Strategy Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors on the overall strategic direction of the Company and the Group, the business development strategy and any other important strategic issues examined by the Board. It also examines in detail any major investment, acquisition, divestment or disposal projects submitted for its review and makes recommendations to the Board as to whether the projects should be approved or rejected.

The Strategy Committee is made up of all directors, who may consult external advisors with specialized knowledge of the matter at hand. The Strategy Committee meets as frequently as necessary to fulfil its remit.

During 2020, the Committee met twice, on February 18 and November 18.

Board meetings:

The Board of Directors, on the basis of the work of the Strategy Committee, defines the overall strategy of the company and the group and oversees its implementation by executive management. More specifically, the Board plays an active role in the strategic development of subsidiaries of the Parent company. Except for those powers expressly vested in the shareholders in general meeting, the Board of Directors considers and decides on all matters related to the company's affairs, subject to compliance with the corporate purpose.

Board meetings are scheduled several months ahead to enable as many directors as possible to attend. Proposed changes to the timetable are first discussed with the directors in order to take into account directors' prior commitments whenever possible. In 2020, the attendance rate at Board meetings was 100%.

The Board reached a quorum for all of its meetings. After discussions, all decisions were made unanimously.

Board meetings are held at the head office. They may be called by any method, but in practice are usually called by email, fax or verbally. Prior to a meeting, directors receive an agenda and any available preparatory information, according to recommendation N°4 of the MiddleNext code in order for the Directors to collect all the information they need to duly perform their work. All directors are encouraged to take part in the discussions, based on full, synthetic and relevant information, with a focus on the core, mainly strategic, issues.

Minutes of each meeting are drawn up and held in a special register kept at the head office.

As required by article L. 823-17 of the French Commercial Code, the statutory auditors are invited to the meetings held to review the financial statements. They attended the meetings at which the Board reviewed and approved the 2019 annual and 2020 interim financial statements, as well as the Board of Directors' meeting of December 8, 2020 for the presentation of the audit plan for the approval of the 2020 accounts.

The Board of Directors met 7 times in 2020, thereby complying with recommendation 5 of the MiddleNext Code, on: March 19, April 23, June 12, September 17, October 27, December 8 and December 23.

Under the share buyback program authorized by the shareholders at their annual general meeting of June 12, 2020, the Chief Executive Officer may not commit the company to amounts in excess of €500,000 without the prior authorization of the Board of Directors. There are no other restrictions on the Chief Executive Officer's powers.

As required by the recommendations 19 of the MiddleNext Code, at its various meetings the Board of Directors discusses the key points for attention and focuses on any developments in this area. The Board also discusses the company's equal opportunity and equal pay policies annually.

Key decisions in 2020:

The Board of Directors reviewed and monitored progress in the company and the group's various projects. It also discussed the key points for attention set out in the MiddleNext corporate governance code that are relevant to the ABC arbitrage group.

The Board's main work in 2020 involved:

  • Review of the annual and interim financial statements;
  • Discussion and approval of financial information for earnings announcements;
  • Approval of management reports;
  • Taking into account reports from the Audit, Compensation and Strategy Committees;
  • Discussion of the Chairman's report on corporate governance and internal control procedures implemented by the company in 2020 ;
  • Review of related-party agreements;
  • Preparations for the Annual General Meeting on June 12, 2020;
  • Approval of the special report on the share and share-equivalent buyback programme ;
  • Approval of the report on the resolutions to be submitted to the Annual General Meeting ;
  • Approval of the report on stock options and performance share awards;
  • Approval of the delegations of authority and powers granted by the Annual General Meeting to the Board of Directors for share issues;
  • Decision to increase the capital of ABC arbitrage Asset Management Asia;
  • Implementation of the share buyback programme, block purchases and monitoring of the buyback account ;
  • Distribution of the final 2019 dividend ;
  • Vesting of performance shares and definition of new performance share plans;
  • Review of the action plan to promote gender equality in the workplace ;
  • Approval of the 2020 interim financial statements of the Group ;
  • Distribution of issue premiums in October 2020 ;
  • Distribution of issue premiums in December 2020 ;
  • Decision to introduce or not an additional employee profit-share for 2020 ;
  • Exceptional year-end bonus ;
  • Setting directors' fees and variable compensation of executive officers;
  • Evaluation of the work of the board of directors
  • Discussion of new internal rules of procedure for the board of directors ;
  • Examination of applications for the position of Board member.

Related-parties agreement:

In application of Article L. 225-39 of the French Commercial Code, the Board of March 19, 2020, adopted a charter that gives from the one hand to remind the regulatory and legal framework applicable to related-parties agreement, and on the other hand, to formalize the internal procedure of identification of related-parties agreement and evaluation of agreements concluded on normal terms.

This procedure shall apply prior to every conclusion of an agreement which could be qualified as a related-parties agreement and on the occasion of any modification, renewal or resiliation of an agreement, and which allow the identification of any agreement concluded on normal terms.

Board assessment:

In line with Recommendation 11 of the MiddleNext Code, a survey to assess the work of the Board of Directors was sent to the directors.

The results of this survey were used as a basis for the discussion held by the directors at the Board meeting of 27 October 2020 on the work of the Board, its committees and the preparation of its work. The Board of Directors thus identified areas for improvement for 2021.

7.4. Directors' fees and executive compensation

This report by the Board of Directors on the compensation policy for all corporate officers, including directors, for fiscal year 2020 will be submitted to shareholders for approval in accordance with Article L.225-37-2 of the French Commercial Code, now L.22-10-8 of the French Commercial Code.

The compensation of the Group's corporate officers is determined in accordance with the principles set out in the Middlenext Corporate Governance code updated in september 2016.

The elements of the compensation policy presented below are the subject of project resolutions submitted for the approval of the Shareholders' Meeting deliberating under the quorum and majority conditions required for Ordinary General Meetings. If the General Meeting does not approve these resolutions, the previous compensation policy, which was previously approved at the General Meeting of 12 June 2020, will continue to apply. The Board of Directors will have to submit for the approval of the next General Meeting a draft resolution presenting a revised compensation policy and indicating the manner in which the shareholders' vote was taken into account and, where applicable, the opinions expressed at the General Meeting.

Like the group' employees, executives are subject to the internal policy on the management of conflicts of interest, which includes instructions which employees must follow in order to identify, prevent and manage conflicts of interest.

At the beginning of each meeting, the Board reviews the situation of each of its members to ensure their independence and to identify potential areas of conflict of interest. At this occasion, each Director declares on his or her honour that he or she is not in a situation of conflict of interest that has not already been declared to the Board of Directors.

Compliance with codes of ethics and regulations is at the heart of the concerns of the members of the Board of Directors, in accordance with recommendations No. 1 and No. 2 of the MiddleNext Code, relating respectively to the ethics of Board members and the absence of conflicts of interest.

The compensation policy for executive managers is reviewed each year by the Board of Directors. In this context, the Compensation Committee presents its recommendations to the Board of Directors.

Compensation policy for corporate officers submitted to the ex ante vote of the shareholders pursuant to Article L.22-10-8 of the French Commercial Code, formerly L.225-37-2 of the French Commercial Code, at the General Meeting of 11 June 2021 :

The compensation policy respects the social interest and contributes to the company's business strategy and sustainability.

Compensation takes into account the conditions of employment and salary of employees within the company:

  • the compensation policy principles are applied in the same way for both executives and employees : fairly low fixed salary, a performance-related bonus, and performance stock options. The Board applies the seven principles listed by recommendation 13 of MiddleNext corporate governance code for the determination of executive compensation: completeness, balance, benchmark, consistency, readability, measurement and transparency.
  • following recommendation 18 of MiddleNext corporate governance's code, the Board takes due care that the executive managers are not allocated an unreasonable proportion of performance shares and performance stock options. Therefore, no beneficiary may be granted more than 15% of shares or options under a plan. The definitive allocation of shares is subject to performance conditions that reflect the Group's medium/long-term interest.

Compensation is largely dependent on the group's performance as measured by net income, thereby taking account of all expenses borne by the shareholders, including executive compensation. In addition, compensation is also determined as a function of each person's operational responsibilities.

Directors' fees:

- Fixed compensation of the Directors and the Chairman of the Board allocated by the General Meeting of Shareholders

In accordance with the law, the total amount of directors' compensation is set by the General Meeting. The individual amount of directors' remuneration is set by the Board of Directors on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee.

As a reminder, the Annual General Meeting of May 31, 2007 had decided to set at €60,000 the maximum overall amount of compensation to be allocated to the members of the Board of Directors for the 2007 financial year and subsequent financial years, until further decision, with the Board of Directors being required to vote annually on the individual allocation of these fees.

The Board of Directors recommends that the maximum aggregate amount of compensation to be paid to the members of the Board of Directors for fiscal year 2021 and subsequent years be set at €100,000.

The Board of Directors has decided to allocate a fixed amount to each kind of meeting. The payment of Directors' fees is based on the actual presence of the representative and takes into account his actual contribution to the work of the board, in accordance with recommendation N°10 of the MiddleNext code.

The Board decided to allocate a fixed sum for each type of meeting, based on attendance as follows (excluding separate fees for and specific technical or preparatory work):

  • €700 for each Board meeting attended;
  • €1,400 for each Board of Directors meeting attended approving the financial statements;
  • €700 for each shareholders' meeting attended;
  • €700 for active participation in the shareholders' meeting;
  • €2,100 for each audit committee meeting attended;
  • €700 for each compensation committee meeting attended;
  • €700 for other committee meetings or work sessions attended.

The final fees are set after discussion at a Board meeting as some directors may decide to waive all or part of their fees. For example, the founding directors have decided to limit their directors' fees to €2,000.

- Exceptional compensation

No director received any exceptional compensation for the financial year ended December 31, 2020.

- Absence of benefits

The Executive manager and the deputy CEO do not receive benefits.

General guidelines of ABC arbitrage Compensation

It is reminded that the principles of the remuneration policy are applied in the same way for both executives and employees ((see paragraph "Compensation policy for corporate officers submitted to the ex ante vote of the shareholders pursuant to Article L.225-37-2 of the French Commercial Code, now L.22-10-8 of the French Commercial Code, at the General Meeting of 11 June 2021" above).

The principles governing executive compensation were first established in the early 2000s and remain unchanged today. Compensation is largely dependent on the group's performance as measured by net income, thereby taking account of all expenses borne by the shareholders, including executive compensation. In addition, compensation is also determined as a function of each person's operational responsibilities.

Following recommendation 18 of MiddleNext corporate governance's code, the Board takes due care that the executive managers are not allocated an unreasonable proportion of performance shares and performance stock options. Thus, no beneficiary may be granted more than 15% of shares or options under a plan. The final allocation of shares is subject to performance conditions that reflect the group's medium and long-term interests.

Fixed compensation

Dominique CEOLIN and David HOEY, respectively Chief executive officer and deputy CEO, have resigned from their salaried positions on February 28, 2018. As of this date, there is no longer a combination of an employee and an executive function.

Therefore, all benefits as a salaried employee are not applicable. Corporate officer's fixed compensation reaches €228,000 per year for Dominique CEOLIN and €166,080 per year for David HOEY.

Variable compensation

The compensation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is based on the concept of a variable bonus rewarding performance.

The determination of variable compensation (including that resulting from company collective agreements) is decided by the Board of Directors on the basis of the closed and audited accounts.

The Board of Directors recommends that variable compensation be indexed to the Group's consolidated net income ("CGNI") calculated as follows:

  • If the CGNI is less than €15 million, no variable compensation, other than that resulting from the company's collective agreements, is determined;
  • If the GNI is between €15 million and €22 million: a variable compensation is calculated on a linear basis so that the sum of the total compensation up to a GNI of €22 million is at most €374,000 for Dominique CEOLIN and €320,000 for David HOEY; and
  • If the GNI exceeds €22 million: 3% of the GNI exceeding €22 million for Dominique CEOLIN and for David HOEY.

Compensation is based on a number of both objective (quantitative) and subjective (qualitative) criteria, including the Group's performance, risk-reward profile, quality of management (staff turnover, etc.) and more generally any initiative designed to consolidate the Group's long-term development, and therefore in particular the achievement of the strategic objectives of the ABC 2022 business plan.

Termination benefits

The aim of the contracts signed with the executive officers is to enable a complete or partial change of management to take place without threatening the company's stability. The Board of Directors is careful to ensure that any divergence of opinion with an executive officer will not prevent it from reorganizing the company's management on a basis determined beforehand when both parties shared the same view of the company's interests and their relationship was harmonious.

Executive officers are not entitled to termination benefits (recommendation 16 of MiddleNext corporate governance's code).

However, as of 2008, the Board decided to add a further bonus called "Removal bonus" equal to 0.25% of consolidated net income for the CEO2 . Paying a percentage of each year's income to executive officers in the form of a bonus means that the officers are directly rewarded for their contribution to results and their long-term commitment.

This special bonus is designed to compensate the executive officer in advance for any future loss of office and, in part, for his non compete clause.

In exchange, the executive officer expressly agrees not to claim any benefit upon termination, whatever the cause, except where blatantly unjustified.

Executive Directors' compensation approval

The General Meeting, Article L.22-10-34 of the French Commercial Code, reviewed and approved the fixed, variable and exceptional compensation granted for the financial year just ended and every benefit of any nature to Dominique CEOLIN, Chief Executive Officer.

In application of "Sapin II" regulation, of "PACTE" law and the decree of 27 November 2019, variable and exceptional compensations of the directors are submitted to earlier audit and ex post verification.

Non-compete clause and compensatory indemnity

Dominique CEOLIN (the executive manager) and David HOEY (the deputy CEO) are executive officers of several ABC arbitrage group companies, which give them access to expertise, confidential and strategic information and business partners in the arbitrage and alternative investment business. Should they leave the group for any reason, they may not become involved either personally or through an intermediary in developing or conducting any arbitrage or alternative investment activity or service for their own account or on behalf of third parties that might compete with those activities and services already conducted by an ABC arbitrage group company on the date of their departure.

ABC arbitrage 2020 Annual Financial Report - Page 20 of 80 2 And since the 2018 financial year, also the deputy CEO

The executive manager and the deputy CEO have also undertaken not to use the processes, methods and confidential information obtained during the performance of their duties to the detriment of any ABC arbitrage group company.

This non-compete clause will apply for a period of eighteen months after the departure from the ABC arbitrage group and covers all financial markets in which the group exploits arbitrage strategies on the date of their departure, including but not limited to Europe and North America. It also covers all portfolios and clients that the executive managers may manage now or in the future.

In exchange, upon the departure from the group the executive manager or deputy CEO will be irrevocably entitled to receive compensation in an amount equal to 40% of their average annual gross performance-related bonuses for the last 36 months in office, capped at a gross total of €150,000. This compensation will be in addition to the special bonus received during their term of office as referred to above.

It will be payable monthly in arrears over a period of eighteen months, provided that the company receives some form of evidence that the executive office has complied with their non-compete undertaking each quarter (French Pole Emploi certificate, payslip, employer's certificate, affidavit).

Pension commitments towards the executive managers

Following recommendation 17 of MiddleNext corporate governance's code, the executive manager is not covered by any company-funded defined contribution or defined benefit pension plans and the Board of Directors has clearly stated that it is opposed to any such benefits being provided.

Attendance fees

The annual general meeting sets the annual amount of attendance fees allowed to members of the Board of Directors.

The Board has decided to set a fixed amount to every type of meetings and to vote annually for individual attribution of individual attendance fees, based on the actual attendance and contribution of every director to the Board's activities, in accordance with recommendation 10 of MiddleNext corporate governance's code.

The CEO accepts each year to limit the payment of his attendance fees to 2,000 euros.

Absence of benefits

The Executive manager and the deputy CEO do not receive benefits.

Options and performance shares grant

The Executive manager and the deputy CEO are eligible for free shares and stock option plans offered by the company to benefit the Group's employees and directors. The free shares or stock options or subscription from which they benefit , are subject to performance criteria set by the Board of Directors.

For information the law no longer authorises to grant executive managers performance shares and stock-option which exceed 10% of custody regardless of the amount of debt, nor of capital products that would lead to exceed these 10%. The Chief executive Dominique CEOLIN cannot benefit from performance shares and/or stock option plans.

Share Appreciation Rights (SAR) performance related grant

The Executive manager and the deputy CEO are eligible for SAR performance related plans.

Statements of directors' transactions on ABC arbitrage shares

To ensure transparency and prevent insider trading, restrictions apply to directors when trading ABC arbitrage shares. From the first day of the accounting year until the day after the annual financial report is published, and from July 1st to the day after interim results are published, directors are required not to do any transactions on ABC arbitrage shares.

Directors' transactions involving the Company's securities must be reported to the Company and to the AMF for their websites. The reporting threshold is €20,000 by calendar year. It concerns equities, debt securities, derivative instruments, and financial instruments related to these securities. Reports have to be submitted to the AMF and ABC arbitrage in the 3 working days after the trade date.

