Other corporations in which Mr. Bigger serves as director are:Paz Oil Company Ltd., Bank Leumi LeIsrael Ltd. (from 1995 a member of the finance and credit committee – until May 2003), Strauss – Elite Ltd., Partner Communications Company Ltd., Y.D. Vehicles and Transportation Ltd. (Europecar Israel.), Mediterranean Car Agency Ltd.
Nochi Dankner was appointed as a director of the Company on May 26, 2003.Over the last five years, Mr. Dankner has served as the Business Manager, Chairman of Ganden Group, Attorney, member of the boards of directors (including Bank Hapoalim B.M. and various companies in Ganden Group or connected therewith), and as a director in the following companies: IDB Holding Corporation Ltd. (Chairman), IDB Development Corporation Ltd (Chairman), Discount Investment Corporation Ltd. (Chairman), Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd., Clal Industries and Investments Corporation Ltd (Chairman), Azorim Investment Development and Construction Company Ltd., Bank Hapoalim B.M., Ganden Holdings Ltd. (Chairman), Ganden Tourism and Aviation Ltd. (Joint Chairman), Ganden Investments I.D.B. Ltd., Ganden Investments 2000 Ltd. (Chairman), Ganden Real Estate Holdings (2000) Ltd. (Chairman), Ganden Real Estate Properties (2000) Ltd. (Chairman), Ganden Properties and Investments (2000) Ltd. (Chairman), Raanana Park Hitech Ltd. (Chairman), Ganden Communications (2000) Ltd. (Chairman), Azorim Properties Ltd., Kardan Real Estate Enterprises and Development Ltd., El Har Engineering and Building Ltd., Villar International Ltd., Ganden Holdings in Tourism Ltd. (Joint Chairman), Israir Aviation and Tourism Ltd. (Joint Chairman), Israir Charter (1994) Ltd., Arei Barcelona (1997) Management Ltd., Open Sky Ltd., Open Sky – Lauefer Ltd., Open Sky U.S.A. Ltd., Natour - Association of Travel Agents for Organized Tours Ltd., Discovery Leisure Management Ltd., Flying Carpet Ltd., The Third Millennium Tourism and Vacationing Holdings Ltd., GS-3 Ltd., Ganden Biotech Ltd. (company in liquidation), Habas - H.Z. Investments (1960) Ltd., Ganden Technologies Ltd., Tomahawk Investments Ltd., Hubert Investments Ltd., Peleg-Dan Investments Ltd., Shahaf-Dan Ltd., Oshir Holdings Ltd., Rona Trustees Ltd., Shir Trustees Ltd., D.N.L.O. Trustees Ltd., Ronad Holdings (1992) Ltd.
Zvi Livnat was appointed as a director of the Company on May 26, 2003. Over the last five years, Mr. Livnat has served as Vice President of Commerce in Taavura Holdings Group Ltd. and as director in IDB Holding Corporation Ltd., IDB Development Corporation Ltd., Discount Investment Corporation Ltd., Clal Industries and Investments Corporation Ltd. (Co-CEO), Taavura Holdings Ltd., Taavura Cement Containers Ltd., Taalmarine Off Shore Operations Ltd., Yozma Galil Holdings 1982 Ltd., Yozma Galil Transport Company 1993 Ltd., Yozma Galil Development Ltd., Western Galilee 1993 Transport Company Ltd., Explosive Industries Ltd., Tamig Ltd., Venta Marketing Ltd., Venta Ventilation Technologies Ltd., Shmerling - Synchro Engineering Company Ltd., Shmerling Engineering, Investments and Development Ltd., MAMAN – Cargo Handling Terminals Ltd. (alternate), M.M.M. Unified Solid Waste Corporation 1998 Ltd., Taavura Bulk (1995) Ltd., Carmen Properties and Investments Ltd., Yahak Investing – Limited Partnership, Carmen Financing 1994 Ltd., Gav-Yam Maman Properties in Lod Ltd., Or Asaf Ltd., Mashbir Holdings Ltd. and a number of inactive companies in A. Livnat Group Ltd. and Taavura Group.
Rafael Bisker was appointed as a director of the Company on May 26, 2003.Over the last five years, Mr. Bisker has served as General Manager of Ganden Real Estate Ltd., Chairman of Azorim Properties Ltd., Chairman of El Har Engineering and Building Ltd., previously General Manager of Dankner Investments Ltd., and as a director in IDB Holding Corporation Ltd., IDB Development Corporation Ltd., Discount Investment Corporation Ltd., Azorim Investment Development and Construction Company Ltd., Clal Industries and Investments Corporation Ltd., Ganden Holdings Ltd., Ganden Investments I.D.B. Ltd., Ganden Investments 2000 Ltd., Ganden Real Estate Holdings (2000) Ltd., Ganden Real Estate Properties (2000) Ltd., Raanana Park Hitech Ltd., Ganden Properties and Investments (2000) Ltd., Azorim Properties Ltd., Ganden Communications (2000) Ltd., Bashur Investment Company Ltd., Villar International Ltd., Bashur G.A.T. Ltd., El Har Engineering and Building Ltd., Kardan Real Estate Enterprises and Development Ltd., Melel Areas Industries Ltd., Clal Real Estate Investments Ltd., Avnat Ltd., Mishkanot Clal (1982) Ltd., Azorim Development Properties Ltd.
Isaac Manor was appointed as a director of the Company on May 26, 2003. Since October 2000 he has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Automobile Sector Companies in the David Lubinski Group Ltd. Until October 2000 he served as Joint CEO of the Automobile Sector Companies in the David Lubinski Group Ltd.
Other corporations in which he served or serves as director in the last five years:IDB Holding Corporation Ltd., IDB Development Corporation Ltd., Discount Investment Corporation Ltd., Azorim Investment Development and Construction Company Ltd., Clal Industries and Investments Corporation Ltd., David Lubinski Ltd., Chroudar Ltd., Adamit Jerusalem Industries and Car Services Ltd., Lubex Trading Ltd., David Lubinski Commodities (Holdings) 1993 Ltd., Dolev Automobile Financing Company Ltd, Lubit Insurance Agency (1997) Ltd., Odit Investments Ltd., Garage Lubinski Tel-Aviv Ltd., Chroudar Properties Ltd., Manor Holdings B.A. Ltd., Manor Investments R.I. Ltd., Vital Medical Ltd., Euroman Investments Ltd., Euroman Automotive Ltd., D.T.M.S. Investments Ltd., Manor Investments I.D.B. Ltd., D.L.B. Motorsport Ltd., Union Bank of Israel Ltd.
31
Ido Bergman was appointed as a director of the Company on May 26, 2003.Over the last five years, Mr. Bergman has served as General Manager of Bar Marketing and Distribution, Holding Company Ltd. and additional companies in the Bar group. He has also served as director in Bar Marketing and Distribution Holding Company Ltd., Bar B2D Ltd., Bar Point of Seal Ltd., P.M.I. Trading and Enterprise Ltd., Meser B.A.B. Ltd., Bar M.R.M. Customer Service Center Ltd., Bar Aviv Dispatching, Anog Trading and Entreprise Ltd., S.D.M. Sales Arrays and Direct Marketing Ltd., Zedef Club Management Ltd.
Chaim Elkan has served as Executive Vice President of the Company since 1992. From March 12, 2003 to May 26, 2003 he served as Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Elkan has served as General Manager of Katif Ltd., a subsidiary of the Company, since 1991. Mr. Elkan will resign from the Company on December 31, 2003.
Itzik Zion has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since October 15, 1999. From 1995 to 1999 Mr. Zion was Chief Financial Officer of New Dimension Software Ltd.
Israel Einhorn has served as the Executive Vice President - Marketing & Commerce of the Company since December 31, 2000. Prior to joining the Company in the most recent five years Mr. Einhorn (Brigadier General in the Israeli Defense Forces), was the Managing Director of Israel’s largest optical store chain, Vice President – Operations, Logistics and Human Resources of the Greenberg supermarket chain, director of “Mivtachim” and Vice President of the Odar Engineering and Construction Ltd. Mr. Einhorn will resign from the Company on July 14, 2003.
Effie Rosenhaus was appointed as Deputy CEO of the Company on May 26, 2003. Prior to joining the Company in the past five years, Mr. Rosenhaus was the Executive Vice President - Marketing of Partner Communications Company Ltd.
Eli Aharoni was appointed as Director of Operations of the Company on March 10, 2002 and as Executive Vice President – Operations on April 10, 2003. Prior to joining the Company Mr. Aharoni (Brigadier General in the Israeli Defense Forces), was the head of the logistics operation division at the IDF. Mr. Aharoni will resign from the Company on December 29, 2003.
Linda Shafir has served as the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company since January 14, 2001. In the most recent five years she was the President of Hevrat Nichsei Hail (Noah) Ltd., General Counsel of Ha’aguda Le-Ma’an Hahayal be-Israel and a director of each of Elta Electronic Industries Ltd., Megurim Ltd. and Ozarot Ltd.
The Company’s executive officers are not employed for a fixed term. None of the Company’s officers or directors owns in excess of one percent of the outstanding Ordinary Shares, excluding Ordinary Shares owned by corporations or authorities for which any of these individuals serve as directors or executive officers.
The Company has been advised that Ganden, Manor and Livnat, principal shareholders of the ultimate parent of Discount Investment, the Company’s principal shareholder, have agreed to cooperate in electing directors of the Company. The Company is not a party to such agreement.
Set forth below is certain information concerning other persons who served as directors or executive officers of the Company during all or part of 2002:
Name | | Age | | Title |
| |
| |
|
Dalia Lev | | 55 | | Chairperson of the Board of Directors (until June 2, 2003) |
Amiaz Sagis | | 54 | | Chief Executive Officer (until March 12, 2003) |
Jacob Hornik | | 61 | | Director (until April 27, 2003) |
Ehud Houminer | | 62 | | Director (until May 22, 2003) |
Avshalom Hershkovitz | | 39 | | Director (until May 25, 2003) |
Lenny Recanati | | 49 | | Director (until May 19, 2003) |
Yitzhak Elimelech | | 49 | | Executive Vice President (until August 8, 2002) |
32
Dalia Lev was a director of the Company from April 1988 and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Company from April 1997 until June 1, 2003.
Amiaz Sagis was Chief Executive Officer of the Company from January 1, 1999 until March 12, 2003. Mr. Sagis served as General Manager of the Company from September 1, 1998 until December 31, 1998.
Avshalom Hershkovitz was a director and a member of the audit committee and real estate committee from February 7, 2000 until May 25, 2003.
Jacob Hornik was an external director (as defined by the Israeli Companies Law) since April 28, 1998 and Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, and a member of the real estate committee from March 20, 2000 until April 27, 2003.
Ehud Houminer was a director from December 24, 1997 until May 22, 2003.
Lenny Recanati was a director of the Company from 1995 until May 19, 2003.
Itzhak Elimelech served as Executive Vice President of the Company from March 10, 2002 until August 8, 2002. From June 6, 1999 Mr. Elimelech served as the Executive Vice President – Research & Development and from June 1, 2000 as Executive Vice President - Operations, Research & Development.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Pursuant to the Israeli Companies Law, the board of directors of any company that is required to nominate independent directors must also appoint an audit committee, comprised of at least three directors including all of the independent directors, but excluding the chairman of the board of directors, general manager, chief executive officer or certain other officers, and also excluding a controlling shareholder and any director employed by the company or who provides services to the company on a regular basis. The role of the audit committee is to examine flaws in the business management of the company, in consultation with the internal auditor and the company’s independent accountants and suggest the appropriate course of action. In addition, the approval of the audit committee is required in order to effect certain actions and transactions with office holders and interested parties. The members of the audit committee of the Company are Barak Libai (from April 27, 2003), Doron Tamir (from May 1, 2000) and Oren Lieder (from April 10, 2003). The audit committee operates under the Companies Law and the Audit Committee Charter.
Subject to provisions of the Companies Law and the Articles of Association, the Board of Directors may, as it deems fit, establish committees of two or more members, and appoint members thereto from amongst members of the Board of Directors.
The real estate committee of the Company operates under the Companies Law and the Articles of Association.
The role of the real estate committee is to examine real estate assets and the profitability of investments in real estate. The members of the real estate committee are Doron Tamir (from May 1, 2000), Ami Erel (from April 10, 2003) and Oren Lieder (from April 10, 2003).
An interested party is defined in the Companies Law as (1) a 5% or greater shareholder; (2) a person who has the right to designate (a) one director or more or (b) the general manager of the company; or (3) a person who serves as a director or as a general manager.
33
An audit committee may not approve an action or a transaction with an interested party or with an office holder unless at the time of approval the two independent directors are serving as members of the audit committee and at least one of whom was present at the meeting in which the approval was granted.
Under the Companies Law, the board of directors must also appoint an internal auditor, in accordance with the recommendation of the audit committee. The role of the internal auditor is to examine, among other matters, whether the company’s actions comply with the law, integrity and orderly business procedure. Under the Companies Law, the internal auditor may not be an interested party, an office holder, or an affiliate, or a relative of an interested party, an office holder or affiliate, and nor may the internal auditor be the company’s independent accountant or its representative. The company’s internal auditor is Mr. Levi Shteinboim, who has served in that capacity since October 1997.
Compensation
The following table sets forth the aggregate compensation paid to, or accrued by the Company for all directors and officers of the Company and its subsidiaries for services rendered by them to the Company for the year ended December 31, 2002:
| | Salaries, Fees, Expenses, Directors Fees, Commissions and Bonuses | | Pension, Retirement and Similar Benefits |
| |
| | |
|
| | (NIS in millions) | |
All directors and officers as a group | | | 10.2 | | | | (0.3) | |
| | | | | | | | |
In addition, the abovementioned directors and officers as a group were granted options in the aggregate as follows:
| | | Options granted on May 14, 2002 under 2002 Plan |
| | |
|
Number of shares | | | | 324,342 | |
| | | | | |
Average exercise price (NIS) | | | | 16.11 | |
| | | | | |
Average remaining contractual life in years | | | | 4.74 | |
The Company pays directors’ fees within the maximum amount payable to external directors under Israeli law for a company with equity equal to the Company’s equity. The fee of the Company’s Chairperson of the Board (elected on June 2, 2003) has not yet been determined. Directors’ fees are paid to the directors’ employers, except the Company’s external directors who are paid directly. The compensation and other benefits payable to executive officers of the Company are subject to approval of the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors. Executive officers of the Company are eligible for an annual bonus, which is calculated each year based on the Company’s return on equity and the growth of the Company’s net income. The Company maintains liability insurance for its officers and directors. In accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association, the Company will indemnify executive officers and directors in respect of their responsibilities, subject to legal and other limitations.
Compensation paid to each of the five highest paid officers for the year ended December 31, 2002 was as follows:
34
(NIS in thousands)
| | 1 | | 2 | | 3 | | 4 | | 5 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Type of payments | | Chief Executive Officer (*) | | Executive Vice President – Logistics | | Executive Vice President – Marketing | | Executive Vice President – Operations, Research & Development (**) | | Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Compensation | | | 1,589 | | | | 975 | | | | 1,038 | | | | 1,090 | | | | 1,079 | |
April 11, 2002 payment – in accordance with employment agreement | | | 2,081 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Social benefits | | | 529 | | | | 179 | | | | 113 | | | | 60 | | | | 48 | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Total | | | 4,199 | | | | 1,154 | | | | 1,151 | | | | 1,150 | | | | 1,127 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loans outstanding at December 31, 2002 | | | - | | | | 75 | | | | 262 | | | | - | | | | 194 | |
Highest balance of loan outstanding during 2002 | | | - | | | | 315 | | | | 368 | | | | 296 | | | | 274 | |
| (*) | On March 12, 2003, the CEO retired from the Company. |
| (**) | Including retirement benefits. This executive left the Company in August 2002. |
As of December 31, 2002, the Company had seven share incentive option plans, in order to provide the officers and key employees of the Company and its affiliates with incentives to render, or continue rendering, services to the Company and to acquire a proprietary interest in the long-term success of the Company. See Note 12B to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 17 for a summary of the Company’s option plans. |
Employees
As of December 31, 2002, the Company employed approximately 8,900 full and part time employees, including approximately 550 temporary, or leased, employees under agreements with employment agencies. Israeli labor laws and regulations are applicable to all of the Company’s employees. The laws principally concern matters such as annual vacation, sick days, the length of the workday, overtime, insurance for work-related accidents, severance pay and other conditions of employment. Israeli law generally requires severance pay (calculated on one month’s base salary for each year’s service), which may be funded by pension funds or executive insurance, upon the retirement or death of an employee or, under certain circumstances, termination of employment. Employees who participate in such pension funds or executive insurance and the Company each contribute to such pension funds or executive insurance an amount based on a fixed percentage of such employees’ base salary. Israeli employees and employers are required to pay predetermined sums to the National Insurance Institute. Since January 1, 1995, such amounts also include payments for national health insurance.
The Company, the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) and the Company’s employees committee are parties to a special collective bargaining agreement which expired on March 1, 2003, and which covered most of the Company’s employees (other than managerial personnel, leased employees who are employed by manpower companies or by personal agreements and certain other employees). The Company and the Histadrut are currently negotiating a new special collective bargaining agreement and the Company believes that the agreement will be signed soon. However, there can be no assurance as to the outcome of these negotiations. The Agreement principally regulates the length of the working day, minimum wages, worker’s compensation, payments to pension funds, termination and severance. Certain employees of Gidron, one of the Company’s subsidiaries, are subject to a general collective bargaining agreement among the Histadrut, Mivtahim the Workers Social Insurance Fund Ltd. and the Manufacturers’ Association regarding payments to a pension fund.
The Company believes that its relationship with its employees is satisfactory. The Company has not experienced any strikes or work stoppages in at least 15 years.
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ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Major shareholders
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of Ordinary Shares as of May 31, 2003 by each person or entity who is known to the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Ordinary Shares.
Name | | Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned | | Percent of Class |
| |
| |
|
Discount Investment Corporation Ltd.(1) | | | 106,991,815 | | | | 50.5 | % |
Bank Leumi L’Israel(2) | | | 13,255,237 | | | | 6.3 | % |
(1) Discount Investment Corporation Ltd. (“Discount Investment”) is an Israeli corporation, approximately 71.5% of which is owned by IDB Development Corporation Ltd. (“IDB Development”). IDB Holding Corporation Ltd. (“IDB Holding”) owns approximately 57.8% of the outstanding ordinary shares of IDB Development.
On May 19, 2003, private companies controlled by Oudi Recanati, Leon Y. Recanati, Judith Yovel Recanati and Elaine Recanati completed a sale of all of the shares of IDB Holding held by them, constituting approximately 51.7% of the outstanding share capital of IDB Holding, to a group comprised of: (i) Ganden Investments I.D.B. Ltd. (“Ganden”), a private Israeli company controlled by Nochi Dankner and his sister, Shelly Dankner-Bergman, which, following this transaction, holds 31.02% of the equity and of voting power in IDB Holding; (ii) Manor Investments-IDB Ltd. (“Manor”), a private Israeli company controlled by Ruth Manor, which, following this transaction, holds 10.34% of the equity and of voting power in IDB Holding; and (iii) Avraham Livnat Investments (2002) Ltd. (“Livnat”), a private Israeli company controlled by Avraham Livnat, which, following this transaction, holds 10.34% of the equity and of voting power in IDB Holding. Ganden, Manor and Livnat, owning in the aggregate approximately 51.7% of the equity and of voting power in IDB Holding, entered into a Shareholders Agreement relating, among other things, to their joint control of IDB Holding, the term of which is until May 19, 2023.
Nochi Dankner is Chairman of IDB Holding, IDB Development and Discount Investment. Shelly Dankner-Bergman, Isaac Manor (the husband of Ruth Manor), Dori Manor (the son of Isaac and Ruth Manor) and Zvi Livnat (the son of Avraham Livnat) are directors of each IDB Holding, IDB Development and Discount Investment.
At December 31, 1998, Discount Investment owned 45% of the outstanding Ordinary Shares of the Company. During 1999, Discount Investment increased its ownership of the Company to 50.8%. The decrease in the ownership percentage from 50.8% to 50.5% as of May 31, 2003 was the result of the issue of shares by the Company pursuant to the exercise of stock options.
(2) Represents Ordinary Shares owned by mutual funds for which Bank Leumi L’Israel acts as independent advisor.
During the year ended December 31, 1999, a subsidiary of the Company, Hevrat Hanechasim Shel Supersol B. M. purchased 8,864,801 of the Company’s Ordinary Shares, for NIS 91 million. As of May 31, 2003, the subsidiary holds 4.2% of the Company’s outstanding Ordinary Shares.
