Blueprint
 
 
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
 
Washington DC 20549
 
 
FORM 6-K
 
 
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 AND 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For 07 August 2018
 
 
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC
(Registrant's name)
 
 
Broadwater Park, Denham, Buckinghamshire, UB9 5HJ, United Kingdom
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
 
Form 20-F           Form 40-F
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
 
Yes           No
 
 
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): Not applicable
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
99.1
Half-year Report dated 07 August 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit No: 99.1
 
 
 
IHG PLC - Half Year Results to 30 June 2018
 
Strong H1 performance across all regions and good progress against new strategic initiatives
 
 
 
 
Reported
 
Underlying3
2018
2017
% Change
 
2018
2017
% Change
REPORTABLE SEGMENTS1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$900m
$838m
7%
 
$875m
$838m
4%
Revenue from fee business
$719m
$664m
8%
 
$699m
$664m
5%
Operating profit
$406m
$370m
10%
 
$398m
$370m
8%
Fee margin2
53.5%
52.7%
0.8%pts
 
54.4%
52.7%
1.7%pts
Adjusted EPS
145.8¢
113.8¢
28%
 
142.1¢
113.8¢
25%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GROUP RESULTS4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue
$2,113m
$1,964m
8%
 
KEY METRICS
Operating profit
$394m
$395m
-
 
●  $13.3bn total gross revenue (up 9%)
Basic EPS
123.2¢
126.5¢
(3)%
 
●  3.7% global H1 RevPAR (Q2 = 3.7%)
Interim dividend per share
36.3¢
33.0¢
10%
 
●  4.1% net system growth to 810k rooms
Net debt
$1,802m
$2,056m
(12)%
 
●  46k signings; 262k pipeline rooms
 
 
1 Excludes System Fund results, hotel cost reimbursements and exceptional items. 2 Also excludes owned, leased and managed lease hotels, and significant liquidated damages. 3 Reportable segment results excluding owned asset disposals & significant liquidated damages and stated at constant H1 2017 exchange rates (CER).4 Includes System Fund results, hotel cost reimbursements and excludes exceptional items (except for Basic EPS).
 
 
H1 Comparable RevPAR: Americas = 3.2% (US = 2.7%); EMEAA = 3.0%, Greater China = 10.1% 
 
 
22k room additions, up 11% excluding 3.5k rooms added in Makkah, Saudi Arabia in H1 2017. 10k rooms removed.
 
 
Regent Hotels & Resorts and UK portfolio deals agreed in H1 will complete in Q3, adding 4.2k rooms (1.1k pipeline). 
 
 
Highest signings for 10 years; including 16.8k rooms in Greater China, up 71% YOY and our best ever performance. 
 
 
Keith Barr, Chief Executive Officer, IHG, said:
 
 
 
"We've had a strong first half, delivering our best signings performance for a decade. RevPAR grew at 3.7%, which together with 4.1% net system size growth, drove underlying operating profit up 8% and underlying EPS up 25%.  This underpins our decision to raise the interim dividend by 10%.
 
Each of our regions continue to deliver strong momentum.  This is led by Greater China, where double digit growth in both RevPAR and net system size, as well as record signings, reflects the ongoing benefits of our long term strategic focus on this important market.  Demand for our unique Chinese owner proposition "Franchise Plus" continues to be excellent and we now have more than 100 Holiday Inn Express hotels for this model either in the pipeline or open.
 
In February, we set out a series of new initiatives, funded by a comprehensive efficiency programme, that build on our well-established strategy to drive an acceleration in net rooms growth.  Our new organisational structure has enabled us to move at pace; we've added three new brands in the last year, avid hotels last September, for which we've now signed 130 hotels, voco in June and Regent Hotels & Resorts in July.  Our existing brands continue to strengthen, as demonstrated by the continued global expansion of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, with flagship hotels secured for four UK locations, including London, as part of a portfolio deal to rebrand and operate 12 high quality hotels in the UK.
 
Our plans to enhance revenue delivery are on track, with IHG Concerto featuring our innovative new Guest Reservation System now in over half of the estate, with complete roll-out by the end of 2018 / beginning of 2019.
 
The fundamentals for our industry are strong, we are confident in the outlook for the balance of the year and in our ability to deliver industry-leading net rooms growth over the medium term."
 
 
 
Update on new strategic initiatives
 
 
Optimise our preferred portfolio of brands for owners and guests
 
●          Mainstream
     -       avid hotels: 130 hotels signed to date (82 signed in H1), with the first on track to open in Q3'18.
     -       Holiday Inn Express: continued roll out of new guest room designs across all regions and rapid deployment of new breakfast offering in the US.
 
●          Upscale
     -        voco:  brand launched in June, primarily for conversion opportunities.  Four hotels will be added as part of the UK portfolio deal, plus a further three hotels have been signed to date (1.4k rooms in total).
 
●          Luxury
     -        Regent Hotels & Resorts: 51% acquisition of the brand completed in July; adding 6 open and 3 pipeline hotels, and with several new sites under discussion in key gateway cities and resort locations around the world. 
     -        Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants: global expansion gathering pace with H1 signings in Frankfurt, Shanghai, and Mexico City; plus, four UK hotels in July as part of the portfolio deal, including the first for London.
 
Superior returns for shareholders and owners: focus on driving long term, sustainable growth.
 
●         On track to deliver ~$125m in annual savings, including System Fund, by 2020 for reinvestment to drive growth.
     -      $6m benefit to underlying profit in the first half due to timing differences between the realisation of savings and reinvestment in growth initiatives. We continue to expect savings to be fully reinvested on an annual basis.
     -       H1 fee margin up 0.8%pts (1.7% at CER).  Medium term annual fee margin progression is still expected to be broadly in line with the historic average of ~135bps.
 
●          Exceptional cash costs to achieve the savings remain unchanged at $200m; $48m in H1'18 ($31m in 2017), with ~$70m now expected in H2'18 and the remainder in 2019.
 
●          IHG's strategy for uses of cash is unchanged, including our commitment to return surplus funds to shareholders.
 
 
Americas - Improving US RevPAR performance; avid hotels' momentum continues
 
 
Comparable RevPAR increased 3.2% (Q2: up 3.4%), driven by 2.2% rate growth. US RevPAR was up 2.7% in the first half, with 2.9% growth in the second quarter driven by corporate and group bookings and, as expected, some benefit from the earlier timing of Easter. Canada was up 7.5% in the first half with continued strength in urban markets, whilst Mexico was down 0.2% impacted by strong prior year comparables.
 
Reported revenue increased 5% (CER 5%) and reported operating profit increased 3% (CER 4%), whilst underlying1 revenue and operating profit were up 5% and 4%, respectively.
 
Underlying1 fee business operating profit was up 3%, with incremental royalties from RevPAR and net rooms growth partly offset by (i) $9m combined impact from lower hotel termination fees and costs relating to legal disputes and (ii) a $1m net negative impact from previously disclosed items: Crowne Plaza Accelerate owner financial incentives, higher US healthcare costs and a payroll tax credit.
 
Underlying1 owned, leased and managed lease operating profit increased 13% led by one Caribbean hotel where demand from hurricane reconstruction efforts continues to drive strong RevPAR growth.
 
We opened 9k rooms (91 hotels) in H1 2018, with more than two thirds driven by the Holiday Inn Brand Family. As we continue to focus on a high-quality estate, we removed 6k rooms (43 hotels). We signed 195 hotels (20k rooms), 82 of which were for avid hotels, where momentum continues to exceed expectations with 130 signings since launch, including four in Canada and one in Mexico. Our first property, in Oklahoma City, remains on track to open in the third quarter of 2018.
__________
US hotel demand drivers remain strong, which will support continued underlying RevPAR momentum in the second half.  Reported figures will be impacted, however, by unfavourable calendar shifts and strong comparables driven by hurricane-related demand in 2017.
 
As previously disclosed: (i) the owner financial incentives relating to the Crowne Plaza Accelerate programme will reduce fees by $5m in 2018 (H1'18: $2.5m); (ii) we don't expect our US healthcare programme to be in a surplus position in 2018, which will result in a $5m increase in fee business costs year on year; (H1'18: $2.5m).
 
EMEAA - Continued recovery in terror impacted markets; tough comparables in the UK
 
 
Comparable RevPAR increased 3.0% (Q2: up 3.0%) driven by rate up 1.9%. Continental Europe RevPAR was up 5.9% in the first half, with continued recovery in terror impacted markets. Germany was down 1.0% due to a weak trade fair calendar, and the UK was down 0.2% (London down 1.4%, provinces up 0.6%) impacted by strong prior year comparables. Elsewhere, Middle East was down 7.0% due to high supply growth, whilst Japan and Australia were both up 3.5%.
 
Total RevPAR growth of 0.4% reflects the increasing mix of new rooms opening in developing markets.
 
Reported revenue increased 8% (2% CER) and reported operating profit increased 21% (15% CER), including $3m of individually significant liquidated damages receipts, as previously disclosed.
 
On an underlying1 basis, revenue increased 1%, driven by rooms and RevPAR growth, partly offset by lower revenue from managed lease hotels, and operating profit grew 12%, including a $4m benefit from timing differences between the realisation of savings and their reinvestment in growth initiatives.
 
We opened 5k rooms (25 hotels) driving 5% net rooms growth, and signed 9k rooms (49 hotels), including more than 2k rooms across eight properties in key resort destinations in Thailand under the Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites brands.
__________
As previously disclosed, a $15m payment was received in the first quarter of 2018 in relation to the termination of a portfolio of hotels in Germany.  This has been / will be recognised as individually significant liquidated damages receipts as follows: $2.8m in H1 2018, a further $3.9m in H2 2018, $7.7m in 2019 and $1.0m in 2020.
 