In 2020, directors performed the following trades on the ABC arbitrage securities:

Name Purchases
(in €)
Sales
(in €)
Subscriptions
(in €)
Number of
ABCA Shares
held at Dec. 31
Dominique CEOLIN €22,725.72 €0.00 €0.00 2,494,269
Financière WDD* €0.00 €0.00 €0.00 6,668,695
David HOEY €22,725.72 €0.00 €0.00 3,215,237
Aubépar Industries €0.00 €0.00 €0.00 8,367,490
Jean-François DROUETS €0.00 €0.00 €0.00 10,549
Sabine ROUX DE BEZIEUX €0.00 €0.00 €0.00 1,000
Marie-Ange VERDICKT €0.00 €0.00 €0.00 18,000

* Holding 50.01%-owned by Dominique Ceolin

Elements of compensation paid during the financial year 2020 or allocated for the same financial year submitted to the ex post vote of the shareholders at the General Meeting of 11 June 2021

Pursuant to Article L.22-10-8 of the French Commercial Code, the total compensation of executive officers, as described below, is in accordance with the compensation policy adopted at the General Meeting of 12 June 2020.

Directors' fees

Directors' fees paid in 2020 by group companies amounted to €57,300 broken down as follows:

Name Position Directors' fees (€)
2020 2019
Dominique CEOLIN Chairman of ABCA 2,000 2,000
Aubépar Industries SE représentée par Xavier CHAUDERLOT Director of ABCA 13,300 10,500
Jean-François DROUETS Director of ABCA 9,100 6,300
Sabine ROUX de BÉZIEUX Director of ABCA 13,300 10,500
Marie-Ange VERDICKT Director of ABCA 14,700 8,400
Muriel VIDEMONT DELABORDE Director of ABCA 4,900 13,300
Jacques CHEVALIER Non-voting director
of ABCA
0 700

Executive compensation

- Dominique CEOLIN

In 2020, the compensation granted in euros to Dominique CEOLIN, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, compared to the two previous ones, in respect of his duties as a director or employee of ABC arbitrage companies, excluding directors' fees, breaks down as follows:

In EUR 2020 2019 2018
Gross salary (as employee) 0 0 36,800
Vacation pay and statutory bonus adjustments 0 0 36,619
Incentive plan 30,852 20,262 20,130
Profit-sharing plan 30,852 14,600 19,593
Fixed compensation (as director) 228,000 228,000 190,000
Termination without cause benefit 87,500 45,500 49,250
Gross variable bonuses 386,500 182,000 197,000
Other compensation paid as a Board member 4,000 4,000 4,000
Share-based compensation 9,998 9,401 154,719
Post-employment benefits 0 0 0
Benefits in kind 0 0 0
Total 777,702 503,763 708,111

- David HOEY

In 2020, the compensation granted in euros to David HOEY, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Company, in respect of his duties as a director or employee of ABC arbitrage companies, excluding directors' fees, breaks down as follows:

In EUR 2020 2019 2018
Gross salary (as employee) 0 0 26,545
Vacation pay and statutory bonus adjustments 0 0 18,987
Incentive plan 30,852 20,262 20,130
Profit-sharing plan 30,852 14,600 19,593
Fixed compensation (as director) 166,080 166,080 138,400
Termination without cause benefit 87,500 45,500 49,250
Gross variable bonuses 386,500 182,000 197,000
Other compensation paid as a Board member 2,000 2,000 2,000
Share-based compensation 3,002 66,090 154,719
Post-employment benefits 0 0 0
Benefits in kind (car) 0 0 0
Total 706,786 496,532 626,624

For these two executive officers, the compensation in euros paid for fiscal year 2020 is as follows:

In EUR Dominique CEOLIN David HOEY
Gross salary (as employee) 0 0
Vacation pay and statutory bonus adjustments 0 0
Incentive plan 2,028 2,028
Profit-sharing plan 14,600 14,600
Fixed compensation (as director) 228,000 166,080
Termination without cause benefit 25,500 25,500
Gross variable bonuses 102,000 102,000
Share-based compensation 9,998 3,002
Post-employment benefits 0 0
Benefits in kind (car) 0 0
Total 382,126 313,210

Compensation multiples and changes

In accordance with the provisions of Article L.225-37-3 of the French Commercial Code, the table below shows the change over five years in the ratio between the level of compensation of the Chairman and the Deputy Chief Executive Officer and the average and median compensation on a full-time equivalent basis of the employees of the Economic and Social Unit comprising the employees of ABC arbitrage and ABC arbitrage Asset Management, as well as the change in such compensation and performance criteria.

The employees concerned are those of the Economic and Social Unit, i.e. all employees in France who are continuously present over a financial year. Employee compensation includes fixed and variable compensation and bonuses, all paid during the financial year 2020. The same applies to the compensation of executive directors in order to standardize the criteria used to determine these ratios.

Year 31/12/2020 31/12/2019 31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2016
Equity Ratio / Average Compensation
Dominique CEOLIN
3.7 5.9 6.1 7.3 7.5
Equity Ratio / Median Compensation
Dominique CEOLIN
4.4 6.8 6.9 8.7 9.7
Equity Ratio / Average Compensation
David HOEY
3.0 5.1 5.1 7.2 7.3
Equity Ratio / Median Compensation
David HOEY
3.7 5.8 5.7 8.7 9.5
Change in average salary(1) 19.97% 9.87% -3.65% -7.11% 22.30%
Change in median salary(1) 13.62% 8.53% 2.96% 0.43% 4.18%
Consolidated revenue organic growth (1) 85.18% -7.66% 4.17% -27.85% 11.90%

(1) Evolution observed in year N compared to year N-1.

7.5. Table of Delegation of authority and powers to the Board of Directors3

General
Meeting Da
tegé
Nature of delegation Modalities and limits End of
delegation
Date, terms and
conditions of use
by the Board of
Directors
15/06/2018 Delegation of authority granted to the
Board of Directors to issue ordinary shares
and/or other securities that give access to
the share capital with cancellation of
shareholders' preferential subscription right
to the benefit of Société Générale
(resolution n°16)
The par value of the capital increases likely to be performed shall
not exceed an amount of €92,800. The Board of Directors will
determine the unit subscription price for new ordinary shares to
be issued upon the exercise of the warrants , greater or equal to
the volume-weighted average price of Ordinary Shares observed
traded, during the trading day immediately preceding their issue,
with a maximum 8% discount.
15/08/202
0
Unused
12/06/2020 Authorisation to grant options to subscribe
for or purchase ordinary shares to
employees and managers of the company
or group companies (resolution no. 10)
The subscription or purchase price of the shares shall be
between 95% and 140% of the average closing price of the
share during the 20 trading sessions preceding the granting of
each plan. The general meeting expressly waives, in favour of
the beneficiaries of the options, the preferential subscription right
to the shares that will be issued upon exercise of the options.
The total number of options granted may not give the right to
subscribe to or purchase a number of shares exceeding 11
million shares.
12/08/202
3
Unused
12/06/2020 Authorisation to cancel shares and any
other securities giving access to the capital
(Resolution n° 11)
The Board of Directors is authorised to cancel, at its sole
discretion, on one or more occasions, within the limit of 10% of
the share capital calculated on the date of the cancellation
decision by 24-month periods, the shares that the Company
holds or may hold, and to reduce the share capital accordingly
in accordance with the legal and regulatory provisions in force
12/08/202
2
Unused
12/06/2020 Delegation of authority granted to the
Board of Directors to issue shares or any
securities giving access to the share
capital, while maintaining the shareholders'
preferential subscription rights. (Resolution
n° 12)
The total amount of the capital increases that may be carried out
may not exceed EUR 250,000 in nominal value, without
prejudice to any adjustment made. The shareholders shall have
a preferential subscription right to the securities to be issued
pursuant to the delegation.
12/08/202
2
Unused
12/06/2020 Delegation of authority granted to the
Board of Directors for the purpose of
issuing shares and/or securities giving
access
to
the
share
capital,
with
cancellation
of
the
shareholders'
preferential subscription right, by means of
an offer referred to in II of Article L. 411-2
of the Monetary and Financial Code
(resolution no. 13)
The total amount of share capital increases that may be carried
out may not exceed 20% of the share capital per year. The Board
of Directors shall determine the issue price of the shares and
securities issued, which shall be equal to the weighted average
of the prices of the last three stock exchange sessions preceding
its determination, less, where applicable, a maximum discount
of 5%.
12/08/202
2
Unused
12/06/2020 Authorisation given to the Board of
Directors to allocate free of charge existing
or future ordinary shares of the Company
known as performance shares in favour of
employees
and/or
executive
officers
(resolution n°14)
The total number of free shares distributed may not exceed
3,000,000, including shares already allocated under previous
authorisations, and may not represent more than 10% of the
company's capital on the date of the Board of Directors' decision.
This percentage may not represent more than 30% of the capital
when the allocation of performance shares benefits all the
company's employees.
12/08/202
3
Used :
- 40,000 shares
conditionally
allocated on
17/09/2020
12/06/2020 Capital increase by capitalisation of all or
part of the reserves, by capitalisation of
profits and/or premiums linked to the
capital (resolution no. 17)
The Board of Directors shall determine all the characteristics,
take all measures and carry out all useful formalities. The
maximum nominal amount of the capital increases that may be
carried out is set at 250,000 euros.
12/08/202
2
Unused
12/06/2020 Delegation of authority granted to the
Board of Directors for the purpose of
issuing shares and/or securities giving
access to the capital reserved for the
group's employees and corporate officers
(resolution no. 18).
The Board of Directors shall determine all the terms and
conditions of the operation(s) to be carried out, in particular the
subscription price of the new shares.
The total amount of the share capital increases may not exceed
a nominal amount of 40,000 euros without prejudice to any
adjustment made in accordance with Articles L. 228-98 and L.
228-99 of the Commercial Code.
12/08/202
2
Unused

The General Meeting of June 12, 2020 decided to set at 300,000 euros the overall nominal ceiling for capital increases that may be carried out by virtue of the delegations granted to the Board of Directors in the 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th resolutions voted at the said General Meeting.

ABC arbitrage 2020 Annual Financial Report - Page 26 of 80 3 According to the article L225-37-4 3° of the French Monetary and Financial code

7.6. Other information

Attendance at general meetings of shareholders:

All shareholders are entitled to attend general meetings on the basis set out by law and the regulations, regardless of the number of shares held.

In accordance with Article L.225-106 of the French Commercial Code and Article L.22-10-39 of the French Commercial Code, shareholders who are unable to attend the general meeting in person may:

  • Give proxy to any legal entity or natural person of their choice including the chairman of the general meeting; or
  • Sign and return the proxy form to the company without naming the proxy; or
  • Vote by post.

The proxy documents provided for in articles R.225-81 and R.225-83 of the French Commercial Code (including the annual financial statements and a presentation of the proposed resolutions) can be obtained by writing to the company's head office in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.

The documents to be presented during the meeting (as referred to in article R.225-73-1 of the French Commercial Code) are posted on the company's website (http://www.abc-arbitrage.com), at the latest on the 21st day preceding the meeting.

Shareholders may submit written questions to the Board of Directors. To be taken into account, the questions should be sent no later than the fourth day preceding the meeting, in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.

Shareholders who fulfil the relevant legal and regulatory requirements may ask for resolutions or items to be added to the agenda of the meeting. To be taken into account, any such requests should be sent no later than the twenty-fifth day preceding the meeting, in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.

Dominique CEOLIN, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, meets significant shareholders regularly during the year and not just at General Meetings, in order to create the basis for a productive dialog (recommendation 12 of the MiddleNext Code).

Succession plan

In accordance with the MiddleNext Code (recommendation 14), Dominique CEOLIN, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, presents details of the Company's succession plan to the Board of Directors once a year.

Related-parties agreement

No related-parties agreements were signed nor any agreement between a shareholder holding more than 10% of ABC arbitrage share capital and voting rights or a Director and any of its subsidiaries.

8. Internal control

The purpose of the internal control system implemented by the various group companies is to:

  • Ensure that management decisions, business operations and staff behaviour comply with the guidelines set by the company's corporate governance structures, the applicable laws and regulations, and the company's own values, standards and rules;
  • Prevent and control risks arising from the company's business operations and the risk of error or fraud;
  • Ensure that the accounting, financial and management information provided to the company's corporate governance structures gives a true and fair view of the company's operations and financial position;
  • To manage the identified risks.

More generally, the internal control system aims to provide shareholders and investors with reasonable assurance that the strategic objectives set by the Board in agreement with the shareholders will be met with an adequate level of security, control over risks and processes, and compliance with all applicable standards. Like any control system, it cannot provide absolute assurance that these risks will be totally eliminated.

8.1. Regulations

The ABC arbitrage group's internal control system is based on the following regulations and standards:

  • The regulations and standards applicable to French companies whose shares are traded on a regulated market, in particular the general regulations and internal control guidelines published by the AMF;
  • The regulations and standards applicable to French asset management companies, in particular the AMF's general regulations, the Code of Ethics issued by Association Française de Gestion (AFG) and the AIF Rulebook for alternative investment funds.

8.2. Internal control players

Control over the operating departments is exercised by the Finance & Internal Control and Market Risks units.

The boards have full power to request disclosure of the information they wish to obtain. Gaetan FOURNIER, Head of Compliance and Internal control (RCCI) and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dominique CEOLIN can be contacted for risk management and internal control related matters.

► Finance & Internal Control

Finance & Internal Control reports directly to executive management and to the Board of Directors of the asset management company for specific questions. The four-members unit is headed by Gaëtan FOURNIER.

It is responsible for drafting and updating documentation describing the resources required to ensure that internal controls are implemented on an efficient, effective and consistent basis. It also organizes and takes part in recurring and periodical controls.

Through regular meetings with each department, Finance & Internal Control checks that procedures describing the department's tasks in the operating process have been issued and are implemented. Given the size of the company, the reports and recommendations for improvement issued by Finance & Internal Control are discussed during informal meetings with the heads of the relevant departments and the management of group companies.

Finance & Internal Control is also responsible for financial control within the group. At each reporting date, it reviews and approves the manual or automatic accounting entries made by the operating departments.

Checks are performed through:

  • Examinations of accounting vouchers, on a comprehensive or test basis ;
    • Analytical reviews.

Its conclusions are set out in formal interim and annual reports that are reviewed by the statutory auditors.

► Market Risks

The three-member Market Risks unit reports directly to executive management, which in turn reports to the Board of Directors.

The unit is responsible for enforcing strict compliance with the group's investment rules. If this means unwinding all or part of a position, Market Risks has the power to call a meeting of the investment committee, which will define the action plan and timetable.

The unit performs day-to-day second-level controls, with the operating departments scheduling and performing first-level controls.

It ensures that positions are effectively hedged, that trading limits are adhered to, that the trading strategies devised by the market operators are reasonable in light of market intelligence and that potential loss calculations are accurate.

Daily control reports are sent directly to the operating teams and the Board of the asset management company, without going through the department head. A meeting between Market Risks and the heads of the operating departments is scheduled at least once every six weeks.

► Compliance Officer

The Compliance Officer is responsible for making sure that all industry codes of conduct and practice are strictly observed. These rules are designed to guarantee the quality and integrity of the service offering and to promote its development. In liaison with all people and departments involved, the Compliance Officer makes sure that the rules are implemented and performs controls.

8.3. Risk assessment

The internal control department establishes and monitors a risk map. This mapping details how all the group's services and infrastructure cover the identified risks.

The nature and extent of risks to which the Group is exposed through its dealings in financial instruments are described below.

The Group's trading exposures ("Trading Exposures") include equities or equity derivatives (such as warrants, "put warrants" and convertible bonds), derivative products such as futures, options and foreign exchange; and collective investment undertakings, the vast majority of which are traded on active markets, which may or may be not regulated, and are referred to collectively as "Financial Instruments". An ensemble of related Trading Exposures constitutes a quantitative model ("Quantitative Model").

A Quantitative Model is designed to take advantage of an unjustified price differential between two financial instruments. The Group qualifies as "unjustified" only those differentials that can be objectively measured by a mathematical or statistical process, without a guarantee of long-term convergence.

Trading Exposures in Financial Instruments may be held in custody, as a creditor or a debtor to a counterparty or in synthetic format (contracts for differences, swaps).

The Group is exposed to a variety of risks: market risks, credit and counterparty risks, liquidity risks, operational risks and other risks.

ABC arbitrage provides subsidiaries with a general risk-management framework that the subsidiaries' boards of directors adhere to when setting their own policy. The Group oversees the implementation and effectiveness of the controls carried out in its subsidiaries with the support of the executive managers and the control functions (market risk and internal control).

This is because the Group uses leverage as part of its financing agreements with counterparties, allowing it to take larger exposures than would be possible if it were acting alone.

Trading Exposures to Financial Instruments in isolation present a risk of loss of capital. The maximum loss of capital on long Trading Exposures to equities is limited to the fair value of those positions. The maximum loss of capital on long Trading Exposures to future contracts is limited to the notional contract value of those positions. The maximum loss on short Trading Exposures to futures contracts and equities is theoretically unlimited.