The Company believes that as of December 26, 2002, the date on which the Company terminated its ADS program and ceased trading on the NYSE, approximately 1.9% of the Ordinary Shares were held beneficially and of record by approximately 208 holders of ADSs and approximately 178 holders of Ordinary Shares resident in the United States.
Related party transactions
Discount Investment, a principal shareholder of the Company, is an affiliate of IDB Holding. All of the directors of the Company, other than Doron Tamir, Barak Libai, Ido Bergman and Avraham Bigger, are officers or directors of IDB Holding or companies in which IDB Holding has a direct or indirect equity interest.
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The Company and Israel Discount Bank Limited are parties to a loan agreement under which the Company borrowed NIS 130 million. As of December 31, 2002, the principal amount of such loan was NIS 108 million, which increase reflects the adjustment to the Israeli CPI. The Company also has a short-term credit facility with Israel Discount Bank Limited under which the Company may borrow up to NIS 20 million. As of December 31, 2002, nothing was outstanding under this facility. Discount Investment, a principal shareholder of the Company, is a subsidiary of IDB Holding, which owns approximately 13% of Israel Discount Bank Limited.
On June 24, 1997, the shareholders’ meeting approved the payment of NIS 400,000 per year, linked to the Israeli CPI to IDB Development, for the services of Dalia Lev as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Company, so long as Ms. Lev served as an office holder of IDB Development and as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Company. Ms. Lev was not paid directly for these services. During 2002, the Company paid IDB Development NIS 485,000 and for the period January – May 2003 the Company paid IDB Development NIS 209,000 for these services. In accordance with the decision of shareholders’ meeting from June 24, 1997, following the retirement of Ms. Dalia Lev on June 1, 2003, the Company ceased the payments to IDB Development.
From time to time, prior to July 30, 2002, the Company made loans to its officers. As of December 31, 2002, the aggregate amount of such outstanding loans to officers was NIS 0.5 million and during such year, the highest aggregate amount of such loans to officers was NIS 1.3 million. Loans granted before June 2000 bear interest at 2% over the Israeli CPI and loans granted after such date bear interest at 4% over the Israeli CPI.
In the ordinary course of its business, the Company from time to time purchases goods and services, and enters into loan and lease agreements or otherwise engages in transactions with entities which are affiliates of officers, directors or principal shareholders of the Company. The Company believes that all such transactions are on commercially reasonable terms comparable to those which it could obtain from unaffiliated parties. In addition, the Company, in the ordinary course of its business, invests on a short-term basis cash not immediately needed in its operations in marketable securities, which may from time to time include securities issued by affiliates of the Company.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Consolidated statements and other financial information
See pages F-1 through F-47 for the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and page F-48 for the Independent Auditors’ Report of Bay Heart Ltd., an affiliate of the Company.
Legal proceedings
In the ordinary course of its business, the Company and its officers, directors and employees are parties to litigation brought by various governmental authorities. Such litigation typically relates to matters such as licensing and permit requirements, and the applicable laws relating thereto provide for the imposition of civil and criminal penalties. The Company believes that an adverse outcome in such legal proceedings would not have a material adverse effect, either individually or in the aggregate, upon the Company.
On April 17, 2000, representatives of the Israel Antitrust Authority (the “Authority”) conducted a search at the offices of the Company in connection with suspected restrictive trade practices among supermarket chains and suppliers. The Authority seized documents of the Company, including correspondence with suppliers, relating to the years 1996 – 2000. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, three former executive officers of the Company, one executive officer and certain employees were questioned by the Authority.
On May 29, 2003, the Israeli Antitrust Commissioner (hereafter “the Commissioner”) published a document describing his position regarding various trade practices among the large marketing chains, including the Company and dominant food suppliers. The document includes a description of business practices among the large marketing chains and dominant food suppliers, which in the opinion of the Commissioner violate the Israeli Antitrust Law of 1988 (hereafter “the Antitrust Law”). The Commissioner did not state in the document which large marketing chain operated according to the said practices, in part or in entirety. The wording of the document is general and is addressed to all the chains and all the food suppliers. Furthermore, the Commissioner states in the document that he has not yet decided whether to exercise his authority regarding past activities. Along with the description of the business practices that prevailed, or continue to prevail, among the chains and the dominant food suppliers, the Commissioner stipulates a long list of future behavior rules that he wishes to implement in the relationships among the marketing chains and the dominant food suppliers. According to the opinion of the Company’s legal counsel, part of the future behavior rules are derived from the Antitrust Law and the Commissioner’s determination does not alter the law. On the other hand, part of said rules are not derived from law and constitute prohibitions that are not founded in law. The Commissioner published the document for comment by the public for a 45-day period, i.e. until July 13, 2003. As the Commissioner’s document is preliminary and general in nature, it is difficult, at this stage, to evaluate the impact on the Company of any actions the Commissioner may take or any final rules that may be adopted.
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On November 18, 2001, a motion was filed with the Tel Aviv District Court for recognition as a class action suit of a claim concerning adherence to the Beverage Bottle Deposit Law. The claim named the Beverage Bottle Collection Corporation Ltd. and the supermarket chains, including the Company. The claim was for monetary compensation of NIS 240 million. On January 13, 2003 the Court dismissed the request. The plaintiffs filed an appeal on the decision of the District Court with the Supreme Court. In the opinion of the Company’s management, based on the opinion of its legal counsel and on the aforementioned Court ruling, the appeal presents a low degree of risk, and therefore no provision with respect thereto was recorded in the financial statements. A date has not yet been scheduled for a hearing on the appeal.
On April 9, 2003, the Company received a motion that was filed with the Tel Aviv District Court for recognition of, as a class action suit, a claim against the Blue Square, Kol-Bo Hatzi-Hinam, Club Market and the Company, for monetary compensation of NIS 320 million. In as much as it relates to the Company, the claim concerns the purchase of two delicatessen products by weight.
Based on an examination of the facts of the claim against the Company, the Company considers that the appeal presents a low degree of risk.
On May 27, 2003, the Company received a motion for recognition of, as a class action suit, a claim against the Company, for monetary compensation of NIS 12 million, in accordance with clauses 17a and 17b of the Consumer Protection Law 5741 – 1981, regarding the display of prices upon beverage bottles.
According to the opinion of the legal advisors of the Company, at this stage it is not possible to estimate the chances of lawsuit or even the chances of the request for recognition of the claim as a class action suit.
Dividend policy
The Company has paid a cash dividend on its Ordinary Shares each year since 1986. The amount of dividends payable in the future will be reviewed periodically by the Board of Directors in light of the Company’s earnings, financial condition and capital requirements, among other things. An Israeli company may only pay dividends out of profits (as determined under Israeli law) and it is the policy of the Board of Directors that the Company retain an adequate portion of its earnings to support the growth of its business. On February 3, 2003 an interim dividend for 2002 of NIS 0.35 per Ordinary Share was distributed to the shareholders of record as of January 16, 2003. The aggregate amount of the dividend was NIS 72 million. The declaration and payment of dividends is subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors. Therefore, there is no requirement or assurance that dividends will be paid in the future.
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
Stock price history
Until December 26, 2002 the Ordinary Shares traded on both the New York Stock Exchange (in the form of ADSs) under the symbol SAE and on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange. On November 20, 2002 the Company’s Board of Directors resolved to terminate its American Depositary Receipt program and to cause the ADSs to be delisted from trading on the NYSE. Trading of the ADSs on the NYSE ceased on December 26, 2002.
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ADS holders may convert ADSs to Ordinary Shares of the Company until December 25, 2003. Any outstanding ADSs on December 25, 2003 will be sold by the former depositary of the ADSs, which will then hold the net cash proceeds of such sale, without liability for interest, in trust for the benefit of holders who did not surrender their ADSs by such date. The Company’s Ordinary Shares continue to trade on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange.
The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices per ADS on the New York Stock Exchange for the periods indicated, rounded to the nearest U.S. cent. Each ADS represents five Ordinary Shares.
| | High | | Low |
| |
| |
|
| | (in $ per American Depositary Share) |
| | | | | | | | |
1998 | | | 18.06 | | | | 10.38 | |
| | | | | | | | |
1999 | | | 17.00 | | | | 11.63 | |
| | | | | | | | |
2000 | | | 18.88 | | | | 15.94 | |
| | | | | | | | |
2001 | | | 20.20 | | | | 16.65 | |
| | | | | | | | |
2002 | | | 20.55 | | | | 9.13 | |
| | | | | | | | |
November 2002 | | | 10.40 | | | | 9.50 | |
| | | | | | | | |
December 2002 (until December 26, 2002) | | | 11.15 | | | | 9.13 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices per Ordinary Shares in NIS, unadjusted for changes in the Israeli CPI, during the periods indicated, for the Ordinary Shares traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
| | High | | Low |
| |
| |
|
| | (in NIS per Ordinary Shares) |
| | | | | | | | |
1998 | | | 13.58 | | | | 8.93 | |
| | | | | | | | |
1999 | | | 14.13 | | | | 9.60 | |
| | | | | | | | |
2000 | | | 15.28 | | | | 12.83 | |
| | | | | | | | |
2001 | | | 17.76 | | | | 13.90 | |
| | | | | | | | |
2002 | | | 18.60 | | | | 8.69 | |
| | | | | | | | |
November 2002 | | | 9.75 | | | | 9.02 | |
| | | | | | | | |
December 2002 | �� | | 10.52 | | | | 8.69 | |
| | | | | | | | |
January 2003 | | | 8.91 | | | | 7.69 | |
| | | | | | | | |
February 2003 | | | 7.53 | | | | 6.81 | |
| | | | | | | | |
March 2003 | | | 7.55 | | | | 7.00 | |
| | | | | | | | |
April 2003 | | | 9.14 | | | | 7.42 | |
| | | | | | | | |
May 2003 | | | 10.06 | | | | 8.24 | |
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The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices per ADS on the New York Stock Exchange for the periods indicated, rounded to the nearest U.S. cent. Each ADS represents five Ordinary Shares.
| | High | | Low |
| |
| |
|
| | (in $per American Depositary Share) |
2001 | | | | | | | | |
First quarter | | | 18.00 | | | | 16.82 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Second quarter | | | 18.95 | | | | 16.65 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Third quarter | | | 19.82 | | | | 17.06 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Fourth quarter | | | 20.20 | | | | 17.01 | |
| | | | | | | | |
2002 | | | | | | | | |
First quarter | | | 20.55 | | | | 18.85 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Second quarter | | | 18.24 | | | | 14.70 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Third quarter | | | 16.35 | | | | 12.30 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Fourth quarter (until December 26, 2002) | | | 12.07 | | | | 9.35 | |
The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices per Ordinary Share in NIS, unadjusted for changes in the Israeli CPI, during the periods indicated, for the Ordinary Shares traded on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange.
| | High | | Low |
| |
| |
|
| | (in NIS per Ordinary Share) |
| | | | | | | | |
2001 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
First quarter | | | 14.82 | | | | 13.90 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Second quarter | | | 15.62 | | | | 14.26 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Third quarter | | | 16.81 | | | | 15.03 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Fourth quarter | | | 17.76 | | | | 14.98 | |
| | | | | | | | |
2002 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
First quarter | | | 18.60 | | | | 17.02 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Second quarter | | | 17.50 | | | | 14.51 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Third quarter | | | 15.31 | | | | 11.67 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Fourth quarter | | | 11.80 | | | | 8.69 | |
| | | | | | | | |
2003 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
First quarter | | | 8.91 | | | | 6.81 | |
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ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Set forth below is a summary of certain provisions of the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association and Israeli law affecting shareholders of the Company.
Purposes of the Company. The purposes and objects of the Company, as set forth in section 2 of its Memorandum of Association, are, among other things, (a) to own and operate a chain of supermarkets and to conduct any other business activity related to the ownership or operation of supermarkets; (b) to buy, sell or manufacture foodstuffs or other articles sold in supermarkets or for sale generally; (c) to own and operate restaurants; (d) to borrow or raise money by the issuance and sale of securities and to invest the funds so obtained: (e) to lend money or to give guarantees in respect of borrowed monies; (f) to secure any indebtedness of the Company by mortgages or other means; (g) to purchase or otherwise acquire land, buildings or other real or personal property; (h) to exercise any corporate powers permitted under Israeli law; and (i) to do all such things as may be considered incidental to the achievement of the foregoing purposes.
Approval of Related Party Transactions; Corporate Borrowings.The Israeli Companies Law requires that an office holder of a company, including directors and executive officers, promptly disclose to the company, no later than at the first board of directors meeting in which the transaction is first discussed, any personal interest that the office holder, including any personal interest of a relative of the office holder or a corporation in which the office holder or his or her relative are interested parties therein (“personal interest”) (provided, that with respect to personal interest of a relative, no disclosure shall be required concerning a transaction which is not exceptional) may have, including all related documents or material information known about any existing or proposed transaction with the company.
Disclosure Requirements. The Companies Law applies the same disclosure requirement to a controlling shareholder of a public company. A controlling shareholder is a shareholder who has the ability to direct the activities of a company, including a shareholder that owns 25% or more of the voting rights in the general meetings of the company if no other shareholder owns more than 50% of the voting rights, but excluding a shareholder whose ability to direct the activities of the company derives solely from his or her position on the board of directors or any other position with the company.
Transactions according to the Companies Law and the Company’s Articles of Association. The transactions set forth below require the following approvals, provided that they do not harm the interests of the Company:
1. | A transaction of the company with an office holder and a transaction of the company with another person in which the office holder has a personal interest; provided, however, that an office holder shall not be deemed to have a personal interest in a transaction between a company and its wholly-owned subsidiary due to his position as office holder in both such companies. |
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2. | The granting of exemption, insurance, an indemnification obligation or indemnification pursuant to an indemnification permit to an office holder who is not a director. |
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3. | An agreement between the company and a director concerning the terms of his service, including the granting of exemption, insurance, an indemnification obligation or an indemnification pursuant to an indemnification permit, and also an agreement between the company and a director concerning the terms of his service in other positions in the company (“Terms of Employment”). |
| |
4. | An exceptional transaction of a public company with its controlling shareholder or an exceptional transaction of a public company with another person in which the controlling shareholder has a personal interest, including a private offering which is an exceptional transaction; and in addition, an agreement between a public company with its controlling shareholder if he is also an office holder of such company concerning his Terms of Employment, and if he is an employee of the company and not an office holder – concerning his employment with the company. |
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5. | A private offering, which as a result thereof the holdings of a shareholder holding 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the company or its voting rights (“Material Shareholder”) shall be increased or as a result thereof any person shall become a Material Shareholder. |
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Approvals. A transaction as specified in section 1 which is not an exceptional transaction requires the approval of the board of directors, unless the articles of association provide otherwise. A transaction as specified in section 1 that is an exceptional transaction or a transaction pursuant to section 2 require the approval of the audit committee followed by the approval of the board of directors.
A transaction as specified in section 3 requires the approval of the audit committee followed by the approval of the board of directors and the general meeting.
A transaction as specified in section 5 requires approval of the board of directors followed by the approval of the general meeting.
Approval of Transactions with a Controlling Shareholder. A transaction as specified in section 4 requires the approval of the audit committee followed by the approval of the board of directors and the general meeting, provided that with respect to the vote at the general meeting, either the majority of votes cast includes at least one third of all votes cast by shareholders present at the meeting that do not have a personal interest in the transaction (excluding abstentions) or the total votes cast by opposing shareholders at such general meeting does not exceed 1% of all of the voting rights in the company. A shareholder participating at such general meeting must disclose any personal interest he may have in the approval of the transaction prior to voting at such meeting.
Abstention. A director having a personal interest in the approval of a transaction, except a transaction as specified in section 1 which is not an exceptional transaction, that is brought to discussion and vote at the audit committee or the board of directors shall not be present in the discussion and at the vote. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a director may be present and vote if a majority of the directors of the company or members of the audit committee, as the case may be, have a personal interest in the approval of the transaction, and under such circumstances, the approval of such transaction shall also require the approval of the general meeting.
Compensation. Compensation to the Company’s external directors must be approved by the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors and by the shareholders within the limitations set by the regulations promulgated under the Companies Law regarding payment of compensation to external directors. Under such regulations, compensation of external directors in companies with capital similar the Company consists of annual compensation ranging from NIS 26,000 to NIS 42,245 and a per meeting payment ranging from NIS 915 to NIS 1,625. These amounts are adjusted twice a year in accordance with the Israeli CPI.
Borrowings. The Company’s Articles of Association grant broad powers to the Board of Directors to authorize the Company to borrow funds, repay borrowings, make guarantees and grant security interests in borrowings. There is no mandatory retirement age for the Company’s directors and a director need not be a shareholder of the Company.
Share Capital. The current share capital of the Company is comprised of Ordinary Shares. The Board of Directors has the authority to issue, out of the registered share capital of the Company, preferred shares in one or more classes or series and to fix the voting powers, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights of such preferred shares, without any further vote or action by the shareholders. The holders of the Ordinary Shares are entitled to one vote per Ordinary Share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders, have no preemptive rights unless the Board of Directors resolves otherwise, and are not subject to future calls or assessments by the Company, except with respect to unpaid sums (if any) on their shares.
Subject to preferential rights with respect to any series of preferred securities that may be issued, in the event of a liquidation or dissolution, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors, the Company’s assets will be distributed to the holders of outstanding shares pro rata to the nominal value of each share owned by them.
Dividends. The Company’s Articles of Association provide that the Board of Directors may declare dividends out of funds legally available for distribution. Such dividends shall be distributed to the shareholders pro rata to the nominal value of each share owned by them. Under the Companies Law, dividends may be paid out of earnings, as calculated under that Law, from the greater of the balance of retained earnings and retained earnings accumulated for the two years preceding the distribution of the dividend , provided that there is no reasonable concern that the distribution will prevent the Company from satisfying its existing and foreseeable obligations as they become due. The Company’s Articles of Association provide that a dividend that is not claimed within seven years of the payment date shall be forfeited. According to the Articles of Association adopted by the Company on August 16, 2000, all shareholders for whom the sum of the dividend exceeds $3, are entitled to receive said dividend.
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Changes of Rights of Holders of the Ordinary Shares. The rights attached to the Ordinary Shares may be cancelled, converted, extended, added to, restricted, amended or otherwise altered with the vote of the holders of at least 75% of the Ordinary Shares present at a duly convened shareholders meeting.
Shareholders’ Meetings. An annual meeting shall be convened at least once every calendar year, and no later than 15 months after the preceding annual meeting, to deliberate on the financial reports, appoint directors, appoint an auditor, report on the auditor’s compensation and discuss any other matter which the board of directors places on the agenda for the annual meeting, at a time and place that the board of directors shall determine. A special shareholders’ meeting may be convened by the board of directors and will be convened at the demand of any of the following: two directors or one quarter of the directors then serving; one or more shareholders who hold at least five percent of the issued and outstanding shares and at least one percent of the voting rights in the company; one or more shareholders who hold at least five percent of the voting rights in the company.
According to the Company’s Articles of Association, the quorum required for a general meeting of shareholders is at least two shareholders present in person or by proxy who together hold or represent in the aggregate at least 33% of the voting power. A meeting adjourned for lack of a quorum is reconvened on the same day in the following week at the same time and place without being required to notify the shareholders thereof or any time and place determined by the Board of Directors and included in the notice to the shareholders. At the reconvened meeting, if there is a lack of quorum the meeting will be cancelled. A notice regarding a general meeting must be published in at least two daily newspapers in Hebrew having wide circulation and must be sent at least 21 days before the meeting to every shareholder of record. Every holder of record of the Ordinary Shares as of the date set in the resolution convening the meeting is entitled to vote in a shareholders’ meeting provided that such date does not exceed 21 days prior to the meeting and is not less that four days prior to such meeting.
There are no limitations on the rights of non-residents or foreign owners to hold or vote Ordinary Shares imposed under Israeli law or under the Company’s Memorandum or Articles of Association.
Election of Directors. The Company’s Articles of Association provide that directors may be elected at the annual meeting of shareholders by a vote of the holders of a majority of the total number of votes represented at such meeting. The maximum number of directors to be elected at each annual meeting shall equal the number of directors immediately prior to such meeting, excluding the external directors, divided by three and rounded down to the nearest whole number. This method for election of directors may have the effect of delaying a change in control of the Company. The Companies Law requires that the offices of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors be held by different persons.
