Annual Report 2006/07
MEMORABLE WINTER EXPERIENCES
SKISTAR.COM
2
OPERATIONS
SUMMARY OF THE YEAR 4
HISTORY 5 COMMENTS FROM THE CEO 6
THE SKISTAR SHARE 8
SHAREHOLDERS’ BENEFITS 12 THE TOURISM INDUSTRY 14 OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS 18 THE GROUP’S OPERATIONS 22 VISIONS, GOALS AND STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS 24 LEADERSHIP AND EMPLOYEES 26 SALES AND MARKETING 29 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 32 BUSINESS AREA DESTINATIONS 34 SÄLEN 36 ÅRE 38 VEMDALEN 40
HEMSEDAL 42
TRYSIL 44 BUSINESS AREA PROPERTY 46
ANNUAL REPORT
ADMINISTRATION REPORT 49 DEFINITIONS 51
FIVE YEAR OVERVIEW 52
INCOME STATEMENTS 53
BALANCE SHEETS 54
CHANGES IN EQUITY 56
CASH FLOW STATEMENTS 57 NOTES 58 SIGNATURES 74
AUDIT REPORT 75
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT 76 BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ REPORT
ON INTERNAL CONTROL 79
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 80
FINANCIAL INFORMATION 81
GROUP MANAGEMENT 82
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION 83
SkiStar’s vision is to create memorable winter experiences
as the leading operator of European alpine destinations.
4
Summary
OF TH E Y E AR
SUMMARY OF THE YEAR
2006/07 2005/06 +/- +/-, %
Net sales, MSEK 1,259 1,280 -21 -2
Profit before tax, MSEK 170 276 -106 -38
Profit after tax, MSEK 176 242 -66 -27
Cash flow, MSEK 231 332 -97 -29
Earnings per share, SEK 4.50 6.19 -1.69 -27
Dividend, SEK 4.50 4.50 - -
Market value 31 August, SEK 114.25 119.00 -4.75 -4
Direct yield 3.9 3.8 0.1 3
P/E ratio 25 19 6 32
Equity, MSEK 1,257 1,249 8 1
Equity ratio, % 39 44 -5 -11
Return on capital employed, % 8 14 -6 -43
Return on equity, % 14 20 -6 -30
Return on equity, % 30 34 -4 -12
Operating margin, % 17 23 -6 -26
Net margin, % 13 20 -7 -35
Average number of employees 1,082 1,045 41 4
Definitions can be found on page 51.
THE YEAR IN FIGURES
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR
Net sales amounted to MSEK 1,259 (1,280), profit before tax amounted to MSEK 170 (276) and profit after tax amounted to MSEK 176 (242).
Earnings per share amounted to SEK 4.50 (6.19).
Non-recurring effects positively impacted the previous year’s profit before tax by MSEK 69 due to the consolidation of Trysil into SkiStar on 1 December 2005, and the refund of VAT from 1997 and 1998 by the Swedish Tax Agency, following a deci- sion by the Swedish Administrative Court of Appeal.
Due to the unusually mild weather dur- ing December and early January, Sälen could only offer limited opening hours at the ski resort, which meant that operating profits in Sälen decreased by MSEK 57 during the period.
During the second quarter, Vemdalens Sportaffärer & Skiduthyrning AB was acquired. The acquisition contributed a total of MSEK 30 in increased sales and MSEK 9 in increased operating profits during the financial year.
The Alpine World Ski Championships were held in Åre between 3 and 18 February 2007. This was a well- organised and successful event which is expected to strengthen Åre’s brand for years to come, especially internationally.
On 1 January 2007, the Swedish VAT on skiing decreased from 12%
to 6%. The price of a ski pass was correspondingly lowered at Swedish destinations.
The target for return on equity was raised by 2 percentage points to 17 percent at the present interest rate.
With the aim of achieving increased activity and clarity, work has begun on transferring structural properties into an own organisation.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AFTER THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR
Booking volumes for the winter sea- son 2007/08 are up 4% in volume compared with the corresponding period for the previous year, excluding the effects of the Alpine World Ski Championships in Åre.
Dividends are expected to remain
unchanged at SEK 4.50 (4.50) per
share.
1975/78
Brothers Mats and Erik Paulsson purchase the Lindvallen ski resort in Sälen.
1994
Lindvallen is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange O-List.
1997
Tandådalen &
Hundfjället AB is acquired.
1999
Åre-Vemdalen AB is acquired.
2000
Hemsedal Skisenter AS, Norway’s second largest ski resort, is acquired.
2001
The Group adopts the new name, SkiStar AB.
2005
Trysil, Norway’s largest ski resort, is acquired.