► Market risks

Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of Trading Exposures will fluctuate because of changes in market prices of Financial Instruments and include notably market price risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency risk.

Equity risk

Equity risk, or price risk, arises mainly due to uncertainty about the future prices of Financial Instruments held. It represents the potential loss that could be incurred by the Group as a result of potential movements in price on its exposures to Financial Instruments.

The risk is never related to an unfavourable movement in market prices, for example a stock market crash, but can arise from an unfavourable event related to one of the above operations. By definition, the risks on quantitative models are not interdependent. The Group hedges risks by spreading them across the greatest possible number of transactions, financial instrument types and geographic areas.

Interest rate risk

Interest rate fluctuations may have a positive or negative influence on the value of Financial Instruments.

In general, the Trading Positions are composed of approximately equal amounts of long Trading Positions and short Trading Positions and the risk is therefore not material. If a specific Trading Position carries a material interest rate risk, this risk is systematically hedged.

Currency risk

The Group may hold Trading Positions denominated in currencies other than the Group's functional currency. Exchange rate fluctuations against the functional currency may have a positive or negative influence on their value.

Currency risks are systematically hedged by buying or selling the currency (or an exposition to the currency). The only risk is of a secondary nature – that the profit (or loss) realized in a given currency may vary if it is not converted into the functional currency. The Group regularly converts profits (or losses) into the functional currency and its exposure to currency risk is therefore marginal.

► Operational risks

Operational risk is the risk of loss due to inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems.

This risk is managed upstream by ensuring that position taking is guided by written procedures and a rigorous internal control process. However, these procedures and controls cannot provide absolute assurance that operational losses will not occur and due care is taken at all times as this is a structural risk in the Group's business.

► Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group may not be able to generate sufficient cash resources to settle its obligations in full as they fall due, or can only do so on terms that are materially disadvantageous.

The Group's Trading Exposures consist almost exclusively of highly liquid Financial Instruments quoted on active markets and its obligations mainly comprise the necessity to provide Collateral to support the Group's Trading Positions. The volume of Trading Positions which the Group may enter into is contractually based on the assets transferred as Collateral.

The Group's actual Trading Positions, taking into account existing agreements with Counterparties, is constantly monitored to ensure that the Group benefits from considerable flexibility in conducting its business as well as substantial liquid reserves. In addition, given the highly liquid nature of the Trading Positions the Group can alleviate the need for Collateral by reducing the volume of Trading Positions.

► Credit and counterparty risk

This is the risk of a counterparty being unable to honor its contractual obligation to settle a transaction with the Group, due to deterioration in its financial position.

The ABC arbitrage Group deals solely with brokers/dealers ("Brokers") and credit institutions and investment companies ("Counterparties").

All of these parties are subject to specific controls by the regulatory authorities in the countries in which they operate to ensure their solvency.

The Group's trading activity mainly comprises financial instruments which are traded on active (if not regulated) markets which predominantly settle via a Central Clearing Party (CCP). The risk of default by Brokers for each and every market trade is therefore considered to be minimal, as the CCP serves to guarantee settlement, and the securities are not delivered until the Broker has made or received payment.

By unwinding transactions in financial instruments, a counterparty acts as depositary, creditor or debtor, or as counterparty to a synthetic product (CFDs, swaps) for the Group. In general the Group's business requirements permits that very little (if any) of its assets are held in Custody. A significant proportion of the assets of the Group transferred to Counterparties are either pledged as a first security interest or transferred as margin (collectively "Collateral") to support the Trading Positions. The Counterparty may re-use this Collateral for its own account but is required by contract to return the assets or equivalent assets upon first demand if it is no longer needed to support the Trading positions.

The risks related to the use of a Counterparty are:

  • ₋ interruption or discontinuation of services as the Counterparty has the right to amend or discontinue the services;
  • ₋ increased costs of maintenance of Trading Positions with the Counterparty;
  • ₋ failure by the Counterparty to return Collateral used due to market events;
  • ABC arbitrage 2020 Annual Financial Report Page 30 of 80 ₋ failure by the Counterparty to return sums due as a result of bankruptcy;

₋ incorrect valuation of Trading Positions held and Collateral transferred to the Counterparty.

The Group manages this counterparty risk through the use of industry standard master agreements, close monitoring of Counterparty credit ratings and diversification of its relationships to spread risk while weighing up the pricing benefits of concentration on larger-scale relationships.

► Other risks

Compliance risk (including legal risk)

Compliance risk is the risk of failure to identify and/or comply properly with the provisions governing the Group's business activities. Such failure can lead to malfunctions, financial loss or sanctions (legal, disciplinary, administrative, etc). An ongoing monitoring system is in place within the Group's legal and tax department.

Conflict of interest risk

Conflict of interest risk is the risk of being confronted with situations where the interests of a client or company may conflict with those of another client or with those of a Group company or a Group employee.

To prevent conflict of interest situations, the Group has implemented:

  • an internal conflicts of interest policy including guidance to be followed by employees in order to identify, prevent and manage conflicts of interest;

  • strict procedures and rules governing the handling of orders and primacy of the client interest. The Group's asset management companies comply strictly with financial market operating rules and are not permitted to do anything that might contravene the principle of fair and equal treatment of orders. More particularly, orders transmitted to the market are pre-allocated and time and date stamped.

Risks associated with climate change

In light of its business, ABC arbitrage has not identified any material financial risks associated with the effects of climate change.

The Group is nevertheless aware of its responsibilities and endeavors to adopt eco-friendly practices by taking environmental factors into consideration in routine decisions.

The Group's environmental policy is described in the third section of the annual financial report.

8.4. Internal control organization

In order to face with the previously identified risks, the ABC arbitrage Group's internal control system is based on:

Clear, easily accessible staff and line organization charts

The charts provide an overall description of the group's structure and ensure proper segregation of tasks.

Procedures describing the investment processes

Procedures are drafted by employees in different departments describing data flows, as well as the required documents, decisions, entries and controls. These procedures reflect the expertise of the asset management company in its core business.

Investment rules

Investment rules are defined by management in association with Market Risks for all new quantitative models. These rules ensure that everyone involved follows the same guidelines with regard to trading limits, maximum potential losses, leverage, etc.

Regular controls are performed to ensure that limits exist, are regularly reviewed and are strictly adhered to.

Bespoke information system

The information system is the cornerstone of the organization structure. Adapted to the specific requirements of the business, it is used to perform a large number of programmed controls and to produce daily management reports. A number of blocks can also be set in the system to limit operational errors in the work processes. The information system was developed and is maintained in-house by the asset management company's IT team.

Permanent audit trail

The entire production and operations chain is recorded and archived in the company's system to provide a full audit trail of all transactions.

Accountability of operations staff

Operating staff are responsible for first-level risk management and control to ensure that they are aware of and observe control and compliance rules as regards risk limits and existing standards.

Segregation of execution and control tasks

Preventing the risk of collusion or accidental error depends on segregating the main line functions. Transaction authorization, processing, recording and accounting functions are therefore clearly divided between the various operating departments. Where a particular function cannot be fully segregated due to the group's small size, controls are reported directly to the Board or executive management and decisions are taken on a consensus basis.

Restricted delegated authorities

Only the Chief Executive Officer has the power to represent ABC arbitrage. There is a general delegation of authority in his absence and a special delegation of authority from the Chief Executive Officer to a head of department on a needs only basis.

Codes of conduct

It is assumed that all employees may possess sensitive information or may be faced with a conflict of interest. The code of conduct is specifically designed to reduce the risk of such information being used or the conflict of interest arising.

The code of conduct includes specific rules concerning:

  • Use of confidential, inside or sensitive information;

  • Blackout periods for dealing in the company shares, imposed by ABC arbitrage's management throughout the life of the company to avoid any arguments or the exercise of personal judgement on share dealing during sensitive periods (e.g. before the results are published).

The group always makes sure that it has sufficient available cash to cope with very difficult market conditions. It has never experienced any financing or credit difficulties.

The group is based in premises that meet its trading room needs and encourage a seamless information flow.

8.5. Preparation of financial and accounting information

ABC arbitrage prepares separate and consolidated financial statements each year. They are drawn up by Finance & Internal Control, reviewed by the Audit Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.

The ABC arbitrage group also publishes interim consolidated financial statements. The statutory auditors have always issued unqualified opinions on the financial statements of the company and the group.

Led by Finance & Internal Control, the accounting control organization is designed to ensure that ABC arbitrage's information system and associated databases comply with the regulations and, in particular, provide a continuous audit trail.

► Matching and freezing entries

A unique internally-developed "Transactions" module allows information about the type and specific features of each arbitrage transaction (direction, type and description of security traded, trade date, value date, quantity, price, fees and commissions, Broker's symbol, deposit account, etc.) to be stored at two levels.

The first level is used by market operators to input their transactions. The second level is used by post-market financial operators to validate the transactions based on the confirmation notes received from counterparties.

This module is a dynamic interface between front and back-office teams that also guarantees full segregation between the input and control tasks carried out by the two units.

For all information flows giving rise to an accounting entry, security mechanisms have been developed that prevent any possibility of editing or deleting an entry once it has been validated.

The security mechanisms apply to transaction data entered by the market operators, which cannot be edited once they have been validated by the financial operators (i.e. they match the confirmation notes received from the Brokers).

Similarly, settlement and delivery information and the associated accounting entries cannot be edited, once confirmed and matched against the counterparty's confirmation notes.

All provisional entries are fixed after accounting validation as of a "freeze date".

Lastly, central ledgers are entered monthly in an accounting application approved by the tax authorities and used for the annual closing procedure no later than the end of the following period. The closing procedure is applied to all movements booked in the accounts.

Entries related to non-operating activities are input directly in the accounting application.

► Creating and editing an account profile

Only two designated people are authorized to edit (or create) account profiles, one a user and the other an IT team member. They ensure that the account details (number, label, etc.) are accurate and reliable.

► Accounting input templates

For automatic accounting entries, debit and credit input templates are pre-completed. The financial operator's validation of the transaction type and designated counterparty generates an accounting flow. These flows cannot be edited downstream because this type of transaction cannot be input manually. Flows are therefore automatically subject to the various desk checks performed by the various operating departments.

For manual entries, which may only be recorded for certain specific transaction types, there are also pre-set debit and credit input templates to guide the operator and limit the available options.

In addition, Finance & Internal Control reviews the accounting treatment of any proposed new or complex transaction and, if necessary, has it validated by the statutory auditors ahead of their audit work.

► Limitation of menu lists

All application screens offer the operators pre-set menu lists. These lists are restrictive and help speed up data input, avoid many material errors and prevent data inconsistency. The menu lists are updated dynamically for all users once approved by two responsible persons.

The main data menu lists concern currencies, securities, choice of accounts proposed depending on the counterparty (clients, brokers, Prime Brokers, etc.) and accounts having an impact on P&L depending on transaction type.

► Second level controls performed by Finance & Internal Control

Daily recurring controls are performed by the middle and back offices to check that transactions generated by the management systems have been properly uploaded to the accounting systems.

As mentioned earlier, Finance & Internal Control is responsible for performing second-level controls. This involves validating on a test basis entries booked manually or automatically in the information system by the operating department. Performed at each accounting close prior to the statutory auditors' audit procedures, the control procedures include reconciliations to external vouchers and consistency tests.

The unit reports formally on its control activity and makes sure that the financial statements accurately reflect the accounting entries.

The current internal control system is designed to support the group's harmonious, profitable growth. It therefore focuses on preventing and controlling risks arising from business activities and, in particular, ensuring that accounting records and the financial statements are reliable and give the shareholders a true and fair view of the company and group. Management will continue its efforts to improve and upgrade the internal control system whilst bearing in mind that the system cannot provide absolute assurance and that the utmost care must always be taken in this area.

9. Share performance and share buyback program

At December 31, 2020, issued capital amounted to €936,192.848 divided into 58,512,053 ordinary shares. Average daily trading volume came to more than 43,600 shares, representing almost €292 thousand a day in value.

ABC arbitrage shares closed the year 2020 at €7.26. The par value of the shares is €0.016.

The General Meeting of June 12, 2020 had set the maximum purchase price at 12 euros per share, subject to adjustments to take account of the impact of transactions affecting the capital.

The number of shares acquired by the company may not exceed 10% of its share capital, adjusted for any capital transactions prior to the June 12, 2020 meeting. The total amount that the company may spend on the purchase of its own shares under the program authorized at the meeting may not exceed 20 million euros. In addition, the Board of Directors' authorisation is required for share buyback transactions representing over €500,000.

Reason for the buybacks Number of
shares
purchased
Average
price
in EUR
% capital Number of
shares sold
Average
price
in EUR
% capital
For market making 162,301 6.46 0.28% 166,867 6.41 0.29%
For employee share offers carried out in 2020 - - - 220,610 - 0.38%
For future employee share offers - - - - - -
For cancellation - - - - - -
For allocation on exercise of
rights to shares
- - - - - -
For external growth transactions - - - - - -
For the payment of stock
dividends
- - - - - -
Other - - - - - -

From the shares held at December 31, 2019 (179,960 shares), 92,299 were allocated under performance share plans, 71,498 under stock option plans, 8,912 under Stock Appreciation Rights, and 47,901 under the possibility of conversion of Incentive plan into ABC arbitrage shares within the Group Savings Plan. At December 31, 2020, ABC arbitrage held 356,778 of its own shares.

10. Statutory disclosures

Under Article L. 233-13 of the French Commercial Code, the Board of Directors is required to disclose the names of shareholders whose holdings exceed the statutory disclosure thresholds at December 31, 2020. There was no significant change in the ownership structure in 2020.

Name % of capital % of voting rights
Aubépar Industries 14.30% 14.39%
Financière WDD* et IPA ** 12.02% 12.10%
Dominique CEOLIN 4.29% 4.32%
Eximium 6.50% 6.54%
David HOEY 5.49% 5.53%
Other Management*** 3.84% 3.87%

* Holding company 50.01% owned by Dominique Ceolin

** IPA (Investissements et Prestations Administratives) is a company acting in concert with Financière WDD, owning 0.6% of the capital.

*** Executive management and independent non-executive directors excluding Dominique Ceolin and David Hoey

At December 31, 2020, ABC arbitrage held 374,886 treasury shares (0.64% of issued capital), at a gross value of €2.545 millions euros, against 199,634 treasury shares held in 2019, at a gross value of €1.246 millions of euros. The free float represented 52.91% of issued capital at the year-end.

In accordance with the provisions of Article L225-102 of the French Commercial Code, no corporate mutual fund has been set up to hold shares on behalf of members of an employee share ownership plan.

11. Dividend policy

The table below shows dividends paid in respect of the last three fiscal years:

In € 2019 2018 2017
Dividend paid 0.33 0.43 0.40

All of these dividends qualified for the 40% tax relief available to individual shareholders resident in France for tax purposes, except for the €0.20 per share in 2019, €0.20398 per share in 2018 and €0.37606 per share in 2017 dividend distributed from additional paid-in capital.

The Annual Shareholders' Meeting of June 12, 2020 approved a 2019 dividend of €0.03 per share.

Taking into account the two payments of €0.10 per share each, made in October and December 2019, plus an interim dividend of €0.10 per share paid on April 27, 2020, the total distributions for fiscal 2019 therefore amount to €0.33 per share.

The detachment of this balance of 0.03 euro per ordinary share, for which the Board of Directors had chosen payment in cash, took place on July 7, 2020, for payment on July 9, 2020. This transaction is in the nature of a distribution (deduction from distributable profit).

The dividend ultimately paid in cash amounted to €1.7 million.

ABC arbitrage distributed twice €0.10 per share, solely in cash. The ex-dividend dates were October 6, 2020 and December 8, 2020, and the dividends were paid on October 8, 2020 and December 10, 2020.

In view of the number of ABC arbitrage shares qualifying for the payment, the total amount came to €11.6 million.

12. Other elements

12.1. Sponsorship

In today's constantly evolving world, with ambitious and captivating projects, ABC arbitrage wishes to stay aware of others' jobs, passions, adventures. Also to meet other men and women who pilot and live important human adventures : they have in common a kind of personal competition, either through sport or studies. Thinking out of our daily life to discover and share the work, innovations, and the challenge to push oneself to the limits, to view things in a new way, to enrich our own career. These are ABC arbitrage ambitions through these featured projects. It is also an excellent opportunity to promote ABC arbitrage's business.

Under its communication policy, ABC arbitrage is leading an "Ocean race" sponsorship program as the official partnership of the skipper Jean-Pierre Dick (Absolute Dreamer crew), giving him the opportunity to use the visual identity of the Group over his ship and any other means of communication.

The Group also supports Charly Quiveron during competitions or any other events. In return ABC arbitrage's visual identity can be used over Charly Quivront surfboard and any other means of communication.