Changes in Capital. The Company’s registered share capital may be increased with the vote of the holders of at least 75% of the Ordinary Shares present at a duly convened shareholders’ meeting. Registered share capital that has not been issued may be cancelled with the vote of a majority of the Ordinary Shares present at a duly convened shareholders’ meeting, provided that the Company has not undertaken, including by way of a conditioned undertaking, to issue such shares.
Israeli Exchange Control Laws
Commencing May 1998, except for certain reporting requirements, substantially all restrictions relating to exchange controls in Israel have been cancelled. Accordingly, shareholders will be able to convert dividends (if any) and any amounts payable upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, provided that Israeli income tax has been withheld by the Company with respect to such amounts, as well as convert the proceeds of any sale in Israel of the Ordinary Shares, into freely repatriable dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing at the time of conversion.
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U. S. Taxation
The following describes the material United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares to a U.S. holder.
| For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. holder” is: |
| • | A natural person who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| | |
| • | A corporation or another entity taxable as a corporation created or organized under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision of the United States; |
| | |
| • | An estate, the income of which is includable in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes regardless of its sources; or |
| | |
| • | A trust, if (a) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and (b) one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions. |
This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase, hold or dispose of the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares. This summary generally considers only U.S. holders that will own the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares as capital assets and does not consider the U.S. tax consequences to a person that is not a U.S. holder or the tax treatment of persons who hold the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares through a partnership or other pass-through entity. In addition, the possible application of U.S. federal estate or gift taxes or any aspect of state, local or non-U.S. tax laws is not considered. This discussion is based on current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, current and proposed Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Internal Revenue Code, and administrative and judicial interpretations of the Internal Revenue Code, all as in effect today and all of which may change, possible with a retroactive effect.
This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to any particular U.S. holder based on the holder’s particular circumstances, such as,
| • | persons who own, directly, indirectly or constructively, 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding voting shares; |
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| • | persons who hold the ordinary shares as part of a hedging, straddle or conversion transaction; |
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| • | persons whose functional currency is not the dollar; |
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| • | persons who acquire their ordinary shares in a compensatory transaction; |
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| • | broker-dealers; |
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| • | insurance companies; |
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| • | tax-exempt organizations; |
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| • | financial institutions; and |
| | |
| • | persons subject to the alternative minimum tax. |
Investors are advised to consult their tax advisors about the specific U.S. federal income tax consequences to them of purchasing, holding or disposing of the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares.
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Conversion of ADS to Ordinary Shares
On November 20, 2002, the Company’s Board of Directors resolved to delist the ADSs from trading on the NYSE. On December 26, 2002, trading of the Company’s ADS on the NYSE ceased. ADS holders may convert ADSs to Ordinary Shares until December 25, 2003. Any outstanding ADSs on that date will be sold by the former depositary of the ADSs, which will then hold the net cash proceeds of such sale, without liability for interest, in trust for the benefit of holders who did not surrender their ADSs by such date.
The conversion of ADSs to Ordinary Shares is not a taxable event and accordingly, a U.S. holder will not recognize any taxable income or loss on the conversion. The converting U.S. holder’s tax basis in the Ordinary Shares received on conversion will equal such holder’s tax basis in his/her/its ADSs relinquished in the conversion. Additionally, the U.S. holder will obtain a carryover holding period for the Ordinary Shares received on conversion. The redemption of a U.S. holder’s ADSs for cash will be treated as a sale. See the section below entitled “Sale or Exchange of the ADSs or Ordinary Shares” for the federal income tax consequences of a sale of an ADS.
Distributions on the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares
If the Company makes any distributions of cash or other property to a U.S. holder in respect of such holder’s ADSs or the Ordinary Shares, the amount of the distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes will equal the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property distributed and will also include the amount of Israeli taxes withheld, if any. In general, a distribution paid by the Company in respect of the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares to a U.S. holder will be treated as dividend income if the distribution does not exceed the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The amount of any distribution which exceeds these earnings and profits will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital, reducing the U.S. holder’s tax basis in its ADSs or the Ordinary Shares to the extent thereof, and then as capital gain from the sale or exchange of ADSs or Ordinary Shares. Corporate holders generally will not be allowed a deduction for dividends received on the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares.
A dividend paid by the Company in NIS will be included in the income of U.S. holders at the U.S. dollar value of the dividend, measured by reference to the exchange rate for converting NIS into U.S. dollars in effect on the date of the distribution. U.S. holders will have a tax basis in the NIS for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to that U.S. dollar value. Any subsequent gain or loss resulting from exchange rate fluctuations between the day the dividend was included in income of U.S. holders and the day the NIS are converted into U.S. dollars, or otherwise are disposed of, will be taxable as ordinary income or loss from U.S. sources.
Recently enacted legislation, the Jobs Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, generally has lowered to 15% the maximum full income tax rate imposed on dividends received from U.S. and certain foreign corporations for years 2003 through 2008. Recipients of dividends from foreign corporations will benefit from these reduced rates, provided that certain holding period requirements are satisfied, as long as the dividends are received from a “qualified foreign corporation.” A qualified foreign corporation generally includes a corporation located in a jurisdiction with which the United States has an income tax treaty which the Secretary of the Treasury determines is satisfactory and which includes an information exchange program. While there is an income tax treaty between the United States and Israel, the Secretary of the Treasury has not yet identified any jurisdiction whose income tax treaty would qualify under the legislation. Additionally, while dividends paid with respect to stock of a foreign corporation which is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States also will be treated as having been received from a qualified foreign corporation, as of December 26, 2002, the ADSs are no longer tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that dividends received with respect to the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares will be entitled to as favorable treatment as dividends received with respect to stock of a U.S. corporation under the legislation. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding this legislative change.
In addition, the legislation also accelerated to January 1, 2003, the reduction in ordinary income tax rates previously calculated to take effect over the next several years.
Dividends paid by the Company generally will be foreign source “passive income” for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes or, in the case of a U.S. holder that is a financial services entity, “financial services income.” U.S. holders may elect to claim as a foreign tax credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability, the Israeli income tax withheld from dividends received in respect of the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares. The Internal Revenue Code provides limitations on the amount of foreign tax credits that a U.S. holder may claim. U.S. holders that do not elect to claim a foreign tax credit may instead claim a deduction for Israeli income tax withheld, but only for a year in which these U.S. holders elect to do so for all foreign income taxes. The rules relating to foreign tax credits are complex, and you should consult your tax advisor to determine whether and if you would be entitled to this credit.
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Sale or Exchange of the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares
Upon the sale or exchange of ADSs or Ordinary Shares, a U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or exchange and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares. The gain or loss recognized on the sale or exchange of the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period of the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares is more than one year at the time of the disposition. Long term capital gains recognized by an individual holder generally are subject to maximum federal income tax rate of 20% in respect of property held for more than one year. Recent legislation has reduced the maximum federal income tax rate to 15% for capital gains taken into account from May 6, 2003 through December 31, 2008. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitation.
Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder on a sale or exchange of ADSs or Ordinary Shares generally will be treated as U.S. source income or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Under the tax treaty between the United States and Israel, gain derived from the sale, exchange or other disposition of ADSs or Ordinary Shares by a holder who is a resident of the United States for purposes of the treaty and who sells the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares within Israel may be treated as foreign source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies
In general, a foreign corporation will be a passive foreign investment company for any taxable year if either (1) 75% or more of its gross income in the taxable year is passive income or (2) 50% or more of the average value of its gross assets in the taxable year, calculated quarterly, is held for the production of, or produces, passive income. For this purpose, passive income includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents, annuities and the excess of gain over losses from the disposition of assets which produce passive income. If a corporation is treated as a passive foreign investment company for any year during a U.S. holder’s holding period and the U.S. holder does not timely elect to treat the corporation as a “qualified electing fund” under Section 1295 of the Internal Revenue Code or elect to mark its ADSs or Ordinary Shares to market, any gain on the disposition of the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares will be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gain and the holder will be required to compute the tax liability on that gain, as well as on dividends and certain other distributions, as if the income had been earned ratably over each day in the U.S. holder’s holding period in the shares. Also, the portion of the gain and distributions allocated to prior taxable years in which a corporation was a passive foreign investment company will be taxed at the highest ordinary income tax rate in effect for each taxable year to which this portion is allocated and an interest charge will be imposed on the amount of the tax allocated to these taxable years. Additionally, if a corporation is a passive foreign investment company, a U.S. holder who acquired shares in the corporation from a decedent will be denied the normally available step-up in tax basis to fair market value for the shares at the date of death and instead will have a tax basis equal to the decedent’s tax basis if lower than fair market value.
Status of the Company as a Passive Foreign Investment Company. Based on a review of its income and assets, the Company believes that it was not a passive foreign investment company in 2002 and will not be a passive foreign investment company in 2003 or thereafter. However, passive foreign investment company status is determined as of the end of the taxable year and is dependent on a number of factors, including the amount and nature of a corporation’s gross assets and gross income. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the Company will not become a passive foreign investment company in 2003 or in any future year.
The Company will notify U.S. holders if it concludes that it will be treated as a passive foreign investment company for any taxable year to enable U.S. holders to consider whether or not to elect to treat the Company as a “qualified electing fund” or to elect to “mark to market” the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares. In particular, if a U.S. holder makes a qualified electing fund election for all taxable years that the U.S. holder holds the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares during which the Company is treated as a passive foreign investment company, the U.S. holder will be required for each taxable year to include in income a pro rata share of the Company’s undistributed ordinary earnings and net capital gain, if any, as ordinary income and long-term capital gain, respectively. The Company will comply with all the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code so that U.S. holders of its ADSs or its Ordinary Shares will be able to elect to treat the Company as a “qualified electing fund” if they so choose.
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Alternatively, if a U.S. holder elects to “mark-to-market” the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares, the U.S. holder will generally include in income any excess of the fair market value of the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares at the close of each taxable year over the holders’ adjusted basis in such stock. A U.S. holder generally will be allowed an ordinary deduction for the excess, if any, of the adjusted tax basis of the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares over the fair market value of the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares as of the close of the taxable year, or the amount of any net mark-to-market gains recognized for prior taxable years, whichever is less. A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares will generally be adjusted to reflect the amounts included or deducted under the mark-to-market election. Additionally, any gain on the actual sale or other disposition of the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares generally will be treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment also will apply to any loss recognized on the actual sale or other disposition of ADSs or Ordinary Shares to the extent that the amount of such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included with respect to such stock. An election to mark-to-market generally will apply to the taxable year in which the election is made and all subsequent taxable years.
If a U.S. holder makes one of these two elections, distributions and gain will not be recognized ratably over the U.S. holder’s holding period or be subject to an interest charge as described above. Further, the denial of basis step-up at death described above will not apply. If a U.S. holder elects to treat the Company as a “qualified electing fund,” gain on the sale of the ADSs or the Ordinary Shares will be characterized as capital gain. However, U.S. holders making one of these two elections may experience current income recognition, even if the Company does not distribute any cash.
A number of specific rules and requirements apply to both of these elections, and investors are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning these elections if the Company becomes a passive foreign investment company.
United States Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
In general, information reporting requirements may apply to payments of dividends on ADSs or Ordinary Shares and to the payment of the proceeds of the sale of the ADSs or Ordinary Shares to a U.S. holder (other than a corporation or other exempt recipient).
Additionally, a U.S. holder (other than a corporation or other exempt recipient) may be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 28% with respect to such payments, unless such U.S. holder provides its taxpayer identification number (social security number or employer identification number), certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Generally, a U.S. holder will provide such certification on IRS Form W-9 (“Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification”) or a substitute Form W-9.
If a U.S. holder does not provide its correct taxpayer identification number, such U.S. holder may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS, as well as backup withholding. However, any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowable as a credit against the U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (which might entitle such U.S. holder to a refund), provided that the U.S. holder furnishes the required information to the IRS.
Israeli Taxation
The following discussion represents a summary of certain Israeli tax laws affecting U.S. shareholders, all as in effect as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retrospective basis. To the extent that the discussion is based on new tax legislation yet to be subject to judicial or administrative interpretation, there can be no assurance that the views expressed herein will accord with any such interpretation in the future. This discussion is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal or professional tax advice, and does not cover all possible tax considerations.
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Holders of the Company’s Ordinary Shares should consult their own tax advisors as to the United States, Israeli or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Ordinary Shares, including, in particular, the effect of any foreign, state or local taxes.
Tax Reform
On January 1, 2003, the Law for Amendment of the Income Tax Ordinance- 2002, as amended, known as the “Tax Reform”, came into effect. The Tax Reform, aimed at broadening the categories of taxable income and reducing the tax rates imposed on employment income, introduced, among other things, the following provisions:
| • | Reduction of the tax rate levied on capital gains (other than gains from the sale of listed securities) derived after January 1, 2003, to a general rate of 25% for both individuals and corporations. Regarding assets acquired prior to January 1, 2003, the reduced tax rate will apply to a proportionate part of the gain, in accordance with the holding periods of the asset, before or after January 1, 2003, on a linear basis; |
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| • | Imposition of Israeli tax on all income of Israeli residents, individuals and corporations, regardless of the territorial source of income, including income derived from passive sources such as interest, dividends and royalties; |
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| • | Introduction of controlled foreign corporation (CFC) rules into the Israeli tax structure. Generally, under such rules, an Israeli resident who holds, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the rights in a foreign corporation whose shares are not publicly traded (or which has offered less than 30% of its shares or any rights to its shares to the public), in which more than 50% of the rights are held directly or indirectly by Israeli residents, and a majority of whose income in a tax year is considered passive income, will be liable for tax on the portion of such income attributed to his holdings in such corporation, as if such income were distributed to him as a dividend; |
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| • | Imposition of capital gains tax on capital gains realized by individuals as of January 1, 2003, from the sale of shares of publicly traded companies (such gain was previously exempt from capital gains tax in Israel). For information with respect to the applicability of Israeli capital gains taxes on the sale of ordinary shares, see “Capital Gains Tax” below; |
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| • | Introduction of a new regime for the taxation of shares and options issued to employees, officers and directors; |
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| • | Introduction of tax at a rate of 25% on dividends paid by one Israeli company to another (which are generally not subject to tax), if the source of such dividends is income that was derived outside of Israel. |
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| • | The seven year limit for carrying forward of capital losses has been removed with respect to capital losses arising from 1996 and thereafter. |
Special Provisions Relating to Taxation Under Inflationary Conditions
The Income Tax Law (Inflationary Adjustments), 1985, represents an attempt to overcome the problems presented to a traditional tax system by an economy undergoing rapid inflation. The Inflationary Adjustments Law is highly complex. Its features, which are material to the Company, can be described as follows:
| • | When the value of the Company’s equity, as calculated under the Inflationary Adjustments Law, exceeds the depreciated cost of fixed assets, a deduction from taxable income is permitted equal to the product of the excess multiplied by the applicable annual rate of inflation. The maximum deduction permitted in any single tax year is 70% of taxable income, with the unused portion permitted to be carried forward, linked to the increase in the Israeli Consumer Price Index. |
48
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| • | If the depreciated cost of fixed assets exceeds the Company’s equity, then the product of such excess multiplied by the applicable annual rate of inflation is added to taxable income. |
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| • | Subject to certain limitations, depreciation deductions on fixed assets and losses carried forward are adjusted for inflation based on the increase in the Israeli Consumer Price Index. |
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| • | Taxable gains on certain traded securities, which normally are exempt from tax, are taxable in certain circumstances. |
However, the Minister of Finance may, with the approval of the Knesset Finance Committee, determine by order, during a certain fiscal year (or until February 28th of the following year) in which the rate of increase of the price index would not exceed or shall not have exceeded, as applicable, 3%, that all or some of the provisions of this Law shall not apply to such fiscal year, or, that the rate of increase of the price index relating to such fiscal year shall be deemed to be 0%, and to make the adjustments required to be made as a result of such determination.
Capital Gains Tax
Israeli law generally imposes on residents and non-residents of Israel a tax on the sale of capital assets in Israel, including the Company’s ordinary shares, unless a specific exemption is available or unless a tax treaty between Israel and the shareholder’s country of residence provides otherwise. The law distinguishes between the inflationary surplus and the real gain. The inflationary surplus is a portion of the total capital gain, which is equivalent to the increase of the relevant asset’s purchase price that is attributable to the increase in the Israeli consumer price index between the date of purchase and the date of sale. The real gain is the excess of the total capital gain over the inflationary surplus.
Pursuant to the Tax Reform, generally, capital gains tax is imposed at a rate of 15% on real gains derived on or after January 1, 2003, from the sale of shares in companies (i) publicly traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (“TASE”) (such as the Company) or (ii) (subject to a necessary determination by the Israeli Minister of Finance) Israeli companies publicly traded on a recognized stock exchange or regulated market outside of Israel. This tax rate is contingent upon the shareholder not claiming a deduction for financing expenses, and does not apply to: (i) dealers in securities; (ii) shareholders that report in accordance with the Inflationary Adjustment Law; or (iii) shareholders who acquired their shares prior to an initial public offering (that are subject to a different tax arrangement). The tax basis of shares acquired prior to January 1, 2003 will be determined in accordance with the average closing share price in the three trading days preceding January 1, 2003. However, a request may be made to the tax authorities to consider the actual adjusted cost of the shares as the tax basis if it is higher than such average price.
Non-Israeli residents are exempt from Israeli capital gains tax on any gains derived from the sale of shares publicly traded on the TASE, and are exempt from Israeli capital gains tax on any gains derived from the sale of shares of Israeli companies publicly traded on a recognized stock exchange or regulated market outside of Israel, provided that such capital gains are not derived from a permanent establishment in Israel and that such shareholders did not acquire their shares prior to the issuer’s initial public offering. However, non-Israeli corporations will not be entitled to such exemption if an Israeli resident (i) has a controlling interest of 25% or more in such non-Israeli corporation, or (ii) is the beneficiary of or is entitled to 25% or more of the revenues or profits of such non-Israeli corporation, whether directly or indirectly.
In some instances where the Company’s shareholders may be liable to Israeli tax on the sale of their ordinary shares, the payment of the consideration may be subject to the withholding of Israeli tax at the source.
Pursuant to a treaty between the governments of the United States and Israel, the sale of shares by a person who qualifies as a resident of the United States within the meaning of the treaty and who is entitled to claim the benefits afforded to a resident by the treaty will not be subject to Israeli capital gains tax. This exemption does not apply if (i) the person holds, directly or indirectly, shares representing 10% or more of the voting power of the Company during any part of the 12-month period preceding the applicable sale, or (ii) the capital gains from such sale can be allocated to a permanent establishment in Israel. However, the person would be permitted to claim a credit for the capital gains tax paid in Israel against the U.S. income tax imposed with respect to the applicable sale, subject to the limitations in U.S. laws applicable to foreign tax credits.
49
Taxation of Dividends
Non-residents of Israel are subject to income tax on income accrued or derived from sources in Israel. These sources of income include passive income such as dividends, royalties and interest, as well as non-passive income from services rendered in Israel. On distributions of dividends other than bonus shares, or stock dividends, the Company would be required to withhold income tax at the rate of 25%. A different rate may be provided in a treaty between Israel and the shareholder’s country of residence. Under the U.S.-Israel tax treaty income tax with respect to shareholders that are U.S. corporations holding at least 10% of the voting power of the Company in the twelve-month period preceding the distribution of such dividends, is required to be withheld at the rate of 12.5%.
Documents on display
The exhibits to this report, including the exhibits incorporated herein by reference, have been filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and can be inspected without charge at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of all or any part of those documents may be obtained at prescribed rates from the SEC’s public reference section at these addresses.
The Company also files reports with the TASE and files reports with the Israeli Registrar of Companies regarding the Company’s registered address, registered capital, shareholders of record and the number of shares held by each, the identity of the Company’s directors and details regarding security interests on its assets. In addition, the Company files with the Registrar of Companies the Company’s Articles of Association and a copy of any resolution adopted by a general meeting of shareholders. The information filed with the Registrar of Companies is available to the public.
Documents referred to in this report may be inspected, upon prior written request, at the Company’s principal executive offices, 30 Shmotkin Benyamin St., Rishon Lezion 75363, Israel.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risk reflects the risk of changes in the value of financial instruments caused by fluctuations in interest rates, the Israeli CPI, foreign currency exchange rates and equity prices.
In accordance with the Board of Directors’ policy, the Company invests its liquid surplus with the aim of attaining an adequate return while maintaining a balance between risk and return.
In 2002, the Company invested part of its monetary balances in short-term Israeli CPI-linked government bonds that are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. The Company is exposed to changes in the market value of such bonds.