History
TH E Y E AR S GON E BY
THE 2006/07 FINANCIAL YEAR
The financial year started out well and, during the autumn of 2006, we were able to report the highest book- ing volumes in SkiStar’s history. This was followed by milder weather during December 2006 and the first part of January 2007, affecting Sälen most dras- tically, where we could offer only limited skiing. During this problematic period, we contacted all guests with reservations in Sälen and presented them with the offer of either making new reservations or cancelling their previous reservations.
About fifty percent of the guests chose to complete their holidays as planned.
For SkiStar, it was important to main- tain a high level of service towards our guests which, in the short term, meant that we incurred certain costs.
From a long-term perspective, we are convinced that this was a very important investment in our guests’
continued confidence in SkiStar. The good news this year has been the suc- cess of our Norwegian destinations, Hemsedal and Trysil, whose strong profit gains partially compensated for the weaker profit gains in Sälen. During the financial year, the Group’s net sales amounted to MSEK 1,259 (1,280), profit before tax was MSEK 170 (276), and profit after tax was MSEK 176 (242). The previous year’s results were positively impacted by MSEK 35 as Trysil was not consolidated into the
Group until 1 December 2005, conse- quently the Group was not encumbered with costs from the period September to November. The previous year’s results were also positively affected due to the Swedish Administrative Court of Appeal’s decision, which refunded VAT totalling MSEK 29 and MSEK 5 in interest attributable to previous years.
Operations within our Business Area Property have continued to experience positive development. During the year, this has resulted in an increase in oper- ating profit of MSEK 10 to MSEK 68 (58), primarily due to the sale of apart- ments in Sälen and Åre. During the financial year, we acquired Vemdalens Sportaffärer & Skiduthyrning AB, which operates sporting goods outlets and ski rentals in Vemdalsskalet and Björnrike. This implies that we are now able to offer the complete SkiStar concept, including skiing, ski schools, accommodation and ski rentals, at all five of our destinations.
The year’s big event was the Alpine World Ski Championships, held in Åre.
A total of 80,000 spectators were in Åre to watch the competitions and over three hundred million around the world watched the event on TV. This was not only a suc- cess from an organisational standpoint and for Åre’s brand internationally, but was also economically successful. As a joint partner in Åre 2007 AB, SkiStar received MSEK 10 of the company profits.
Earning per share amounted to SEK 4.50 (6.19). Dividends are pro- posed to remain unchanged at SEK 4.50 per share. We gladly welcomed 645 (7%) new shareholders during the year, which implies that the number of share- holders now totals more than 9,600.
INCREASED MARKET SHARE
Despite the mild weather and the dif- ficult conditions at the beginning of the winter, we persevered during the year.
In Sweden, according to SLAO (the Swedish Ski Lift Organisation), sales of ski passes fell by 11% to MSEK 880 and, in Norway, according to the ALF (the Norweigan Alpine Resorts Association), by 2% to MNOK 732. In Vemdalen, sales of ski passes increased by 2.1%, while in Åre there was little change and in Sälen sales fell by 17.6%.
This means that the combined Swedish destinations increased their market share of the Swedish ski market by 1 percentage point to 50%. In Norway, sales of ski passes markedly increased by 14.7% and 14.0% in local currency in Hemsedal and Trysil respectively. This means that SkiStar’s Norwegian destina- tions have increased their market share by 5 percentage points to 32%. SkiStar’s total market share in Scandinavia now amounts to 41%.
GROWTH
For many years, SkiStar has been invest-
DU R I NG 20 0 6/07, S KI STAR I NC R E A S E D IT S M AR K E T S H AR E BY ON E PE RC E NTAG E P OI NT I N S W E DE N AN D F IV E PE RC E NTAG E P OI NT S I N N ORWAY
Comments
FRO M TH E C EO
6 COMMENTS FROM THE CEO
ing in the development of skiing areas, accommodation and other services at its destinations. This development has con- tributed to SkiStar’s present strong mar- ket position. We operate the two largest alpine destinations in Norway and the three largest in Sweden. In recent years, our destinations’ major selling points have meant that even external investors have realised sizable investments in our destinations. For example, it can be noted that in Åre alone, there have been investments of over SEK 2 billion dur- ing the past five years, predominately in accommodation and other commercial properties. The investment climate con- tinues to be strong which, in combina- tion with our marketing efforts, bodes well for strong organisational growth at our destinations in the next few years.
There are major development plans for all of our destinations; for example, at Trysil there are plans for three new hotels with over 3,700 new beds in close proximity to the ski lifts. Today, SkiStar is both organisationally and structurally prepared to carry out new acquisitions. Where and when this will happen will be announced at the appro- priate date.
THE CLIMATE DEBATE
Nearly all climate change researchers agree that global warming is indeed hap- pening. However, the rate at which this is occurring and how it affects localised areas is uncertain. Global warming is happening slowly while, at the same time, we are successively developing our snow-making facilities at a quicker pace. With the fast pace of technological development, combined with aggressive investments in snow-making facilities, we estimate that, even in the long-term, we will be able to offer our guests a fan- tastic winter experience, in the snow.
PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT
During the year, we decided to transfer the Group’s structural properties, such as accommodation, hotels and develop- ment land, into their own organisation.
Clarity and activity within both busi- ness areas will increase by separating our alpine ski operations from our property development. The structural properties placed in the new subsidiary will undergo an annual market analysis which will be reported on the market.
We estimate that the restructuring of the Business Area Property will be com- pleted next summer.
PRIOR TO THE 2007/08 SEASON
Demand for skiing holidays at SkiStar’s destinations continues to be strong. The current booking situation at the end of September showed a 1% improve- ment in volume over the same point in time last year. The number of rental units procured via our sales channels has risen by 2.5% at our destinations since last season. If we exclude Weeks 5-7 (29 January – 18 February) in Åre, that is, the period during which the Alpine World Ski Championships took place, when practically all lodgings were reserved for the competitions, our increase in volume amounted to 4%.
We should, therefore, keep in mind that reservations last autumn were at an all time high. We also recorded greatly increased sales figures on the Internet.
During Weeks 35-42 (27 August – 20 October) of the autumn, online sales increased by over 26%. Pre-season esti- mates indicate that our destinations will provide a total of 5,000 new beds, of which 2,000 are estimated to be com- mercial during the entire season.
In preparation for the winter, we are carrying out the largest venture in Sälen in 10 years. In order to increase
lift capacity for Sweden’s most popular ski slope, Gustavbacken in Lindvallen, we are replacing the existing 4-seat chairlift with a modern 8-seat chairlift.
The 4-seat chairlift will subsequently be moved to Tandådalen, where we are improving the slope next to the lift and constructing a completely new slope.
We are continuing to expand our snow- making facilities at all destinations.
The new, more effective snow-making facilities produce the same amount of snow in a shorter time period while, at the same time, consuming less energy.
The high level of investment during the last couple of years will be decreased this year and returned to a more normal level. In order to guarantee that we are able to fill the increased volume of beds at our destinations, we are concentrating on improving our accessibility. Thanks to our well-established cooperation with transportation agencies and tour opera- tors, improvements in travel will be facilitated by, for example, new airline routes between Skåne and Sälen and between Gothenburg and Åre.
We’ll see you on the slopes this winter!
Mats Årjes, CEO Sälen, 2 November 2007
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TH E S KI STAR S H AR E PR IC E H A S I NC R E A S E D BY 1, 269 % S I NC E TH E CO M PAN Y WA S LI STE D ON TH E STOC K E XC H ANG E I N 19 94
HISTORY
The B-share is listed on the OMX Mid Cap Stockholm. The shares were listed on 8 July 1994. At the time of listing, the share price, adjusted for the share split, was SEK 9.
SHARE STRUCTURE
On 31 August 2007, share capital was SEK 19,583,995, distributed among 39,167,991 shares, of which 1,824,000 are A-shares carrying ten votes per share and 37,343,991 are B-shares carrying one vote per share. All shares have equal rights to distribution.
In July 2003, a convertible debenture loan amounting to MSEK 25 was issued to personnel. As of 31 August 2006, a total of MSEK 24.2 of the debenture loan had been converted to 608,699 B-shares and promissory notes cor- responding to another 5,187 B-shares were redeemed for conversion. The convertible loan expires on 1 July 2008 and outstanding debentures of MSEK 0.6 can be converted to an additional 14,850 B-shares. The conversion to shares of debentures unconverted on closing date would result in a dilution of the existing shares of 0.04%.
On 6 September 2007, after the close of the financial year, an Extraordinary General meeting of shareholders resolved to raise a new debenture loan amounting to a maximum of MSEK 30 through the issue of a maximum of 250,000 debentures and approved the transfer of these debentures to SkiStar personnel. Through conversion, the Company’s share capital will increase to a maximum of SEK 125,000, cor- responding to 250,000 shares of series B. Complete subscription and conver- sion of the debenture loan corresponds to a dilution of approximately 0.6% of
existing shares and 0.4% of the votes in the Company. The new debenture was significantly oversubscribed.
SHARE PRICE DEVELOPMENT AND NET SALES
The share price decreased by 4% to SEK 114.25 during the 2006/07 finan- cial year. OMX Stockholm total index (OMXS) rose by 23% during the same period. Since the Company was listed in 1994, the market price has increased from SEK 9 to SEK 114.25. During the same period, dividends were provided at SEK 17.68 per share. During the period 1 September – 31 August 2007, a total of 13,127,317 (9,646,186) shares in SkiStar were traded on OMX Stockholm at a value of MSEK 1,311 (912). The turnover rate for shares amounted to 34% (25), compared with 142% for OMX Stockholm as a whole. The lowest share price was SEK 100.25, noted on 14 March 2007 and the highest share price was SEK 142.00, noted on 22 November 2006. On 31 August 2007, SkiStar’s market capitalisation amounted to MSEK 4,475 (4,651).