Greater China - Continued industry outperformance; record room signings and openings
 
 
Comparable RevPAR increased 10.1% (Q2: up 9.3%), significantly outperforming the market. In Mainland China RevPAR was up 9.1% for the half, with tier 1 cities up 10.0% and tier 2-4 cities up 8.4%, driven by continued strength in corporate and meeting demand.  RevPAR in Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR was up 13.1% and 19.5% respectively.
 
Our continued acceleration in net rooms growth in the region, and our increasing penetration in higher growth, lower RevPAR, cities, resulted in H1 2018 total RevPAR growth of 4.5%.
 
Reported revenue increased by 25% (CER 18%), and reported operating profit increased by 33% (CER 25%), including $4m of individually significant liquidated damages receipts.
 
On an underlying1 basis, revenue increased by 13% and operating profit increased by 13%, driven by the strong trading across the region and 12% net rooms growth.
 
We opened a record 7k rooms (28 hotels), driving 12% net rooms growth. Signings totalled 17k rooms (78 hotels), our highest ever first half for the region, including 5 hotels for the InterContinental brand, and 32 for Holiday Inn Express Franchise Plus. We now have 15 open and >90 pipeline hotels for the brand under this innovative new model.
 
Highly cash generative business with disciplined approach to cost control and capital allocation
 
 
Strong free cash flow generation fuelling investment
●     Free cash flow2 of $261m was up $57m year on year, with $45m lower cash tax offset by $48m of exceptional cash costs incurred in relation to the group wide efficiency programme.
●     Net capital expenditure2 of $111m (H1 2017: $162m) with $129m gross (H1 2017: $186m). This comprised: $47m maintenance capex and key money; $32m gross recyclable investments; and $50m system funded capital investments; offset by $2m net proceeds from asset recycling and $16m System Fund depreciation and amortisation.  Capex guidance unchanged at up to $350m gross, and $150m net, per annum.
●     Exceptional cash costs of $55m in the half, including $48m relating to the group wide efficiency programme ($16m in relation to the System Fund).
 
Efficient balance sheet provides flexibility
●     Financial position remains robust, with an on-going commitment to an investment grade credit rating.
 
●     Net debt of $1,802m (including $233m finance lease on InterContinental Boston), down $49m on the 2017 close.
 
10% interim dividend growth to 36.3¢ demonstrates confidence in future growth prospects
 
 
Foreign exchange
 
 
Average USD exchange rates for H1 2018 against a number of currencies (particularly Sterling, Euro and Renminbi) were lower than in H1 2017, with a net favourable impact on reported profit of $2m3.
 
If the 30 June 2018 spot rate had existed throughout H2 2017, H2 2017 reported profit would have decreased by $2m.
 
A full breakdown of constant currency vs. actual currency RevPAR by region is set out in Appendix 2.
 
Other
 
 
System Fund:
 
Under IFRS 15, Fund revenues and costs are now recognised on a gross basis with the in-year surplus or deficit recorded in the Group income statement, but excluded from underlying results and adjusted EPS, as the Fund is operated for the benefit of the hotels in the IHG System such that the Group does not make a gain or loss from operating the Fund.    
 
The Fund surplus of ~$160m, which had built up following the introduction of the IHG Rewards Club expiry policy and the renegotiation of long term partnership agreements, was derecognised from the Group balance sheet at the start of the year on the adoption of IFRS 15.  In 2018, we continue to expect to spend the majority of the surplus on marketing, loyalty and technology initiatives, and costs associated with IHG's efficiency programme.  This resulted in the recording of a $12m Fund income statement deficit in the first half.
 
Interest:
 
Net financial expenses of $38m includes interest income relating to the System Fund of $9m (H1 2017 $6m). Excluding this, H1 2018 underlying2 interest expense of $47m was higher than in H1 2017 ($40m), reflecting the impact of a stronger pound on translation of sterling interest expense and higher US dollar interest rates payable on bank borrowings and balances with the System Fund.
 
Tax:
 
●      Effective ratefor H1 2018 was 23% (H1 2017: 32%) with the reduction predominantly as a result of a lower US tax rate following tax reform. We continue to expect that our full year 2018 effective tax rate will be in the mid to low 20s percentage point range. 
 
●     In H1 2018 there was a net cash tax outflow of $5m (H1 2017: $50m).  This is lower owing to the receipt of refunds of $36m in respect of earlier tax periods. The full year cash tax rate is expected to be in the high single digit percentage point range in the full year as previously guided.  There may continue to be some short-term volatility in the underlying cash tax rate, but we continue to expect the longer-term rate to more closely align with the Group P&L effective tax rate.
 
Exceptional operating items:
 
Before tax exceptional items total $53m charge and comprise: $32m costs incurred in relation to the group wide efficiency programme; $6m of acquisition costs; and a $15m one-off cost relating to the buy-out of the US pension liability.
 
A further $30m of costs related to the group wide efficiency programme were incurred by the System Fund and are included within System Fund expenses in the group income statement.
 
 
1 Excluding owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages, System Fund results and hotel cost reimbursements at constant H1 2017 exchange rates (CER). See the Business Review for definition of non-GAAP measures and reconciliation to GAAP measures.
2 For definition of non-GAAP measures and reconciliation to GAAP measures see the Business Review.
3 Based on monthly average exchange rates each year with an additional adjustment removing the results from three properties in Venezuela.
4 Excludes exceptional items and System Fund results
 
 
Appendix 1: RevPAR Movement Summary
 
Half Year 2018
 
Q2 2018
 
RevPAR
 
Rate
 
Occ.
 
RevPAR
 
Rate
 
Occ.
 
Group
 
3.7%
2.1%
1.1%pts
3.7%
2.3%
1.0%pts
Americas
 
3.2%
2.2%
0.7%pts
3.4%
2.3%
0.7%pts
EMEAA
 
3.0%
1.9%
0.8%pts
3.0%
2.2%
0.6%pts
G. China
 
10.1%
3.9%
3.6%pts
9.3%
4.0%
3.3%pts
 
Appendix 2: Comparable RevPAR movement at constant exchange rates (CER) vs. actual exchange rates (AER)
 
Half Year 2018
 
Q2 2018
 
CER
 
AER
 
Difference
 
CER
 
AER
 
Difference
 
Group
 
3.7%
5.9%
(2.2)%pts
3.7%
5.2%
(1.5)%pts
Americas
 
3.2%
3.3%
(0.1)%pts
3.4%
3.3%
0.1%pts
EMEAA
 
3.0%
9.1%
(6.1)%pts
3.0%
7.0%
(4.0)%pts
G. China
 
10.1%
17.2%
(7.1)%pts
9.3%
16.1%
(6.8)%pts
 
Appendix 3: Half Year System & Pipeline Summary (rooms)
 
System
 
Pipeline
 
Openings
 
Removals
 
Net
 
Total
 
YoY%
 
Signings
 
Total
 
Group
 
21,528
 
(9,714)
 
11,814
 
809,889
 
4.1%
 
46,230
 
262,384
 
Americas
 
9,497
 
(5,681)
 
3,816
 
501,276
 
2.3%
 
20,238
 
115,472
 
EMEAA
 
5,314
 
(2,571)
 
2,743
 
201,819
 
5.0%
 
9,191
 
67,137
 
G. China
 
6,717
 
(1,462)
 
5,255
 
106,794
 
11.9%
 
16,801
 
79,775
 
 
Appendix 4: Half Year financial headlines
 
GROUP
 
REPORTABLE SEGMENTS
 
 
Total
 
Americas
 
EMEAA
 
G. China
 
Central
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
Revenue ($m)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from reportable segments
 
900
838
514
491
233
215
69
55
84
77
System Fund Revenue
 
618
592
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Hotel Cost Reimbursements
 
595
534
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Group Revenue
 
2,113
1,964
514
491
233
215
69
55
84
77
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Profit ($m)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fee Business
 
436
400
310
302
94
74
32
24
-
-
Owned & leased & managed lease
 
18
20
18
16
-
4
-
-
-
-
Central overheads
 
(48)
(50)
-
-
-
-
-
-
(48)
(50)
Operating profit from reportable segments before exceptionals
 
406
370
328
318
94
78
32
24
(48)
(50)
System Fund surplus / (deficit)
 
(12)
25
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Operating profit before exceptionals
 
394
395
328
318
94
78
32
24
(48)
(50)
Exceptional items
 
(53)
(4)
(15)
(4)
(5)
-
-
-
(33)
-
Operating Profit after exceptionals
 
341
391
313
314
89
78
32
24
(81)
(50)
 
Appendix 5: Reported operating profit before exceptional items from reportable segments at actual & constant exchange rates
 
 
Total***
 
Americas
 
EMEAA
 
G. China
 
Reported
 
Actual*
 
CER**
 
Actual*
 
CER**
 
Actual*
 
CER**
 
Actual*
 
CER**
 
Growth / (decline)
 
10%
 
9%
 
3%
 
4%
 
21%
 
15%
 
33%
 
25%
 
 
  Appendix 6: Underlying**** operating profit movement before exceptional items
 
 
Total***
 
Americas
 
EMEAA
 
G. China
 
Growth / (decline)
 
8%
 
4%
 
12%
 
13%
 
 
 
Exchange rates:
GBP:USD
EUR:USD
* US dollar actual currency
H1 2018
0.73
0.83
** Translated at constant H1 2017 exchange rates
H1 2017
0.79
0.92
*** After central overheads
 
 
 
**** At CER and excluding: owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages, System Fund results and hotel cost reimbursements
 
 
Appendix 7: Definitions
 
CER: constant exchange rates with H1 2017 exchange rates applied to H1 2018.
Comparable RevPAR: revenue per available room for hotels that have traded for all of 2017 and 2018, reported at CER.
Fee revenue: group revenue excluding owned, leased and managed lease hotels, and significant liquidated damages.
Fee margin: adjusted to exclude owned, leased and managed lease hotels, and significant liquidated damages.
Reportable segments: group results excluding System Fund results, hotel cost reimbursements and exceptional items
Significant liquidated damages: $7m in H1 2018 ($3m EMEAA fee business, $4m Greater China fee business); $nil in H1 2017.
Total gross revenue: total rooms revenue from franchised hotels and total hotel revenue from managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Other than owned and leased hotels, it is not revenue attributable to IHG, as it is derived mainly from hotels owned by third parties.
Total RevPAR: Revenue per available room including hotels that have opened or exited in either 2017 or 2018, reported at CER.
Underlying Interest: excludes interest relating to the System Fund.
 