The Company does not usually use interest rate derivatives for hedging purposes, because management believes that any future increase in interest rates will not have a material effect on the financial results. However, the Company may use derivatives for hedging purposes according to management’s discretion.
During 2002, the Company used derivatives in order to match the currency-linkage bases of its financial assets and liabilities as much as possible.
The Company does not invest in entities whose primary activity involves short selling of derivatives.
The Company monitors the changes in interest rates, the Israeli CPI and the yield-to-maturity of bonds.
50
The Company’s Investment Committee, which reports to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, has responsibility for the matter of financial exposure, development of hedging policy, supervision of its application and immediate reaction to unusual market events.
The Investment Committee consists of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Deputy Vice President – Marketing. The Investment Committee occasionally consults with capital market experts. The Investment Committee convenes as required and at least once a month.
Interest Risks
On December 31, 2002, the Company had balances of cash and cash equivalents denominated in Israeli currency, in the amount of NIS 68 million, which are stated at market value.
On December 31, 2002, the Company had invested part of its monetary balances in short-term Israeli CPI-linked government bonds that are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in the amount of NIS 107 million, which are stated at market value.
On December 31, 2002, the balance of short-term bank loans was NIS 24 million. These loans were repaid in their entirety subsequent to such date.
On December 31, 2002, the balance of the Company’s long-term loans and notes, including current maturities, was NIS 797 million, which was composed of the following:
| (1) Loans, in the amount of NIS 72 million, linked to the Israeli CPI and bearing interest at a fixed rate. Against these loans there are investments in loans, deposits and government and corporate bonds, in the amount of NIS 18 million which are linked to the Israeli CPI, bear a fixed rate of interest and which have similar maturity periods. |
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| (2) Bank loans that are not linked to the Israeli CPI, in the amount of NIS 50 million that bear variable rates of interest. Against these loans there are investments in cash in the amount of NIS 67 million. |
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| (3) A loan in the amount of NIS 132 million, linked to the Israeli CPI, bearing interest that varies every two years. |
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| (4) A loan in the amount of NIS 108 million, linked to the Israeli CPI, bearing interest at a fixed rate of 3.2% per annum. |
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| (5) A loan in the amount of NIS 8 million, linked to the Israeli CPI, bearing no interest. |
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| (6) Israeli CPI-linked notes in an aggregate value of NIS 427 million, as follows: |
| (a) | NIS 88 million bearing interest of 4.0% per annum, due during the years 2003-2007. |
| (b) | NIS 339 million bearing interest of 4.8% per annum, due during the years 2007-2012. |
On December 31, 2002, the Company had no open derivative positions.
The table below provides information as of December 31, 2002, about the Company’s assets and debt obligations that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. For assets and debt obligations, the table presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates:
51
| | Expected Year of Maturity | |
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| | 2003 | | 2004 | | 2005 | | 2006 | | 2007 | | Thereafter | | Total | | Fair Value | |
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| | NIS (in millions) | |
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Short-term assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | 68 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 68 | | | | 68 | |
Average interest rate | | | 7.3 | % | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 7.3 | % | | | | |
Marketable securities – linked to the Israeli CPI | | | 55 | | | | 24 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 79 | | | | 79 | |
Average interest rate | | | 4.0 | % | | | 4.2 | % | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 4.1 | % | | | | |
Marketable securities – not linked | | | 28 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 28 | | | | 28 | |
Average interest rate | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | | |
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Short-term debt | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Bank credit – not linked | | | 24 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 24 | | | | 24 | |
Average interest rate | | | 10.8 | % | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 10.8 | % | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long- term debt | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed rate – linked to the Israeli CPI | | | 44 | | | | 51 | | | | 38 | | | | 36 | | | | 92 | | | | 326 | | | | 587 | | | | 537 | |
Average interest rate | | | 3.6 | % | | | 3.9 | % | | | 3.7 | % | | | 3.8 | % | | | 4.4 | % | | | 4.6 | % | | | 4.3 | % | | | | |
Fixed rate – not linked | | | 50 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 50 | | | | 50 | |
Average interest rate | | | 8.0 | % | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 8.0 | % | | | | |
Variable rate - linked to the Israeli CPI | | | 19 | | | | 19 | | | | 19 | | | | 22 | | | | 24 | | | | 57 | | | | 160 | | | | 160 | |
Average interest rate | | | 6.1 | % | | | 6.1 | % | | | 6.1 | % | | | 6.1 | % | | | 6.1 | % | | | 6.0 | % | | | 6.1 | % | | | | |
Inflation Risks
The Company’s financial statements are adjusted for inflation in accordance with Israeli GAAP, as follows: Non-monetary items are adjusted for inflation on the basis of the changes in the Israeli CPI from the month of the transaction to the balance sheet date. Monetary items are stated in the financial statements at their historical values, including linkage to the Israeli CPI where applicable, in accordance with the terms of the specific transactions.
The Company has a net excess of unlinked monetary liabilities over unlinked monetary assets, thus financing expenses are impacted by changes in the Israeli CPI:
An increase in the Israeli CPI results in financing income due to the erosion of the net unlinked monetary liabilities, whereas a decrease in the Israeli CPI results in financing expenses due to the appreciation of the net unlinked monetary liabilities.
Furthermore, according to Israeli GAAP, the Company’s non-monetary assets are adjusted to the Israeli CPI in respect of the month of the balance sheet date, while the long-term bank loans are adjusted to the Israeli CPI for the month preceding the balance sheet date (the “known index”). Therefore, an increase in the known index in excess of the increase in the index in respect of the month, raises financing expenses.
The annual rates of inflation over the past three years were as follows:
| 2000 – 0% |
| 2001 – 1.41% |
| 2002 – 6.50% |
| January – May 2003 – 0.09% |
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Monetary assets and liabilities analyzed by currency and linkage base as at December 31, 2002 were as follows:
| | Israeli currency | | Foreign currency or linked thereto | | Other | | Total | |
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Non-linked | | Linked to Israeli CPI |
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| | Adjusted NIS (millions) | |
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Cash and cash equivalents | | | 67 | | | | - | | | | 1 | | | | - | | | | 68 | | |
Marketable securities | | | 28 | | | | 79 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 107 | | |
Trade receivables, net | | | 703 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 703 | | |
Other receivables | | | 35 | | | | 23 | | | | - | | | | 12 | | | | 70 | | |
Long-term loans and funds, including current maturities | | | - | | | | 18 | | | | - | | | | 4 | | | | 22 | | |
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| | | 833 | | | | 120 | | | | 1 | | | | 16 | | | | 970 | | |
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Bank credit | | | 24 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 24 | | |
Trade payables | | | 861 | | | | - | | | | 1 | | | | - | | | | 862 | | |
Other payables | | | 272 | | | | 21 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 293 | | |
Dividend proposed | | | 72 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 72 | | |
Notes, including current maturities | | | - | | | | 427 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 427 | | |
Liabilities to banks and others, including current maturities | | | 50 | | | | 320 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 370 | | |
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| | | (1,279 | ) | | | (768 | ) | | | (1 | ) | | | - | | | | (2,048 | ) | |
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| | | (446 | ) | | | (648 | ) | | | - | | | | 16 | | | | (1,078 | ) | |
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ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not applicable
PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDENDS, ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
None.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
See Item 4 – “Information on the Company – History and Development” for information regarding the termination of the Company’s American Depositary Receipt program.
53
PART III
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Based on their evaluation as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this Report, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.
Changes in internal controls
There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
ITEM 16. [RESERVED]
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following financial statements of the Company are filed herewith pursuant to this Item 17:
Independent Auditors’ Report
Financial Statements Adjusted for the Effect of Inflation on the Basis of the CPI for December 2002:
Consolidated Balance Sheets as at December 31, 2001 and 2002
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Schedule — List of Active Investee Companies
Independent Auditors’ Report of Bay Heart Ltd., an affiliate of the Company
54
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Not applicable
ITEM 19. | | EXHIBITS |
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1.1 | | Memorandum of Association of the Company (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-7318)) |
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1.2 | | Articles of Association of the Company (incorporated by reference to exhibit 1.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2000) |
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2.1 | | Five Installment Track Notes regarding Series A Notes of NIS 88 million (incorporated by reference to exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2001) |
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2.2 | | Deed of Trust in respect of Series A Notes (incorporated by reference to exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2001) |
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2.3 | | Six Installment Track Notes regarding Series B Notes of NIS 339 million (incorporated by reference to exhibit 2.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2001) |
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2.4 | | Deed of Trust in respect of Series B Notes (incorporated by reference to exhibit 2.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2001) |
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4.1 | | Agreements regarding pension plan between Super-Sol Ltd., Havaad Hamerkazi Shel Histadrut Hapkidim Beisrael Vevaad Ovdei Super-Sol Ltd. and Hakupa Hamerkazit Letagmulim Vepensia Lapakid (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-7318)) |
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4.2 | | Special Collective Bargaining Agreement, dated April 1, 1978, among the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel), the Company and the Company’s employee committee (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-7318)) |
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4.3 | | Amendment, dated July 22, 1998, to the Special Collective Bargaining Agreement, dated as of April 1, 1978, among the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel), the Company and the Company’s employee committee (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2000) |
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4.4 | | Amendment, dated August 7, 2000, to the Special Collective Bargaining Agreement, dated as of April 1, 1978, among the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel), the Company and the Company’s employee committee (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2000) |
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4.5 | | Loan agreement, dated March 30, 1997, between Super-Sol Ltd. and Bank Leumi Lelsrael Ltd. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-7318)) |
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4.6 | | Loan agreement, dated January 20, 1997, between Super-Sol Ltd. and Israel Discount Bank Ltd. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-7318)) |
55
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4.7 | | Loan agreement, dated February 19, 2003, between Super-Sol Ltd. and Bank Hapoalim B.M. |
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4.8 | | 1995 Share Incentive Option Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-7318)) |
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4.9 | | 1997 Share Incentive Option Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-7318)) |
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4.10 | | 1998 Share Incentive Option Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit to the Company’s report on Form 6-K, dated October 7, 2000) |
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4.11 | | 1999 Share Incentive Option Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 1999) |
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4.12 | | 2000 Share Incentive Option Plan (incorporated by reference to attachment #1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 6-K, dated March 18, 2001) |
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4.13 | | 2001 Share Incentive Option Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.12 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2001) |
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4.14 | | 2002 Share Incentive Option Plan (incorporated by reference to attachment #1 to the Company’s Report on Form 6-K, dated May 28, 2002) |
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4.15 | | Employment Agreement, dated May 26, 2003, between Super-Sol Ltd. and Joel Feldschuh |
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4.16 | | Employment Agreement, dated May 26, 2003, between Super-Sol Ltd. and Effie Rosenhaus |
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4.17 | | Employment Agreement, dated November 30, 1999, between Super-Sol Ltd. and Amiaz Sagis (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 1999) |
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4.18 | | Employment Agreement, dated August 8, 1999, between Super-Sol Ltd. and Zion Itzhak (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 1999) |
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4.19 | | Employment Agreement between Super-Sol Ltd. and Elimelech Yitzak (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 1999) |
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4.20 | | Employment Agreement between Super-Sol Ltd. and Israel Einhorn (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.15 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2000) |
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4.21 | | Employment Agreement between Super-Sol Ltd. and Linda Shafir (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.16 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2000) |
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12 | | Certification pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
56
Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Super-Sol Ltd.
Contents | Page |
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Independent Auditors’ Report | F-2 |
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Financial Statements Adjusted for the Effect of Inflation on the Basis of the CPI for December 2002: | |
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Consolidated Balance Sheets as at December 31, 2001 and 2002 | F-3 |
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Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 | F-5 |
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Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 | F-6 |
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 | F-8 |
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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements | F-11 |
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Schedule - List of Active Investee Companies | F-47 |
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Independent Auditors’ Report of Bay Heart Ltd. | F-48 |
F-1

Mail address PO Box 609 Tel Aviv 61006 Israel | Office address KPMG Millennium Tower 17 Ha'arba'a Street Tel Aviv 61070 Israel | Telephone: 972 3 684 8000 Fax: 972 3 684 8444 |
Independent Auditors’ Report to
the Shareholders of Super-Sol Ltd.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Super-Sol Ltd. (the Company) and its subsidiaries as at December 31, 2001 and 2002 and the related statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years, the last of which ended December 31, 2002. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s Board of Directors and of its Management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We did not audit the financial statements of the affiliated company. The Company’s investment in the affiliated company at December 31, 2001 and 2002, was NIS 25 million and NIS 3 million, respectively, and its equity in losses was NIS 0 million, NIS 1 million and NIS 22 million for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 , respectively. The financial statements of the affiliated company were audited by other auditors whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for the affiliated company, is based solely on the report of the other auditors.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by the Board of Directors and by Management as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits and the report of the other auditors provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, based on our audits and on the report of the abovementioned other auditors, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries as at December 31, 2001 and 2002 and the results of their operations, the changes in shareholders’ equity and their cash flows, for each of the three years, the last of which ended December 31, 2002, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in Israel.
As discussed in Note 1M to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted in the year ended December 31, 2002, the provisions of Israeli Accounting Standard No. 15 — “Impairment of Assets”.
Accounting principles generally accepted in Israel vary in certain significant respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States would have affected results of operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2002 and shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 2001 and 2002, to the extent summarized in Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements.
As explained in Note 1, the above mentioned consolidated financial statements are stated in values adjusted for the changes in the general purchasing power of the Israeli currency, in accordance with Opinions of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Israel.
Somekh Chaikin
Certified Public Accountants (Isr.)
Tel Aviv, March 17, 2003
Somekh Chaikin, a partnership registered under
the Israeli Partnership Ordinance, is a member of
KPMG International, a Swiss association.
F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
| | Adjusted NIS
| Convenience translation into U.S. dollars (Note 1D)
|
---|
| | 2001
| 2002
| 2002
|
---|
| Note
| (millions)
|
---|
Assets | | | | |
| | | | |
Current assets |
| | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | 41 | 68 | 14 |
Marketable securities | | - | 107 | 23 |
Trade receivables | 2 | 619 | 703 | 148 |
Other receivables | | 69 | 70 | 15 |
Inventory | | 446 | 428 | 90 |
| |
|
|
|
| | 1,175 | 1,376 | 290 |
| |
|
|
|
| | | | |
Investments and loans |
| | | | |
Affiliated company | 3 | 25 | 3 | 1 |
Long-term loans and fund | 4 | 23 | 21 | 4 |
| |
|
|
|
| | 48 | 24 | 5 |
| |
|
|
|
Fixed assets | 5 | 2,584 | 2,414 | 510 |
| |
|
|
|
Deferred costs and other assets | 6 | 109 | 97 | 20 |
| |
|
|
|
In the name of the Board of Directors:
___________________ Chairperson of the Board of Directors
Dalia Lev
___________________ Acting CEO
Chaim Elkan
___________________ Executive Vice President — Chief Financial Officer
Itzik Zion
Date of approval: March 17, 2003
F-3
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
| | Adjusted NIS
| Convenience translation into U.S. dollars (Note 1D)
|
---|
| | 2001
| 2002
| 2002
|
---|
| Note
| (millions)
|
---|
Liabilities and shareholders' equity | | | | |
| | | | |
Current liabilities |
| | | | |
Bank credit | 7 | 83 | 119 | 25 |
Current maturities in respect of notes | 10 | - | 18 | 4 |
Trade payables | | 1,021 | 862 | 182 |
Other payables | 8 | 277 | 293 | 62 |
Proposed dividend | | 102 | 72 | 15 |
| |
|
|
|
| | 1,483 | 1,364 | 288 |
| |
|
|
|
| | | | |
Long-term liabilities |
| | | | |
Liabilities to banks and others | 9 | 442 | 275 | 59 |
Liabilities in respect of notes | 10 | - | 409 | 86 |
Liabilities for employee severance benefits | 11 | 5 | 7 | 1 |
Deferred taxes | 16 | 71 | 23 | 5 |
| |
|
|
|
| | 518 | 714 | 151 |
| |
|
|
|
Shareholders' equity | 12 | 1,915 | 1,833 | 386 |
| |
|
|
|
Contingent liabilities and commitments | 19 | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| |
|
|
|
| | 3,916 | 3,911 | 825 |
| |
|
|
|
The accompanying notes and schedule are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
| | Adjusted NIS
| Convenience Translation into U.S. Dollars (Note 1D)
|
---|
| | 2000
| 2001
| 2002
| 2002
|
---|
| Note
| (millions except per share data)
|
---|
Revenues | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Sales | | 6,300 | 6,785 | 6,710 | 1,416 |
Rentals and operation of |
shopping malls | | 59 | 71 | 61 | 13 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| | 6,359 | 6,856 | 6,771 | 1,429 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses |
| | | | | |
Cost of sales | | 4,613 | 4,941 | 4,920 | 1,039 |
Operating, selling, |
administrative and |
general, net | 13 | 1,445 | 1,573 | 1,644 | 347 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| | 6,058 | 6,514 | 6,564 | 1,386 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Operating profit | | 301 | 342 | 207 | 43 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| | | | | |
Other expenses, net |
Financing expenses, net | 14 | (25) | (24) | (7) | (1) |
Other income (expenses), net | 15 | 7 | (3) | (166) | (35) |
| |
|
|
|
|
| | (18) | (27) | (173) | (36) |
| |
|
|
|
|
Earnings before income |
tax | | 283 | 315 | 34 | 7 |
| | | | | |
Income tax | 16D | 104 | 108 | 25 | 5 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Earnings after income |
tax | | 179 | 207 | 9 | 2 |
Company's equity in |
losses of affiliated |
company, net | 17 | - | (1) | (22) | (5) |
| |
|
|
|
|
| | 179 | 206 | (13) | (3) |
Minority interest in |
earnings of subsidiary | | - | (1) | (1) | - |
| |
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss) |
for the year | | 179 | 205 | (14) | (3) |
| |
|
|
|
|
| | | | | |
Earnings per share |
(basic and diluted) | 21 | | | | |
| | | | | |
Earnings (loss) per NIS 0.1 par value | | 0.88 | 1.01 | (0.07) | (0.015) |
| |
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) per NIS 1 par value | | 8.85 | 10.12 | (0.7) | (0.15) |
| |
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes and schedule are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
| Share capital (1)
| Premium on shares (2)
| Treasury shares (4)
| Retained earnings
| Total
|
---|
Balance at | | | | | |
January 1, 2000 | 243 | 479 | (87) | 1,034 | 1,669 |
Exercise of stock options | - | 3 | - | - | 3 |
Tax benefit in respect |
of stock options |
exercised by employees | - | 2 | - | - | 2 |
Net earnings for the year |
ended December 31, 2000 | - | - | - | 179 | 179 |
Erosion of prior year |
proposed dividend | - | - | - | (4) | (4) |
Proposed dividend(3) | - | - | - | (51) | (51) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at |
December 31, 2000 | 243 | 484 | (87) | 1,158 | 1,798 |
Exercise of stock options | - | 11 | - | - | 11 |
Tax benefit in respect |
of stock options |
exercised by employees | - | 3 | - | - | 3 |
Net earnings for the year |
ended December 31, 2001 | - | - | - | 205 | 205 |
Proposed dividend(3) | - | - | - | (102) | (102) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at |
