1.1 General aspects

These financial statements were prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Swiss Law on Accounting and Financial Reporting (32^nd title of the Swiss Code of Obligations). Where not prescribed by law, the significant accounting and valuation principles applied are described below.

As Investis Holding SA, Zurich has prepared its consolidated financial statements in accordance with a recognised accounting standard (Swiss GAAP FER), it has decided, as the law allows, not to present additional information on interest-bearing liabilities and audit fees in the notes, and not to present a cash flow statement.

1.2 Assets

Assets are valued at no more than their acquisition cost. Exceptions are current assets with an observable market price, which are valued at the stock price or market value on the balance sheet date. All changes in value are recognised in the income statement. No value fluctuation reserves have been formed.

1.3 Loans and investments

Loans to Group companies and investments in subsidiaries are carried at acquisition costs less any necessary depreciation.

1.4 Bonds

Bonds are recognised in the balance sheet at nominal value. Issuance costs upon issue are offset against any applicable agio and the remaining costs are charged to the income statement. 

1.5 Treasury shares

Treasury shares are recognised at acquisition cost and deducted from equity. Gains and losses on the use/sale are recognised in statutory capital reserves.

2.1 Loans

2.2 Investments

The list of legal entities held directly or indirectly by the Company and consolidated at Investis Group level is published in Note 24 of the consolidated financial statements in this report.

2.3 Bonds

In 2020, the CHF 100 million bond, maturing on 12 June 2020, with a coupon of 0.35%, was repaid on redemption date.

In 2019, a CHF 140 million bond, maturing on 15 February 2021, with a coupon of 0.773%, was issued on 14 February 2019. A further bond of 140 million, maturing on 9 October 2023, with a coupon of 0.05%, was issued on 9 October 2019.

Further information on the bonds is published in Note 16 of the consolidated financial statements in this report.

2.4 Equity

The share capital amounted to CHF 1.28 million, composed of 12,800,000 registered shares with a nominal value of CHF 0.10 each. All outstanding shares are entitled to dividends and confer the right to one vote per share at the Company’s general meetings.

Article 3a of the Company’s Articles of Association sets out that the Company’s share capital shall be increased by a maximum amount of CHF 30,000 through the issuance of no more than 300,000 fully paid-up registered shares with a nominal value of CHF 0.10 by way of the exercise of options or similar rights belonging to employees and members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Board in accordance with the applicable regulations and resolutions of the Board of Directors.

Article 3b of the Company’s Articles of Association sets out that the share capital may be increased by the issuance of up to 1,280,000 fully paid-in registered shares with a nominal value of CHF 0.10 each, up to CHF 128,000, by means of the exercise of conversion rights and/or warrants granted in connection with newly or already issued bonds or similar debt instruments of the Company or its Group companies to Company creditors and/or investors.

2.4.1 Capital contribution Reserve

The capital contribution reserve includes the share premium from the capital increase in 2016, less the distributions decided to date.

From a fiscal point of view, any distributions made from capital contribution reserve are treated the same as a repayment of share capital. In 2020, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (SFTA) has confirmed the opening balance as at 1 January 2020 of CHF 52.6 million of the disclosed reserve from capital contribution and the recognition of the repayment of capital contribution reserve in the amount of CHF 14.9 million as per article 5 para. 1^bis Withholding Tax Act. 

2.4.2 Treasury Shares

2.5 INCOME FROM INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

In 2020, the dividend from Investis Investments SA amounted to CHF 10.0 million (2019: nil).

2.6 Personnel expenses

Information on personnel expenses for the Board of Directors and the Executive Board is published in the compensation report in this annual report.

3.1 Full-time equivalent

Investis Holding SA has no employees. 

3.2 Significant shareholders

As at 31 December 2020, the Board of Directors is aware of the following shareholders and groups of shareholders that hold at least 3% of the voting rights in the Company:

Stéphane Bonvin owned 9,892,337 shares or 77.28% (2019: 9,888,561 shares or 77.25%) of the outstanding share capital.

As of 21 January 2019, UBS Fund Management (Switzerland) AG notified that they own 386,998 shares or 3.02% of the outstanding share capital. No further notification in the year under review.

3.3 Share ownership

3.4 Contingent liabilities

Investis Holding SA is a member of the Investis Group value-added-tax group in Switzerland and is thereby jointly and severally liable to the federal tax authorities for value-added-tax debts of the group.

3.5 events after the balance sheet date

On 15 February 2021, Investis Holding SA issued a CHF 115 million fixed-rate bond with a coupon of 0.25% and a tenor of four years (until 14 February 2025). The proceeds were used to partially refinance the CHF 140 million bond expiring on the same day.

There are no other significant events after the balance sheet date which could impact the book value of the assets or liabilities or which should be disclosed here.