Appendix 8: Investor information for 2018 Interim dividend
Ex-dividend date:
 
30 August 2018
 
Record date:
 
         31 August 2018 
 
Payment date:
 
                        5 October 2018
 
Dividend payment:
 
ADRs: 36.3 cents per ADR; the corresponding amount in Pence Sterling per ordinary share will be announced on 18 September 2018, calculated based on the average of the market exchange rates for the three working days commencing 13 September. A DRIP is available, allowing shareholders of ordinary shares to elect to reinvest their cash dividend by purchasing additional ordinary shares.
 
For further information, please contact:
 
Investor Relations (Catherine Dolton, Matthew Kay):
+44 (0)1895 512 176
+44 (0)7527 419 431
Media Relations (Yasmin Diamond; Mark Debenham):
+44 (0)1895 512 097
+44 (0)7527 424 046
 
 
 
Presentation for Analysts and Shareholders:
A conference call and webcast presented by Keith Barr, Chief Executive Officer and Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson, Chief Financial Officer will commence at 9:30am London time on 7th August on the web address www.ihgplc.com/interims18. For those wishing to ask questions please use the dial in details below which will have a Q&A facility.
 
There will be a live audio webcast of the results presentation on the web address:
 https://www.investis-live.com/ihg/5b3a47fa2e7c290b005d4468/omwa
 
The archived webcast of the presentation is expected to be on this website later on the day of the results and will remain on it for the foreseeable future.
 
For those wishing to ask questions please use the dial-in details below which will have a Q&A facility. However, for the duration of the presentation a listen only facility will be on; details are below:
 
UK:                                                    020 3936 2999
US:                                                     +1 845 709 8568
All other locations:                            +44 203 936 2999
Participant Access Code:                   55 55 05 

 
 A replay will be available following the event, details are below:
 
UK:                                                     020 3936 3001
US:                                                     +1 845 709 8569
All other locations:                            +44 203 936 3001
Participant Access Code:                   84 37 25
 
Website:
The full release and supplementary data will be available on our website from 7:00am (London time) on 7th August.  The web address is www.ihgplc.com/interims18.
 
 
Notes to Editors:
IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global organisation with a broad portfolio of hotel brands, including Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo®, EVEN® Hotels, HUALUXE® Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, voco™ Hotels, Holiday Inn®, Holiday Inn Express®, Holiday Inn Club Vacations®, Holiday Inn Resort®, avid™ hotels, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®.
 
IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns more than 5,400 hotels and 810,000 guest rooms in almost 100 countries, with nearly 1,800 hotels in its development pipeline. IHG also manages IHG® Rewards Club, our global loyalty programme, which has more than 100 million enrolled members.  
 
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. More than 375,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.
 
Visit www.ihg.com for hotel information and reservations and www.ihgrewardsclub.com for more on IHG Rewards Club. For our latest news, visit: www.ihgplc.com/media and follow us on social media at: www.twitter.com/ihg, www.facebook.com/ihg and www.youtube.com/ihgplc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements:
This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements as defined under United States law (Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) and otherwise.  These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts.  Forward-looking statements often use words such as 'anticipate', 'target', 'expect', 'estimate', 'intend', 'plan', 'goal', 'believe' or other words of similar meaning.  These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by InterContinental Hotels Group PLC's management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate.  By their nature, forward-looking statements are inherently predictive, speculative and involve risk and uncertainty.  There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by, such forward-looking statements.  The main factors that could affect the business and the financial results are described in the 'Risk Factors' section in the current InterContinental Hotels Group PLC's Annual report and Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 
INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT
 
This Interim Management Report discusses the performance of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (the Group or IHG) for the six months ended 30 June 2018. The 2017 comparatives have been restated to reflect the adoption of IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers', see note 2 in the 2018 Interim Financial Statements.
 
GROUP
 
 
6 months ended 30 June
Group results
 
2017
 
 
2018
Restated
%
 
$m
$m
change
Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
514
491
4.7
EMEAA
233
215
8.4
Greater China
69
55
25.5
Central
84
77
9.1
 
____
____
____
Revenue from reportable segments
900
838
7.4
 
 
 
 
System Fund
618
592
4.4
Reimbursement of costs
595
534
11.4
 
____
____
____
Total revenue
2,113
1,964
7.6
 
____
____
____
Operating profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
328
318
3.1
EMEAA
94
78
20.5
Greater China
32
24
33.3
Central
(48)
(50)
4.0
 
____
____
____
Operating profit before exceptional items from reportable segments
406
370
9.7
System Fund
(12)
25
(148.0)
 
____
____
____
Operating profit before exceptional items
394
395
(0.3)
Exceptional items
(53)
(4)
(1,225.0)
 
____
____
____
Operating profit
341
391
(12.8)
Net financial expenses
(38)
(34)
(11.8)
 
____
____
____
Profit before tax
303
357
(15.1)
 
____
____
____
 
 
 
 
Earnings per ordinary share
 
 
 
 
Basic
123.2¢
126.5¢
(2.6)
 
Adjusted
145.8¢
113.8¢
28.1
 
 
 
 
 
Average US dollar to sterling exchange rate
$1 : £0.73
$1 : £0.79
(7.6)
 
During the six months ended 30 June 2018, Group revenue increased by $149m (7.6%) to $2,113m and Group operating profit decreased by $50m from $391m to $341m due to the System Fund moving from a $25m in-year surplus to a $12m in-year deficit and a $49m increase in exceptional costs. Revenue from reportable segments increased by $62m (7.4%) to $900m and operating profit before exceptional items from reportable segments increased by $36m (9.7%) to $406m. Underlying1 Group revenue and underlying1 Group operating profit increased by $37m (4.4%) and $28m (7.6%) respectively.
 
The net central operating loss before exceptional items decreased by $2m (4.0%) to $48m compared to 2017 and by $4m (8.0%) to $46m at constant currency.
 
Basic earnings per ordinary share decreased by 2.6% to 123.2¢, whilst adjusted earnings per ordinary share increased by 28.1% to 145.8¢.
 
1 Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit both exclude System Fund revenue and expenses, reimbursement of costs, the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions, all translated at constant currency using prior year exchange rates. Underlying operating profit growth also excludes the impact of exceptional items (see the Use of Non-GAAP measures section later in this Interim Management Report).
 
 
 
Hotels
Rooms
Global hotel and room count
 
Change over
 
Change over
 
2018
30 June
2017
31 December
2018
30 June
2017
31 December
Analysed by brand
 
 
 
 
 
InterContinental
196
2
 66,387
389
 
Kimpton
67
1
 12,790
274
 
HUALUXE
7
-
 2,088
(1)
 
Crowne Plaza
417
3
 116,403
1,603
 
Hotel Indigo
89
4
 10,934
289
 
EVEN Hotels
9
1
 1,361
123
 
Holiday Inn1
1,243
1
232,818
125
 
Holiday Inn Express
2,653
53
269,604
7,206
 
Staybridge Suites
263
8
28,536
791
 
Candlewood Suites
383
7
36,061
637
 
Other
104
3
32,907
378
 
 
____
____
______
_____
Total
5,431
83
809,889
11,814
 
 
____
____
______
_____
Analysed by ownership type
 
 
 
 
 
Franchised
4,500
67
 561,259
8,425
 
Managed
919
16
 244,759
3,389
 
Owned, leased and managed leases
12
-
 3,871
-
 
 
____
____
______
_____
Total
5,431
83
809,889
11,814
 
 
____
____
______
_____
 
1Includes 46 Holiday Inn Resort properties (11,644 rooms) and 26 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (7,676 rooms)
(2017: 47 Holiday Inn Resort properties (11,954 rooms) and 26 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (7,676 rooms)).
 
 
 
Hotels
Rooms
Global pipeline
 
Change over
 
Change over
 
 
2018
30 June
           2017
31 December
2018
30 June
2017
31 December
Analysed by brand        
 
InterContinental
 64
1
 17,710
357
 
Kimpton
 21
3
 3,067
271
 
HUALUXE
 21
-
 6,277
(12)
 
Crowne Plaza
 89
3
 23,994
947
 
Hotel Indigo
 91
9
 13,039
1,738
 
EVEN Hotels
 14
2
 2,682
572
 
Holiday Inn1
279
2
54,302
746
 
Holiday Inn Express
776
10
96,772
3,412
 
avid hotels
126
82
11,658
7,615
 
Staybridge Suites
169
9
19,424
1,483
 
Candlewood Suites
104
(8)
9,302
(707)
 
Other
22
8
4,157
1,816
 
 
____
____
______
_____
Total
1,776
121
262,384
18,238
 
 
____
____
______
_____
Analysed by ownership type
 
 
 
 
 
Franchised
1,300
77
 148,711
9,363
 
Managed
475
43
 113,518
8,720
 
Owned, leased and managed leases
1
1
 155
155
 
 
____
____
______
_____
Total
1,776
121
262,384
18,238
 
 
____
____
______
_____
 
1Includes 17 Holiday Inn Resort properties (4,658 rooms) (2017: 13 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,620 rooms)).
 