December 31, 2001 | 243 | 498 | (87) | 1,261 | 1,915 |
Exercise of stock options | 1 | 1 | - | - | 2 |
Tax benefit in respect |
of stock options |
exercised by employees | - | 1 | - | - | 1 |
Net loss for the year |
ended December 31, 2002 | - | - | - | (14) | (14) |
Appreciation of |
prior year |
proposed dividend | - | - | - | 1 | 1 |
Proposed dividend(3) | - | - | - | (72) | (72) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at |
December 31,2002 | 244 | 500 | (87) | 1,176 | 1,833 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Includes capital reserves up to October 31, 1985. |
(2) | As from November 1, 1985. |
(3) | After deducting the dividend to a subsidiary. |
(4) | Purchase of shares of the Company by a wholly owned and fully controlled subsidiary, see Note 12C. |
The accompanying notes and schedule are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6
Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
| Convenience translation into US dollars - millions (Note 1D)
|
---|
| Share capital (1)
| Premium on shares (2)
| Treasury shares (4)
| Retained earnings
| Total
|
---|
Balance at | | | | | |
January 1, 2002 | 51 | 105 | (18) | 266 | 404 |
Exercise of stock options | - | - | - | - | - |
Tax benefit in respect |
of stock options |
exercised by employees | - | - | - | - | - |
Net loss for the year ended |
December 31, 2002 | - | - | - | (3) | (3) |
Proposed dividend(3) | - | - | - | (15) | (15) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at |
December 31, 2002 | 51 | 105 | (18) | 248 | 386 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Includes capital reserves up to October 31, 1985. |
(2) | As from November 1, 1985. |
(3) | After deducting the dividend to a subsidiary. |
(4) | Purchase of shares of the Company by a wholly owned and fully controlled subsidiary, see Note 12C. |
The accompanying notes and schedule are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
| Adjusted NIS
| Convenience translation into U.S. dollars (Note 1D)
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
| 2002
|
---|
| (millions)
|
---|
Cash flows from operating activities | | | | |
Net earnings (loss) for the year | 179 | 205 | (14) | (3) |
Adjustments necessary to reflect cash flows |
from operating activities (see Annex 1) | 438 | 183 | 151 | 32 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash generated by operating activities | 617 | 388 | 137 | 29 |
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities |
Purchase of fixed assets | (393) | (326) | (305) | (64) |
Investment in deferred costs and other assets | (27) | (39) | (24) | (5) |
Purchase of marketable securities | (4) | - | (107) | (23) |
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities | 64 | - | 2 | - |
Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets | 23 | 8 | 11 | 2 |
Long-term loans granted and funds | - | (1) | - | - |
Long-term loans repaid | 6 | 30 | 1 | - |
Proceeds from sale of investment in |
proportionately consolidated company (see | - | - | 49 | 10 |
Annex 2) |
Proceeds from sale of (investment in) capital |
notes and loans to affiliated company, net | - | 5 | (4) | - |
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities | (331) | (323) | (377) | (80) |
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities |
Exercise of stock options |
(net of issue expenses) | 3 | 11 | 1 | - |
Proceeds from issue of notes |
(net of issue expenses) | - | - | 419 | 88 |
Dividend paid | (314) | (52) | (101) | (21) |
Minority interest in dividend paid by |
subsidiary | - | (1) | - | - |
Receipt of long-term loans from banks and |
others | 44 | 73 | 3 | - |
Repayment of long-term loans from banks and |
others | (46) | (57) | (75) | (15) |
Short-term credit from banks, net | (3) | (16) | 20 | 4 |
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | |
Net cash generated by (used in) |
financing activities | (316) | (42) | 267 | 56 |
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in cash and |
cash equivalents | (30) | 23 | 27 | 5 |
| | | | |
Balance of cash and cash equivalents |
at the beginning of the year | 48 | 18 | 41 | 9 |
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | |
Balance of cash and cash equivalents |
at the end of the year | 18 | 41 | 68 | 14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes and schedule are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-8
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31 (cont’d)
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
| Adjusted NIS
| Convenience translation into U.S. dollars (Note 1D)
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
| 2002
|
---|
| (millions)
|
---|
Annex 1 | | | | |
| | | | |
Adjustments necessary to reflect |
cash flows from operating activities |
| | | | |
Income and expenses not |
involving cash flows: |
Depreciation of fixed assets and amortization |
of deferred costs | 169 | 196 | 210 | 44 |
Impairment of fixed assets and deferred costs |
due to the initial implementation of |
Standard 15 | - | - | 184 | 39 |
Change in deferred taxes, net | 9 | 7 | (37) | (8) |
Company's equity in losses of |
affiliated company, net | - | 1 | 22 | 5 |
Minority interest in earnings of subsidiary | - | 1 | 1 | - |
Increase (decrease) in liabilities for |
employee severance benefits | 2 | (6) | 2 | - |
Capital losses (gains), net | (9) | 2 | 1 | - |
Appreciation (erosion) of long-term liabilities | - | (2) | 1 | - |
Appreciation (erosion) and accrued interest, |
net, on long-term loans granted to others | (2) | 2 | 3 | - |
Increase in value of marketable securities | (1) | - | (2) | - |
Capital gain on the sale of the investment in a |
proportionately consolidated company | - | - | (26) | (5) |
| | | | |
Changes in asset and liability |
items: |
Decrease (increase) in trade receivables | 121 | (40) | (84) | (17) |
Decrease (increase) in other receivables | 2 | (8) | (10) | (2) |
Decrease (increase) in inventory | (23) | (58) | 18 | 4 |
Increase (decrease) in trade payables | 113 | 92 | (152) | (32) |
Increase (decrease) in other payables | 57 | (4) | 20 | 4 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 438 | 183 | 151 | 32 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-9
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31 (cont’d)
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
| Adjusted NIS
| Convenience translation into U.S. dollars (Note 1D)
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
| 2002
|
---|
| (millions)
|
---|
Annex 2 | | | | |
| | | | |
Proceeds from sale of investment in |
proportionately consolidated company |
| | | | |
Assets and liabilities: |
Working capital (excluding cash) | - | - | (2) | - |
Fixed assets | - | - | 102 | 21 |
Long-term liabilities | - | - | (77) | (16) |
Capital gain on sale of investment | - | - | 26 | 5 |
|
|
|
|
|
| - | - | 49 | 10 |
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | |
Annex 3 |
| | | | |
Additional data relating to |
investing and financing activities |
not involving cash flows |
| | | | |
Investment in fixed assets | 37 | 26 | 21 | 4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Increase in deferred costs | 8 | 8 | 7 | 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Proposed dividend | 52 | 102 | 72 | 15 |
|
|
|
|
|
Receivables arising from sale of fixed assets | 8 | 1 | - | - |
|
|
|
|
|
F-10
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 1 —Reporting Principles and Accounting Policies
| The main activity of Super-Sol Ltd. (the “Company”) is the operation of a supermarket chain in Israel. |
| The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements presented herein are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Israel (“Israeli GAAP”), which differ in certain respects from those followed in the United States. See Note 24. |
| In these financial statements: |
| (1) | Subsidiaries — companies whose financial statements have been consolidated, directly or indirectly, with those of the Company. |
| (2) | Proportionately consolidated companies — jointly held companies whose financial statements are consolidated with those of the Company by the proportionate consolidation method. |
| (3) | Affiliates — companies, other than subsidiaries or proportionately consolidated companies, the Company’s investment in which these companies is stated, directly or indirectly, on the equity basis. |
| (4) | Investee companies — subsidiaries, proportionately consolidated companies and affiliates. |
| (5) | Related parties — as defined in Opinion 29 of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Israel (the “ICPAI”): |
| a. | Parties, one of which directly or indirectly (1) owns 10% or more of the issued share capital of the other company, or of its voting rights or of the rights to appoint its directors, (2) has the right to appoint the company’s chief executive officer or (3) acts as the company’s director or general manager; |
| b. | Any corporate entity of which one of the parties mentioned in (a) above, owns 25% or more of the entity’s issued share capital, or of its voting rights or of the rights to appoint its directors; or |
| c. | Spouses or minor children of parties described in (a) above. |
| (6) | Interested parties — as defined in paragraph (1) of the definition of “interested parties” in Section 1 of the Israeli Securities Law: |
| a. | The holder of 5% or more of the issued share capital or of the voting rights of a company, a person who has the right to appoint one or more members of the board of directors of a company or its chief executive officer, a person serving as the chief executive officer or as a member of the board of directors, an entity in which a person described above holds 20% or more of its issued share capital or of its voting rights, or has the right to appoint 20% or more of its board members; or |
| b. | A subsidiary of a company, other than a nominee company. |
| (7) | CPI – the Consumer Price Index as published by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics. |
F-11
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 1 — Reporting Principles and Accounting Policies (cont’d)
| B. | Financial statements in inflation adjusted values |
| (1) | The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of historical cost adjusted for the changes in the general purchasing power of the Israeli currency. |
| (2) | The adjusted amounts of non-monetary assets do not necessarily represent their market value or their value to the business, but rather their cost as adjusted to reflect the changes in the general purchasing power of the Israeli currency. |
| (3) | In the adjusted statements the term “cost” means “adjusted cost”. |
| (4) | All comparative data for prior periods is also stated in terms of shekels of December 2002. |
| C. | Principles of adjustment |
| Non-monetary items (such as fixed assets and shareholders’ equity) have been adjusted on the basis of the changes in the CPI, between the index of the month of their inception and the index of the month of balance sheet date. Monetary items are stated in the adjusted balance sheet at their historical values. The net asset value of investments in investee companies is based on the adjusted financial statements of those companies. |
| a. | Income statement items were adjusted according to the changes in the CPI as follows: |
| (1) | Expenses deriving from non-monetary items (such as depreciation and amortization) or from provisions included in the balance sheet (such as for employee severance benefits and for vacation pay) were adjusted on the basis of the same indices used to adjust the related balance sheet items. |
| (2) | The other components of the income statement (such as sales, purchases and other costs), excluding financing income and expenses, were adjusted on the basis of the changes in the CPI from the index of the month in which the relevant transaction was effected until the index of the month of balance sheet date. |
| (3) | The net financing item reflects financing income and financing expenses in real terms, inflationary erosion of monetary items during the year, and gains and losses from the sale of marketable securities. |
| Payments on account of income tax have been adjusted on the basis of the index of the month of each payment, while amounts due (or refundable) have not been adjusted. Therefore, current taxes also include the expense resulting from the inflationary erosion of the payments on account from the date of payment until the end of the year. |
| c. | The Company’s equity in the operating results of investee companies is determined on the basis of the adjusted financial statements of such companies. |
| (3) | Statement of changes in shareholders’ equity |
| a. | Dividends proposed and paid during the year have been adjusted on the basis of the CPI at the date of payment. |
| b. | Share capital and capital reserves created from retained earnings represent capitalization of real profits. |
F-12
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 1 — Reporting Principles and Accounting Policies (cont’d)
| D. | Convenience translation into U.S. Dollars |
| For the convenience of the reader, the adjusted NIS figures of December 31, 2002 and for the year then ended have been presented in U.S. Dollars, using the representative exchange rate at December 31, 2002 (NIS 4.737 = U.S.$1). The dollar amounts presented in these financial statements should not be construed as representing amounts receivable or payable in dollars or convertible into dollars, unless otherwise indicated. |
| E. | Principles of consolidation |
| The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of companies over which the Company has control. The financial statements of jointly controlled companies have been consolidated by the proportionate consolidation method. |
| A list of companies whose financial statements were included in the consolidated statements, levels of holdings in securities providing for voting rights and levels of holdings in securities providing for participation in income are provided in the Schedule to the financial statements. |
| Balances and transactions between and among the Company, its subsidiaries and its proportionately consolidated investees have been eliminated upon consolidation. |
| F. | Cash and cash equivalents |
| This item includes bank deposits deposited for an initial period not in excess of three months, in accordance with the definition of cash in Opinion 51 of the ICPAI. |
| Short-term investments in government and other bonds are stated at market value in accordance with opinions issued by the ICPAI. Changes in market value are reflected in the consolidated statements of income. |
| H. | Allowance for doubtful accounts |
| The allowance for doubtful accounts, which was deducted from “trade receivables”, represents management’s fair estimate of the loss anticipated on receivables in respect of which collection is doubtful. |
| Management determined the adequacy of the allowance by, among other things, estimating the risk, on the basis of information on customers’ financial position, scope of activity and assessment of the collateral received from those customers. |
| The inventory, which consists primarily of merchandise in stores and warehouses, is stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the moving average method. Up to September 2001, merchandise in stores was valued according to the “retail inventory method”. The difference between the two calculations is immaterial. |
| J. | Investments in investee companies |
| Investments in investee companies are stated according to the equity method on the basis of the audited financial statements of the investee companies at the balance sheet date. |
F-13
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 1 — Reporting Principles and Accounting Policies (cont’d)
| (1) | Fixed assets are stated on the basis of the estimated useful lives of the assets, at cost less accumulated depreciation, calculated by the straight line method, at the following annual rates: |
| %
|
---|
Buildings | 2 |
Leasehold improvements (see item 6 below) | Over the term of the lease including |
| the option period |
Equipment and fixtures | 6 - 33 |
Motor vehicles | 10 - 20 |
| (2) | A subsidiary and proportionately consolidated companies have constructed commercial centers. Certain expenses were capitalized during the construction period. |
| (3) | Up to December 31, 1999, the Company did not capitalize financing costs of projects under construction except as stated in (2) above. Accounting Standard No. 3 of the Israel Accounting Standards Board relating to capitalization of financing costs came into effect from January 2000. Therefore, financing expenses, expressed in real terms, in respect of loans and credit used for financing the construction of fixed assets, and also other costs relating to the construction of fixed assets are capitalized as cost of these assets. |
| (4) | Improvements are capitalized as part of the assets’ costs, whereas repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. |
| (5) | Leasehold land from the Israel Land Authority is depreciated over the term of the lease. |
| (6) | In 2001 the Company re-examined the useful life of the leasehold improvements, due to the fact that leasehold improvements made in recent years are of a higher standard than in the past. As a result of this re-examination, as from October 1, 2001, the Company decided to change the period of depreciation of leasehold improvements from 10 years to the term of the relevant lease, (including options to extend the term of the lease), which is not longer than the economic life of such assets. The effect of this change on the financial statements for the year 2001 was not material. |
| L. | Deferred costs and other assets |
| (1) | Acquisition and development costs of computer software — |
| The Company capitalizes the development and acquisition costs of software; these costs are amortized over the expected usage period (3 to 10 years, average — 5 years). |
| (2) | Goodwill is amortized at an annual rate of 10%. See also Note 1M. |
| (3) | Acquisition taxes in respect of long-term leases are amortized over the periods of the leases. |
F-14
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 1 — Reporting Principles and Accounting Policies (cont’d)
| The Company’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002 reflect the early implementation of Israeli Accounting Standard No. 15 – Impairment of Assets (hereinafter – “the Standard”). The Standard, which was released by the Israel Accounting Standards Board in February 2003, prescribes procedures that an entity is required to adopt in order to ensure that assets included in the consolidated financial statements will not be shown in an amount exceeding their recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the greater of the net selling price and the present value of estimated future cash flows expected to arise from the use and disposition of the asset (hereinafter – ” value in use”). The Standard also prescribes the presentation and disclosure rules applicable to impaired assets. The Company calculated the estimated recoverable amount for each store and for every other rental property (hereinafter – “cash-generating unit”). In examining the impairment in value of a cash-generating unit, goodwill and corporate assets related to the cash-generating unit (such as head office assets and warehouses) were taken into account.. Furthermore, overhead costs that can be directly related or reasonably allocated to a cash-generating unit were taken into account in calculating the value in use of a cash-generating unit. |
| As a result of initial implementation of the Standard the Company recorded an impairment loss in the amount of NIS 184 million before tax (NIS 128 million after tax), due to the difference between the carrying amount of the assets and their recoverable amount as at the implementation date of the Standard. If the recoverable amount of an asset exceeds its carrying amount, the asset is not to be presented according to its recoverable amount, meaning that a gain is not recognized from an increase in the value of assets. Furthermore, the Company recorded its equity in the loss of an affiliated company in the amount of NIS 10 million, in respect of the impairment of assets recorded by the affiliated company. The affiliated company did not record deferred taxes in respect of the impairment loss. |
| This loss is included in the financial statements under “Other Expenses”. See also Note 5 “Fixed Assets” and Note 6 “Other Assets” regarding the breakdown of the impairment loss. |
| In determining the value in use of a cash-generating unit, the Company used cash flow forecasts reflecting the present condition of the assets and the best estimate of the economic conditions prevailing during the remainder of the useful life of the asset. These cash flows were discounted at pre-tax discount rates of 12% and 10% for stores and rental properties, respectively. |
| The Company made use of real estate valuations in determining the net selling price of the buildings, including land and leasehold rights . |
| The Group companies record deferred taxes in respect of temporary differences. Temporary differences are differences in the value of assets and liabilities for tax and financial reporting purposes. Such deferred taxes are recorded in respect of differences applying to assets and liabilities, the utilization or depreciation of which is deductible for tax purposes. |
| Deferred tax balances (asset or liability) are calculated according to the liability approach, i.e., the tax rates expected to apply when the deferred tax liability is utilized, or when the deferred tax asset is realized, as such are known proximate to the date of approval of the financial statements. |
| The main factors, in respect of which deferred taxes were not recorded, are as follows: |
| (1) | Amounts of adjustments to changes in the purchasing power of the shekel, relating mainly to buildings and private motor vehicles, under the principles set by the ICPAI. |
| (2) | Investments in investee companies, that the Company intends to hold and not sell. |
| (3) | Future tax benefits in respect of temporary differences where the probability of realization is doubtful. |
F-15
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 1 — Reporting Principles and Accounting Policies (cont’d)
| Under agreements with suppliers, the Company may offset discounts claimed against amounts due to the suppliers for purchases. Accordingly, the discounts are recorded as a reduction of amounts due to suppliers. See also Note 1Q. |
| Revenue is recognized upon delivery of the merchandise. The Company records the discounts it grants to customers who purchase merchandise with purchase vouchers as a reduction of sales, at such a time as the purchase vouchers are realized. |
| 1) | Cost of sales includes the cost of inventory loss, storage and distribution of merchandise up until the final point of sale. |
| 2) | The Company records the rebates and discounts it receives from its suppliers as a reduction of purchases. Therefore, that part of the discounts that relates to the amount of the purchases included in the closing balance of the inventory, is allocated to inventory, and the remainder of the discounts reduces the cost of sales. |
| There are two types of discounts: |
| 1) | A fixed discount that is not contingent on the volume of purchases – this discount is calculated as a fixed percentage of purchases from the supplier, or as a fixed annual amount, that is not contingent on the purchase volume. |
| 2) | A volume rebate that is contingent on the volume of purchases (hereinafter – “variable discount”). The Company recognizes this discount in accordance with the directives of the US Financial Accounting Standards Board set forth in EITF 02-16, “Accounting by a Customer (including a Reseller) for Certain Consideration Received from a Vendor.” This accounting standard prescribes that the discount be recognized in a systematic manner, as progress is made towards achieving the minimal amount or number of purchases required in order to be eligible for the discount, provided that it is probable that the discount will be received and that the amount of the discount is reasonably estimable. The accrual in respect of the variable discount increases during the year, as the agreements with the suppliers are finalized, and as the chance of attaining the milestones required in order to be eligible for the discount becomes probable. |
| In the event that collection of the variable discount is not probable as of the balance sheet date, the discount is recognized only in the following year when the uncertainty relating to the calculation of the purchase volume is resolved upon the final settling of accounts with the supplier. |
| Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. |
| S. | Assets and liabilities in foreign currency or linked to the CPI |
| Assets (other than marketable securities) and liabilities linked to the CPI are stated on the basis of the latest known CPI published prior to the balance sheet date or according to the index for the month of balance sheet date, in accordance with the terms of the transactions. Assets and liabilities in foreign currency or linked thereto are stated on the basis of the representative rates of exchange as published by Bank of Israel at the balance sheet date. |
F-16
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 1 — Reporting Principles and Accounting Policies (cont’d)
| S. | Assets and liabilities in foreign currency or linked (cont’d) |
| Details of the CPI, representative rates of exchange and rates of change therein: |
| Financial statements as at