BETA VALUE
The beta value of SkiStar’s B share was 0.37 on 31 August 2007. The beta value is based on the Company’s share price during the past 24 months and indicates the degree to which the share price has fluctuated compared to the stock exchange index. If a share has the same price fluctuation as the stock exchange index, then the share’s beta value is equal to 1.0 and vice versa. The SkiStar share’s beta value of 0.37 implies that the share is displaying less share price volatility than OMX Stockholm, on average.
SHAREHOLDER STRUCTURE
There were 9,608 (8,963) shareholders on 31 August 2007, an increase of 645 (7%) in the number of shareholders during the last year. At the end of the financial year, the ten largest share- holders accounted for 66% (64) of the capital and 76% (75) of the votes.
Foreign owners accounted for 11% (12) of the capital and institutional owners for 27% (27) of the capital. Significant changes among the largest owners dur- ing the financial year included the sale by Investment AB Öresund, Orkla ASA, HQ Fonder, Handelsbanken and SEB Fonder of a portion of their holdings, while Robur Fonder and the Northern Trust Company have increased their holdings; in addition, Lannebo Fonder, the Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund and JP Morgan Bank have become new shareholders.
DIVIDEND POLICY
SkiStar’s dividend policy is to annually distribute a minimum of 50% of its profit after tax. The policy is based upon SkiStar’s strong financial base combined with a strong cash flow, which allows a generous dividend policy at the same time as investments can be financed by the Company’s own means. The proposed dividend of SEK 4.50 (4.50) per share corresponds to 100% (73) of profit after tax, implying a yield of 3.9% (3.8) from the market value on 31 August. In total, the proposed dividend amounts to MSEK 176 (176). The date of 14 December 2007 is proposed as date of record for payment to the Swedish shareholders. Payments of dividends will be disbursed by VPC (the Swedish Central Securities Depository & Clearing Organisation) on 19 December 2007.
The Skistar
S H AR E
THE SKISTAR SHARE
SEK
0 2 4 6 8 10
Dividend per share Profit per share
06/07 05/06
04/05 03/04*
02/03
Size class Number of owners % Number of shares Capital, % Votes, %
1-100 1,818 19.38 91,978 0.23 0.17
101-200 2,211 23.57 430,061 1.10 0.77
201-1,000 3,857 41.12 2,334,637 5.96 4.20
1,001-5,000 1,209 12.89 2,708,766 6.92 4.88
5,001-10,000 115 1.23 832,931 2.13 1.50
10,001-20,000 69 0.74 1,025,578 2.62 1.84
20,001-50,000 41 0.44 1,370,324 3.50 2.47
50,001-100,000 24 0.26 1,715,971 4.38 3.09
100,001- 36 0.38 28,657,745 73.17 81.08
Total 9,380* 100.00% 39,167,991 100.00 100.00
* 228 foreign owners with a total holding of 374,551 shares are registered as shareholders according to Nordea Bank Norge Nominee.
Year/Changes
Increase in number of shares
Nominal amount SEK/share
Total number of shares
Change in share capital, SEK
Total share capital, SEK
1992 10 500,000 5,000,000
1994 New share issue 150,000 10 650,000 1,500,000 6,500,000
1994 Conversion 160,405 10 810,405 1,604,050 8,104,050
1995 Split 5:1 3,241,620 2 4,052,025 8,104,050
1997 New share issue 2,337,725 2 6,389,750 4,675,450 12,779,500
1998 New share issue 200,000 2 6,589,750 400,000 13,179,500
1998 Conversion 250,000 2 6,839,750 500,000 13,679,500
1999 Conversion 250,000 2 7,089,750 500,000 14,179,500
1999 New share issue 2,450,000 2 9,539,750 4,900,000 19,079,500
2000 New share issue 100,073 2 9,639,823 200,146 19,279,646
2004 Split 2:1 9,639,823 1 19,279,646 19,279,646
2004 Conversion 183,566 1 19,463,212 183,566 19,463,212
2005 Conversion 64,822 1 19,528,034 64,822 19,528,034
2005 Split 2:1 19,528,034 0,5 39,056,068 19,528,034
2006 Conversion 24,010 0,5 39,080,078 12,005 19,540,039
2007 Conversion 87,913 0,5 39,167,991 43,956,50 19,583,995,50
SKISTAR, B SHARES EARNINGS AND DIVIDEND PER SHARE, SEK
OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE, 31 August 2007
SHARE CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
140 120 100 80 60
40
20
5
94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07
2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000
B SharesSIX General Index
Number of shares traded, thousands (including after subscription)
(c) OMX AB