THE AMERICAS
 
 
6 months ended 30 June
Americas Results
 
2017
 
 
2018
Restated
%
 
$m
$m
change
Revenue
 
 
 
 
Fee Business
413
396
4.3
 
Owned, leased and managed leases
101
95
6.3
 
____
____
____
Total
 
514
491
4.7
 
____
____
____
Operating profit before exceptional items
 
 
 
 
Fee Business
310
302
2.6
 
Owned, leased and managed leases
18
16
12.5
 
____
____
____
 
 
328
318
3.1
Exceptional items
 
(15)
(4)
(275.0)
 
____
____
____
Operating profit
313
314
(0.3)
 
____
____
____
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas Comparable RevPAR movement on previous year
 
6 months ended
30 June 2018
Fee business
 
 
InterContinental
4.2%
 
Kimpton
1.6%
 
Crowne Plaza
2.5%
 
Hotel Indigo
6.3%
 
EVEN Hotels
13.0%
 
Holiday Inn
2.7%
 
Holiday Inn Express
3.0%
 
Staybridge Suites
5.0%
 
Candlewood Suites
4.1%
 
All brands
3.1%
 
 
 
Owned, leased and managed leases
 
 
InterContinental
5.4%
 
EVEN Hotels
7.4%
 
Holiday Inn
13.4%
 
All brands
8.5%
 
 
Fee business revenue increased by $17m (4.3%) to $413m, and operating profit increased by $8m (2.6%) to $310m. On a constant currency basis, underlying1 revenue increased by $17m (4.3%) to $413m and underlying1 operating profit increased by $10m (3.3%), driven by 2.3% rooms growth year-on-year and comparable RevPAR growth of 3.1%, partly offset by: the combined impact from lower hotel termination fees and costs relating to legal disputes and; a small net negative impact from higher US healthcare costs, Crowne Plaza Accelerate financial incentives and a payroll tax credit delayed from 2017.
 
Owned, leased and managed leased revenue increased by $6m (6.3%) to $101m, and operating profit increased by $2m (12.5%) to $18m, on both actual and constant currency basis predominately due to demand in one Caribbean hotel.
 
1 Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit both exclude System Fund revenue and expenses, reimbursement of costs, the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions, all translated at constant currency using prior year exchange rates. Underlying operating profit growth also excludes the impact of exceptional items (see the Use of Non-GAAP measures section later in this Interim Management Report).
 
 
 
Hotels
Rooms
Americas hotel and room count
 
Change over
 
Change over
 
2018
30 June
2017
31 December
2018
30 June
2017
31 December
Analysed by brand
 
 
 
 
 
InterContinental
 49
(1)
 17,048
(530)
 
Kimpton
 66
1
 12,516
274
 
Crowne Plaza
 155
(1)
 41,204
(74)
 
Hotel Indigo
 52
1
 6,874
46
 
EVEN Hotels
 9
1
 1,361
123
 
Holiday Inn1
 771
(2)
134,542
(1,062)
 
Holiday Inn Express
 2,253
36
 203,157
3,747
 
Staybridge Suites
 252
8
 26,947
791
 
Candlewood Suites
 383
7
 36,061
637
 
Other
87
(2)
21,566
(136)
 
____
____
______
_____
Total
4,077
48
501,276
3,816
 
____
____
______
_____
Analysed by ownership type
 
 
 
 
 
Franchised
3,773
46
 441,087
3,795
 
Managed
297
2
 57,966
21
 
Owned, leased and managed leases
 
7
-
 
2,223
 
-
 
____
____
______
_____
Total
4,077
48
501,276
3,816
 
____
____
______
_____
 
1Includes 23 Holiday Inn Resort properties (6,188 rooms) and 26 Holiday Inn Club Vacations (7,676 rooms)
(2017: 25 Holiday Inn Resort properties (6,787 rooms) and 26 Holiday Inn Club Vacations (7,676 rooms)).
 
 
 
 
Hotels
Rooms
Americas pipeline
 
Change over
 
Change over
 
2018
30 June
2017
31 December
2018
30 June
2017
31 December
Analysed by brand
 
 
 
 
 
InterContinental
 8
1
 2,168
275
 
Kimpton
 15
1
 2,084
(154)
 
Crowne Plaza
 10
(4)
 1,928
(791)
 
Hotel Indigo
 32
(1)
 4,054
28
 
EVEN Hotels
 7
(1)
 1,044
(70)
 
Holiday Inn1
 123
(5)
 15,779
(596)
 
Holiday Inn Express
 501
(23)
 47,616
(1,991)
 
avid hotels
126
82
11,658
7,615
 
Staybridge Suites
 153
7
 16,402
970
 
Candlewood Suites
 104
(8)
 9,302
(707)
 
Other
20
8
3,437
1,789
 
____
____
______
_____
Total
1,099
57
115,472
6,368
 
____
____
______
_____
Analysed by ownership type
 
 
 
 
 
Franchised
1,054
52
 108,013
5,169
 
Managed
45
5
 7,459
1,199
 
____
____
______
_____
Total
1,099
57
115,472
6,368
 
____
____
______
_____
 
1Includes one Holiday Inn Resort property (165 rooms) (2017: one Holiday Inn Resort property (165 rooms)).
 
 
EMEAA
 
 
6 months ended 30 June
EMEAA results
 
2017
 
 
2018
Restated
%
 
$m
$m
change
Revenue
 
 
 
 
Fee Business
153
136
12.5
 
Owned, leased and managed leases
80
79
1.3
 
____
____
____
Total
 
233
215
8.4
 
____
____
____
Operating profit before exceptional items
 
 
 
 
Fee Business
94
74
27.0
 
Owned, leased and managed leases
-
4
(100.0)
 
____
____
____
 
 
94
78
20.5
Exceptional items
 
(5)
-
(100.0)
 
 
____
____
____
Operating profit
89
78
14.1
 
____
____
____
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EMEAA comparable RevPAR movement on previous year
6 months ended
30 June
2018
 
 
 
 
Fee business
 
 
 
InterContinental
                         2.2%
 
Crowne Plaza
4.4%
 
Hotel Indigo
4.2%
 
Holiday Inn
3.8%
 
Holiday Inn Express
2.1%
 
Staybridge Suites
1.8%
 
Other
3.5%
 
All brands
3.1%
 
 
 
 
Owned, leased and managed leases
 
 
 
InterContinental
(4.0)%
 
 
Holiday Inn
8.1%
 
 
All brands
(2.7)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fee business revenue increased by $17m (12.5%) to $153m and operating profit increased by $20m (27.0%) to $94m. Excluding the benefit of significant liquidated damages receipts (2018: $3m; 2017: $nil) and on a constant currency basis, underlying1 revenue increased by $6m (4.4%) and underlying1 operating profit increased by $13m (17.6%), benefitting from the initial savings generated by our Group-wide efficiency programme.
 
Owned, leased and managed leased revenue increased by $1m (1.3%) to $80m and operating profit decreased by $4m to $nil. On a constant currency basis, underlying1 revenue decreased by $4m (5.1%) and underlying1 operating profit decreased by $4m to $nil.
 
 
1 Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit both exclude System Fund revenue and expenses, reimbursement of costs, the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions, all translated at constant currency using prior year exchange rates. Underlying operating profit growth also excludes the impact of exceptional items (see the Use of Non-GAAP measures section later in this Interim Management Report).
 
 
 
 
 
Hotels
 
Rooms
EMEAA hotel and room count
 
Change over
 
Change over
 
2018
30 June
2017
31 December
2018
30 June
2017
31 December
Analysed by brand
 
 
 
 
 
InterContinental
 104
-
 31,749
(42)
 
Kimpton
 1
-
 274
-
 
Crowne Plaza
 175
(1)
 44,590
16
 
Hotel Indigo
 30
3
 3,037
243
 
Holiday Inn1
 383
-
 70,889
459
 
Holiday Inn Express
 289
7
 41,116
1,941
 
Staybridge Suites
 11
-
 1,589
-
 
Other
 10
3
 8,575
126
 
____
____
______
_____
Total
1,003
12
201,819
2,743
 
____
____
______
_____
Analysed by ownership type
 
 
 
 
 
Franchised
705
10
 114,171
2,393
 
Managed
293
2
 86,000
350
 
Owned, leased and managed leases
 
5
 
-
 
 1,648
 
-
 
____
____
______
_____
Total
1,003
12
201,819
2,743
 
____
____
______
_____
 
1Includes 16 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,381 rooms) (2017: 16 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,347 rooms)).
 
 
 
 
Hotels
Rooms
EMEAA pipeline
 
Change over
 
Change over
 
2018
30 June
2017
31 December
2018
30 June
2017
31 December
Analysed by brand
 
 
 
 
 
InterContinental
 27
(1)
 6,498
18
 
Kimpton
 3
1
 354
155
 
Crowne Plaza
 37
1
 8,629
(26)
 
Hotel Indigo
 39
5
 5,629
889
 
EVEN Hotels
1
-
200
-
 
Holiday Inn1
 99
4
 22,989
924
 
Holiday Inn Express
 118
10
 19,375
1,279
 
Staybridge Suites
 16
2
 3,022
513
 
Other
 1
-
 441
27
 
____
____
______
_____
Total
341
22
67,137
3,779
 
____
____
______
_____
Analysed by ownership type
 
 
 
 
 
Franchised
152
(1)
 23,997
(831)
 
Managed
188
22
 42,985
4,455
 
Owned, leased and managed leases
 
1
1
 
 155
155
 
____
____
______
_____
Total
341
22
67,137
3,779
 
____
____
______
_____
 
 
1Includes 10 Holiday Inn Resort properties (2,365 rooms) (2017: five Holiday Inn Resort properties (1,075 rooms)).
 