ABC arbitrage supports an innovative program of equal opportunities led by the Fondation Groupe Primonial to enable deserving women scholarship students to pass the entrance examinations for France's most prestigious universities, or grandes écoles parisiennes. We hope that the partnership will make it easier for the new generation to earn scientific degrees, thereby helping to enhance France's performance and reputation for excellence in these fields.

The Group also participated in the Basis.point initiative, a scheme created by the Irish investment fund industry to improve training and educational opportunities for disadvantaged young people in Ireland.

The total amount of partnership in 2020 amounts to €90 thousands.

12.2. Payment periods

All trade payables outstanding at December 31, 2020 were payable no later than thirty days from the end of the month.

Article D.441 I. 1°: Invoices received not paid by 31/12/2020 whose
term has expired
Article D.441 I. 1° : Invoices issued not paid by 31/12/2020 whose
term has expired
from 1 to 30
days
from 31 to
60 days
from 61 to
90 days
91 days and
more
Total (1 day or
more)
from 1 to
30 days
from 31 to
60 days
from 61 to
90 days
91 days and
more
Total (1 day or
more)
(A) Late payment instalment
Number of invoices involved 0 0
Total amount of invoices involved (excluding VAT) 0 0 0 0
Percentage of total purchases for the year
Percentage of revenue for the year 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
(B) Invoices excluded from (A) relating to disputed or unrecognized debts and receivables
Number of invoices involved 5 0
Total amount of invoices excluded (excluding VAT) 38571.81 0€
(C) Reference payment periods used (contractual or legal period - art L441-6 or L443-1 of the French Commercial Code)
Payment periods used to calculate late payments Legal deadlines: 30 days
Contractual period: 30 days end of month

12.3. Sumptuary expenditures: Article 223 quater of the French General Tax Code

On December 31, 2020, we acknowledge the absence of non-deductible expenses mentioned in article 39-4 of the French General Tax Code.

12.4. Post-balance sheet events

At this time, the Board of Directors is not aware of any post-balance sheet events which may have occurred since the financial closing.

13. Outlook

In the context of a global pandemic, the ABC 2022 strategic plan was launched at the beginning of 2020 with the aim of stepping up R&D investments, developing investment management capacity and building new strategies capable of performing better in sustained low-volatility scenarios. The arrival of this historical health crisis and consequent market crash situation encountered at the beginning of 2020 has not changed the ABC 2022 plan.

Even if the Group occasionally adapted its short-term priorities to cope with such a turbulent market, ABC arbitrage maintained its strategy of strengthening its strong points and building the pillars of its growth on its historically weaker axes. The beginning of 2021 is still febrile with the risks of a third wave of the health crisis, but this new year is mostly marked by new massive cash injection programs in the United States and intensive global vaccination campaigns.

The ABC arbitrage Group is maintaining a sustained pace at the beginning of the year with a monthly average close to the average pace of activity in 2020, even if it is still too early to make a projection for the entire year 2021.

The Board of Directors March 18, 2021

Related financial years 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
● Equity at year-end
Share capital 929 929 936 936 936
Number of ordinary shares issued 58,051,067 58,051,067 58,512,053 58,512,053 58,512,053
● Business and results for the year
Turnover before tax 951 1,848 2,029 1,937 2,249
Income before tax, profit-sharing, depreciation and provisions 4,531 4,471 17,343 26,809 19,849
Tax on profits 255 - 67 0 - 290
Employee Share Ownership 38 27 92 54 203
Income after tax, profit-sharing, depreciation and provisions 2,305 1,399 13,108 23,217 11,682
Distributed income (2) (3) 25,790 23,078 25,053 19,271 17,485
● Earnings per ordinary share
Income after tax, profit-sharing, but before depreciation and provisions 0.073 0.078 0.2948 0.4573 0.3308
Income after tax, profit-sharing, depreciation and provisions 0.040 0.024 0.224 0.397 0.200
Dividend per share 0.45 0.40 0.43 0.30 0.30
● Personnel
Average number of employees 3 3 9 8 10
Amount of payroll 592 447 1,111 1,018 1,018
Amounts paid in respect of employee benefits 262 234 485 333 333
  • (1) Data in thousands of euros, except per share data which is in euros.
  • (2) The amount reported as distributed income 2019 consists of a payment from the share premium of EUR 0.20 per share distributed in October and December 2020, a third interim payment of EUR 0.10 per share and an amount from the results of EUR 0.03 per share. The total distributed is reduced by the number of treasury shares held by the company.
  • (3) The amount reported as distributed income 2020 consists of a payment of two interim dividends of 0.10 per share distributed in November and December 2020, i.e. 11,328 thousand euros, taking into account the treasury shares held at the dates of detachment, plus a third interim dividend of 0.10 euro per share in April 2021, as well as the payment of a balance of 0.18 euro per share, which will be proposed at the General Meeting held to approve the financial statements for the year 2020.

Consolidated financial statements

Balance sheet > 41
Statement of income > 42
Statement of comprehensive income > 42
Statement of changes in equity > 43
Consolidated cash flow statements > 44
Notes to the consolidated financial statements > 45

Disclaimer:

This annual report and its constituent parts have been translated from the original French versions. For the purposes of interpretation, the French originals will take precedence over the English translation.

Balance sheet - assets

In EUR Note Dec. 31, 2020
IFRS
Dec. 31, 2019
IFRS
Intangible assets 3.1 126 174
Right-of-use assets - IFRS 16 1. / 3.1 932 1,815
Property and equipment 3.1 1,392 1,057
Non-current financial assets 3.2 625 620
Deferred tax assets 113 167
Total non-current assets 3,188 3,832
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 3.4 150,319 127,363
Other accounts receivable 3.6 10,569 7,155
Current tax assets 215 214
Cash and cash equivalents 8,767 7,789
Total current assets 169,870 142,522
TOTAL ASSETS 173,057 146,354

Balance sheet - liabilities

In EUR Note Dec. 31, 2020
IFRS
Dec. 31, 2019
IFRS
Paid-up share capital 936 936
Additional paid-in capital 47,517 47,517
Retained earnings 70,484 73,110
Interim dividend - -
Net income 35,093 18,339
Total equity attributable to equity holders 3.3 154,031 139,902
Provisions 3.7 - 50
Lease liability - IFRS 16 1. 1,148 2,242
Non-current financial liabilities - -
Deferred tax liabilities - -
Non-current liabilities 1,148 2,292
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 3.4 1 1
Other liabilities 3.6 17,878 4,159
Taxes payable - -
Short-term debt - 1
Current liabilities 17,879 4,160
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 173,057 146,354

Statement of income

In EUR Note Dec. 31, 2020
IFRS
Dec. 31, 2019
IFRS
Net gain/loss on financial instruments at fair value through
profit or loss
4.1 46,023 22,520
Investment services fees 4.2 22,504 14,423
Other revenue 4.3 581 303
Administrative expenses 4.4 (5,769) (5,467)
Taxes and duties (734) (573)
Payroll costs 4.5 (25,519) (11,654)
Depreciation and amortisation expense (635) (573)
Depreciation and amortisation expense - IFRS 16 (984) (907)
OPERATING INCOME 35,466 18,071
Provision expense 4.6 0 35
Interest expense - IFRS 16 1. (27) (34)
INCOME BEFORE TAX 35,439 18,071
Current taxes 4.7 (413) 214
Deferred taxes 67 53
NET INCOME 35,093 18,339
Attributable to equity holders 35,093 18,339
Attributable to minority interests - -
Number of ordinary shares 58,512,053 58,512,053
Earnings per ordinary share 0.60 0.31
Diluted earnings per ordinary share 0.58 0.31

Statement of comprehensive income

In EUR Note Dec. 31, 2020
IFRS
Dec. 31, 2019
IFRS
Net income 35,093 18,339
Change in foreign exchange - -
Remeasurement of available-for-sale assets - -
Remeasurement of hedging instruments - -
Remeasurement of non-current assets - -
Actuarial gains and losses on defined benefit plans 35,093 18,339
Share of other comprehensive income on equity-accounted
affiliates
35,093 18,339
Income tax - -
Total other comprehensive income
NET INCOME AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Attributable to equity holders
Attributable to minority interests
In EUR thousand Paid-up
share
capital
Equity
instruments
and related
reserves
Elimination
of treasury
shares
Retained
earnings
and net
income
Total equity
attributable
to equity
holders
Total equity
At December 31, 2018 936 59,472 (3,405) 89,287 146,291 146,291
Issue of shares - - - - - -
Elimination of treasury shares - - 2,159 - 2,159 2,159
Appropriation of 2018 net income - (296) - (13,108) (13,403) (13,403)
2019 interim dividend - (11,660) - - (11,660) (11,660)
Share-based payments - - - (1,824) (1,824) (1,824)
Net income for the year - - - 18,339 18,339 18,339
At December 31, 2019 936 47,517 (1,246) 92,695 139,902 139,902
Issue of shares - - - - - -
Elimination of treasury shares - - (1,298) - (1,298) (1,298)
Appropriation of 2019 net income - - - (7,568) (7,568) (7,568)
2020 interim dividend - - - (11,629) (11,629) (11,629)
Share-based payments - - - (469) (469) (469)
Net income for the year - - - 35,093 35,093 35,093
At December 31, 2020 936 47,517 (2,544) 108,122 154,031 154,031

nm: non-material

In EUR thousand Dec. 31, 2020
IFRS
Dec. 31, 2019
IFRS
Net income 35,093 18,339
Net allocations to provisions (50) (35)
Net allocations to depreciation and amortisation 635 573
Depreciation and amortisation expense - IFRS 16 1,011 907
Change in deferred taxes 53 223
Share-based payments - IFRS 2 240 191
Net cash provided by operations before changes in working capital 36,983 20,198
Changes in working capital (12,650) 6,692
Net cash provided by operating activities 24,333 26,890
Net cash used by investing activities (1,028) (3,382)
Leases - IFRS 16 (1,094) 2,242
Interest expense on debt related to leasing activities - IFRS 16 (27) -
Net cash provided by capital transactions - -
Dividends paid (19,197) (25,063)
Share-based payments (2,007) 144
Net cash used by financing activities (22,325) (22,678)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 979 830
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 7,788 6,959
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 8,767 7,788

Contents

1. Accounting principles and policies 46
1.1. Assets 46
1.1.1 Intangible assets and property and equipment 46
1.1.2 Right of use - IFRS 16 46
1.2. Fair value of financial instruments 47
1.3. Portfolio revenue 47
1.4. Dividend income 48
1.5. Share-based payment 48
1.6. Provisions 48
1.7. Corporate income tax 48
1.8. Financial statement presentation 48
1.8.1. Consolidation principles 48
1.8.2. Earnings per share 49
2. Consolidation principles 50
3. Notes to the balance sheet 51
3.1. Intangible assets and property and equipment 51
3.2. Other non-current financial assets 51
3.3. Consolidated equity 52
3.3.1. Share-based payment – Ambition 2016 and Step-up 2019 incentive program 52
3.3.2. 2019 Distribution dividend 53
3.3.3. Distribution of €0.10 per share in November and December 2020 53
3.3.4. Treasury stock 54
3.4. Financial assets/liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 54
3.5. Guarantees given 55
3.6. Other receivables and payables 55
3.7. Provisions 55
4. Notes to the statement of income 56
4.1. Net gains on financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss 56
4.2. Investment services fees 56
4.3. Other revenue 56
4.4. Administrative expenses 56
4.5. Payroll costs 56
4.6. Provision expense 57
4.7. Corporate income tax 57
5. Risk factors 58
5.1. Market risks 59
5.2. Credit and counterparty risk 60
5.3. Liquidity risks 60
5.4. Operational risk 61
5.5. Other risks 61
6. Other information 62
6.1. Related party transactions 62
6.2. Fees paid to the Statutory Auditors 62

1. Accounting principles and policies

The Group's fiscal year runs from January 1 to December 31, 2020. The consolidated financial statements are presented in euros.

The financial statements have been approved by the Board of Directors and audited by the Group's two Statutory Auditors, Ernst & Young et Autres and Deloitte & Associés.

The ABC arbitrage Group's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) as adopted by the European Union as of December 31, 2020.

The standards and interpretations mandatorily applicable as of January 1, 2020 have no material impact on the consolidated financial statements of ABC arbitrage Group as of December 31, 2020.With regard to the new standards and interpretations adopted by the IASB but not yet applicable as of December 31, 2020, the Group has not anticipated any of the new standards and interpretations (which do not concern the Group and its activities).

The financial statements are presented in euro, which is the functional currency of the Group companies. Where amounts are indicated in thousand euros rounding errors may occur.

Preparation of the financial statements required ABC arbitrage Group to make estimates and assumptions, which could have an impact on the amounts at which assets, liabilities, income and expenses are stated. The estimates, and the assumptions underlying them, have been made on the basis of other factors considered to be reasonable in the circumstances. They thus serve as the basis for the judgement made in determining the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that could not be determined directly from other sources.

The definitive amounts that will be stated in ABC arbitrage Group's future financial statements may be different from the amounts currently estimated. These estimates and assumptions are reviewed on a continuous basis.

The Group takes an industrial approach to its business, focusing on the exclusive design of arbitrage strategies that take advantage of market imbalances in order to help eliminate them and thereby make the market both liquid and efficient. Its main aim is to deliver annual returns within a well-defined risk framework and to invest in the resources needed for sustainable growth.

1.1. Assets

1.1.1. Intangible assets and property and equipment

Intangible assets and property and equipment are carried on the balance sheet at cost. They are calculated on a straightline basis over their expected useful lives.

The amortisation and depreciation periods generally applied by the Group are as follows:

  • Intangible assets: 1 to 2 years
  • Information systems equipment: 3 to 5 years
  • Fixtures and fittings: 5 to 10 years

Amortisation and depreciation charges are recognised in the income statement under "Depreciation and amortisation expense".

1.1.2. Right of use - IFRS 16

IFRS 16, relating to leases, requires the lessee to recognize in its balance sheet :

  • an asset representing the right to use the leased property and
  • a liability representing the lease payment obligation.

Therefore, an asset depreciation expense must be presented separately from the interest expense on the debt in the income statement.

The Group has adopted the modified retrospective method as of January 1, 2019 and has restated all its eligible leases, but without restating comparative periods. The income statement and balance sheet have been modified accordingly (amortization of rights of use of recognized assets and interest expense on lease liabilities, liabilities related to rental activities).

These rental assets correspond to occupied premises.

Leases with a term of less than one year and service contracts are not restated.

As a reminder, as specified in paragraph 6.2 of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, ABC arbitrage has entered into a commercial lease as a tenant. The lease took effect on January 1, 2016 for a period of six years.

The discount rate used to measure the rent liability for the years 2019 and 2020 is 1.03%.

1.2. Fair value of financial instruments

The Group's trading exposures ("Trading Exposures") include equities or equity derivatives (such as warrants and convertible bonds), derivative products such as futures, options and foreign exchange; and collective investment undertakings, the vast majority of which are traded on active markets, which may or may not be regulated. An ensemble of related Trading Exposures constitutes a quantitative model ("Quantitative Model").

A Quantitative Model is designed to take advantage of an unjustified price differential between two financial instruments. The Group qualifies as "unjustified" only those differentials that can be objectively measured by a mathematical or statistical process, without a guarantee of long-term convergence.

Trading Exposures in Financial Instruments may be held in custody, as a creditor or a debtor to a counterparty or in synthetic format (contracts for differences, swaps).

Trading Exposures in Financial Instruments are held solely for trading purposes. They are classified as held-for-trading and are recognised in the accounts at fair value through profit or loss.

The fair value hierarchy is comprised of the following levels:

  • quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1);
  • inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices) (Level 2);
  • inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs) (Level 3).

Financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are initially recognised and measured at their fair value and are remeasured at fair value in subsequent periods. To measure its financial instrument portfolio, an entity must use the same assumptions that market participants would use to price an asset or liability, assuming they are acting in their own economic best interest. Fair value is defined as the price at which an asset could be exchanged, or a liability settled, between knowledgeable willing parties in an arm's length transaction on the main market (or if there is no main market, on the most advantageous market) on the valuation date (i.e. an exit price), whether that price is directly observable or estimated using valuation techniques. Furthermore, IFRS 13 states that fair value must include all the risk assumptions that market participants would use.

As part of the application of IFRS 13 and in light of real business conditions for trading financial instruments, the exit price used to measure the financial instrument portfolio is the mid-price between bid and ask, quoted at the time when the financial instruments in the arbitrage transaction were last quoted simultaneously or with the smallest possible interval. If there is no active market for the instrument, fair value is determined using valuation techniques.

A financial instrument is regarded as quoted in an active market if quoted prices are readily and regularly available from an exchange, dealer, broker, industry group, pricing service or regulatory agency, and those prices represent actual and regularly occurring market transactions on an arm's length basis.

In accordance with IAS 32, cash and securities receivable and deliverable are netted off when there is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. The netting off of such balance sheet items results in a fairer presentation of the Company's financial position. It has no impact on the statement of comprehensive income.

