Other information

Significant events after the end of the period

No significant events have taken place after the end of the period.

Transactions with related parties

No transactions took place between BE Group and related parties that had a material impact on the company’s financial position and results.

Annual General Meeting 2021

BE Group’s Annual General Meeting will take place on April 20, 2021, at 4:00 pm in Malmö, Sweden. Further information will be published on the company’s website.

Dividend

According to BE Group’s dividend policy, the Group will distribute at least 50 percent of profit after tax, over time. Dividends shall be distributed taking BE Group´s financial position and prospects into account. The Board of Directors proposes that no dividend be paid for the financial year of 2020.

Significant risks and uncertainties

Through its operations, BE Group is exposed to global macroeconomic factors, the competitive situation, structural changes in the market and the economy, as well as financial risks such as currency risks, interest risks, credit and counterparty risks. Within the companies of the Group, continuous processes are ongoing to identify existing risks and assess how these should be handled. The risk exposure is explained in the 2019 Annual Report, which was published in April 2020. For risks related to the consequences of Covid-19, see below.

Risks related to Covid-19 and measures taken

In the fourth quarter, BE Group continued to see a negative impact on business due to Covid-19, although there was some recovery at the end of the year. A number of measures have been implemented in the Group in the short term to counteract the effects, such as Government grants, renegotiated agreements and increased control of working capital and costs. BE Group is also looking at other possible savings measures.

It is currently not possible to fully quantify the impact that Covid-19 may have on the company. BE Group is monitoring developments closely and is prepared to take further measures to reduce the negative impact on the business. The company acts in accordance with decisions and recommendations from governments and authorities in the respective markets and with the health and well-being of its employees as a top priority.

Accounting principles

The interim report was prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting and the Swedish Annual Accounts Act. The Parent Company’s interim report is prepared in compliance with the Swedish Annual Accounts Act and the Swedish Financial Reporting Board’s recommendation RFR 2 Accounting for Legal Entities.

Government grants are reported at fair value when there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and the conditions associated with the grant will be met. Government grants relating to costs are reported in the income statement. During the period, grants received have been reported as cost reductions.

Refer to the 2019 Annual Report for details of the Group’s other accounting principles and definitions of certain terms. The principles applied are unchanged in relation to the Annual Report. In other regards, the new standards and interpretations that have come into effect from the financial year 2020 have had no significant effect on the financial reporting.