 
GREATER CHINA
 
 
6 months ended 30 June
Greater China results
 
2017
 
 
2018
Restated
%
 
$m
$m
change
Revenue
 
 
 
 
Fee Business
69
55
25.5
 
 
____
____
____
Total
 
69
55
25.5
 
____
____
____
Operating profit before exceptional items
 
 
 
 
Fee Business
32
24
33.3
 
____
____
____
Operating profit
 
32
24
33.3
 
____
____
____
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Greater China comparable RevPAR movement on previous year
6 months ended
30 June
2018
 
 
Fee business
 
 
InterContinental
8.7%
 
HUALUXE
30.9%
 
Crowne Plaza
11.7%
 
Hotel Indigo
13.5%
 
Holiday Inn
8.6%
 
Holiday Inn Express
9.8%
 
All brands
10.1%
 
 
Fee business revenue increased by $14m (25.5%) to $69m and operating profit increased by $8m (33.3%) to $32m. Comparable RevPAR increased by 10.1% and System size grew by 11.9% year-on-year. Excluding the benefit of significant liquidated damages receipts (2018: $4m; 2017: $nil) and on a constant currency basis, underlying1 revenue increased by $7m (12.7%) to $62m and underlying1 operating profit increased by $3m (12.5%) to $27m, driven by strong trading across the region and rooms growth.
 
 
1 Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit both exclude System Fund revenue and expenses, reimbursement of costs, the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions, all translated at constant currency using prior year exchange rates. Underlying operating profit growth also excludes the impact of exceptional items (see the Use of Non-GAAP measures section later in this Interim Management Report).
 
 
 
 
Hotels
Rooms
 
Greater China hotel and room count
 
 
2018
Change
over 2017
 
2018
Change
over 2017
 
30 June
31 December
30 June
31 December
Analysed by brand
 
 
 
 
 
InterContinental
 43
3
 17,590
961
 
HUALUXE
 7
-
 2,088
(1)
 
Crowne Plaza
 87
5
 30,609
1,661
 
Hotel Indigo
 7
-
 1,023
-
 
Holiday Inn1
 89
3
 27,387
728
 
Holiday Inn Express
 111
10
 25,331
1,518
 
Other
 7
2
 2,766
388
 
 
____
____
______
_____
Total
351
23
106,794
5,255
 
 
____
____
______
_____
Analysed by ownership type
 
 
 
 
 
Franchised
22
11
 6,001
2,237
 
Managed
329
12
 100,793
3,018
 
 
____
____
______
_____
Total
351
23
106,794
5,255
 
 
____
____
______
_____
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1Includes seven Holiday Inn Resort properties (2,075 rooms) (2017: six Holiday Inn Resort properties (1,820 rooms))
 
 
 
 
Hotels
Rooms
 
Greater China pipeline
 
 
2018
Change
over 2017
 
2018
Change
over 2017
 
30 June
31 December
30 June
31 December
Analysed by brand
 
 
 
 
 
InterContinental
 29
1
 9,044
64
 
Kimpton
 3
1
 629
270
 
HUALUXE
 21
-
 6,277
(12)
 
Crowne Plaza
 42
6
 13,437
1,764
 
Hotel Indigo
 20
5
 3,356
821
 
EVEN Hotels
 6
3
 1,438
642
 
Holiday Inn1
 57
3
 15,534
418
 
Holiday Inn Express
 157
23
 29,781
4,124
 
Other
 1
-
 279
-
 
 
____
____
______
_____
Total
336
42
79,775
8,091
 
 
____
____
______
_____
Analysed by ownership type
 
 
 
 
 
Franchised
94
26
16,701
5,025
 
Managed
242
16
63,074
3,066
 
 
____
____
______
_____
Total
336
42
79,775
8,091
 
 
____
____
______
_____
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1Includes six Holiday Inn Resort properties (2,128 rooms) (2017: seven Holiday Inn Resort properties (2,380 rooms))
 
 
CENTRAL
 
 
6 months ended 30 June
 
 
2017
 
 
2018
Restated
%
Central results
$m
$m
change
 
 
 
 
Revenue
84
77
9.1
Gross costs
(132)
(127)
(3.9)
 
____
____
____
 
 
(48)
(50)
4.0
Exceptional items
 
(33)
-
(100.0)
 
 
____
____
____
Operating loss
(81)
(50)
(62.0)
 
____
____
____
 
Central results
The net operating loss increased by $31m (62.0%) compared to 2017. Central revenue, which mainly comprises technology fee income, increased by $7m (9.1%) to $84m (an increase of $5m (6.5%) at constant currency1), driven by increases in IHG System size in the first half of 2018. Gross costs increased by $5m (3.9%) compared to 2017 (an increase of $1m (0.8%) at constant currency). Net operating loss before exceptional items decreased by $2m (4.0%) to $48m (a $4m or 8.0% decrease to $46m at constant currency).
 
 
OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Exceptional items
Pre-tax exceptional items totalled a net charge of $53m (2017 $4m charge) and includes $32m relating to reorganisation costs (see below), $6m of acquisition costs (see note 17 Events after the Reporting Period in the 2018 Interim Financial Statements) and $15m from the termination of the US funded Inter-Continental Hotels Pension Plan which involved certain qualifying members receiving lump-sum cash-out payments with the remaining pension obligations subject to a buy-out by an insurance provider through the purchase of a group annuity contract.
 
Reorganisation costs
In September 2017, the Group launched a comprehensive efficiency programme which will fund a series of new strategic initiatives to drive an acceleration in IHG's future growth. The programme is centred around strengthening the Group's organisational structure to redeploy resources to leverage scale in the highest opportunity markets and segments. The programme is expected to be completed in 2019. Included in the $32m cost are consultancy fees of $15m and severance costs of $11m. An additional $30m has been charged to the System Fund.
 
Net financial expenses
Net financial expenses increased by $4m to $38m for the six months ended 30 June 2018 and includes interest income relating to the System Fund of $9m (2017 $6m). Underlying2 interest increased by $7m to $47m reflecting the unfavourable impact of a stronger pound on translation of sterling interest expense and higher US dollar interest rates payable on bank borrowings and balances with the System Fund.
 
Taxation 
The tax charge on profit before tax, excluding the impact of exceptional items and System Fund, has been calculated using an interim effective tax rate of 23%. Excluding the effect of prior-year items, the equivalent effective tax rate would be approximately 27%. This rate is higher than the average UK statutory rate for the year of 19% due mainly to certain overseas profits (particularly in the US) being subject to statutory rates higher than the UK statutory rate, unrelieved foreign taxes and disallowable expenses.
 
Taxation within exceptional items totalled a credit of $13m representing tax impacts on the accounting exceptional items.
 
Net tax paid in the six months ended 30 June 2018 totalled $5m.
 
Dividends
The Board has proposed an interim dividend per ordinary share of 36.3¢, representing growth of 10% on the 2017 interim dividend.
 
 
1 Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit both exclude System Fund revenue and expenses, reimbursement of costs, the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions, all translated at constant currency using prior year exchange rates. Underlying operating profit growth also excludes the impact of exceptional items (see the Use of Non-GAAP measures section later in this Interim Management Report).
2 Underlying interest excludes interest relating to the System Fund
 
 
Capital structure and liquidity management
During the six months ended 30 June 2018, $286m of cash was generated from operating activities. Net cash outflows from investing activities totalled $102m and net cash used in financing activities totalled $69m. Net debt at 30 June 2018 was $1,802m and included $233m in respect of the finance lease obligations for the InterContinental Boston.
 
The Group had net liabilities of $1,162m at 30 June 2018 ($1,301m at 31 December 2017 restated) reflecting that its internally generated brands are not recorded on the balance sheet, in accordance with accounting standards.
 
 
USE OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
 
In addition to performance measures directly observable in the Interim Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additional measures (described as Non-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance. Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures and include:
Total gross revenue;
Underlying revenue, underlying operating profit growth, underlying fee revenue, fee margin growth;
Total operating profit before exceptional items and tax, adjusted earnings per ordinary share, underlying earnings per share;
Underlying interest;
Net debt;
Net capital expenditure; and
Free cash flow.
 
 
Further information can be found on page 26 of the IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2017 (which is available at www.ihgplc.com).
 
The definitions of underlying revenue, underlying operating profit growth, underlying fee revenue, fee margin growth, adjusted earnings per ordinary share, underlying earnings per share, net capital expenditure and free cash flow have changed following adoption of IFRS 15 and are now defined as follows:
 
Underlying revenue, underlying operating profit growth, underlying fee revenue, fee margin growth
 
Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit both exclude System Fund revenue and expenses, reimbursement of costs, the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions, all translated at constant currency using prior year exchange rates. Underlying operating profit growth also excludes the impact of exceptional items. The presentation of these additional performance measures allows a better understanding of comparable year-on-year trading and thereby allows an assessment of the underlying trends in the Group's financial performance. System Fund results are excluded as the Fund is not managed to a profit or loss for IHG and there is an agreement with the IHG Owners to spend these funds for the benefit of hotels in the System. These measures also provide consistency with the Group's internal management reporting.
 
Underlying fee revenue and fee margin further exclude the revenue and operating profit of the Group's remaining owned and leased and managed lease properties, thereby providing metrics which measure the underlying performance of the Group's core fee-based business model.
 
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share and underlying earnings per ordinary share
 
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share excludes System Fund revenue and expenses, any interest and tax relating to the System Fund, exceptional items, and their related tax impacts. Adjusted earnings per ordinary share provides a per share measure that is not skewed by the result of the System Fund or exceptional items.
 
 
 
Underlying earnings per ordinary share is calculated by dividing underlying profit for the period available for IHG equity holders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares, excluding investment in own shares, in issue during the period. The presentation of underlying earnings per ordinary share allows a better understanding of comparable year-on-year trading and thereby allows an assessment of the underlying trends in the Group's financial performance. 
 