The financial assets and liabilities held for trading purposes are recognised on the balance sheet at fair value under "Financial assets or liabilities at fair value through profit or loss". Changes in fair value are recorded in the statement of income for the period as "Net gains or losses on financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss".

The Group derecognises a financial asset or liability when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset or liability expire, or it transfers the rights to the contractual cash flows of the financial asset or liability in a transaction in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset or liability are transferred.

1.3. Portfolio revenue

ABC arbitrage 2020 Annual Financial Report - Page 47 of 80 Equity revenue is accounted for when realized. Tax credits linked to equity revenue are included in "Portfolio revenue".

1.4. Dividend income

Dividend income is recognised on the ex-dividend date.

1.5. Share-based payment

ABC arbitrage has granted stock options and performance shares to employees. On exercise of stock options, ABC arbitrage issues new shares or sells to employees shares previously acquired by the Group.

IFRS 2 "Share-Based Payment" requires that an expense be recognised equal to the fair value of the services rendered by the employees in return for the equity instruments granted to them.

1.6. Provisions

A provision is recognised when the Group has a legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, provided that it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

When the risk occurs or the expense is incurred, the provision release does not qualify as income as it does not result in a net increase in equity. It is therefore recognised as a reduction of the expense concerned. If the actual expense is lower than the provision and the balance of the provision is no longer required, the surplus then qualifies as income and is booked under the same line item as the original provision charge.

1.7. Corporate income tax

Corporate income tax includes current taxes and adjustments to deferred taxes. Deferred taxes are calculated on all timing differences between the recognition of income and expenses for financial reporting and tax purposes and on consolidation adjustments. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated using the liability method, at the tax rates that are expected to apply when the timing differences reverse. They are not discounted.

The probability of deferred tax assets being recovered is reviewed regularly and may, where necessary, give rise to the derecognition of previously recognised deferred tax assets.

In addition, IFRIC 23 relating to uncertainty about tax treatments was issued by the IFRS Foundation on 7 June 2017 and is effective from 1 January 2019. This interpretation (which is an integral part of International Financial Reporting Standards - IFRS) clarifies how to recognise and measure income tax when uncertainty exists about the tax treatment to be applied. It is necessary to determine whether it is likely that the treatment chosen will be accepted by the competent authorities, assuming that they will monitor the treatment and have all relevant information. If the likelihood of acceptance of the tax treatment is less than 50% in our interpretation of the standard, this uncertainty shall be reflected in the amount of tax assets and liabilities, based on a method that reflects the best estimate of the outcome of the uncertainty. This interpretation has no impact on the Group's equity as at 1 January 2020 and has not led to a change in the presentation

of income tax provisions in the balance sheet.

1.8. Financial statement presentation

1.8.1. Consolidation principles

The amendment to IFRS 10 "Consolidated financial statements", approved by Regulation (EU) no. 1174/2013 of November 20, 2013 and published in the EU Official Journal on November 21, 2013, gives a definition of what constitutes an "investment entity" and introduces an exception to the consolidation requirements for subsidiaries of entities meeting that definition. Such investments are required to be measured at fair value through profit or loss.

A parent company shall determine whether it is an investment entity. An investment entity is an entity that: (a) obtains funds from one or more investors for the purpose of providing those investor(s) with investment management services; (b) commits to its investor(s) that its business purpose is to invest funds solely for returns from capital appreciation, investment income, or both; and (c) measures and evaluates the performance of substantially all of its investments on a fair value basis.

Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28, approved by Regulation (EU) no. 2016/1703 of September 22, 2016, stipulate that only subsidiaries that conduct business related to that of an investment entity parent and that are not investment entities themselves have to be fully consolidated. Accordingly, investment entity subsidiaries must be measured at fair value.

Under the standards, ABC arbitrage is considered as an investment entity, meaning that its investments:

    1. in Quartys and ABCA Funds Ireland are presented as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, since both entities are considered as investment entities due to the nature of their business;
    1. in ABC arbitrage Asset Management and ABC arbitrage Asset Management Asia, the Group's asset management companies, remain fully consolidated because both companies provide services related to the Group's asset management business without actually qualifying as an "investment entity".

1.8.2. Earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share is equal to net income for the year divided by the number of shares outstanding at December 31, 2020 plus the impact of all potentially estimated dilutive instruments.

2. Consolidation principles

ABC arbitrage, ABC arbitrage Asset Management and ABC arbitrage Asset Management Asia are fully consolidated.

Company Country % interest Consolidation
method
ABC arbitrage France Parent company
ABC arbitrage Asset Management France 100.0% Fully consolidated
ABC arbitrage Asset Management Asia Singapore 100.0%

ABC arbitrage Asset Management and ABC arbitrage Asset Management Asia are the Group's asset management companies.

In light of the exception to consolidation introduced by IFRS 10 "Consolidated financial statements" (see note 1.8.1), ABC arbitrage's interest in ABCA Funds Ireland and Quartys Limited is presented under financial assets at fair value through profit or loss.

The percentage interests are as follows:

Company Country % interest Consolidation
method
Quartys Limited Ireland 100.0%
ABCA Opportunities Fund Ireland 63.81% Fair value based on
net asset value
ABCA Reversion Fund Ireland 5.38%

Quartys Limited trades in financial instruments.

ABCA Funds Ireland plc was incorporated in Ireland in 2011 and established as an umbrella fund with segregated liability between sub-funds:

  • At 31 December 2020, ABCA Opportunities Fund had €95 million of funds under management.
  • At 31 December 2020, ABCA Reversion Fund had €230 million of funds under management.

Due to cross-holdings, ABCA Funds Ireland had total assets of €289 million.

3. Notes to the balance sheet

3.1. Intangible assets and property and equipment

Gross value

In EUR thousand Gross value
Dec. 31, 2019
Acquisitions Retirements
/disposals
Gross value
Dec. 31, 2020
Concessions and similar rights 694 127 (362) 459
Right-of-use assets - IFRS 16 2,722 (777) 1,945
Equipment, fixtures and fittings 1,415 13 (35) 1,393
Vehicles - - -
Office and computer equipment, furniture 5,265 786 (1,006) 5,046
Total gross value 10,096 927 (2,180) 8,843

Amortisation and depreciation

In EUR thousand Dec. 31, 2019 Increases Decreases Dec. 31, 2020
Concessions and similar rights (519) (175) 362 (332)
Right-of-use assets - IFRS 16 (907) (106) (1,013)
Equipment, fixtures and fittings (1,328) (29) 35 (1,322)
Vehicles - -
Office and computer equipment, furniture (4,295) (435) 1,006 (3,725)
Total amortisation and depreciation (7,050) (745) 1,403 (6,393)

Intangible assets are amortised and property and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Amortisation and depreciation expense for the year are reported in the income statement under "Depreciation and amortisation expense".

3.2. Other non-current financial assets

At 31 December 2020, this item included €625 thousand in guaranteed deposits and securities.

3.3. Consolidated equity

3.3.1. Share-based payment – Ambition 2016 and Step-up 2019 incentive program

Performance Share incentive program:

Name of the plan Plan Acquisition
date
Acquisition
period
Number of shares Effective
acquisition date
for granted
shares
Number of
shares to be
granted
Number of
shares definitely
granted
APE-3.1/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 2 68,500 2019 0 23,701
APE-3.2/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 3 68,500 2020 0 16,196
APE-3.3/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 4 68,500 2021 0 26,980*
APE-3.1/2018 Step-up 2019 15/06/2018 2 10,000 2020 0 4,523
APE-3.2/2018 Step-up 2019 15/06/2018 3 10,000 2021 0 6,846*
APE-3.3/2018 Step-up 2019 15/06/2018 4 10,000 2022 10,000 Pending
APE-3.1/2019 Step-up 2019 14/06/2019 2 30,000 2021 0 28,345*
APE-3.2/2019 Step-up 2019 14/06/2019 3 30,000 2022 30,000 Pending
APE-3.3/2019 Step-up 2019 14/06/2019 4 30,000 2023 30,000 Pending
APE-1.1/2020 ABC 2022 17/09/2020 2 40,000 2022 40,000 Pending
Total if applicable N/A N/A N/A 365,500 N/A 110,000 106,591

* Based on actual net income for that period and given the continuing presence requirement, number of stock options which should be definitively granted by the end of the first semester of 2021 and thus become exercisable.

Stock Appreciation Rights - SAR:

Name of the
plan
Plan Acquisition
date
Acquisition
Period
Number of
granted
options
Exercise
period
start date
Options
expired Date
Exercise
adjusted
price
Number of
options to
be granted
Number of
unexercised
options
07/2016 Ambition 2016 22/09/2016 2 745,870 2018 22-sept.-2022 5.4089 0 65,460
08/2016 Ambition 2016 22/09/2016 3 745,870 2019 22-sept.-2022 5.7429 0 49,194
09/2016 Ambition 2016 22/09/2016 4 745,870 2020 22-sept.-2022 6.0770 0 41,223
SAR-4.1/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 2 167,000 2019 NA 5.6098 0 0
SAR-4.2/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 3 167,000 2020 NA 5.2262 0 0
SAR-4.3/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 4 167,000 2021 NA 5.2262 0 80,839**
Total si
applicable
N/A N/A N/A 2,738,610 N/A N/A N/A 0 236,816

** Based on actual net income for that period and given the continuing presence requirement, number of stock options which should be definitively granted by the end of the first semester of 2021 and thus become exercisable.

Stock options subscription program:

Name of the plan Plan Acquisition
date
Acquisition
Period
Number of
granted
units
Exercise
period start
date
Options
expired Date
Exercise
adjusted
price
Number of
units to be
granted
Maximum
number of
units to be
exercised
04/2016 Ambition 2016 14/06/2016 2 373,000 2018 15-juin-2022 5.2354 0 290,137
05/2016 Ambition 2016 14/06/2016 3 313,000 2019 15-juin-2022 5.5658 0 178,350
06/2016 Ambition 2016 14/06/2016 4 313,000 2020 15-juin-2022 5.8962 0 153,606
SO-1.1/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 2 563,333 2018 30-juin-2022 5.2311 0 515,207
SO-1.2/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 3 563,333 2019 30-juin-2022 5.5744 0 395,451
SO-1.3/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 4 563,334 2020 30-juin-2022 5.9177 0 278,433
SO-2.1/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 2 276,000 2019 30-juin-2023 5.5744 0 134,089
SO-2.2/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 3 276,000 2020 30-juin-2023 5.9177 0 102,342
SO-2.3/2017 Step-up 2019 16/06/2017 4 276,000 2021 30-juin-2023 6.2609 0 171,813***
SO-1.1/2018 Step-up 2019 15/06/2018 2 155,000 2020 30-juin-2024 6.0926 0 47,270
SO-1.2/2018 Step-up 2019 15/06/2018 3 155,000 2021 30-juin-2025 6.3930 0 104,618***
SO-1.3/2018 Step-up 2019 15/06/2018 4 155,000 2022 30-juin-2026 6.7595 140,000 Pending
Total if
applicable
N/A N/A N/A 3,982,000 N/A N/A N/A 140,000 2,371,318

*** Based on actual net income for that period and given the continuing presence requirement, number of stock options which should be definitively granted by the end of the first semester of 2021 and thus become exercisable.

No shares will vest if net income is less than €12 million a year and they will vest progressively thereafter on a linear basis. So that 100% of the capitalistic products be definitively granted, the accumulated comprehensive income must reach:

  • €55 million for a 2 years vesting plan
  • €90 million for a 3 years vesting plan
  • €125 million for a 4 years vesting plan

For example, if net income is €20 million a year over the entire period, 51% shares will vest and if net income is €25 million a year over the entire period, 66% shares will vest.

The expense related to these plans is deferred over the vesting period. The corresponding amount recognised in equity is calculated on the basis of the overall plan value determined on the date of grant by the Board of Directors.

In accordance with IFRS 2, an expense of €240 million, calculated on the basis of the estimated probable number of shares under various plans, was recognised in respect of fiscal year 2020 (compared to €193 thousands in 2019 and €563 thousands in 2018). This IFRS 2 expense is related on the one hand to the initiation of new programmes and the other hand to the programme's progression and the realized income.

The loss on share buybacks used amounted to €603 million and was deducted from consolidated equity at 31 December 2020 (vs €1,841 thousand at December 31, 2019) which reduces the consolidated shareholders' equity.

3.3.2. 2019 Distribution dividend

The Annual Shareholders' Meeting of June 12, 2020 approved a 2019 dividend of €0.03 per share.

Taking into account the two payments of €0.10 per share each, made in October and December 2019, plus an interim dividend of €0.10 per share paid on April 27, 2020, the total distributions for fiscal 2019 therefore amount to €0.33 per share.

The detachment of this balance of 0.03 euro per ordinary share, for which the Board of Directors had chosen payment in cash, took place on July 7, 2020, for payment on July 9, 2020. This transaction is in the nature of a distribution (deduction from distributable profit).

The dividend ultimately paid in cash amounted to €1.7 million.

3.3.3. Distribution of €0.10 per share in October and December 2020

ABC arbitrage distributed twice €0.10 per share, solely in cash. The ex-dividend dates were October 6, 2020 and December 8, 2020, and the dividends were paid on October 8, 2020 and December 10, 2020.

In view of the number of ABC arbitrage shares qualifying for the payment, the total amount came to €11.6 million.

At December 31, 2020, ABC arbitrage's share capital amounted to €936,192.848 and was represented by 58,512,053 fully paid ordinary shares with a par value of €0.016 each (no change compared to December 31, 2019).

3.3.4. Treasury stock

During 2020, ABC arbitrage sold 166,867 shares under the market-making agreement with Kepler Cheuvreux. At the same time 162,301 have been brought back.

From the shares held at December 31, 2019 (176,960 shares), 92,299 were allocated under performance share plans, 71,498 under stock option plans, 8,912 under Stock Appreciation Rights, and 47,901 under the possibility of conversion of Incentive plan into ABC arbitrage shares within the Group Savings Plan.

At December 31, 2020, ABC arbitrage held 374,886 of its own shares, acquired at a total cost of €2,545 thousand (at December 31, 2019, the company held 199,634 of its own shares, acquired at a total cost of €1,246 thousand).

At December 31, 2020, ABC arbitrage's share capital was represented by 58,512,053 fully paid ordinary shares with a par value of €0.016 each.

In accordance with IFRS, treasury stock is deducted from equity.

3.4. Financial assets/liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

At December 31, 2019, financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss were classified (in the fair value hierarchy described in note 1.2), as follows:

In EUR thousand Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets or
liabilities (Level 1)
Inputs other than
quoted prices that
are observable for
the asset or liability,
either directly or
indirectly (Level 2)
Unobservable
inputs for the asset
or liability (Level 3)
Total
Financial assets at fair
value through profit or loss
48 127,315 - 127,363
Financial liabilities at fair
value through profit or loss
(1) - - (1)

At December 31, 2020, these instruments were classified as follows:

In EUR thousand Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets or
liabilities (Level 1)
Inputs other than
quoted prices that
are observable for
the asset or liability,
either directly or
indirectly (Level 2)
Unobservable
inputs for the asset
or liability (Level 3)
Total
Financial assets at fair
value through profit or loss
8 150,310 0 150,319
Financial liabilities at fair
value through profit or loss
(1) 0 0 (1)

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss classified in Level 2 correspond to the investments in Quartys Limited and the ABCA Funds Ireland Plc sub-funds. These investments are not consolidated, but are measured at fair value through profit or loss, in accordance with IFRS 10 (note 1). These items are classified in Level 2 as the value of the units is not directly observable in an active market, but their net assets comprise exposures to Level 1 financial instruments quoted on active markets, whose prices are directly observable.

There were no transfers between the various levels of the hierarchy during 2020.

Details of Financial instruments to be received and delivered are provided in note 5 "Risks factors".

Cash reserves earn interest at variable rates (which may be negative) indexed to benchmark market rates.

3.5. Guarantees given

Most financial instruments recorded under "Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss" have been given as collateral to the institutions that provide the financing, as specified in note 5.2.

3.6. Other receivables and payables

Terms of receivables and payables are provided in note 5.3 Liquidity risk below.

In EUR thousand Other
receivables
Other
payables
Trade receivables/payables 9,627 (583)
Accrued income/expenses 250 (321)
Accrued taxes and payroll costs 690 (16,973)
Total at December 31, 2019 10,567 (17,877)
Total at December 31, 2018 7,155 (4,159)

Accrued taxes mainly comprise tax credits.

Accrued taxes correspond mainly to corporate tax, bonuses payable to employees and amounts due to social security organizations.

Trade payables are generally payable within thirty days from the end of the month.