| Rate of change for the year ended
|
---|
| December 31
| December 31
|
---|
| 2001
| 2002
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
|
CPI - in points | 170.91 | 182.01 | - | 1.41% | 6.49% |
Representative rate |
of exchange of |
U.S. $1 - in NIS | 4.416 | 4.737 | (2.70%) | 9.28% | 7.27% |
| Fair value of financial instruments: |
| The financial statements include disclosures relating to the fair value of financial instruments in accordance with the requirements of International Accounting Standard (IAS) No. 32. |
| The fair value of financial instruments is determined as follows: Current financial assets and liabilities, proposed dividend, long-term loans granted and long-term liabilities — there is no material difference between the value recorded in the Company’s books of account and the fair value of the assets or liabilities. |
| Earnings per share were computed according to Opinion 55 of the ICPAI. The basic earnings per share include convertible securities issued by the Company if, according to criteria of the Opinion, the conversion or exercise thereof is likely. |
| In calculating the diluted earnings per share, all convertible securities not included in the calculation of the basic earnings per share have been included, provided that the effect of such inclusion is not anti-dilutive. |
| V. | Use of estimates in the preparation of the financial statements |
| The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with Israeli GAAP requires management to make assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. |
F-17
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 1 — Reporting Principles and Accounting Policies (cont’d)
| W. | Effect of new accounting standards in the period prior to their implementation |
| (1) | In July 2001 the Israel Accounting Standards Board published Accounting Standard No. 12, “Discontinuance of Adjustment of Financial Statements”. According to this standard the adjustment of financial statements to the effect of the changes in the general purchasing power of the Israeli currency will be discontinued as of January 1, 2003. |
| In December 2002 the Israel Accounting Standards Board published Accounting Standard No. 17 according to which the implementation of the Standard No. 12 is deferred to January 1, 2004. Therefore the adjustment of the financial statements will be discontinued as of January 1, 2004 and until December 31, 2003 the Company will continue to prepare adjusted financial statements according to Opinion No. 36 of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Israel. The inflation adjusted amounts included in the financial statements as at December 31, 2003 will be the basis for the nominal financial reporting starting January 1, 2004. The implementation of Standard No. 12 could have a material effect on the reported business results of the Company. The extent of the effect depends on the rate of inflation, composition of assets and on the Company’s sources of financing. |
| (2) | In August 2002, the Israel Accounting Standards Board published Standard No. 14, “Interim Financial Reporting”. The standard prescribes the minimum content of an interim financial report, including the disclosure required in the notes, and also prescribes the accounting recognition and measurement principles that should be applied in an interim financial report. This accounting standard will become effective for financial statements covering periods beginning on or after January 1, 2003. |
| The standard does not require that comparative data for interim periods prior to the date of effect be restated, but if the financial statements include comparative data for interim periods prior to the date of effect, which is not in compliance with the provisions of the standard, a description of the principal differences between the provisions of this standard and the principles by which the comparative data was prepared should be included in the notes to the financial statements. |
| The Company believes that the effect of the new standard on its results of operations, its financial position and its cash flows will not be significant. |
| X. | Format of the financial statements |
| These financial statements are presented in the format suitable in management’s opinion to the nature of the Company’s business. |
F-18
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 2 — Trade Receivables, Net
| December 31 2001
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
On open account | 62 | 71 |
Checks and notes receivable | 69 | 66 |
|
|
|
| 131 | 137 |
| | |
Less/ - allowance for doubtful accounts* | (32) | (31) |
|
|
|
| 99 | 106 |
| | |
Credit card companies | 520 | 597 |
|
|
|
| | |
| 619 | 703 |
|
|
|
Note 3 – Investments in Investee Companies
| December 31 2001
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Affiliated company: | | |
Shares - |
Cost | 8 | 8 |
Company's equity in post-acquisition earnings and funds (losses), net (1) | 17 | (5) |
|
|
|
| 25 | 3 |
Loans linked to the CPI |
Non-interest bearing (2) | 2 | 6 |
|
|
|
| 27 | 9 |
Less: Provision for impairment | (2) | (6) |
|
|
|
| | |
| 25 | 3 |
|
|
|
| (1) | During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company recorded its equity in the losses of the affiliated company in the amount of NIS 22 million. These losses result primarily from the recording of impairment losses by the affiliated company in respect of property in accordance with Standard 15. The affiliated company did not record deferred taxes in respect of the impairment of property because the probability the deferred tax asset will be realized is uncertain. |
| (2) | The loans bore interest of 5.2% in 2001. Repayment date of the loans has not yet been determined. |
| (3) | See Note 19 F(1) regarding guarantees. |
F-19
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 3 – Investments in Investee Companies (cont’d)
| B. Details of jointly held companies which are proportionately consolidated |
| a) | Percentage of equity and control in these companies is 50% (see Schedule to the consolidated financial statements). |
| b) | The Company’s share in these companies is as follows: |
| December 31 2001
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Current assets | 2 | - |
Other assets | 214 | 108 |
| | |
Current liabilities | 43 | 31 |
Long-term liabilities | 124 | 47 |
| Year ended December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Income from rentals and operation of | | | |
shopping malls | 33 | 35 | 24 |
|
|
|
|
Operating profit | 15 | 17 | 10 |
|
|
|
|
| C. | Sale of the Company’s holdings in Avnat Ltd. (hereinafter — Avnat) |
| On March 14, 2002 the Company signed an agreement with Azorim Properties Ltd. and Teatraot Malls Ltd. (the Company’s partners in Avnat) according to which they purchased the Company’s shares in Avnat for consideration of NIS 49 million. The financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002 include after-tax earnings from Avnat in the amount of NIS 1 million, and a capital gain on the sale in the amount of NIS 26 million before tax, and of NIS 14 million after tax. |
Note 4 — Long-Term Loans and Fund
Linkage terms
| Repayment terms
| Interest rate
| December 31 | December 31 |
---|
| | %
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
| | | Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Loans: | | | | |
CPI linked | Monthly | 5.8 | 20 | 18 |
Less/ - current maturities | | | (1) | (1) |
| | |
|
|
| | | 19 | 17 |
| | | | |
Excess of amounts funded over liability |
in respect of unutilized sick leave | | | 4 | 4 |
| | |
|
|
| | | 23 | 21 |
| | |
|
|
F-20
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 4 — Long-Term Loans and Fund (cont’d)
| B. | The amounts are receivable in years after the balance sheet date as follows: |
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Second year | 1 |
Third year | 1 |
Fourth year | 1 |
Fifth year | 1 |
After fifth year | 13
|
| 17
|
Note 5 — Fixed Assets, Net
| Buildings including land and leasehold rights
| Leasehold improvements
| Equipment and fixtures
| Motor vehicles
| Total
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Cost | | | | | |
Beginning of year | 1,737 | 511 | 1,555 | 54 | 3,857 |
Additions | 81 | 59 | 149 | 12 | 301 |
Disposals | (9) | (2) | (2) | (7) | (20) |
Discontinuance of |
consolidation | (106) | - | - | - | (106) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of year | 1,703 | 568 | 1,702 | 59 | 4,032 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
depreciation |
Beginning of year | 197 | 255 | 799 | 22 | 1,273 |
Depreciation |
and amortization | 28 | 28 | 127 | 7 | 190 |
Disposals | (1) | (1) | (1) | (6) | (9) |
Discontinuance of |
consolidation | (5) | - | - | - | (5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of year | 219 | 282 | 925 | 23 | 1,449 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1,484 | 286 | 777 | 36 | 2,583 |
Less: Provision for |
impairment loss* | (95) | (29) | (45) | - | (169) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value as at |
December 31, 2002 | 1,389 | 257 | 732 | 36 | 2,414 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value as at |
December 31, 2001 | 1,540 | 256 | 756 | 32 | 2,584 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-21
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 5 — Fixed Assets, Net (cont’d)
| B. | Composition of the cost of buildings, including land and leasehold rights |
| End of lease period
| December 31 2001
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| Years
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Company: | | | |
Freehold (1) | | 357 | 415 |
Capitalized leases | 2013-2097 | 653 | 665 |
Non-capitalized leases | 2022-2028 | 18 | 18 |
Development contracts | 2049-2098 | 57 | 58 |
| |
|
|
| | 1,085 | 1,156 |
| |
|
|
Subsidiaries (including proportionately |
consolidated companies): |
Freehold (1) | | 310 | 201 |
Capitalized leases | 2025-2091 | 269 | 269 |
Non-capitalized leases | 2010-2070 | 24 | 23 |
Development contracts | 2046-2094 | 49 | 54 |
| |
|
|
| | 652 | 547 |
| |
|
|
Total in consolidated balance sheet | | 1,737 | 1,703 |
| |
|
|
(1) Registered with the Land Registrar: |
| | | |
Company: |
Registered | | 290 | 326 |
Not registered* | | 67 | 89 |
| |
|
|
| | 357 | 415 |
| |
|
|
Subsidiaries: |
Registered | | 220 | 115 |
Not registered* | | 90 | 86 |
| |
|
|
| | 310 | 201 |
| |
|
|
| * | Land rights have not yet been registered in the Company’s name or in the name of subsidiaries at the Land Registrar, principally due to registry requirements or procedural difficulties. |
| C. | Certain leasehold rights and development contracts are not registered in the Company’s name at the Land Registrar. |
| D. | The cost of buildings as stated in the consolidated balance sheets includes certain expenses including financing costs of NIS 15 million (December 31, 2001 — NIS 13 million), which were capitalized during the construction period. |
| F. | The balance of the fixed assets as of December 31, 2002 was reduced by NIS 169 million in accordance with the valuation of a real estate appraiser and management’s estimation of the value in use of the Company’s assets, on the basis of the guidelines of Standard 15. This write-down reflects management’s estimation of the impairment in value of the Company’s assets as at that date, following the deterioration in the economic conditions prevailing in the Company’s business environment. The primary assets impacted by the impairment are properties that serve as the Company’s stores and commercial centers. |
F-22
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 6 — Deferred Costs and Other Assets, Net
| December 31 2001
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Acquisition tax in respect of long-term leases (1) | 14 | 11 |
Goodwill (2) | 23 | 11 |
Prepaid rent and other prepaid expenses (3) | 7 | 2 |
Computer software (4) | 65 | 71 |
Notes issue expenses | - | 2 |
|
|
|
| 109 | 97 |
|
|
|
| (1) | Acquisition tax in respect of long-term lease contracts: In May 1998, the Company and subsidiaries signed an agreement with the tax authorities concerning acquisition taxes in respect of long-term lease transactions effected in the ordinary course of business from January 1993. |
| December 31 2001
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Original sum | 34 | 34 |
Accumulated amortization | (20) | (22) |
|
|
|
| 14 | 12 |
Less: Provision for impairment loss* | - | (1) |
|
|
|
| 14 | 11 |
|
|
|
| The goodwill resulted primarily from the acquisition of the Shekem stores in February 1997. The goodwill in respect of the Shekem stores was allocated to the 25 stores purchased , according to their sales turnover in the year preceding the acquisition. |
| December 31 2001
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Original sum | 94 | 94 |
Accumulated amortization | (71) | (76) |
|
|
|
| 23 | 18 |
Less: Provision for impairment loss* | - | (7) |
|
|
|
| 23 | 11 |
|
|
|
F-23
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 6 — Deferred Costs and Other Assets, Net (cont’d)
| (3) | Prepaid rent and other prepaid expenses: |
| December 31 2001
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Original sum | 7 | 7 |
Accumulated amortization | - | - |
|
|
|
| 7 | 7 |
Discontinuance of consolidation | - | (1) |
Less: Provision for impairment loss* | - | (4) |
|
|
|
| 7 | 2 |
|
|
|
| December 31 2001
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Original sum | 86 | 109 |
Accumulated amortization | (21) | (35) |
|
|
|
| 65 | 74 |
Less: Provision for impairment loss* | - | (3) |
|
|
|
| 65 | 71 |
|
|
|
Note 7 — Bank Credit
| Interest rate at December 31 2002
| December 31 2001
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| %
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Overdraft and short-term loans: | | | |
In Israeli currency - unlinked | 10.2-13.4 | 4 | 24 |
Current maturities of long-term loans | | 79 | 95 |
| |
|
|
| | 83 | 119 |
| |
|
|
F-24
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 8 — Other Payables
| December 31 2001
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Government institutions for taxes and | | |
employee deductions | 12 | 17 |
Employees and salary related liabilities | 133 | 111 |
Advances from customers | 69 | 89 |
Other | 63 | 76 |
|
|
|
| 277 | 293 |
|
|
|
Note 9 – Long-Term Liabilities to Banks and Others
Linkage terms | Repayment terms
| Interest rate at December 31 2002
| December 31 2001
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| | %
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Banks*: | | | | |
Unlinked | | 8 | 80 | 50 |
| | | | |
| | | 35 | - |
Linked to the CPI | Annually | 6.1 | 150 | 132 |
| Semi-annually | 3.2 | 125 | 108 |
| Quarterly | 5.7-7.6 | 66 | 25 |
| Monthly | 3.0-5.9 | 54 | 47 |
Linked to U.K. pounds | | | 3 | - |
| | |
|
|
| | | 513 | 362 |
| | | | |
Others: |
From external shareholders |
in a subsidiary ** | | | 8 | 8 |
| | |
|
|
| | | 521 | 370 |
Less: Current maturities | | | (79) | (95) |
| | |
|
|
| | | 442 | 275 |
| | |
|
|
| * | Until repayment of the bank loans, the subsidiary is prohibited from placing a lien or mortgage of any sort or for any purpose on any of its assets in favor of any third party, unless prior written consent is given by the bank. |
| ** | The loans are linked to the CPI, bear no interest and the terms of repayment have not yet been determined. |
F-25
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 9 – Long-Term Liabilities to Banks and Others
| C. | The liabilities are repayable in the years after balance sheet date as follows: |
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Second year | 52 |
Third year | 39 |
Fourth year | 40 |
Fifth year | 42 |
After fifth year | 94 |
Not yet determined | 8 |
|
|
| 275 |
|
|
Note 10 – Liabilities In Respect of Notes
| Interest rate
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| %
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
| (1) | Terms and composition of notes: |
Linked to the CPI | 4.0-4.8 | 427 |
| | |
Less current maturities | | 18 |
| |
|
| | 409 |
| |
|
| (2) | On January 21, 2002, the Company conducted tenders for institutional and other investors for the issuance of two series of CPI-linked notes in an aggregate value of NIS 427 million, as follows: |
| (a) | NIS 88 million bearing interest of 4.0% per annum, due during the years 2003-2007. |
| (b) | NIS 339 million bearing interest of 4.8% per annum, due during the years 2007-2012. |
| The Company was not required to provide any securities in respect of the funds raised. The notes were not registered for trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. |
F-26
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 11 – Liabilities for Employee Severance Benefits
| | December 31 2001
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| | Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
| Accrued severance pay | 27 | 23 |
| Accrued retirement grants | 6 | 5 |
| |
|
|
| | 33 | 28 |
| Less: Amounts funded with a central severance pay fund, including |
| earnings thereon | (28) | (21) |
| |
|
|
| | 5 | 7 |
| |
|
|
| The Company regularly deposits amounts with a pension fund and in executive insurance policies for the purpose of acquiring pension rights for the employees of the Company when they reach the age of retirement. The Company’s regular deposits with the pension fund and in the insurance policies are not included in the balance sheet as they are not under the control of the Company. |
| In accordance with Opinion No. 20 of the ICPAI, the Company records a liability in the financial statements in the amount of the difference between the liability of the Company for severance pay calculated on the basis of past experience, the present situation and anticipated future dismissals, and the above-mentioned deposits. |
| Furthermore, in accordance with collective employment contracts, the Company is required to pay a retirement grant to retiring employees in the amount of one month’s salary for each eight years of work, but of no more than four salaries, and an additional retirement bonus for unutilized sick leave. |
| These commitments are calculated on the basis of an actuarial valuation based upon current data regarding retirement rates. |
| The excess of amounts funded over the liability in respect of unutilized sick leave is presented under long-term loans and fund (See Note 4). |
F-27
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 12 – Shareholders’ Equity
| 1. | The paid-up share capital, including a premium that was received, has been adjusted for the effect of inflation from the date of receipt of each payment until December 31, 2002. |
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| Number of shares
|
---|
Authorized | |
| |
Ordinary shares of NIS 0.1 par value | 400,000,000 |
|
|
Issued and paid up |
| |
Balance as at January 1, 2000 | 210,233,342 |
Exercise of stock options | 380,000 |
|
|
Balance as at December 31, 2000 | 210,613,342 |
Exercise of stock options | 1,100,375 |
|
|
Balance as at December 31, 2001 | 211,713,717 |
Exercise of stock options | 289,518 |
|
|
Balance as at December 31, 2002 | 212,003,235 |
|
|
Including treasury shares held by a subsidiary, see |
Note 12C, below | 8,864,801 |
|
|
| 3. | The shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. |
| In accordance with the decision of the Board of Directors dated November 20, 2002 to delist the American Depositary Shares (ADSs) from trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and following completion of the measures to do so, the trading in the Company’s ADSs on the NYSE was discontinued on December 26, 2002. |
| B. | Stock options to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries |
| Under the stock option plans, options exercisable for Ordinary Shares of NIS 0.1 par value were granted at no cost to employees by means of private placement, not to the public, as follows: |
Date of grant
| Number of stock options for Ordinary Stock that were granted
| Number of grantees
| Number of stock options for Ordinary Stock that were granted to CEO
|
---|
| | | |
---|
September 21, 1997 ("the 1997 Plan") | 2,654,000 | 35 | * 330,000 |
October 27, 1998 ("the 1998 Plan") | 465,300 | 1 | 465,300 |
January 24, 2000 ("the 1999 Plan") | 1,665,500 | 15 | - |
February 1, 2001 ("the 2000 Plan") | 7,583,500 | 200 | **1,297,000 |
September 10, 2001 ("the 2001 Plan") | 621,120 | 2 | - |
May 14, 2002 ("the 2002 Plan") | 1,088,184 | 12 | - |
| * | A former CEO of the Company who retired in 1998. |
| ** | Subsequent to balance sheet date, the CEO of the Company retired from his position with the Company. Therefore upon the termination of his employment 972,750 stock options were cancelled. See Note 22B. |
F-28
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 12 – Shareholders’ Equity (cont’d)
| B. | Stock options to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (cont’d) |
| Regarding the 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 Plans, the options offered under each Plan are exercisable for a number of shares which reflects only the benefit accruing from them to the offeree on the date of exercise, that is, the difference between the exercise price of each option and the closing price of the Company’s shares on the Stock Exchange on the trading day preceding the exercise date. Accordingly, the consideration to be paid by the offeree to the Company upon the exercise of the options is only for the amount of the par value of the shares actually issued at the time of the exercise. The exercise price is not an amount actually paid to the Company but merely serves to determine the number of shares to be issued. |
| For each of the 1997, 1998 and 1999 plans, the options in respect of one-third of the amount of shares vest two years from the date of grant, one-third of such amount vest three years from the date of grant, and one-third of such amount vest four years from the date of grant. The options may be exercised at any time during three years from the end of the vesting period for each third, respectively. |
| With respect to the 2000 and 2001 Plans, one-fourth of the amount of shares vest two years from the date of grant, one-fourth of such amount vest three years from the date of grant, one-fourth of such amount vest four years from the date of grant and one-fourth of such amount vest five years from the date of grant. The options may be exercised at any time during two years from the end of the vesting period for each fourth, respectively. |
| With respect to the 2002 Plan, the options in respect of one-third of the amount of shares vest two years from the date of grant, one-third of such amount vest three years from the date of grant, and one-third of such amount vest four years from the date of grant. The options may be exercised at any time during two years from the end of the vesting period for each third, respectively. |
| The shares issued from exercise of the above-mentioned options will be registered for trading on the Stock Exchange. The options were granted under Section 102 of the Income Tax Ordinance. |
| The exercise price for the options under each of the Plans is set forth below: |
| 1997 Plan – the base exercise price for each option is NIS 10.67 (equivalent to US$ 3). The base exercise price was determined by the average price of the Company’s shares on the Stock Exchange during the thirty trading days ended on the date of approval of the Plan by the Board of Directors less 9.5%. The exercise price is linked to the representative rate of exchange of the U.S. dollar (hereinafter – “the Dollar”) from July 16, 1997. |
| An employee who exercises the options shall be entitled to receive a loan from the Company for the purpose of exercising the options, on the terms provided by Section 3(I) of the Income Tax Ordinance, repayable in three equal annual installments or at the date of severance of the employer–employee relationship or sale of the shares, whichever occurs first. |
| 1998 Plan – the base exercise price for each option is NIS 9.94. The base exercise price was determined by the average price of the Company’s shares on the Stock Exchange during the trading days in the thirty day period ended on the date of approval of the Plan by the Board of Directors less 10%. The exercise price of each option is as stated in subparagraph A, below, with respect to the first increment, and the lower of the prices set forth in subparagraphs A and B, with respect to the second and third increments: |
| a. | The base exercise price, linked to the changes in the representative rate of exchange of the Dollar published by Bank of Israel, from the representative rate of exchange on the date of approval of the Plan by the Board of Directors, that is $1 = NIS 3.857, up to the latest known representative rate of exchange on the date of exercise. |
| b. | The average closing price of the Company’s shares, during the seven trading days preceding the last day of the second or third vesting period, as applicable, linked to the changes in the representative rate of exchange of the Dollar from the last day of the applicable vesting period up to the exercise date. |
F-29
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 12 – Shareholders’ Equity (cont’d)
| B. | Stock options to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (cont’d) |
| 1999 Plan – the base exercise price for each option is NIS 10.7. The base exercise price was determined by the average price of the Company’s shares on the Stock Exchange during the trading days in the thirty day period preceding October 24, 1999, less 10%, subject to adjustments for a dividend distribution and/or a rights issuance. The exercise price of each option is as stated in subparagraph A, below, with respect to the first increment, and the lower of the prices set forth in subparagraphs A and B, with respect to the second and third increments: |