 
Net capital expenditure
 
Net capital expenditure is defined as cash flow from investing activities less contract acquisition costs, excluding tax paid on disposals and adjusted for System Fund depreciation and amortisation (recovery of previous System Fund capital expenditure).
 
For internal management reporting, capital expenditure is reported as either maintenance, recyclable, or System Fund. The disaggregation of net capital expenditure provides useful information as it enables users to distinguish between System Fund capital investments and recyclable investments (such as investments in associates and joint ventures), which are intended to be recoverable in the medium term, compared with maintenance capital expenditure (including key money paid), which represents a permanent cash outflow.
 
Free cash flow
 
Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities (after interest and tax paid) and excluding contract acquisition costs, less purchase of shares by employee share trusts and maintenance capital expenditure (including key money paid). Free cash flow is a useful measure for investors, as it represents the cash available to invest back into the business to drive growth, pay the ordinary dividend, with any surplus being available for additional returns to shareholders.
 
 
Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit Non-GAAP reconciliations
The following tables:
show underlying revenue and underlying operating profit on both an actual and constant currency basisa;
reconcile segmental underlying revenue and underlying operating profit to Group underlying revenue and operating profit;
show underlying Group fee revenue and Group fee margin on both an actual and constant currency basisa; and
reconcile Group underlying revenue and underlying operating profit to the GAAP measures included in the Interim Financial Statements.
 
 
Highlights for the six months ended 30 June 2018
 
 
 
Revenue
  Operating profit  
 
 
2017
 
 
2017
 
 
2018
Restated
%
2018
Restated
%
 
$m
$m
change
$m
$m
change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per Group income statement
2,113
1,964
7.6
341
391
(12.8)
Significant liquidated damages
(7)
-
(100.0)
(7)
-
(100.0)
Exceptional items
-
-
-
53
4
1,225.0
System Fund
(618)
(592)
(4.4)
12
(25)
148.0
Reimbursement of costs
(595)
(534)
(11.4)
-
-
-
 
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____  
Underlying at actual exchange
893
838
6.6
399
370
7.8  
 
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
At actual exchange rates
At constant currency
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2017
 
 
2018
Restated
%
2018
Restated
%
 
$m
$m
change
$m
$m
change
Underlying revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
514
491
4.7
514
491
4.7
EMEAA
230
215
7.0
217
215
0.9
Greater China
65
55
18.2
62
55
12.7
Central
84
77
9.1
82
77
6.5
 
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
Underlying Group revenue
893
838
6.6
875
838
4.4
Owned, leased and managed leases revenue included above
 
(181)
 
(174)
 
(4.0)
 
(176)
 
(174)
 
(1.1)
 
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
Underlying Group fee revenue
712
664
7.2
699
664
5.3
 
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At actual exchange rates
At constant currency
 
 
2017
 
 
2017
 
 
2018
Restated
%
2018
Restated
%
 
$m
$m
change
$m
$m
change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underlying operating profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
328
318
3.1
330
318
3.8
EMEAA
91
78
16.7
87
78
11.5
Greater China
28
24
16.7
27
24
12.5
Central
(48)
(50)
4.0
(46)
(50)
8.0
 
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
Underlying Group operating profit
399
370
7.8
398
370
7.6
Owned, leased and managed leases operating profit included above
 
 
(18)
 
 
(20)
 
 
(10.0)
 
 
(18)
 
 
(20)
 
 
(10.0)
 
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
Underlying Group fee profit
381
350
8.9
380
350
8.6
 
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
Group fee margin
53.5%
52.7%
0.8ppts
54.4%
52.7%
1.7ppts
 
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
 
 
 
 
Underlying earnings per share
 
The following table reconciles basic earnings per ordinary share to underlying earnings per share:
 
 
 
6 months ended 30 June
 
 
2017
 
2018
Restated
 
$m
$m
 
 
 
Basic earnings per ordinary share
 
 
 
 
 
Profit available for equity holders
234
248
Basic weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions)
190
196
 
 
 
Basic earnings per ordinary share (cents)
123.2
126.5
 
_____
_____
 
 
 
Underlying earnings per ordinary share
 
 
Profit available for equity holders
234
248
Adjusted for:
 
 
Significant liquidated damages
(7)
-
Tax on significant liquidated damages
2
-
System Fund revenue and expenses
12
(25)
Interest attributable to the System Fund
(9)
(6)
Tax attributable to the System Fund
-
3
Exceptional items before tax
53
4
Tax on exceptional items
(13)
(1)
Currency effect
(2)
-
 
_____
_____
Underlying profit available for equity holders
270
223
 
_____
_____
 
 
 
Underlying earnings per ordinary share (cents)
142.1
113.8
 
_____
_____
 
Net capital expenditure
 
The following table reconciles net cash from investing activities to net capital expenditure:
 
 
6 months ended 30 June
 
 
2017
 
2018
Restated
 
$m
$m
 
 
 
Net cash from investing activities
(102)
(155)
 
Adjusted for:
 
 
Contract acquisition costs
(25)
(24)
System Fund depreciation and amortisation
16
17
 
_____
_____
Net capital expenditure
(111)
(162)
 
 
 
Add back:
Disposal receipts
 
(2)
 
(7)
System Fund depreciation and amortisation
(16)
(17)
 
_____
_____
Gross capital expenditure
(129)
(186)
 
_____
_____
Analysed as:
 
 
    Capital expenditure: maintenance and key money
(47)
(44)
    Capital expenditure: recyclable investments
(32)
(80)
    Capital expenditure: System Fund investments
(50)
(62)
 
_____
_____
Gross capital expenditure
(129)
(186)
 
_____
_____
 
Free cash flow
 
The following table reconciles net cash from operating activities to free cash flow:
 
 
 
6 months ended 30 June
 
 
2017
 
2018
Restated
 
$m
$m
 
 
 
Net cash from operating activities
286
227
 
 
 
Adjusted for:
 
 
    Contract acquisition costs
25
24
 
 
 
Less:
 
 
    Purchase of shares by employee share trusts
(3)
(3)
    Capital expenditure: maintenance and key money
(47)
(44)
 
_____
_____
Free cash flow
261
204
 
_____
_____
 
 
Underlying interest
 
Underlying interest is a new measure which excludes interest relating to the System Fund. IHG records an interest charge on the outstanding cash balance relating to the IHG Rewards Club programme. These interest payments are recognised as interest income for the Fund and interest expense for IHG. The System Fund also benefits from the capitalisation of interest related to the development of the next-generation Guest Reservation System. As the Fund is included on the Group income statement, these amounts are included in the reported net Group financial expenses. Given all results related to the System Fund are excluded from adjusted measures used by management, interest relating to the System Fund is excluded from underlying interest.
 
 
The following table reconciles net financial expenses to underlying interest:
 
 
 
 
6 months ended 30 June
 
2017
 
2018
Restated
 
$m
$m
Net financial expenses
 
 
 
 
 
Financial income
2
2
Financial expenses
(40)
(36)
 
_____
_____
Net financial expenses
(38)
(34)
 
Adjusted for:
 
 
Interest payable on balances with the System Fund
(6)
(3)
Capitalised interest relating to System Fund assets
(3)
(3)
 
_____
_____
Underlying interest
(47)
(40)
 
_____
_____
 
 
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
For information on the related party transaction please see note 15 in the 2018 Interim Financial Statements.
 
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
 
The principal risks and uncertainties that could substantially affect IHG's business and results in 2018 are set out on pages 20 to 22 of the IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2017 (the "Annual Report").  The nature and potential impact of those risks and uncertainties has not materially changed since the publication of the Annual Report, nor are any expected for the remaining half of the financial year. However, there may be unknown risks or risks currently believed to be inconsequential that emerge and could become material.  The following summarises the risks and uncertainties set out in the Annual Report:
 
Threats to cybersecurity and information governance could impact IHG's operations, leading to the loss of sensitive data, undermine stakeholder trust and result in fines and legal/regulatory action;
Failure to deliver IHG's preferred brands and loyalty programme could impact IHG's competitive positioning, its growth ambitions and reputation with guests and owners;
Failure to attract, develop and retain key leadership and talent could impact IHG's ability to achieve its growth ambitions and operate effectively;
Failure to capitalise on innovation in booking technology, and maintain and enhance IHG's channel management and technology platforms could impact IHG's revenues and growth ambitions;
Risks in the reprioritisation of activities and refocusing of resources to accelerate growth could impact IHG's ability to deliver its strategy and affect its results and stakeholder trust;
Failure to maintain an effective safety and security system and ability to respond appropriately in the event of an issue could result in reputational and / or financial damage, and undermine stakeholder confidence;
Failure to comply with the global business regulatory environment and legal, regulatory and ethical developments could impact IHG's operations, results and reputation;
A material breakdown in financial management and control systems could lead to increased public scrutiny, regulatory investigation and litigation; and
The inability to realise value from programme and project delivery could result in lost commercial performance, financial loss and undermine stakeholder confidence.
           
These principal risks and uncertainties are supported by a broader description of risk factors set out on pages 164 to 167 of the Annual Report.
 
GOING CONCERN
 
An overview of the business activities of IHG, including a review of the key business risks that the Group faces, is given in this Interim Management Report. Information on the Group's treasury management policies can be found in note 22 to the Group Financial Statements in the IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2017.
 
The Group has no significant debt maturities before 2022. At the end of June 2018, the Group was trading significantly within its banking covenants and debt facilities.
 
The Group's fee-based model and wide geographic spread means that it is well placed to manage through uncertain times, and our forecasts and sensitivity projections, based on a range of reasonably possible changes in trading performance, show that the Group should be able to operate within the level of its current facilities.
 
The Directors are satisfied that the Group has sufficient resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future, being a period of not less than 12 months from the date of this report. Accordingly, the financial statements continue to be prepared on going concern basis.
 
