The 2016 Annual Report consists of the following documents:
- Annual Review, including information about our non-financial performance
- Financial Report
- Corporate Governance Report and Compensation Report
Net income in 2016 was 12 percent lower than 2015 as cost savings from the ongoing restructuring and local currency sales price increases were more than offset by the inclusion in 2015 of the favorable impact of a change in selling terms in Brazil that brought forward the recognition of sales and $200 million royalty income from the signing of a trait license agreement with KWS and Limagrain, together with the impact of generally weaker currencies relative to the US dollar and increased charges to restructuring and impairment.
Sales in 2016 were 5 percent lower, 2 percent at constant exchange rates, with a 4 percent reduction in sales volumes offset by 2 percent higher local currency sales prices, driven by increases to offset declines in emerging market currencies. The adverse impact on sales of generally weaker currencies relative to the US dollar was approximately $0.3 billion. The lower sales volume reflected the inclusion in 2015 of the favorable impact of a change in selling terms in Brazil that brought forward the recognition of sales and $200 million royalty income from the signing of a trait license agreement with KWS and Limagrain together with the final year of deliberate reduction in sales of low margin solo glyphosate and a stop on sales into Venezuela due to non-payment. Excluding these factors, sales volumes were marginally higher in a market that continued to be challenging. Local currency sales price increases included price increases in Russia and the Ukraine, significantly offsetting currency weakness in those countries, partially offset by lower prices in solo glyphosate, which reflected lower purchase prices for the active ingredient; otherwise, local currency sales prices overall increased by approximately 2 percent, with increases particularly in Brazil to mitigate exchange rate weakness seen in 2015.
Operating costs as a percentage of sales increased by 0.8 percentage points in 2016. Excluding restructuring costs and the incremental share based payment costs associated with the ChemChina Tender Offer, described below, operating costs as a percentage of sales were flat in 2016 compared with 2015 and were 0.7 percentage points lower at constant exchange rates. Restructuring and impairment costs, combined with the incremental effect of applying cash-settled share based payment accounting due to share plan amendments related to the ChemChina Tender Offer, were $89 million higher than in 2015 due to the costs associated with the ChemChina Tender Offer and increased impairments of noncurrent assets. Currency exchange rate impacts from the general strength of the US dollar reduced operating income by approximately $153 million, including losses on related hedges in 2016 compared to gains in 2015, with a further negative impact from the significantly weaker Russian ruble and Ukrainian hryvnia that was offset significantly by increased local currency sales prices; excluding these price increases, the net adverse impact of currency movements on operating income, including hedging, was approximately $45 million adverse.
Cash flow from operating activities was $617 million higher due to a continued decrease in inventories and a lower build in trade receivables in Brazil than in 2015. Income before taxes, adjusted for the reversal of non-cash items was $134 million lower than 2015, reflecting the lower level of income before taxes. Taxes paid were lower following the settlement in 2015 of several outstanding tax years for an entity in Switzerland, and cash paid against restructuring provisions decreased due to a lower level of severance and pension charges under the AOL program. Cash flow used for investing activities in 2016 was $59 million higher than in 2015, with the purchases of $53 million of marketable securities and lower proceeds from the disposal of non-current assets more than offsetting a $57 million increase in proceeds from business divestments. Cash flow used for financing activities was $54 million lower than in 2015 due to a lower dividend payment when translated into US dollars; no bonds were repaid in 2016, and in 2015 bond repayments were broadly matched by a new bond issue. Subject to the ChemChina Tender Offer to acquire Syngenta shares becoming unconditional, Syngenta will pay a special dividend of CHF 5.00 per share immediately before the first settlement of the ChemChina Tender Offer. No regular dividend is proposed.
Read more at www.ar.syngenta.com.