| a. | The base exercise price, linked to the changes in the CPI known on the date of approval of the Plan by the Board of Directors, that is the index for September 1999, up to the CPI which is known on the date of exercise. |
| b. | The average closing price of the Company’s shares, during the seven trading days preceding the last day of the second or third vesting period, as applicable, linked to the changes in the CPI which is known on the last day of the applicable vesting period up to the exercise date. |
| 2000 Plan – the base exercise price for each option is NIS 12.52. The base exercise price of the options was determined by the average price of the Company’s shares on the Stock Exchange during the trading days in the thirty day period preceding November 2, 2000, less 10%, subject to adjustments for a dividend distribution and/or a rights issuance. The exercise price of the first increment is as stated in subparagraph A, below. The exercise price with respect to the second, third and fourth increments, is the lower of the prices set forth in subparagraphs A and B, for each of the increments, as applicable: |
| a. | The base exercise price, linked to the changes in the CPI known on the date of approval of the Plan by the Board of Directors, that is the index for October 2000, up to the CPI which is known on the date of exercise. |
| b. | The average closing price of the Company’s shares, during the trading days in the thirty day period preceding November 14, 2001, or November 14, 2002 or November 14, 2003 (hereinafter – the date of exercise price determination), for the second, third and fourth increments, respectively, less 10% and plus linkage differences in respect of the changes in the known CPI from the date of exercise price determination up to the exercise date. |
| 2001 Plan – the base exercise price for each option is NIS 13.79. The base exercise price of the options was determined by the average price of the Company’s shares on the Stock Exchange during the trading days in the thirty day period preceding June 28, 2001, less 10%, subject to adjustments for a dividend distribution and/or a rights issuance. The exercise price of the first increment is as stated in subparagraph A, below. The exercise price with respect to the second, third and fourth increments, is the lower of the prices set forth in subparagraphs A and B, for each of the increments, as applicable: |
| a. | The base exercise price, linked to the changes in the CPI known on the date of approval of the Plan by the Board of Directors, that is the index for May 2001, up to the CPI which is known on the date of exercise. |
| b. | The average closing price of the Company’s shares, during the trading days in the thirty day period preceding July 15, 2002, or July 15, 2003 or July 15, 2004 (hereinafter – the date of exercise price determination), for the second, third and fourth increments, respectively, less 10% and plus linkage differences in respect of the changes in the known CPI from the date of exercise price determination up to the exercise date. |
| 2002 Plan – the base exercise price for each option is NIS 15.7. The base exercise price of the options was determined by the average price of the Company’s shares on the Stock Exchange during the trading days in the thirty day period preceding May 14, 2002, less 10%, subject to adjustments for a dividend distribution and/or a rights issuance. The exercise price of the first increment is as stated in subparagraph A, below. The exercise price with respect to the second and third increments, is the lower of the prices set forth in subparagraphs A and B, for each of the increments, as applicable: |
F-30
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 12 – Shareholders’ Equity (cont’d)
| B. | Stock options to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (cont’d) |
| a. | The base exercise price, linked to the changes in the CPI known on the date of approval of the Plan by the Board of Directors, that is the index for March 2002, up to the CPI which is known on the date of exercise. |
| b. | The average closing price of the Company’s shares, during the trading days in the thirty day period preceding May 14, 2003, or May 14, 2004 (hereinafter – the date of exercise price determination), for the second and third increments, respectively, less 10% and plus linkage differences in respect of the changes in the known CPI from the date of exercise price determination up to the exercise date. |
| The economic value of each stock option exercisable for one share of NIS 0.1 par value, taking into account the maximum exercise period of each stock option, was at the time of the Board of Directors’ decision with respect to each relevant plan as follows (in terms of shekels of December 2002): |
| 2002 Plan
| 2001 Plan
| 2000 Plan
| 1999 Plan
| 1998 Plan
| 1997 Plan
|
---|
| NIS
| NIS
| NIS
| NIS
| NIS
| NIS
|
---|
The maximum | | | | | | |
exercise |
period - 4 years | 4.26 | 4.65 | 5.21 | | |
| | | | | | |
The maximum |
exercise |
period - 5 years | 4.75 | 5.25 | 5.86 | 5.38 | 4.94 | 7.07 |
| | | | | | |
The maximum |
exercise |
period - 6 years | 5.22 | 5.80 | 6.46 | 5.89 | 5.42 | 7.65 |
| | | | | | |
The maximum |
exercise |
period - 7 years | | 6.33 | 7.02 | 6.35 | 5.85 | 8.18 |
| | | | | | |
Average | 4.74 | 5.51 | 6.14 | 5.87 | 5.40 | 7.63 |
| The economic value was calculated in accordance with the “Black and Scholes”formula, taking into account the closing prices of the Company’s shares on the Stock Exchange on the dates on which the plans were approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. The economic value, as stated, was calculated on the assumption that the options will be exercised on the last day of each exercise period, as well as on the basis of the following assumptions: |
| 2002 Plan
| 2001 Plan
| 2000 Plan
| 1999 Plan
| 1998 Plan
| 1997 Plan
|
---|
| NIS
| NIS
| NIS
| NIS
| NIS
| NIS
|
---|
Closing price of | | | | | | |
share |
(Nominal NIS) | 16.92 | 15.60 | 14.15 | 11.85 | 11.07 | 12.29 |
| | | | | | |
Standard deviation |
of the share |
calculated based |
on weekly yields |
during a |
six-month period | 1.82% | 1.30% | 2.62% | 4.17% | 3.72% | 5.21% |
| | | | | | |
Annual discount |
rate | 3.5% | 5.0% | 6.5% | 6.0% | 5.5% | 6.0% |
F-31
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 12 – Shareholders’ Equity (cont’d)
| B. | Stock options to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (cont’d) |
| Regarding the 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 Plans, the calculated economic value does not take into account the possibility that the exercise price of the options will be less than the base exercise price. This fact increases the economic value of these options. |
| Set forth below is the movement in the options exercisable for shares of NIS 0.1 par value each: |
| 2002 Plan
| 2001 Plan
| 2000 Plan
| 1999 Plan
| 1998 Plan
| 1997 Plan
| 1995 Plan
| Total
|
---|
| NIS
| NIS
| NIS
| NIS
| NIS
| NIS
| NIS
| NIS
|
---|
Balance of | | | | | | | | |
options as at |
January 1 |
2001 | | - | - | 1,471,167 | 465,300 | 1,652,667 | 535,000 | 4,124,134 |
Options granted | | 621,120 | 7,583,500 | - | - | - | - | 8,204,620 |
Options exercised | - | - | - | - | (310,200) | (710,500) | (294,000) | (1,314,700) |
Options cancelled | - | - | (1,303,000) | (269,166) | - | (256,667) | (142,000) | (1,970,833) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance of |
options as at |
December 31 |
2001 | - | 621,120 | 6,280,500 | 1,202,001 | 155,100 | 685,500 | 99,000 | 9,043,221 |
| | | | | | | | |
Options granted | 1,088,184 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1,088,184 |
Options exercised | - | - | - | (351,330) | - | (20,000) | (85,000) | (456,330) |
Options cancelled | (43,125) | - | (828,000) | (60,000) | - | (304,500) | (14,000) | (1,249,625) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance of |
options as at |
December 31 |
2002 | 1,045,059 | 621,120 | 5,452,500 | 790,671 | 155,100 | 361,000 | - | 8,425,450 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Exercise price as at December 31, 2002 for NIS 0.01 par value |
| 2002 Plan*
| 2001 Plan*
| 2000 Plan*
| 1999 Plan*
| 1998 Plan
| 1997 Plan
|
---|
| NIS
| NIS
| NIS
| NIS
| NIS
| NIS
|
---|
First increment | 16.11 | 15.30 | 12.79 | 9.12 | | |
Second increment | 16.11 | 13.38 | 12.79 | 9.12 | | 14.21 |
Third increment | 16.11 | 15.30 | 9.02 | 9.12 | 10.75 | 14.21 |
Fourth increment | | 15.30 | 12.79 | | | |
| * | After adjustment for dividend distributions. |
| C. | Acquisition of Company shares by a subsidiary |
| During 1999, a wholly owned and fully controlled subsidiary of the Company acquired 8,864,801 ordinary shares of a par value of NIS 0.1 each of the Company, which represent 4.22% of the Company’s issued share capital, for consideration of approximately NIS 97 million. Due to payment of a dividend out of pre-acquisition profits, the balance of the treasury shares at the balance sheet date amounts to NIS 87 million. |
| The amount of the aforesaid acquisitions are presented in the financial statements based on the “Treasury Stock” method, in accordance with Opinion 57 of the ICPAI. |
F-32
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 13 — Operating, Selling, Administrative and General Expenses
| Year ended December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Salaries and related employee benefits | 660 | 709 | 691 |
Rent and municipal taxes | 223 | 259 | 271 |
Depreciation and amortization | 151 | 178 | 190 |
Advertising | 77 | 85 | 90 |
Other expenses, net | 334 | 342 | 402 |
|
|
|
|
| *1,445 | *1,573 | *1,644 |
|
|
|
|
*After deducting suppliers reimbursements | 56 | 73 | 73 |
|
|
|
|
| B. | Allowance for doubtful accounts in respect of trade receivables |
| Year ended December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Balance at the beginning of the year | 25 | 29 | 32 |
Charged to other expenses, net | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Adjustments | - | - | (4) |
|
|
|
|
Balance at end of year | 29 | 32 | 31 |
|
|
|
|
Note 14 – Financing Income (Expenses), Net
| Year ended December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Profit from marketable securities | 2 | - | 3 |
Interest expenses in respect of notes | - | - | (24) |
Interest income in respect of long-term loans | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Interest expenses in respect of long-term loans from banks |
and others | (30) | (29) | (16) |
Interest expenses to banks for short-term |
monetary items, net | (5) | (6) | (4) |
Erosion of capital notes to subsidiaries | - | - | - |
Interest expenses in respect of short-term liabilities to |
subsidiaries | - | - | - |
Interest income from erosion of net short-term |
debtors and creditors | 5 | 9 | 33 |
|
|
|
|
| (25) | (24) | (7) |
|
|
|
|
F-33
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 15 — Other Income (Expenses), Net
| Year ended December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Impairment loss (1) | - | - | (181) |
Gain (loss) on disposal of fixed assets, net | 17 | (2) | - |
Write-off of buildings, improvements and equipment |
in respect of closed stores | (8) | - | (1) |
Gain on sale of investment in proportionately |
consolidated company (2) | - | - | 26 |
Write-off of goodwill | (1) | - | - |
Other income (expenses), net | (1) | (1) | (10) |
|
|
|
|
| 7 | (3) | (166) |
|
|
|
|
Note 16 — Income Tax
| A. | Taxes under inflationary conditions |
| According to the Income Tax Law (Inflationary Adjustments) — 1985, results of operations for tax purposes are measured on a constant, or real, basis, according to increases in the CPI. The Company is assessed for taxes based on this law. |
| B. | Benefits under the Law for the Encouragement of Industry |
| One of the Company’s subsidiaries is an “industrial company” as defined in the Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxes) — 1969, and, as such, is entitled to accelerated depreciation rates for tax purposes. |
F-34
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 16 — Income Tax (cont’d)
| Deferred taxes have been calculated using tax rates expected to be in effect at the time the deferred taxes are paid or utilized. |
| Vacation and recreation pay
| Liabilities for employee severance benefits
| Fixed assets
| Losses for tax purposes
| Other current items
| Total
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Balance as at | | | | | | |
January 1, 2001 | 13 | 2 | (56) | 5 | 3 | (33) |
Changes during |
2001 - |
Transferred to |
income statement | 1 | (2) | (15) | 5 | 4 | (7) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as at |
December 31, |
2001 | 14 | - | (71) | 10 | 7 | (40) |
Changes during |
2002 - |
Current transfer to |
income statement | (1) | 1 | (13) | (9) | 3 | (19) |
Transfer to |
income statement |
following initial |
implementation |
of Standard 15 | - | - | 55 | - | 1 | 56 |
Discontinuance |
of consolidation | - | - | 2 | - | - | 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as at |
December 31, |
2002 | 13 | 1 | (27) | 1 | 11 | (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The deferred taxes are presented in the consolidated balance sheets as follows: |
| December 31 2001
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Current assets | 31 | 22 |
Long-term liabilities | (71) | (23) |
|
|
|
| (40) | (1) |
|
|
|
| D. | Composition of income tax included in the consolidated statements of income |
| Year ended December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Current taxes | 99 | 102 | 65 |
Prior years' taxes | (4) | (1) | (1) |
Deferred taxes | 9 | 7 | (39) |
|
|
|
|
| 104 | 108 | 25 |
|
|
|
|
F-35
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 16 — Income Tax (cont’d)
| E. | Reconciliation of the theoretical tax on the consolidated adjusted income before taxes to the tax expense included in the consolidated statements of income |
| Year ended December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Tax calculated at the rate of 36% | 102 | 113 | 12 |
Increase (decrease) in respect of: |
Unallowable expenses (including |
depreciation and amortization) | 4 | 5 | 3 |
Unallowable expenses due to the initial implementation |
of Standard 15 | - | - | 9 |
Tax exempt income | - | - | (2) |
Utilization of previous years' tax losses for which no |
deferred taxes were provided | (1) | - | - |
Deferred taxes in respect of prior years' income (losses) | 5 | (9) | 2 |
Inflationary erosion of advance tax payments | - | - | 1 |
Effect of inflationary tax laws | 1 | - | - |
Reduced tax rate on sale of building | (3) | - | - |
Tax rate differences in sale of investee | - | - | 3 |
Taxes in respect of prior years | (4) | (1) | (3) |
|
|
|
|
Taxes on income in the consolidated |
statements of income | 104 | 108 | 25 |
|
|
|
|
| A subsidiary has accumulated business losses for tax purposes of approximately NIS 3 million available for use in future years. |
| G. | Final tax assessments of active companies |
| The Company and six subsidiaries have received final tax assessments (including self assessments regarded as final) up to and including the 1998 tax year. |
| A subsidiary has received final assessments up to and including the 1998 tax year. A proportionately consolidated company has self assessments regarded as final up to and including the 1998 tax year. Another proportionately consolidated company has received final assessments for years up to and including the 2000 tax year. |
F-36
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 17 – Company’s Equity in Results of Investee Companies, Net
| Year ended December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Affiliated company (1) | - | (1) | (22) |
|
|
|
|
| - | (1) | (22) |
|
|
|
|
| (1) | The loss of the affiliated company arises mainly from impairment losses in respect of property in accordance with Standard 15. See also Note 3 A(1). |
Note 18 — Rental Agreements
| The minimum rentals (not including additional rentals computed as a percentage of sales and renewal options) linked to the CPI or to the U.S. dollar, and payable in future years by the Company or its investee companies, of which the Company is a guarantor, are in respect of long-term leases of stores and office premises, and are based on the terms in effect on the balance sheet date, as follows: |
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Within years subsequent to balance sheet date: | |
First year | 184 |
Second year | 178 |
Third year | 168 |
Fourth year | 149 |
Fifth year | 129 |
Sixth to tenth year | 443 |
Eleventh to fifteenth year | 221 |
Sixteenth to twenty-third year | 133 |
|
|
| 1,605 |
|
|
Including rentals to: |
Proportionately consolidated company | 13 |
Affiliate | 13 |
Interested parties | 5 |
F-37
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 19 — Contingent Liabilities and Commitments
| A. | Commitments to construct and purchase new store premises and to purchase equipment |
| December 31 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Linked to the Residential Building Costs Index | 7 |
Linked to the CPI | 58 |
In foreign currency or linked thereto | 8 |
Unlinked | 20 |
|
|
Total | 93 |
|
|
| Contingent liabilities in the amount of NIS 175 million exist for the payment of rentals linked to the CPI or to the U.S. dollar in respect of long-term leases on stores (not including renewal options), subject to the completion of the construction by the lessors and taking possession of stores unencumbered by any operational limitations. |
| (1) | Legal claims have been asserted against the Company, certain officers and directors and some of its subsidiaries, the majority of which relate to the ordinary course of business of the companies, including claims related to the cessation of employee/employer relationships. Similarly, claims for damages have been asserted against the Company in its role as an employer or an owner of real estate. Claims for damages are covered by adequate insurance policies. Based on the opinion of the Company’s legal advisors provisions have been made which, in the Company’s estimate, will cover these liabilities if they occur. |
| (2) | On November 18, 2001, a request was filed with the Tel Aviv District Court for recognition as a class action suit of a claim concerning adherence to the Beverage Bottle Deposit Law (see F(5) below). The claim named the Beverage Bottle Collection Corporation Ltd. and the supermarket chains, including the Company. The claim was for monetary compensation of NIS 240 million. On January 13, 2003 the Court dismissed the request. The plaintiffs filed an appeal on the decision of the District Court with the Supreme Court. In the opinion of the Company’s management, based on the opinion of its legal counsel and on the aforementioned Court ruling, the appeal presents a low degree of risk, and therefore no provision with respect thereto was recorded in the financial statements. A date has not yet been scheduled for a hearing on the appeal. |
| D. | Investigation of the Restrictive Trade Practices Authority |
| On April 17, 2000, representatives of the Israel Antitrust Authority, the Restrictive Trade Practices Authority (“the Authority”), conducted a search at the offices of the Company, in connection with suspected restrictive trade practices among supermarket chains and suppliers. The Authority seized documents of the Company, including correspondence with suppliers, relating to the years 1996 — 2000. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, two former executive officers of the Company, two executive officers and certain employees were questioned by the Authority. |
| On January 5, 2003 the Commissioner of Restrictive Trade Practices (hereinafter – the Commissioner) notified the Company in writing that he considers the automatic reduction in the purchase prices from suppliers, which is done due to local competition and without a prior agreement with the suppliers, to be a restrictive arrangement. The Company disagrees with the position of the Commissioner but has adjusted its operations according to his letter. |
F-38
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 19 — Contingent Liabilities and Commitments (cont’d)
| D. | Investigation of the Restrictive Trade Practices Authority (cont’d) |
| Other than the above, the Company has received no additional information from the Authority, and therefore, in management’s opinion, based on the opinion of the Company’s legal counsel, it is not possible at this stage to evaluate the outcome of the investigation and its ramifications for the Company’s business. |
| E. | Indemnification and insurance of officers |
| In accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association, the Company will indemnify officers in respect of their responsibilities, subject to legal and other limitations. |
| (1) | The Company and a subsidiary have guaranteed the liabilities of an affiliated company in the amount of NIS 27 million. |
| (2) | The Company provided a bank guarantee in the amount of NIS 4 million to a banking institution, in respect of obligations of a subsidiary to the bank. |
| (3) | As security for the liabilities of the Company and subsidiaries to various parties, the Company provided bank guarantees in the amount of NIS 2 million. |
| (4) | As security for the registration in the purchaser’s name of a building that was sold, the Company provided the purchaser with bank guarantees in the amount of NIS 1 million. |
| (5) | On October 1, 2001 the Beverage Bottle Deposit Law, 1999 came into effect (“the Law”). |
| The Company and other supermarket chains entered into an agreement with beverage manufacturers and importers for the establishment of a recycling corporation (“the Corporation”). The objective of the Corporation is to establish and operate a mechanism for the fulfillment of the requirements of the Law concerning repayment of deposits, bottle collection and recycling. The Company provided the Corporation with a guarantee amounting to NIS 333 thousand and will provide an additional guarantee of NIS 333 thousand subsequent to the preparation of a business plan by the Corporation’s Board of Directors. |
| See also Note 19 C(2) above. |
Note 20 — Liens
| A. | As security for the liabilities of a subsidiary to a bank in the amount of NIS 26 million, the subsidiary placed an unlimited first level charge on its land and a fixed first level charge on its fixed and current assets in favor of the bank and the Company. (The relevant land, fixed and current assets are included in the consolidated financial statements at a value of NIS 42 million). Furthermore, a fixed first level charge was registered on the subsidiary’s insurance rights and its rights to receive rental payments from the lessees of the land. |
| B. | As security for the liabilities of a proportionately consolidated company to banks, which are included in the consolidated financial statements in the amount of NIS 48 million, the aforementioned company registered a fixed charge and first mortgage (unlimited in amount) on all of its property rights and specific rental agreements and a floating charge on all of its assets. The total assets of the proportionately consolidated company, which are included in the consolidated financial statements, amount to NIS 108 million. |
F-39
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 21 — Earnings Per Share
| The par value of shares and net earnings used for the purpose of calculating the basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows: |
| Year ended December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
| (NIS millions)
|
---|
Par value of shares * | 20 | 21 | 20 |
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss) (adjusted NIS) | 179 | 208 | (14) |
|
|
|
|
| * | After deducting treasury shares — see Note 12C. |
Note 22 — Interested and Related Parties
| A. | Transactions with interested and related parties |
| The Company and its subsidiaries conduct business transactions in respect of the purchase of inventory and building construction services with interested and related parties in the ordinary course of business and on commercial terms. |
| The Securities Authority, using the authority granted to it under Section 64 3(D) of the Securities Regulations (Preparation of Annual Financial Statements) — 1993 has exempted the Company from disclosing transactions, other than in the case of extraordinary transactions, with companies held by interested parties. |
| B. | Benefits to interested parties |
| Year ended December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
Number of recipients | | | |
Employed interested parties | 1 | 1 | 1 |
|
|
|
|
Directors | 8 | 9 | 8 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Year ended December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions) |
---|
Amounts of benefits | | | |
Employed interested parties - salary and |
benefits* | 3 | 3 | *4 |
|
|
|
|
Directors' fees | 1 | 1 | 1 |
|
|
|
|
| * | Paid in accordance with employment agreement from August 4, 2002.Subsequent to balance sheet date, on March 12, 2003, the CEO retired from the Company. In respect of the issuance of options to interested parties see Note 12B. |
F-40
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 22 - Interested and Related Parties (cont'd)
| C. | The consolidated statement of income includes the following expenses relating to transactions with investee companies as follows: |
| Year ended December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions) |
---|
Rental expense: | | | |