 
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
 
The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:
 
The condensed set of Financial Statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34;
The Interim Management Report includes a fair review of the important events during the first six months, and their impact on the financial statements and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year, as required by DTR 4.2.7R; and
The Interim Management Report includes a fair review of related party transactions and changes therein, as required by DTR 4.2.8R.
 
On behalf of the Board
 
 
Keith Barr                                Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson
Chief Executive  Officer               Chief Financial Officer
 
6 August 2018                           6 August 2018
 
 
 
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP PLC
GROUP INCOME STATEMENT
For the six months ended 30 June 2018
 
 
 
2018
6 months ended 30 June
 
$m
2017
6 months ended 30 JuneRestated*$m
Continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from fee business
 
 
719
 
 
664
Revenue from owned, leased and managed
lease hotels
 
 
 
181
 
 
 
174
System Fund revenues
 
 
618
 
 
592
Reimbursement of costs
 
 
595
 
 
534
 
 
 
____
 
 
____
Total revenue (notes 5 and 6)
 
 
2,113
 
 
1,964
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
 
 
(305)
 
 
(278)
System Fund expenses
 
 
(630)
 
 
(567)
Reimbursed costs
 
 
(595)
 
 
(534)
Administrative expenses
 
 
(155)
 
 
(161)
Share of losses of associates and joint ventures
 
 
(3)
 
 
-
Other operating income
 
 
7
 
 
7
Depreciation and amortisation
 
 
(38)
 
 
(36)
 
 
 
____
 
 
____
Operating profit before exceptional items (note 5)
 
 
394
 
 
395
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exceptional items (note 7)
 
 
(53)
 
 
(4)
 
 
 
_____
 
 
_____
Operating profit (note 5)
 
 
341
 
 
391
Financial income
 
 
2
 
 
2
Financial expenses
 
 
(40)
 
 
(36)
 
 
 
_____
 
 
_____
Profit before tax
 
 
303
 
 
357
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax (note 8)
 
 
(69)
 
 
(109)
 
 
 
_____
 
 
_____
Profit for the period from continuing operations
 
 
 
234
 
 
 
248
 
 
 
_____
 
 
_____
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Attributable to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity holders of the parent
 
 
234
 
 
248
 
Non-controlling interest
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
 
 
_____
 
 
_____
 
 
 
 
234
 
 
248
 
 
 
_____
 
 
_____
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per ordinary share
(note 9)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing and total operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
 
123.2¢
 
 
126.5¢
 
Diluted
 
 
122.5¢
 
 
125.3¢
 
Adjusted
 
 
145.8¢
 
 
113.8¢
 
Adjusted diluted
 
 
145.0¢
 
 
112.6¢
 
 
 
_____
 
 
_____
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
* Restated for the adoption of IFRS 15 and other presentational changes (see note 2).
 
 
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP PLC
GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the six months ended 30 June 2018
 
 
 
2018
6 months ended
30 June
 
$m
2017
6 months ended
30 June
Restated*
$m
 
 
 
Profit for the period
234
248
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:
 
 
 
Losses on valuation of available-for-sale financial assets, net of related tax of $nil
 
-
 
(2)
 
Exchange gains/(losses) on retranslation of foreign operations, including related tax credit of $1m (2017 net of tax credit of $1m)
 
18
 
(42)
 
_____
_____
 
18
(44)
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:
 
 
 
Losses on valuation of assets classified as fair value through other comprehensive income, net of related tax of $nil
 
(7)
 
-
 
Re-measurement gains on defined benefit plans, net of related tax charge of $2m (2017 $1m)
 
7
 
-
 
_____
_____
Total other comprehensive income/(loss) for the period
18
(44)
 
_____
_____
Total comprehensive income for the period
252
204
 
_____
_____
Attributable to:
 
 
 
Equity holders of the parent
251
203
 
Non-controlling interest
1
1
 
_____
_____
 
252
204
 
_____
_____
 
 
* Restated for the adoption of IFRS 15 (see note 2).
 
 
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP PLC
GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the six months ended 30 June 2018
 
 
6 months ended 30 June 2018
 
 
Equity share capital
Other reserves*
Retained earnings
Non-controlling interest
 
Total equity
 
$m
$m
$m
$m
$m
At beginning of the period (as previously reported)
154
(2,417)
1,405
7
(851)
Impact of adopting IFRS 15 (note 2)
-
4
(454)
-
(450)
 
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
At beginning of the period (restated for IFRS 15)
 
154
 
(2,413)
 
951
 
7
 
(1,301)
Impact of adopting IFRS 9 (note 2)
-
(18)
18
-
-
 
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
At beginning of period
154
(2,431)
969
7
(1,301)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total comprehensive income for the period
-
10
241
1
252
Transfer of treasury shares to employee share trusts
 
-
 
(17)
 
17
 
-
 
-
Purchase of own shares by employee share trusts
 
-
 
(3)
 
-
 
-
 
(3)
Release of own shares by employee share trusts
 
-
 
24
 
(24)
 
-
 
-
Equity-settled share-based cost
-
-
19
-
19
Tax related to share schemes
-
-
2
-
2
Equity dividends paid
-
-
(130)
(1)
(131)
Exchange adjustments
(4)
4
-
-
-
 
_____
______
_____
_____
_____
At end of the period
150
(2,413)
1,094
7
(1,162)
 
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
 
 
 
 
6 months ended 30 June 2017
 
 
Equity share capital
Other reserves*
Retained earnings
Non-controlling interest
 
Total equity
 
$m
$m
$m
$m
$m
At beginning of the period (as previously reported)
141
(2,300)
1,392
8
(759)
Impact of adopting IFRS 15 (note 2)
-
15
(402)
-
(387)
 
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
At beginning of period (restated)
141
(2,285)
990
8
(1,146)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total comprehensive income for the period
-
(45)
248
1
204
Transfer of treasury shares to employee share trusts
 
-
 
(20)
 
20
 
-
 
-
Purchase of own shares by employee share trusts
 
-
 
(3)
 
-
 
-
 
(3)
Release of own shares by employee share trusts
 
-
 
29
 
(29)
 
-
 
-
Equity-settled share-based cost
-
-
12
-
12
Tax related to share schemes
-
-
5
-
5
Equity dividends paid
-
-
(531)
(3)
(534)
Exchange adjustments
7
(7)
-
-
-
 
_____
______
_____
_____
_____
At end of the period
148
(2,331)
715
6
(1,462)
 
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
 
 
*
Other reserves comprise the capital redemption reserve, shares held by employee share trusts, other reserves, unrealised gains and losses reserve and currency translation reserve.
 
All items above are shown net of tax.
 
 
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP PLC
GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
30 June 2018
 
 
2018
30 June
2017
31 December
Restated*
 
$m
$m
ASSETS
 
 
Property, plant and equipment
417
425
Goodwill and other intangible assets
989
967
Investment in associates and joint ventures
136
141
Retirement benefit assets
-
3
Other financial assets
269
228
Non-current tax receivable
24
16
Deferred tax assets
68
75
Contract costs
54
51
Contract assets
252
241
 
______
______
Total non-current assets
2,209
2,147
 
_____
_____
Inventories
3
3
Contract costs
4
7
Contract assets
18
17
Trade and other receivables
675
551
Current tax receivable
6
101
Other financial assets
-
16
Cash and cash equivalents
233
168
 
______
______
Total current assets
939
863
 
_____
_____
Total assets (note 5)
3,148
3,010
 
_____
_____
LIABILITIES
 
 
Loans and other borrowings
(89)
(126)
Trade and other payables
(502)
(597)
Deferred revenue
(549)
(490)
Provisions
(16)
(3)
Current tax payable
(46)
(64)
 
_____
_____
Total current liabilities
(1,202)
(1,280)
 
_____
_____
 
 
 
Loans and other borrowings
(1,946)
(1,893)
Retirement benefit obligations
(94)
(104)
Trade and other payables
(31)
(36)
Deferred revenue
(907)
(867)
Provisions
(15)
(5)
Non-current tax payable
-
(25)
Deferred tax liabilities
(115)
(101)
 
_______
_______
Total non-current liabilities
(3,108)
(3,031)
 
_____
_____
Total liabilities
(4,310)
(4,311)
 
_____
_____
Net liabilities
(1,162)
(1,301)
 
_____
_____
 
 
 
EQUITY
 
 
Equity share capital
150
154
Capital redemption reserve
10
10
Shares held by employee share trusts
(1)
(5)
Other reserves
(2,869)
(2,874)
Unrealised gains and losses reserve
53
79
Currency translation reserve
394
377
Retained earnings
1,094
951
 
_______
________
IHG shareholders' equity
(1,169)
(1,308)
Non-controlling interest
7
7
 
_______
_______
Total equity
(1,162)
(1,301)
 
_____
_____
* Restated for the adoption of IFRS 15 (see note 2).
 
 
 
 
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP PLC
GROUP STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the six months ended 30 June 2018
 
 
 
2018
6 months ended
30 June
2017
6 months ended
30 June
Restated*
 
$m
$m
 
 
 
Profit for the period
234
248
Adjustments reconciling profit for the period to cash flow from operations before contract acquisition costs (note 11)
 
93
 
62
 
_____
_____
Cash flow from operations before contract acquisition costs
327
310
Contract acquisition costs
(25)
(24)
 
_____
_____
Cash flow from operations
302
286
Interest paid
(12)
(10)
Interest received
1
1
Tax paid on operating activities
(5)
(50)
 
_____
_____
Net cash from operating activities
286
227
 
_____
_____
Cash flow from investing activities
 
 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
(16)
(22)
Purchase of intangible assets
(56)
(70)
Investment in associates and joint ventures
(1)
(47)
Investment in other financial assets
(31)
(27)
Capitalised interest paid
(3)
(3)
Landlord contributions to property, plant and equipment
3
7
Repayments of other financial assets
2
7
 
_____
_____
Net cash from investing activities
(102)
(155)
 
_____
_____
Cash flow from financing activities
 
 
Purchase of own shares by employee share trusts
(3)
(3)
Dividends paid to shareholders
(130)
(531)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interest
(1)
(3)
Increase in borrowings
65
395
 
_____
_____
Net cash from financing activities
(69)
(142)
 
_____
_____
Net movement in cash and cash equivalents, net of overdrafts, in the period
 
115
 
(70)
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, net of overdrafts, at beginning of the period
58
117
Exchange rate effects
(13)
20
 
_____
_____
Cash and cash equivalents, net of overdrafts, at end of the period
160
67
 
_____
_____
 
 
 
 
 
 
* Restated for the adoption of IFRS 15 (see note 2).
 