3.7. Provisions

In EUR thousand
Total provisions at December 31, 2019 (50)
Provisions utilised in 2020 50
Provision reversal in 2020 -
Charge to provisions in 2020 -
Total provisions at December 31, 2020 -

The activities performed by ABC arbitrage Group companies have a very broad international scope, either directly or indirectly on behalf of third parties. As a result, each subsidiary is constantly exposed to the uncertainties and changes in the tax and regulatory environment of the countries in which it is domiciled. The Group monitors these risks (in particular those relating to transfer prices, withholding taxes, taxes and duties on transactions) and regularly assesses them at fair value in accordance with applicable accounting principles.

ABC arbitrage has been subject to accounting verification by the Public Finances Directorate general for the fiscal years 2015 to 2016, since September 18, 2017.

The administration, through a tax adjustment proposal, is considering a possible taxation in France of all or part of the results generated in 2015 and 2016 by the Irish subsidiary. The company has provided the tax authorities with its formal objection and its observations on the matter. Exchanges with the tax authorities have taken place through responses to the observations and various appeals. To date, the exchanges are still in progress and the outcome is uncertain. In addition to its own assessment, the company has relied on the advice of its legal and tax advisors. In accordance with IFRIC 23, the company identifies an absence of provision for tax charges; the risk being considered unlikely.

ABC arbitrage Asset Management was subject to an accounting audit by the French tax authorities for the years 2015 to 2017. The tax authorities consider that the accrued expenses recorded by ABC arbitrage Asset Management in respect of the 2015 financial year, relating to variable remuneration and related social security contributions, due by the company to its employees in respect of that year and paid in the following year, cannot be attached to the 2015 financial year but should have been attached to the 2016 financial year. The same applies to fiscal years 2016 and 2017. Due to the intangibility of the opening balance sheet for 2015 (2014 being statute-barred and not in the fiscal years concerned by the accounting audit), a friction (time lag) is generated. ABC arbitrage, the Group's head of integration, had set aside a provision of €50,000 in 2018 to cover the interest on arrears related to this friction. The provision was reversed and used in 2020, this case is closed.

4. Notes to the statement of income

4.1. Net gains on financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss

Net gains on financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss amounted to €46,023 thousand in 2020 versus €22,520 thousand in 2019.

Net gains on financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss include all incomes, expenses and costs directly related to the trading business, namely:

  • dividends and manufactured dividends;
  • gains and losses on disposal of Financial Instruments at fair value through profit or loss;
  • changes in fair value of Financial Instruments held or due;
  • interest income and expenses;
  • Financial Instrument securities carrying or lending costs;
  • foreign exchange gains and losses;
  • the net gains at fair value through profit or loss of Quartys Limited and the ABCA Funds Ireland Plc sub-funds recognised in accordance with IFRS 10; and
  • any other transaction related to revenues or expenses.

4.2. Investment services fees

Investment services fees amounted to €22,504 thousand at December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2019, they amounted to €14,423 thousand.

Investment services fees relate to the services that the Group's management companies charge to Quartys Limited and ABCA Funds Ireland Plc.

4.3. Other revenue

Other revenue (mainly income from real estate subleases and routine administrative services and a reversal of a provision for impairment of accrued income in connection with an old proceeding) amounted to €581 thousand versus €303 thousand during 2019.

4.4. Administrative expenses

Administrative expenses principally comprise data mining and processing costs, together with administrative and communications costs.

This item totalled €5,769 thousand in 2020 versus €5,467 thousand in 2019.

4.5. Payroll costs

The average number of employees was 81 in 2020 versus 77 in 2019.

Payroll costs include €18,300 thousand in fixed and performance-related compensation together with statutory and discretionary profit-sharing (€8,493 thousand in 2019), payroll taxes of €7,219 thousand (€3,160 thousand in 2019).

Payroll-based taxes amounted to €455 thousand (€349 thousand in 2019).

For information purposes, in view of the excellent performance achieved in 2020, the bonus amounts provisioned for the year amount to €10.7 million (including social security charges) compared with €2.6 million (including social security charges) in 2019.

The Group does not provide any post-employment benefits (supplementary pensions or health insurance). Other long-term benefits are provided under defined contribution plans, which do not give rise to a future liability as the Group's only obligation is to make regular contribution payments.

During 2020, the following amounts were granted by Group companies to the directors of the parent company:

In EUR
Directors' fees 394,080
Salary and other benefits 948,000
Profit-sharing plan 61,704
Incentives 61,704
Share-based compensation 19,000

4.6. Provision expense

Provision income was zero compared with income of 35 thousand euros in 2019. As of December 31, 2019, the cost of risk is mainly related to a reversal of a provision for tax receivables that are difficult to recover.

4.7. Corporate income tax

The difference between the theoretical corporate income tax charge determined by applying the standard French tax rate to pre-tax income and the actual tax charge – corresponding to an effective tax rate of +0.37% - can be explained as follows:

Standard French tax rate 28%
Impact of permanent differences 1.31%
Impact of tax credit (0.61)%
Impact of IFRS10 presentation (36.58)%
Impact of temporary differences 8.25%
Effective tax rate 0.37%

ABC arbitrage elected for group tax relief with ABC arbitrage Asset Management on January 1, 2004.

The tax group has signed an agreement whereby each member of the group (subsidiary and parent) recognises in its accounts the income tax that would be payable if it was taxed on a stand-alone basis. The charge is therefore calculated on their own taxable profit after deduction of any prior year losses.

Any tax savings made by the tax group through the utilisation of tax losses are retained by the parent company and treated as an immediate gain in the year.

5. Risk factors

The Group is exposed to a variety of risks: market risks, credit and counterparty risks, liquidity risks, operational risks and other risks.

ABC arbitrage provides subsidiaries with a general risk-management framework that the subsidiaries' boards of directors adhere to when setting their own policy.

The Group oversees the implementation and effectiveness of the controls carried out in its subsidiaries with the support of the executive managers and the control functions (market risk and internal control).

This is because the Group uses leverage as part of its financing agreements with counterparties, allowing it to take larger exposures than would be possible if it were acting alone.

Trading Exposures to Financial Instruments in isolation present a risk of loss of capital. The maximum loss of capital on long Trading Exposures to equities is limited to the fair value of those positions. The maximum loss of capital on long Trading Exposures to future contracts is limited to the notional contract value of those positions. The maximum loss on short Trading Exposures to futures contracts and equities is theoretically unlimited.

Exposures recorded as financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss break down as follows:

a. b. c. Financial Financial
In EUR thousands Gross carrying
amount (before
netting)
Gross amounts
netted in the balance
sheet
Net carrying
amount [a-b] at
Dec. 31, 2020
liabilities at
Dec. 31, 2020
liabilities at
Dec. 31, 2019
Non-derivative financial instruments 521,466 (214,882) 306,584
Derivatives 14,055 (12,678) 1,377
Unlisted Derivatives 324,165 (602,674) (278,509)
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 71,245 - 71,245 150,319 127,363
Total long positions 930,930 (830,234)
Cash and margin accounts 33,821 (290,027) (256,205)
Currencies derivatives - Listed 8,364 (361) 8,003
Currencies derivatives - Non listed 298,247 (423) 297,824
a. b. c. Financial Financial
In EUR thousands Gross carrying
amount (before
netting)
Gross amounts
netted in the balance
sheet
Net carrying
amount [a-b] at
Dec. 31, 2020
liabilities at
Dec. 31, 2020
liabilities at
Dec. 31, 2019
Non-derivative financial instruments - - -
Derivatives - - -
Unlisted Derivatives - - -
Total short positions - - (1) (1)
Cash and margin accounts - (1) (1)
Currencies derivatives - Listed - - -
Currencies derivatives - Non listed - - -
a. b. c.
In EUR thousands Gross
carrying
amount
(before
netting)
Gross
amounts
netted in the
balance sheet
Net carrying
amount [a-b]
at Dec. 31,
2020
Financial
liabilities at
Dec. 31, 2020
Financial
liabilities at
Dec. 31, 2019
Non-derivative financial instruments 521,466 (214,882) 306,584
Derivatives 14,055 (12,678) 1,377
Unlisted Derivatives 324,165 (602,674) (278,509)
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 71,245 - 71,245 150,318 127,362
Total long positions 930,930 (830,234)
Cash and margin accounts 33,821 (290,028) (256,206)
Currencies derivatives - Listed 8,364 (361) 8,003
Currencies derivatives - Non listed 298,247 (423) 297,824

a. Long Trading Exposures means that the Group has acquired an interest in the increase in the price of a Financial Instrument.

b. Short Trading Exposures means that the Group has acquired an interest in the decrease in the price of a Financial Instrument.

The breakdown of the geographical exposures as of December 31, 2020 is detailed as follows:

Fiscal year 2020 2019
Asia 9% 5%
Euro zone 45% 49%
USA 38% 33%
Other markets 8% 13%
Total 100% 100%

This geographic analysis is determined using the absolute value of the exposures at year-end, broken down by financial market, with the latter grouped by geographic area.

5.1. Market risks

Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of Trading Exposures will fluctuate because of changes in market prices of Financial Instruments and include notably market price risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency risk.

✓Market risks

Equity risk, or price risk, arises mainly due to uncertainty about the future prices of Financial Instruments held. It represents the potential loss that could be incurred by the Group as a result of potential movements in price on its exposures to Financial Instruments.

The risk is never related to an unfavourable movement in market prices, for example a stock market crash, but can arise from an unfavourable event related to one of the above operations. By definition, the risks on quantitative models are not interdependent. The Group hedges risks by spreading them across the greatest possible number of transactions, financial instrument types and geographic areas.

As at 31 December 2020, the aggregate VaR of the Trading Exposures of the Group was €6.5M (vs €3.3M at 31 December 2019). The parameters of calculation are a level of confidence of 99%, a "one year historical" methodology and a holding duration of 1 day.

✓ Interest rate risk

Interest rate fluctuations may have a positive or negative influence on the value of Financial Instruments.

In general, the Trading Positions are composed of approximately equal amounts of long Trading Positions and short Trading Positions and the risk is therefore not material. If a specific Trading Position carries a material interest rate risk, this risk is systematically hedged. Consequently, no sensitivity analysis has been disclosed.

✓ Currency risk

The Group may hold Trading Positions denominated in currencies other than the Group's functional currency. Exchange rate fluctuations against the functional currency may have a positive or negative influence on their value.

Currency risks are systematically hedged by buying or selling the currency (or an exposition to the currency). The only risk is of a secondary nature – that the profit (or loss) realized in a given currency may vary if it is not converted into the functional currency. The Group regularly converts profits (or losses) into the functional currency and its exposure to currency risk is therefore marginal.

On December 31, 2020, a 2% rise (fall) in the euro against all currencies would, all other things being equal, have increased (decreased) net assets by €356 thousand.

5.2. Credit and counterparty risk

This is the risk of a counterparty being unable to honor its contractual obligation to settle a transaction with the Group, due to deterioration in its financial position.

The ABC arbitrage Group deals solely with brokers/dealers ("Brokers") and credit institutions and investment companies ("Counterparties"). All of these parties are subject to specific controls by the regulatory authorities in the countries in which they operate to ensure their solvency.

The Group's trading activity mainly comprises Financial Instruments which are traded on active (if not regulated) markets which predominantly settle via a Central Clearing Party (CCP). The risk of default by Brokers for each and every market trade is therefore considered to be minimal, as the CCP serves to guarantee settlement, and the securities are not delivered until the Broker has made or received payment.

By unwinding transactions in financial instruments, a counterparty acts as depositary, creditor or debtor, or as counterparty to a synthetic product (CFDs, swaps) for the Group. In general the Group's business requirements permits that very little (if any) of its assets are held in Custody. A significant proportion of the assets of the Group transferred to Counterparties are either pledged as a first security interest or transferred as margin (collectively "Collateral") to support the Trading Positions. The Counterparty may re-use this Collateral for its own account but is required by contract to return the assets or equivalent assets upon first demand if it is no longer needed to support the Trading positions.

The risks related to the use of a Counterparty are:

  • interruption or discontinuation of services as the Counterparty has the right to amend or discontinue the services;
  • increased costs of maintenance of Trading Positions with the Counterparty;
  • failure by the Counterparty to return Collateral used due to market events;
  • failure by the Counterparty to return sums due as a result of bankruptcy;
  • incorrect valuation of Trading Positions held and Collateral transferred to the Counterparty.

The Group manages this counterparty risk through the use of industry standard master agreements, close monitoring of Counterparty credit ratings and diversification of its relationships to spread risk while weighing up the pricing benefits of concentration on larger-scale relationships.

At year end, the maximum exposure to credit risk is included in the net amounts for financial instruments (note 5).

5.3. Liquidity risks

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group may not be able to generate sufficient cash resources to settle its obligations in full as they fall due, or can only do so on terms that are materially disadvantageous.

The Group's Trading Exposures consist almost exclusively of highly liquid Financial Instruments quoted on active markets and its obligations mainly comprise the necessity to provide Collateral to support the Group's Trading Positions. The volume of Trading Positions which the Group may enter into is contractually based on the assets transferred as Collateral.

The Group's actual Trading Positions, taking into account existing agreements with Counterparties, is constantly monitored to ensure that the Group benefits from considerable flexibility in conducting its business as well as substantial liquid reserves. In addition, given the highly liquid nature of the Trading Positions the Group can alleviate the need for Collateral

by reducing the volume of Trading Positions.

At December 31, 2020, the liquidity position was as follows:

In EUR thousand Less than one
month
One to three
months
Three to twelve
months
More than
twelve months
Total
Financial assets at fair value through profit or
loss
8 142,954 - 7,356 150,319
Other receivables 190 10,015 363 - 10,568
Deferred tax assets - - 215 - 215
Cash and cash equivalents 8,767 - - - 8,767
Total current assets 8,966 152,969 578 7,356 169,869
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or
loss
(1) - - - (1)
Other liabilities (11,473) (2,800) (3,604) - (17,877)
Current tax liabilities - - - - -
Short-term borrowings - - - - -
Total liabilities (11,474) (2,800) (3,604) - (17,878)
Net balance (2,508) 150,169 (3,026) 7,356 151,991

*Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss classified as between one and three months correspond to the investments in Quartys Limited and the ABCA Funds Ireland Plc sub-funds, which are shown at fair value in accordance with IFRS 10 (note 1), since ABC arbitrage is unable to recover their value in less than one month. By contrast, the net assets of these companies are mainly composed of exposures to Level 1 financial instruments traded on active markets and convertible into cash in much less than one month.

5.4. Operational risk

Operational risk is the risk of loss due to inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems.

In 2020, losses due to operational incidents represented 5.4% of revenues (against 0.2% in 2019) .

This risk is managed upstream by ensuring that position taking is guided by written procedures and a rigorous internal control process. However, these procedures and controls cannot provide absolute assurance that operational losses will not occur and due care is taken at all times as this is a structural risk in the arbitrage business.

5.5. Other risks

✓ Compliance risk (Including legal risk)

Compliance risk is the risk of failure to identify and/or comply properly with the provisions governing the Group's business activities. Such failure can lead to malfunctions, financial loss or sanctions (legal, disciplinary, administrative, etc). An ongoing monitoring system is in place within the Group's legal and tax department.

✓ Conflict of interest risk

Conflict of interest risk is the risk of being confronted with situations where the interests of a client or company may conflict with those of another client or with those of a Group company or a Group employee.

To prevent conflict of interest situations, the Group has implemented:

  • an internal conflicts of interest policy including guidance to be followed by employees in order to identify, prevent and manage conflicts of interest;

  • strict procedures and rules governing the handling of orders and primacy of the client interest. The Group's asset management companies comply strictly with financial market operating rules and are not permitted to do anything that might contravene the principle of fair and equal treatment of orders. More particularly, orders transmitted to the market are pre-allocated and time and date stamped.

Transactions between Group companies are carried out on an arm's length basis.

✓ Brexit

The referendum on the accession of the United Kingdom ("UK") to the European Community took place on June 23, 2016, and british people have voted in favour of leaving the European Union ("EU") (Brexit).

After postponing several times the withdrawal agreement of the United Kingdom ("UK"), this agreement has been approved by the British Parliament on January 9, 2020, and by the European Parliament on January 29, 2020, with the entry into force of the agreement of January 31, 2020. The law of the European Union shall no longer apply to the United Kingdom ("UK") from January 1, 2021. The United Kingdom ("UK") will retain its membership status during the eleven months' transitional period.

The Group:

  • does not have a permanent establishment or business operations in the UK;
  • does not commercialise products in the UK;
  • does not deploy personnel to the UK (save for infrequent business travel);
  • contracts little services from the UK, yet maintains counterparty relationships with UK Credit Institutions (CI's) for financing services.

The Group's companies have already signed the new necessary contracts in early 2019, and these contracts will permit business continuity for all the group's activities without significant impact.

6. Other information

6.1. Related party transactions

There were no material transactions with Aubépar Industries in 2020.