Proportionately consolidated companies | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Affiliate | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Note 23 - Differences between Israeli GAAP and U.S. GAAP
| A. | The consolidated financial statements of Super-Sol Ltd. conform with accounting principles generally accepted in Israel ("Israeli GAAP"), which differ in certain significant respects from those generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") as described below: |
| The Company, in accordance with Israeli GAAP, comprehensively includes the effect of price level changes in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, as described in Note 1. |
| Such Israeli accounting principles measure the effect of price level changes in the Israeli economy. |
| U.S. GAAP does not provide for recognition of the effects of such price level changes. However, this adjustment is permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules applicable to foreign private issuers. Such effects have not been included in the following reconciliation to US GAAP. |
| (2) | Proportionate consolidation: |
| Under Israeli GAAP, jointly controlled entities are included in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements according to the proportionate consolidation method. |
| Under U.S. GAAP, investments in jointly controlled entities are to be accounted for by the equity method. Proportionate consolidation, however, is permitted by the SEC rules applicable to foreign private issuers. Such effects have not been included in the following reconciliation to U.S. GAAP. Note 3B. |
| (3) | Stock options granted to employees: |
| As described in Note 12, certain options were granted at exercise prices which were lower than the fair market value of the Ordinary Shares on the date of the grant. |
| In accordance with Israeli GAAP, recording of compensation expense equal to the abovementioned difference is not required. Under U.S. GAAP, in accordance with Accounting Principles Board ("APB") No. 25 - recording of compensation expense is required over the expected vesting period. In October 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement No. 123 - - "Accounting for Stock Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123"), which establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for stock-based compensation plans. The Statement defines a fair-value based method of accounting for employee stock options. The Company elected to remain under the expense recognition provision of APB 25 for U.S. GAAP reporting purposes. Under U.S. GAAP most of the Company's option plans are determined to be variable plans and accordingly the benefit is remeasured during each reporting period and compensation expense recorded. |
F-41
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 23 - Differences between Israeli GAAP and U.S. GAAP
| A. | The consolidated financial statements of Super-Sol Ltd. conform with accounting principles generally accepted in Israel ("Israeli GAAP"), which differ in certain significant respects from those generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") as described below: (cont'd) |
| (4) | Liability for employee rights upon retirement: |
| Under Israeli GAAP, amounts funded by purchase of insurance policies and by deposits with recognized severance pay funds are deducted from the related severance pay liability. |
| Under U.S. GAAP, the amounts funded should be presented as other long-term assets and the amount of the liability should be presented as long-term liabilities. |
| (5) | Deferred taxes on income: |
| Under Israeli GAAP the Company does not provide for deferred income taxes on differences between the financial reporting and income tax basis of fixed assets, for which the depreciation period is longer than 20 years, arising from adjustments for changes in the Israeli CPI. Under SFAS 109 - "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS 109"), a provision for income taxes is required to be made for all assets and liabilities that have a different basis for financial reporting and for income tax purposes. |
| (6) | Gain on sale of investment in proportionately consolidated investee: |
| Under Israeli GAAP, the Company recognized a capital gain in 1999 of NIS 17 million arising from the dilution in shareholding in Avnat from 46.9% to 31.3% which is included in other income, net. |
| Avnat Ltd. ("Avnat") (which was a proportionately consolidated investee) owns a shopping mall. The Company has a lease agreement with Avnat to rent a store for 8 years with options to extend the lease for two further 8 year periods. Because the Company leases a portion of the shopping mall, the recognition of the gain as above was not permitted under U.S. GAAP (SFAS 98) due to a continuing involvement and accordingly the Company recognized the transaction as a financing transaction. Accordingly the Company's share of the proceeds of dilution (46.9% of NIS 65 million) was recorded as a debt and the investment continued to be shown in the balance sheet at its original amount. Therefore, under U.S. GAAP in the periods after the sale, the Company continued to record its original equity income, eliminated additional rental expense and recorded imputed interest on the above debt. This accounting method effectively deferred and amortized the gain over the rental period. |
| For purposes of the U.S. GAAP reconciliation, the Company has applied the financing method by reversing the NIS 17 million gain recognized for Israeli GAAP purposes, recognizing this amount as a liability and is amortizing this gain over the rental term (24 years). The Company has determined that other differences between Israeli GAAP and U.S. GAAP with respect to this transaction are not material. |
| On March 14, 2002, as described in Note 3C, the Company sold the remainder of its shares in Avnat and thus recognized the unamortized balance of the gain in the U.S. GAAP reconciliation for the year ended December 31, 2002. |
| Under Israeli GAAP up to the year of 2001 dividends declared subsequent to balance sheet date were reflected as a current liability in the balance sheet. Since 2002, the liability in respect of a dividend declared or proposed subsequent to balance sheet date is reflected in the financial statements in the period declared which is similar to U.S. GAAP, where such dividends are recorded in the financial statements of the period declared. |
F-42
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 23 - Differences between Israeli GAAP and U.S. GAAP
| A. | The consolidated financial statements of Super-Sol Ltd. conform with accounting principles generally accepted in Israel ("Israeli GAAP"), which differ in certain significant respects from those generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") as described below: (cont'd) |
| According to Israeli GAAP the dilutive effect of convertible securities is included in the computation of basic earnings per share if their exercise is considered to be probable, based on the ordinary relationship between the market price of the shares issuable upon the conversion and the discounted present value of the future proceeds derived from the exercise of the convertible securities. |
| Under U.S. GAAP, SFAS 128 specifies modifications to the calculations of earnings per share from that currently used by the Company. Under SFAS 128 basic earnings per share will be calculated based upon the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares actually outstanding, and diluted earnings per share will be calculated based upon the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares and other convertible securities outstanding. |
| (9) | Treatment of marketable securities: |
| Marketable securities held for the short-term are stated at market value, in accordance with Israeli GAAP. Unrealized gains from securities classified as a current investment in accordance with Israeli GAAP are reflected in earnings. Proceeds from sale of marketable securities and investment in marketable securities are presented gross under investing activities in the statements of cash flows. |
| For U.S. GAAP purposes, the Company has determined, that its marketable securities should be classified as trading securities and stated at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, reported in the statement of income. Under U.S. GAAP proceeds from sale of marketable securities and investment in marketable securities should be included net in the net cash generated by operating activities. |
| (10) | Amortization of goodwill: |
| Under Israeli GAAP goodwill with indefinite lives is amortized in equal annual installments over a 10 year period from the date of acquisition. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment when circumstances indicate the possibility that impairment exists. |
| Under U.S. GAAP, according to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" (SFAS 142), goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are no longer amortized but are reviewed annually (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise) for impairment. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 142 from January 1, 2002. |
| (11) | Impairment of assets: |
| The Company's financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002 reflect early implementation of Israeli Accounting Standard 15 regarding impairment of assets (See Note 1M). According to this Standard, an impairment loss should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds their recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the greater of the net selling price and the present value of estimated future cash flows expected to arise from the use and disposition of the assets. |
| Under U.S. GAAP, according to Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" (SFAS 144), an impairment loss is recognized whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to undiscounted future net cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. |
| As a result, there are circumstances which would require an impairment loss to be recorded under Israeli GAAP but would not require an impairment loss to be recorded under U.S. GAAP. |
F-43
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 23 - Differences between Israeli GAAP and U.S. GAAP (cont'd)
| B. | The effect of the differences between Israeli GAAP and U.S. GAAP on the above mentioned items on the Consolidated Financial Statements is as follows: |
| (1) | On the statement of income: |
| Year ended December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions) |
---|
Net earnings (loss) as reported under | | | |
Israeli GAAP | 179 | 205 | (14) |
Compensation expense in respect of |
stock options granted to employees | (4) | (17) | 19 |
Gain on sale of investment |
in a proportionately |
consolidated investee | 1 | 1 | 16 |
Impairment of assets | - | - | 114 |
Current amortization of goodwill | - | - | 5 |
Taxation effects on the foregoing adjustments - |
deferred taxes | 7 | 5 | (41) |
|
|
|
|
Net earnings as per U.S. GAAP | 183 | 194 | 99 |
|
|
|
|
| (2) | Number of shares used for the computation of earnings per share: |
| Year ended December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
Under U.S. GAAP: Basic | 201,659,791 | 202,038,248 | 203,073,978 |
|
|
|
|
Diluted | 201,705,514 | 202,089,452 | 203,207,242 |
|
|
|
|
| The difference between the number of shares for the purpose of calculation of primary earnings per share and diluted earnings per share results from employee stock options. |
| (3) | On earnings per share: |
| Year ended December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
| NIS
|
---|
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share: | | | |
As reported under Israeli GAAP | 0.88 | 1.01 | (0.07) |
|
|
|
|
As per U.S. GAAP | 0.91 | 0.96 | 0.49 |
|
|
|
|
F-44
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 23 - Differences between Israeli GAAP and U.S. GAAP (cont'd)
| B. | The effect of the differences between Israeli GAAP and U.S. GAAP on the above mentioned items on the Consolidated Financial Statements is as follows (cont'd): |
| (4) | On balance sheet items: |
| December 31, 2001
| December 31, 2002
|
---|
| As reported under Israeli GAAP
| Adjustments
| As per U.S. GAAP
| As reported under Israeli GAAP
| Adjustments
| As per U.S. GAAP
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Current assets | 1,175 | (3) | 1,172 | 1,376 | - | 1,376 |
Fixed assets | 2,584 | - | 2,584 | 2,414 | 107 | 2,521 |
Deferred expenses |
and other assets | 109 | 50 | 159 | 97 | 58 | 155 |
Total assets | 3,916 | 47 | 3,963 | 3,911 | 165 | 4,076 |
Deferred tax |
liability | 71 | (2) | 69 | 23 | 42 | 65 |
Accrued employee |
severance benefits | 5 | 50 | 55 | 7 | 46 | 53 |
Deferred income | - | 34 | 34 | - | 18 | 18 |
Retained earnings | 1,261 | (60) | 1,201 | 1,176 | 53 | 1,229 |
Capital reserves | 498 | 25 | 523 | 500 | 6 | 506 |
Total liabilities |
and shareholders' |
equity | 3,916 | 47 | 3,963 | 3,911 | 165 | 4,076 |
| (5) | On statement of cash flows: |
| a. | Cash flows from operating activities |
| Year ended December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
As reported under Israeli GAAP | 617 | 388 | 137 |
Net proceeds from sale (purchase) of |
marketable securities | 60 | - | (105) |
|
|
|
|
As per U.S. GAAP | 677 | 388 | 32 |
|
|
|
|
| b. | Cash flows from investing activities |
| Year ended December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
As reported under Israeli GAAP | (331) | (323) | (377) |
Net proceeds from sale of marketable |
securities | (60) | - | 105 |
|
|
|
|
As per U.S. GAAP | (391) | (323) | (272) |
|
|
|
|
F-45
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2002
Adjusted New Israeli Shekels as of December 2002 | Super-Sol Ltd. |
Note 23 - Differences between Israeli GAAP and U.S. GAAP (cont'd)
| B. | The effect of the differences between Israeli GAAP and U.S. GAAP on the above mentioned items on the Consolidated Financial Statements is as follows (cont'd): |
| c. | Cash paid for interest and income tax was as follows: |
| Year ended December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Interest | 37 | 42 | 27 |
|
|
|
|
Income tax | 112 | 112 | 82 |
|
|
|
|
| (6) | Additional disclosure required by U.S. GAAP |
| December 31
|
---|
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
|
---|
| Adjusted NIS (millions)
|
---|
Balance, as reported under Israeli GAAP | (33) | (40) | (1) |
Depreciable fixed assets | (12) | (12) | (12) |
Stock options granted to employees | 2 | 8 | - |
Deferred income on disposal of |
buildings | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Deferred income on dilution resulting |
from issuance of shares in a |
proportionately consolidated investee | 5 | 3 | - |
Net capital losses carried forward | 5 | 2 | 1 |
Impairment of fixed assets | - | - | (36) |
Valuation allowance | (5) | (2) | (1) |
|
|
|
|
Balance, as per U.S. GAAP | (32) | (35) | (43) |
|
|
|
|
F-46
List of Active Investee Companies
Percentages of equity and control based on the holdings of the Company and its subsidiaries
| Ownership
| Control
|
---|
| %
| %
|
---|
| | |
---|
Subsidiaries | | |
Katif B.M | 100 | 100 |
Hanetz - Exporters and Importers Ltd. | 100 | 100 |
Hyper - Kol B.M | 100 | 100 |
Hevrat Hanechasim Shel Supersol B.M | 100 | 100 |
Orvani Hevra Lehashkaot B.M | 100 | 100 |
Gidron Taassiot B.M | 100 | 100 |
Hyper Reshet Hagal Hayarok B.M | 100 | 100 |
Super-Sol - Bailsol Hashkaot B.M | 50 | 51 |
| | |
Proportionately Consolidated Companies |
Israel Kanyonim Ltd. | 50 | 50 |
Merkaz Hakirya (Ashdod 1995) Ltd. | 50 | 50 |
| | |
Affiliated Company |
Bay Heart Ltd. | 37 | 37 |
F-47
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF
BAY HEART LTD. AND SUBSIDIARY
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Bay Heart Ltd. (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the consolidated balance sheets as of such dates, and the related statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows - of the Company and on a consolidated basis - for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position - of the Company and on a consolidated basis - at December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the results of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows - of the Company and on a consolidated basis - for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in Israel.
Accounting principles generally accepted in Israel differ in certain respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. With respect to these financial statements, the difference in the application of the latter is described in Note 20.
As described in Note 2A, the above mentioned financial statements have been prepared in adjusted values based on the changes in the general purchasing power of the Israeli currency in accordance with pronouncements of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Israel.
The condensed consolidated financial information in U.S. dollars presented in Note 19 to the financial statements, prepared at the request of an investor, represents a translation of the Company’s financial statements in nominal values, as stated in Note 19A. In our opinion, such translation into U.S. dollars was appropriately performed on the basis stated in Note 19A.
As described in Note 1C to the financial statements regarding the Company’s business condition, the Company has a working capital deficit of NIS 90 million as of December 31, 2002. The steps undertaken by management for meeting the Company’s commitments and guarantees are also described in that note.
Brightman Almagor & Co.
Certified Public Accountants
Member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Israel, February 27, 2003.
F-48
Signatures
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
| SUPER-SOL LTD. |
| |
| By: | /s/ Joel Feldschuh |
| |
|
| | Joel Feldschuh |
| | Chief Executive Officer |
| | |
| | /s/ Itzik Zion |
| |
|
| | Itzik Zion |
| | Executive Vice President—Chief Financial Officer |
| | |
| | /s/ Linda Shafir |
| |
|
| | Linda Shafir |
| | General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
Date: June 30, 2003
57
CERTIFICATION
I, Joel Feldschuh, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Super-Sol, Ltd.; |
| |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report; |
| |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report; |
| |
4. | The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have: |
| |
| a) | designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared; |
| | |
| b) | evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the “Evaluation Date”); and |
| | |
| c) | presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date; |
| | |
5. | The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): |
| |
| a) | all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and |
| | |
| b) | any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and |
| | |
6. | The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. |
Date: June 30, 2003 | By: /s/ Joel Feldschuh |
|
|
| Joel Feldschuh |
| Chief Executive Officer |
58
CERTIFICATION
I, Itzik Zion, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Super-Sol, Ltd.; |
| |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report; |
| |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report; |
| |
4. | The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have: |
| |
| a) | designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared; |
| | |
| b) | evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the “Evaluation Date”); and |
| | |
| c) | presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date; |
| | |
5. | The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): |
| |
| a) | all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and |
| | |
| b) | any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and |
| | |
6. | The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. |
Date: June 30, 2003 | By: /s/ Itzik Zion |
|
|
| Itzik Zion |
| Executive Vice President - Chief Financial Officer |
59
EXHIBIT INDEX |
|
1.1 | Memorandum of Association of the Company (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-7318)) |
| |
1.2 | Articles of Association of the Company (incorporated by reference to exhibit 1.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2000) |
| |
2.1 | Five Installment Track Notes regarding Series A Notes of NIS 88 million (incorporated by reference to exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2001) |
| |
2.2 | Deed of Trust in respect of Series A Notes (incorporated by reference to exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2001) |
| |
2.3 | Six Installment Track Notes regarding Series B Notes of NIS 339 million (incorporated by reference to exhibit 2.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2001) |
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2.4 | Deed of Trust in respect of Series B Notes (incorporated by reference to exhibit 2.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2001) |
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4.1 | Agreements regarding pension plan between Super-Sol Ltd., Havaad Hamerkazi Shel Histadrut Hapkidim Beisrael Vevaad Ovdei Super-Sol Ltd. and Hakupa Hamerkazit Letagmulim Vepensia Lapakid (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-7318)) |
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4.2 | Special Collective Bargaining Agreement, dated April 1, 1978, among the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel), the Company and the Company’s employee committee (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-7318)) |
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4.3 | Amendment, dated July 22, 1998, to the Special Collective Bargaining Agreement, dated as of April 1, 1978, among the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel), the Company and the Company’s employee committee (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2000) |
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4.4 | Amendment, dated August 7, 2000, to the Special Collective Bargaining Agreement, dated as of April 1, 1978, among the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel), the Company and the Company’s employee committee (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2000) |
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4.5 | Loan agreement, dated March 30, 1997, between Super-Sol Ltd. and Bank Leumi Lelsrael Ltd. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-7318)) |
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4.6 | Loan agreement, dated January 20, 1997, between Super-Sol Ltd. and Israel Discount Bank Ltd. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-7318)) |
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4.7 | Loan agreement, dated February 19, 2003, between Super-Sol Ltd. and Bank Hapoalim B.M. |
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4.8 | 1995 Share Incentive Option Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-7318)) |
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4.9 | 1997 Share Incentive Option Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-7318)) |
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4.10 | 1998 Share Incentive Option Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit to the Company’s report on Form 6-K, dated October 7, 2000) |
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4.11 | 1999 Share Incentive Option Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 1999) |
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4.12 | 2000 Share Incentive Option Plan (incorporated by reference to attachment #1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 6-K, dated March 18, 2001) |
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4.13 | 2001 Share Incentive Option Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.12 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2001) |
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4.14 | 2002 Share Incentive Option Plan (incorporated by reference to attachment #1 to the Company’s Report on Form 6-K, dated May 28, 2002) |
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4.15 | Employment Agreement, dated May 26, 2003, between Super-Sol Ltd. and Joel Feldschuh |
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4.16 | Employment Agreement, dated May 26, 2003, between Super-Sol Ltd. and Effie Rosenhaus |
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4.17 | Employment Agreement, dated November 30, 1999, between Super-Sol Ltd. and Amiaz Sagis (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 1999) |
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4.18 | Employment Agreement, dated August 8, 1999, between Super-Sol Ltd. and Zion Itzhak (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 1999) |
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4.19 | Employment Agreement between Super-Sol Ltd. and Elimelech Yitzak (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 1999) |
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4.20 | Employment Agreement between Super-Sol Ltd. and Israel Einhorn (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.15 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2000) |
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4.21 | Employment Agreement between Super-Sol Ltd. and Linda Shafir (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.16 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2000) |
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12 | Certification pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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