 
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP PLC
NOTES TO THE INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
 
1.
Basis of preparation
 
 
These condensed interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority and IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting'.  Other than the changes described in note 2 below, they have been prepared on a consistent basis using the same accounting policies and methods of computation set out in the InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (the Group or IHG) Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2017.
 
The Directors are satisfied that the Group has sufficient resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future, being a period of not less than 12 months from the date of this report. Accordingly, the condensed interim financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
 
These condensed interim financial statements are unaudited and do not constitute statutory accounts of the Group within the meaning of Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. The auditors have carried out a review of the financial information in accordance with the guidance contained in ISRE 2410 (UK and Ireland) 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board.
 
Other than line items which have been restated for IFRS 15, financial information for the year ended 31 December 2017 has been extracted from the Group's published financial statements for that year which were prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report on those financial statements was unqualified with no reference to matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis and no statement under s498(2) or s498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.
 
2.      Adoption of new accounting standards
 
IFRS 15
 
With effect from 1 January 2018, the Group has adopted IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers' which introduces a new five-step approach to measuring and recognising revenue from contracts with customers.  Under IFRS 15, revenue is recognised at an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer.
 
The Group has elected to apply the full retrospective method in adopting IFRS 15.
 
Prior to adoption of IFRS 15, the Group's revenue was primarily comprised of fee-based revenue from franchise and management contracts, and hotel revenue in owned and leased properties.  The recognition of these revenue streams is largely unchanged by IFRS 15:
 
Franchise and base management fees are charged as a percentage of underlying revenues in the hotels and are treated as 'variable consideration' under IFRS 15. These fees are recognised as the underlying hotel revenues occur, provided there is no expectation of a subsequent reversal of the revenue.
 
Incentive management fees are generally charged based on the hotel's profitability or cash flows, and are recognised over time when it is considered highly probable that the related performance criteria will be met, provided there is no expectation of a subsequent reversal of the revenue.
 
Hotel revenue in owned and leased properties includes rooms revenue and food and beverage sales, which is recognised when the rooms are occupied and food and beverages are sold.
 
The key changes resulting from the adoption of IFRS 15 are as follows:
 
1.   Core IHG adjustments
 
   a)   Managed and franchised hotel cost reimbursements
Under IFRS 15, the provision of employees to managed hotels is not considered to be a service that is distinct from the general hotel management service. Reimbursements for the cost of the IHG employees working in managed hotels are therefore shown as revenue with an equal matching cost, and no profit impact. Certain other costs relating to both managed and franchised hotels are also contractually reimbursable to IHG and where IHG is deemed to be acting as principal in the provision of the related services, the revenue and cost are shown on a gross basis under IFRS 15. Under previous accounting policies, no revenue or matching cost was recognised.
 
    b)   Initial application and re-licensing fees
Under previous accounting, application and re-licensing fees were recognised as revenue when billed as the monies received are not refundable and IHG has no further obligations to satisfy. Under IFRS 15, there is a requirement to consider whether the payment of these fees transfers a distinct good or service to the customer that is separate from the promise to provide franchise services. As this is not the case, IFRS 15 requires initial application and re-licensing fees to be recognised as services are provided, over the life of the related contract. The spreading of these fees results in an initial reduction to revenue and operating profit, and the recognition of deferred revenue on the statement of financial position, reflecting the profile of increased amounts received in recent years.
 
    c)   Contract costs
Contract costs related to securing management and franchise contracts were previously charged to the income statement as incurred. Under IFRS 15, certain costs qualify to be capitalised as the cost of obtaining a contract and are amortised over the initial term of the related contract. This change results in an initial increase to operating profit and the capitalisation of contract costs on the statement of financial position.
 
d)   Amortisation of amounts paid to hotel owners to secure management contracts and franchise agreements ('key money')
Under previous accounting, key money payments were capitalised as intangible assets and amortised over the life of the related contracts. Under IFRS 15, these payments are treated as 'consideration payable to a customer' and therefore recorded as a contract asset and recognised as a deduction to revenue over the contract term. This change results in a reduction to revenue, no change to operating profit, and the reclassification of key money on the statement of financial position from intangible assets to contract assets.
 
In the statement of cash flows, these contract acquisition costs are reclassified from investing activities to cash flow from operations.
 
e)   Owned hotel disposals subject to a management contract
Under previous accounting, when hotels were sold and the Group retained management of the hotel, the consideration recognised included both the cash received and the fair value of the management contract which was capitalised as an intangible asset and subsequently amortised to the income statement. This accounting was governed by the 'exchange of assets' criteria included in IAS 16 'Property, Plant and Equipment' and IAS 38 'Intangible Assets'. IFRS 15 specifically includes property sales in its scope and results in the sales consideration being recorded at the fair value of the encumbered hotel, which generally will be equivalent to the cash received. This change results in the derecognition of historic intangible asset balances and a lower amortisation charge in the income statement.
 
f)    Other adjustments
Other adjustments, which are immaterial, include re-assessments of IHG's role as principal in other revenue transactions and the treatment of payments under performance guarantees as a reduction to the transaction price within management contracts.
 
2.   System Fund adjustments
 
The Group operates a System Fund (the Fund) to collect and administer cash assessments from hotel owners for the specific purpose of use in marketing, the guest reservation systems and hotel loyalty programme. The Fund also receives proceeds from the sale of loyalty points under third-party co-branding arrangements. The Fund is not managed to a profit or loss for IHG, but is managed for the benefit of hotels in the System with the objective of driving revenues for the hotels. Consequently, under previous accounting these revenues and expenses were not recorded in the Group income statement.
 
Under IFRS 15, an entity is regarded as a principal if it controls a service prior to transfer to the customer. As marketing and reservations expenses primarily comprise payroll and marketing expenses under contracts entered into by the Group, management has determined that the Group controls these services. Fund revenues and expenses are therefore recognised on a gross basis in the Group income statement. Assessment fees from hotel owners are generally levied as a percentage of hotel revenues and are recognised as those hotel revenues occur.
 
In respect of the loyalty programme (IHG Rewards Club), the Group has determined that the related performance obligation is not satisfied in full until the member has redeemed the points at a participating hotel. Accordingly, revenue related to loyalty points earned by members or sold under co-branding arrangements is deferred in an amount that reflects the stand-alone selling price of the future benefit to the member. As materially all of the points will be redeemed at IHG managed or franchised hotels owned by third parties, IHG is deemed to be acting as agent on redemption and therefore recognises the related revenue net of the cost of reimbursing the hotel that is providing the hotel stay. The deferred revenue balance under IFRS 15 is significantly higher than the points redemption cost liability that was recognised under previous accounting resulting in an increase in the Group's net liabilities.
 
Management has also determined that in addition to the performance obligation for the redemption of points, co-branding arrangements contain other performance obligations including marketing services and the right to access the loyalty programme. Revenue attributable to the stand-alone selling price of these additional services is recognised over the term of the co-branding arrangement.  Certain travel agency commission revenues within the Fund will be recognised on a net basis, where it has been determined that IHG acts as agent under IFRS 15.
 
Under previous accounting, any Fund short-term timing surplus or deficit was carried in the Group statement of financial position within working capital. Under IFRS 15, the in-year Fund surplus or deficit is recognised in the Group income statement. Both the current accounting treatment and the change on applying IFRS 15, and the equivalent US GAAP standard, are consistent with current and expected future practice across the hotel industry. The Fund surplus of $158m at 31 December 2017 has been derecognised resulting in a reduction in the Group's net liabilities.
 
IHG also records an interest charge on the outstanding cash balance relating to the IHG Rewards Club programme. In 2017 these interest payments totalled $7m (6 months to 30 June 2017: $3m), and were recognised as interest income for the Fund and interest expense for IHG. The System Fund also benefits from the capitalisation of interest related to the development of the next-generation Guest Reservation System, which totalled $6m in 2017 (6 months to 30 June 2017: $3m). As the Fund is now included on the Group income statement, these amounts are included in the reported net Group financial expenses for 2017.
 
The System Fund accounting changes result in an increase in recorded revenue and a change to reported profits. However, since the Group's agreement with the IHG Owners Association is that the Fund is not managed to a gain or loss for IHG, any in-year profit or loss resulting from Fund activity is excluded from the calculation of underlying operating profit and adjusted earnings per share as there is an agreement to spend these funds for the benefit of hotels in the System.
 
The impact of adopting IFRS 15 and other presentational changes (see note 3) on previously reported line items in the Group financial statements is set out on the following pages.
 
Impact of IFRS 15 and other presentational changes on the Group income statement
For the six months ended 30 June 2017
 
 
 
As reported
IFRS 15 - Core IHG
IFRS 15 - System Fund
Other changes (note 3)
As restated
 
$m
$m
$m
$m
$m
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from fee business
766
(11)
-
(91)
664
Revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels
91
3
-
80
174
System Fund revenues
-
-
581
11
592
Reimbursement of costs
-
534