6.2. Fees paid to the Statutory Auditors

ERNST & YOUNG ET AUTRES DELOITTE ET ASSOCIES
Amount in EUR
(excluding VAT)
% Amount in EUR
(excluding VAT)
%
2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019
Audit fees 38,037 37,475 50% 50% 38,037 37,475 50% 50%
Other services provided to fully
consolidated subsidiaries *
30,434 29,984 50% 50% 30,434 29,984 50% 50%
Other audit-related work 0 0 N/A N/A 0 0 N/A N/A
TOTAL 68,471 67,459 50% 50% 68,471 67,459 50% 50%

* Excluding ABC arbitrage Asset Management Asia, whose 2020 financial statements were audited by Crowe Horwath First Trust (€7 thousand of fees).

DELOITTE & ASSOCIES ERNST & YOUNG et Autres

This is a translation into English of the statutory auditors' report on the consolidated financial statements of the Company issued in French and it is provided solely for the convenience of English speaking users. This statutory auditors' report includes information required by European regulation

and French law, such as information about the appointment of the statutory auditors or verification of the information concerning the Group presented in the management report and other documents provided to shareholders.

This report should be read in conjunction with, and construed in accordance with, French law and professional auditing standards applicable in France.

ABC arbitrage

Year ended 31 December 2020

Statutory auditors' report on the consolidated financial statements

ERNST & YOUNG et Autres

Tour First TSA 14444 92037 Paris-La Défense cedex S.A.S. à capital variable 438 476 913 R.C.S. Nanterre

6, place de la Pyramide 92908 Paris-La Défense Cedex

ABC arbitrage Year ended 31 December 2020

Statutory auditors' report on the consolidated financial statements

To the Shareholders of ABC arbitrage,

Opinion

In compliance with the engagement entrusted to us by your Annual General meeting, we have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of ABC arbitrage for the year ended 31 december 2020.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the assets and liabilities and of the financial position of the Group as at 31 december 2020 and of the results of its operations for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union.

The audit opinion expressed above is consistent with our report to the Audit Committee.

Basis for Opinion

Audit Framework

We conducted our audit in accordance with professional standards applicable in France. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Statutory Auditors' Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements section of our report.

Independence

We conducted our audit engagement in compliance with independence requirements of the French Commercial Code (Code de commerce) and the French Code of Ethics (Code de déontologie) for statutory auditors for the period from 1 January 2020 to the date of our report and specifically we did not provide any prohibited non-audit services referred to in Article 5(1) of Regulation (EU) No 537/2014.

Justification of Assessments - Key Audit Matters

Due to the global crisis related to the Covid-19 pandemic, the financial statements of this period have been prepared and audited under specific conditions. Indeed, this crisis and the exceptional measures taken in the context of the state of sanitary emergency have had numerous consequences for companies, particularly on their operations and their financing, and have led to greater uncertainties on their future prospects. Those measures, such as travel restrictions and remote working, have also had an impact on the companies' internal organization and the performance of the audits.

It is in this complex and evolving context that, in accordance with the requirements of Articles L. 823-9 and R. 823-7 of the French Commercial Code (Code de commerce) relating to the justification of our assessments, we inform you of the key audit matters relating to risks of material misstatement that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period, as well as how we addressed those risks.

These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the consolidated financial statements as a whole and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on specific items of the consolidated financial statements.

Financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss

Risk identified Our response
The ABC arbitrage group develops, implements and
proposes market arbitrage strategies.
As described in the note 1.2 "Fair value of financial
instruments" of the consolidated financial statements,
Financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss
managed under these strategies relate to equities or equity
derivatives, derivatives such as futures, options, currencies
or investment fund units Quartys Ltd and the sub-funds of
ABCA Funds Ireland Plc hold these instruments.
Our work consisted, involving in our team members with
special expertise in financial instruments and information
systems, and supervising the auditors of Quartys Ltd and
ABCA Funds Ireland Plc, to:
-
Assess the coherence of the group valuation principles
with IFRS 13 standards ;
-
analyse the automated application process that
retrieves the prices of the external repositories and
calculates the "Mid price";
Within these entities, in the application of IFRS 13 "Fair
Value Measurement", the ABC arbitrage group determine
the fair value of a financial instrument as the "Exit price"
(mid-price between Bid Price and Ask Price). It is
determined at the last time of common quotation of the
securities in an arbitrage model or with the smallest interval
of time possible.
-
assess the data and assumptions of the direction on
which the pricing of instruments is based, using the
following procedures performed on a sample of
instruments in the portfolio:
comparison of prices used by the group with price
o
data from external sources (Bloomberg for
example) ;
ABC Arbitrage participations in Quartys Ltd and sub-funds of
ABCA Funds Ireland Plc as of December 31, 2020 amounts
for k€150,310 as detailed in note 3.4 "Financial
assets/liabilities at fair value through profit or loss" of the
consolidated financial statements.
in the event of a temporary difference in the
o
quotation between the securities making up the
arbitrage model, to carry out specific tests
consisting in analyzing the rating differences and
assessing the validity of the prices retained by the
group.
As part of these investments, ABC arbitrage group's
exposures on financial instruments and derivatives amounts

for k€930,930 in long positions and k€830,234 in short positions, as described in note 5 "Risk factors" of the

Given the importance of the financial instrument portfolios in ABC arbitrage's consolidated financial statements, we consider that the fair value measurement of these instruments used in the context of arbitrage strategies is a key audit matter.

Tax risks and various related liabilities

Risk identified Our response

The ABC arbitrage group carries out its stock market arbitrage business from several countries (mainly France and Ireland) and operates in various markets internationally. In the normal course of its activity, the group is therefore subject to numerous specific local regulations, in particular fiscal regulations, potentially carrying risks of interpretation in the terms of application (transfer pricing, withholding taxes, taxes and duties on transactions, etc.).

At each closing, the group assesses the tax positions it has taken and their technically justified nature, in particular with regard to pending litigation.

As specified in note 3.7 "Provisions" of the consolidated financial statements appendixes, the ABC arbitrage company is in particular the subject of a tax adjustment proposal might consider tax imposition in France for all or part of benefits earned in 2015 and 2016 by the Irish subsidiary. Beyond its own judgment, the company relied on the advice of its legal and tax advisers. the company identifies an absence of provision for this in the consolidated accounts.

We considered that the assessment of tax risks constitutes a key audit matter because of (i) the group's exposure to this type of risk in the normal course of its activities, (ii) the scope of the dispute tax in progress and (iii) the complex technical analysis required for such an assessment, which require the significant exercise of management's judgment.

The group's exposure to tax risks is presented in note 3.7 of the appendix to the consolidated financial statements.

For more details on accounting principles, refer to Notes 1.6 and 1.7 of the consolidated financial statements appendixes.

With our French and international tax experts integrated into the audit team, we have:

• conducted interviews with Group management and local departments to assess tax risks and, where applicable, discussions in progress;

• consulted recent decisions and correspondence between Group companies and tax authorities;

• carried out a critical examination of management judgments, estimates and positions relating to tax risks and disputes;

• examined the reasons for the tax rectification proposal issued by the French tax administration against the company ABC arbitrage;

• analyzed the technical opinions and opinions obtained by the Group from its tax advisers and independent tax lawyers, in particular for the aforementioned dispute;

• assessed the correct application of the IFRIC 23 interpretation "Uncertainty over income tax treatments".

Finally, we have examined the associated information as provided in Notes 1.6 "Provisions", 1.7 "Income tax" and 3.7 "Provisions" of the consolidated financial statements appendixes

Specific verifications

We have also performed, in accordance with professional standards applicable in France, the specific verifications required by laws and regulations of the information relating to the Group given in the Board of Directors's management report.

We have no matters to report as to their fair presentation and their consistency with the consolidated financial statements.

Format of presentation of the consolidated financial statements intended to be included in the annual financial report

In accordance with Article 222-3, III of the AMF General Regulation, the Company's management informed us of its decision to postpone the presentation of the consolidated financial statements in compliance with the European single electronic format as defined in the European Delegated Regulation No 2019/815 of 17 December 2018 to years beginning on or after January 1st, 2021. Therefore, this report does not include a conclusion on the compliance with this format of the presentation of the consolidated financial statements intended to be included in the annual financial report mentioned in Article L. 451-1-2, I of the French Monetary and Financial Code (Code monétaire et financier).

Appointment of the Statutory Auditors

We were appointed as statutory auditors of ABC arbitrage by the annual general meeting held on 2003 for DELOITTE & ASSOCIES and on 1999 for ERNST & YOUNG et Autres, taking into account acquisitions or mergers of firms that took place prior to these dates.

As at 31 December 2020 DELOITTE & ASSOCIES was in the 18th year of total uninterrupted engagement and ERNST & YOUNG et Autres was in the 22h year of total uninterrupted engagement (which are 18th year since securities of the Company were admitted to trading on a regulated market).

Responsibilities of Management and Those Charged with Governance for the Consolidated Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union and for such internal control as Management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, Management is responsible for assessing the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless it is expected to liquidate the Company or to cease operations.

The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring the financial reporting process and the effectiveness of internal control and risks management systems and where applicable, its internal audit, regarding the accounting and financial reporting procedures.

The consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors.

Statutory Auditors' Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements

Objectives and audit approach

Our role is to issue a report on the consolidated financial statements. Our objective is to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with professional standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements.

As specified in Article L. 823-10-1 of the French Commercial Code (Code de commerce), our statutory audit does not include assurance on the viability of the Company or the quality of management of the affairs of the Company.

As part of an audit conducted in accordance with professional standards applicable in France, the statutory auditor exercises professional judgment throughout the audit and furthermore:

  • ► Identifies and assesses the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, designs and performs audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtains audit evidence considered to be sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for his opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
  • ► Obtains an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the internal control.
  • ► Evaluates the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by Management in the consolidated financial statements.
  • ► Assesses the appropriateness of Management's use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. This assessment is based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of his audit report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern. If the statutory auditor concludes that a material uncertainty exists, there is a requirement to draw attention in the audit report to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures are not provided or inadequate, to modify the opinion expressed therein.
  • ► Evaluates the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements and assesses whether these statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
  • ► Obtains sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the Group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. The statutory auditor is responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the audit of the consolidated financial statements and for the opinion expressed on these consolidated financial statements.

Report to the Audit Committee

We submit to the Audit Committee a report which includes in particular a description of the scope of the audit and the audit program implemented, as well as the results of our audit. We also report, if any, significant deficiencies in internal control regarding the accounting and financial reporting procedures that we have identified.

Our report to the Audit Committee includes the risks of material misstatement that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period and which are therefore the key audit matters that we are required to describe in this report.

We also provide the Audit Committee with the declaration provided for in Article 6 of Regulation (EU) No 537/2014, confirming our independence within the meaning of the rules applicable in France such as they are set in particular by Articles L. 822-10 to L. 822-14 of the French Commercial Code (Code de commerce) and in the French Code of Ethics (code de déontologie) for statutory auditors. Where appropriate, we discuss with the Audit Committee the risks that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and the related safeguards.

Paris-La Défense, 30/04/2021 The Statutory Auditors French original signed by

ERNST & YOUNG et Autres Deloitte & Associés

François Holzman Pascal Colin

ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT 2020

Corporate Social Responsibility Report Social, environmental and

social responsibility

Given the size of the company, and in accordance with Décret n° 2017-1265 of August 9, 2017, the Group ABC arbitrage is no longer subject to any disclosure requirements of non-financial information. Nevertheless, mindful of its corporate responsibility over social, societal and environmental issue improvements, the Group made the choice to present this information to its shareholders.

Our social, environmental and societal responsibility involves two main areas:

  • Active recruitment management and employee support: Our hiring policy focuses on diversity, without any form of discrimination, while the key aspects of our employee support policy are skills development and incentive-based compensation policies that combines the performance and results of ABC arbitrage.
  • Taking environmental and societal considerations into account in our day-to-day decisions: We seek to raise employee awareness of environmentally responsible practices and to reduce our direct impact on the environment through the initiatives described below.

The scope of reporting is as follows:

  • Details and information concerning our social responsibility and environmental performance focus mainly on the actions undertaken by ABC arbitrage and ABC arbitrage Asset Management, two French companies that represent 95% of the employees.
  • Employee-related indicators cover the entire workforce (including the operations in Ireland and Singapore).

Please note that the information concerning these issues has been presented on www.abc-arbitrage.com since the company's creation.

Lastly, as a supplement to this CSR report, it is important to read the management report, which discusses the significant events of the year and our strategic vision and outlook.

Contents

1. Societal information 72
a. Local, economic and social impact of our business 72
b. Relations with people or organisations affected by the company's activity 72
c. Subcontracting and suppliers 73
d. Fair business practices 73
2. Social information 75
a. Turnover/length of service 75
b. Compensation policy 76
c. Working time organisation 77
d. Absenteeism 77
e. Employee relations 77
f. Health and safety 77
g. Training 78
h. Equal opportunity 78
3. Environmental information 79
a. General environmental policy 79
b. Pollution and waste management 79
c. Sustainable use of resources 79

1. Societal information

a. Local, economic and social impact of our business

Since the outset, we have contributed to local development on our own scale, not only as an employer but also through our business activities by bringing liquidity to the markets and contributing to the development of the financial industry.

An arbitrage is a combination of transactions designed to take advantage of imperfections between different financial markets. It ensures that prices are identical in all markets at any given time. It creates smooth flows between the various markets and provides them with liquidity. Through our business, we contribute on our own scale to maintaining useful, efficient markets and compliance with regulations. It enables small retail investors to gain access to the market and acquire financial instruments at their fair value.

However, our contribution to society is not confined to our role in the financial markets. We have always redistributed the value we create to our employees and shareholders and also to the State in the form of different taxes and social contributions.

b. Relations with people or organisations affected by the company's activity

We aim to fulfill our corporate social responsibility by taking into account the expectations of our stakeholders (mainly shareholders and employees), with whom we foster an open and frank dialogue:

▪ Employees can pass on their requests, suggestions and comments to their managers at any time. Each employee also benefits from

o an annual interview with their manager in order to discuss their daily life within the company, their areas of progress, their objectives, their career development, etc

o regular professional interviews. These individual interviews were reinforced following the hiring of the Human Resources Manager (HRM) in September 2020. She modified the professional interview framework, in conjunction with the CSE, by emphasizing work/life balance and workload. At the end of January 2021, 36 professional interviews have been conducted with the HRM since the template was revised.

In addition, a dialogue exists between the Group and its employee representative bodies (see §2.e below). Finally, an intranet platform is available to employees. This platform contains all the information they need to work within the company.

▪ Regularly, high-quality financial reporting keeps investors and shareholders informed of the Group's results and key trends. In addition to the annual shareholders' meeting, regular press releases are issued to keep shareholders informed. Our website (www.abc-arbitrage.com) and email contact address ([email protected]) are also available for obtaining any information they may need.

But our role in society and our relations with our stakeholders are not confined to our shareholders and employees. Our community involvement also involves facilitating entry in the workplace, links with educational institutions and membership in professional working groups:

  • Employees regularly take part in engineering school forums, technology conferences and also universities to promote the Group and its activities, forge relationships with students and identify future talent. Internships are offered to students on a regular basis and provide a reservoir of talent for future recruitment.
  • In today's constantly evolving world, with ambitious and captivating projects, ABC arbitrage wishes to stay aware of others' jobs, passions, adventures. Also to meet other men and women who pilot and live important human adventures : they have in common a kind of personal competition, either through sport or studies. Thinking out of our daily life to discover and share the work, innovations, and the challenge to push oneself to the limits, to view things in a new way, to enrich our own career. These are ABC arbitrage ambitions through these featured projects.
    • Continuously since the school year 2014/2015, funding was provided to the Maison des Talents, an innovative program of equal opportunities led by the Fondation Groupe Primonial4 to enable deserving women scholarship students (two girls are sponsored by ABC arbitrage during this school year) to pass the entrance examinations for France's most prestigious universities, or grandes écoles parisiennes.

ABC arbitrage 2020 Annual Financial Report - Page 72 of 80 4 Integrated into the Fondation de France, this new corporate foundation takes over and brings together all the commitment and sponsorship actions carried out until now by the various entities of the Primonial group. The Fondation Groupe Primonial will take over and continue the actions of the Fondation Financière de l'Échiquier, including the "Maisons des jeunes talents", a program designed to house and support scholarship students admitted to preparatory classes for the grandes écoles in Paris

Four professionals who went through a demanding school curriculum are supporting them as their mentor. They offer moral support and academic assistance (general methodology and knowledge) and give them a first introduction to professional life.

They advise them to find internships, jobs, by having them benefit from their network and knowledge of the business world.

We hope that the partnership will make it easier for the new generation to earn scientific degrees, thereby helping to enhance France's performance and reputation for excellence in these fields.

  • Under its communication policy, ABC arbitrage has been leading for several years a sponsorship program as "official partnership" of the skipper Jean-Pierre Dick (Absolute Dreamer crew). Since 2018, ABC arbitrage has supported the new project of Jean-Pierre Dick, the Easy-to-fly. He made up an 8-meterslong' sailing catamaran. Every year, employees and investors are invited to experience a day of sailing with Jean-Pierre Dick and his team.
  • The Group have also been supporting Charly Quivront during high-performance competitions and any other sporting events in which he has taken part since 2016.
  • The Group got involved since 2017 with french artists to promote art and culture in the company. ABC arbitrage is aware that it contributes to creativity, inspiration and energy, and also arouses social interactions and sharing, promoting well-being of employees.
    • o ABC arbitrage gave carte blanche to the artists for a live performance in its office during ten days : a mix of sketches of who we are at ABC arbitrage and freestyle.
    • Art photographs are exposed in the cafeteria and are changed every 3 months. The employees participate in the choice of these photographs using a survey platform. Meanwhile, a contest has been launched around Iceland, 3 photographs taken by employees were chosen and hung in the cafeteria.
    • Finally, in every meeting room, accessible to visitors and employees, is exhibited permanently, an original piece of art especially created for ABC arbitrage around chemicals features : oxygen, zinc, carbon, gold, etc.
  • The Group also participated in the Basis.point initiative, a scheme created by the Irish investment fund industry to improve training and educational opportunities for disadvantaged young people in Ireland.
  • ABC arbitrage is an active member of MiddleNext and, along with the other midcaps listed on the market, share the belief that we need to tailor corporate governance practices to the needs of different organisational structures, for example based on ownership structure or size, in order to create an informal governance system suited to the company's practices. Dominique CEOLIN, Chairman and CEO of ABC arbitrage was appointed, in June 2018, Chairman of MiddleNext (position held for 3 years, as of June 2020 Dominique CEOLIN is no longer Chairman of this association but nevertheless remains a member of its Board of Directors) and other employees of the group also provide assistance and insight on topics known and practiced in their daily lives.
  • ABC arbitrage Asset Management renewed its memberships in AFG (Association Française de la Gestion Financière) in 2020. This association represents and defends professionals' interest in portfolio management for third parties. It brings to memberships constant support into legal, fiscal, economical, accountant and technical areas. The AFG is also a mobilizer of ideas for the profession about portfolio management techniques evolutions, research, protection and allocation of savings.

c. Subcontracting and suppliers

The use of subcontractors is restricted to the preparation of pay statements, social security filings and facilities management.

The number of suppliers related to the activity (mainly financial data suppliers) is reduced as well as the choice offered to the company. Other suppliers are called upon for items that are not directly linked to the group's business activity.

Once this context is reminded, it is important to specify that, without it being formally written, the social and environmental dimensions are an integral part of the criteria for selecting a service provider. As an example, the relationships mentioned in §1.b above demonstrate this, but we could also cite the choice of our DataCenters for which high energy efficiency, the source of electricity and the local presence of maintenance teams, as well as the consumption and electrical output of the equipment used, are criteria that are observed when making our decision

d. Fair business practices

ABC arbitrage is listed on a regulated market. Consequently, immediately upon signing an employment contract, employees undertake to comply with all internal control procedures as regards dealing in ABC arbitrage shares and, more generally, the legislation and regulations on preventing insider trading. Similarly, ABC arbitrage Asset Management is a portfolio management company and its business is therefore regulated, subject to authorisation and supervised by the

Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF). Employees undertake to comply with all of the mandatory rules and regulations governing asset management activities,particularly the primacy of the client's interests and the fight against bribery and money-laundering.

More generally, internal control and risk management procedures have been described in the report of the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Lastly, ABC arbitrage pledges to uphold human rights, including those covered by the main ILO (International Labour Organization) conventions. Given that we operate in countries where democracy and human rights are promoted and controlled, no particular policy has been devised in this area.

2. Social information

Key employee data are summarised in the table below:

2020 2019 Change
Indicator Definition/unit of measurement France
(1))
Internatio
nal (2)
TOTAL TOTAL 100%
Total headcount(3) Total number of interns, permanent
and fixed term employees
80 4 84 76 11%
Average
headcount
Total number of interns,permanent and
fixed term employees
77 4 81 77 5%
Headcount by Managers as a % of total headcount 100% 100% 100% 100% 0%
category Other employees as a % of total
headcount
0% 0% 0% 0% N/A
% Women 26% 25% 24% 24% 0%
Gender balance % Men 74% 75% 76% 76% 0%
Number of short-term internships 4 0 4 2 100%
Number of
interns during the
year
Number of pre-hire internships 2 0 2 0 N/A
Percentage of pre-hire internships
converted into permanent employment
contracts
100% N/A N/A N/A N/A
New hires Number of new permanent hires 13 1 14 14 0%
Resignations Number of resignations during the year 2 2 4 13 -69%
Contractually
agreed
terminations
Number of contractually agreed
terminations during the year
3 0 3 4 -25%
Dismissals Total number of dismissals 0 0 0 1 N/A
Other(4) Other contract terminations 1 0 1 1 N/A
Average age Average age of permanent employees 35 40 35 35 0%
Average length
of service
Number of years 8 12 9 8 13%
Absenteeism (5) Number of days absenteeism
in France (%)
1.78 NC 1.78 3.53 230%

(1) ABCA + ABAM ABCA = ABC arbitrage; ABAM = ABC arbitrage Asset Management;

(2) International = Quartys Ltd based in Ireland (one employee) and ABC arbitrage Asset Management Asia Pte Ltd based in Singapore (three employees).

(3) Total headcount includes permanent employees and the two executive officers.

(4) Other contract terminations correspond to trial period terminations.

(5) Total number of days' absence (including maternity leave) divided by the total number of theoretical working days.

a. Turnover/length of service

Fourteen new permanent employees joined the Group in 2020, representing 17% of the workforce at the end of the year. They reflected our decision to combine recent graduates and veterans with proven technical experience.

This hiring policy encourages the emergence of new ideas and innovation, while capitalising on the expertise of our most loyal employees.

Attesting to our forward-looking vision, the average age of our employees is relatively young (35) and 28.8% are aged under 30.

Average length of service for employees in the Group stands at 9 years (plus 1 year in comparison with 2019). However, the company has an experienced, loyal management team, with an average of 19 years of service. These employees lead younger associates who fall into three categories: "6 to 10 years" representing 17.9% of the employees, "2 to 6 years" representing 16.7% of the employees, and "less than 2 years", representing 28.6%, as shown in the chart below. This organization offers us the energy and momentum we need to drive growth.

b. Compensation policy

All of the regulatory information required under Article L.225-102 of the French Commercial Code is disclosed in the management report for 2020.

In 2020, personnel costs increase by approximately 116%. This evolution is to be split into two different major axes:

  • The Group has been working on a new compensation system, to be implemented as of January 2020, in order to remain in the current competition. This work is in line with the logic of maintaining the recruitment of quality profiles (continuity of the Added Value program) without any form of discrimination. At the beginning of 2020, the management of each Group company set up salary scales by position/department based on objective criteria (internal skill levels, diplomas obtained, number of years of experience and external studies). Following the creation of this scale, each department has implemented increases to bring the fixed salaries of employees in line with the new scale. In total, 88% of employees saw their fixed salary increase in 2020 (89% of women and 87% of men). At the same time, the average number of employees has increased by 5%, which has an impact on the evolution of the "fixed" part of remuneration.
  • In addition, the Group's results in 2020, which were up significantly in a market context with periods of high volatility, automatically led to an upward revision of the variable part of the remuneration of Group employees.

The desire to involve teams over the long term and to create a convergence of interests with shareholders is at the heart of management's concerns. The company has developed various share-based incentive schemes to drive growth by retaining core skills while containing payroll and other fixed costs in a highly competitive environment.

This process was initiated by the company well before the 2008 crisis and the G20 recommendations Despite the additional cost measures taken by various governments, we are still convinced that they have a role to play and we will continue to use them, albeit to a lesser extent.

All of the information concerning the share-based incentive schemes is presented in the management report.

c. Working time organisation

The organization of working hours varies according to the functions performed, as all the Group's employees are autonomous executives on a fixed-term contract.

Employees work the hours specified in the collective agreement, which correspond to the legal working hours, unless otherwise stipulated in their employment contracts.

Where possible, subject to business constraints, employees are granted considerable flexibility in their working hours. They may also opt to work part-time.

In 2020, there were four part-time female employees.

Concerning remote working, the company has put in place during the last quarter of 2020 an action plan to study the possibility of remote working on a regular basis in a context "outside COVID". This action plan was carried out in agreement with the Works Council. Within this framework, 9 workshops were carried out with the voluntary employees in order to take into account their wishes, remarks and fears. Each workshop was conducted with the manager of the team concerned, the HR manager and a member of the Works Council.

d. Absenteeism

Absenteeism and the reasons are monitored by the human resources department. The absenteeism indicator is the ratio between the number of days of absence and the total number of theoretical working days expressed as a percentage. Short-term absences in 2020 (i.e. less than three days), were taken mainly for illness or family events. They represent 61.8% of absences during the year.

These very low percentages attest to the positive workplace environment nurtured across the Group, as well as to the initiatives undertaken to enhance employee well-being.

e. Employee relations

Social dialogue is based on a process of consultation between employer and employees (or their representatives). This dialogue is organised around the Economic and Social Committee which gathers the Works Council and the Health and Safety Committee.

The Economic and Social Committee, plays a business role (company organisation and practices, working conditions, vocational training, apprenticeship, etc.) as well as a social and cultural role. The Committee also protects the health and safety of Group employees and tries to improve their working conditions. They meet once every two months whenever possible, at least six times a year.

The Economic and Social Committee is informed and consulted when major decisions are made in order to take employees' interests into consideration. Employees are informed about them and the way they work, particularly upon first joining the company. The information is also available to everyone on the ABC arbitrage electronic documents.

Social dialogue also takes place regularly through twice-yearly meetings held to present the Group's results. Attendance is mandatory and the meetings provide an opportunity for employees to ask management questions about the company's results, future strategy, etc.

The collective agreements applicable to the Group are mainly those related to the incentive and mandatory profit-sharing schemes for french entities. There was no new agreement signed in 2020. An employee savings plan is also available to employees in France (95% of employees).

f. Health and safety

Our policy on health in the workplace goes further than simply complying with changes in the regulations. Protecting the health of our people is a key priority for ABC arbitrage.

The Group pays 100% of the basic cost of their top-up health plan. A voluntary flu vaccination campaign is offered each year. A voluntary seasonal flu vaccination campaign is offered every year, and in 2020 the Group reviewed the single occupational risk assessment document - a document that identifies the occupational risks associated with the jobs carried out within the Group with the help of the occupational health department - to add psychosocial risks associated with the isolation caused by the widespread use of remote working in the context of the health crisis.

ABC arbitrage is very attentive to the well-being of our people, which is reflected in various initiatives:

  • Maximum flexibility in working hours subject to business constraints;
  • Provision of childcare facilities;
  • Balancing work and personal life (for example, by not scheduling recurring meetings after 6.00 p.m.);
  • A pleasant, ergonomic working area; recently renovated by an interior designer, and a welcoming cafeteria;
  • Training on gestures and good postures at work;
  • Organization of many conferences (for example : nutrition, exchanges with sportsmen);
  • The provision of fresh fruit and dried fruits;
  • The provision of a room for yoga class.
  • The provision of a resting area in case of need.
  • There were no occupational illnesses reported during 2020. There were no work-related accidents either ;
  • Working conditions for pregnant women are adapted: remote working is possible at the employee's request and schedules are adjusted to take public transport. In the event of requirements linked to a pregnancy, the company is flexible regarding the planning of working hours;
  • The prevention of verbal, sexist and sexual violence in the company is included in the internal regulations, which are reviewed with each new employee and posted.

In addition to the workplace emergency responders, a number of employees are also trained in basic first aid.

To ensure employee safety in the COVID 19 context, the company has always favored remote working. For employees who needed to come to work, a maximum physical presence gauge was implemented based on government recommendations.

Think tanks on remote working were set up to discuss ways of optimizing everyone's daily life. The positive and spontaneous initiatives of employees have been supported and encouraged, illustrated by festive virtual exchange moments, such as video-conference drinks or coffees, to maintain and strengthen human contact and work towards the integration of new arrivals.

g. Training

Training is a key priority for the ABC arbitrage Group. There are two main aspects to our training policy:

  • Technological, regulatory and fiscal training:

We organise many training courses enabling employees to keep abreast of regulatory, fiscal and technological developments.

  • Core business training:

Our training policy for our core business is based primarily on mentoring and desk research. There is little or no direct training available for the arbitrage business and what is available tends to focus more on directional strategies rather than arbitrage. We therefore believe that mentoring (know-how transfer) is the best way to train our employees. As regards desk research, we encourage our employees to learn by regularly consulting professional and technical blogs and by reading a lot of technical literature.

Attesting to this commitment to training and mentoring, certain interns completing their programme are offered preemployment assignments.

h. Equal opportunity

In its hiring and human resources management process, the ABC arbitrage Group refuses any and all forms of discrimination, in particular as regards nationality, culture, gender or disability. On the contrary, we embrace all our diversity, whether cultural or generational, by hiring and integrating employees from a wide variety of backgrounds.

We endeavour to hire motivated, skilled employees who will integrate effortlessly into the existing team and create an intelligent working relationship between people from a broad variety of backgrounds. Most importantly, we encourage ambition, provided it benefits the group as a whole.

With regard to gender equality in the workplace, ABC arbitrage has drawn up an action plan based on a diagnosis of nine areas of action (recruitment and access to employment, qualifications, classification, remuneration, professional training, promotion and professional mobility, safety at work, working conditions, and the work-life balance). The actions defined, in conjunction with the CSE, are a priority for the company and are part of the daily fight against all forms of discrimination.

Meanwhile, the Group ensures the gender equity within the Board of Directors. Besides the historical founders, women represent 40% of the Board of Directors (66% of Independent Directors).

3. Environmental information

Given the nature of our business, the ABC arbitrage Group does not have any direct or material impact on the environment.

We are nonetheless aware of our responsibility and we endeavour to respect the environment in the conduct of our business activities, by taking environmental considerations into account in our day-to-day decisions.

a. General environmental policy

Our environmental policy aims to minimise the direct impacts of our internal activities on the environment through strict management of the natural and energy resources needed in our business.

In our business, which is based on statistical and mathematical techniques, we select financial instruments to trade in by entirely neutral methods. Market inefficiencies are the only consideration that affects our decisions and we do not apply any environmental screens in our selection process.

Although the ABC arbitrage Group's environmental footprint is very limited, employee awareness is raised through regular email reminders about good environmental practices (turning off computer screens and office light in the evening, only printing documents when strictly necessary, using the various recycling bins, etc.); and encouragement to recycle and manage waste as described below.

b. Pollution and waste management

Various waste management mechanisms are available to employees:

  • Recycling points for batteries, light bulbs, coffee capsules, small electronic and electrical appliances, cups, cans, plastic bottle stoppers, pens are provided in the communal areas (coffee area and reprography area); the company 'Les Joyeux Recycleurs' has been able to recycle 170 kg of waste during 2020, i.e. 7,073 coffee capsules, 2,083 cups, 615 plastic bottles, 350 caps, 305 batteries, 292 lamps, 253 cans, ... and this despite a predominantly remote working context. (1kg collected = 5 cents of donation reversed to Ares Atelier (Paris, 18th) association promoting integration).
  • The cups and containers made available to employees are made of biodegradable materials, but above all are only used in case of "emergency", every employee was given a mug and bottle of water also made of biodegradable materials (water fountains are made available to limit consumption of plastic bottles).
  • Each office has a paper and cardboard recycling bin;
  • Printers (of which the number is very limited, the entire workforce sharing just two printers located in central points) are configured to print with recycled paper;
  • Used toner cartridges are collected by a waste service provider;
  • We attempt to find a useful outlet for our used computer equipment (given away to employees, non-profit organisations : Proxité and Simplon - donations made via HelloZack, schools etc.).

In addition, measures have been taken to prevent and reduce air emissions. For example, we took the considered decision to locate our offices in central Paris as it helps to encourage employees to use public transport for their commute.

Employees are made aware of environmental risks and they are encouraged to group their business meetings together to the extent possible in order to reduce business travel, to take the train rather than fly when distance permits, and to make maximum use of new technologies such as video or audio conferencing.

c. Sustainable use of resources

Given its activity, the Group's consumption of raw materials is restricted to:

  • Energy, which for us mainly means electricity. The Group recalls the mechanism settled to reduce the use of electricity and air conditioning when moving to the Centorial in 2010. Outside of the programmed time bands (corresponding to our business needs), manual intervention is required to activate one hour of lighting and has to be reset each time. This complies with the legal requirements on the lighting of business premises.
  • The paper consumption on which the group makes constant efforts. The group's processes are increasingly digitized, which significantly reduces the use of paper impressions. The digitization of our financial reports are part of this dynamic, as every Board of Directors, the e-consent campaign for the Annual Assembly preparation...
  • Lastly, water consumption is minimal, and its cost is included in the property rental. Accordingly, we do not produce detailed data on our water consumption.

www.abc-arbitrage.com

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