News
Annual Report – Management of Assets of RS and SSH for 2023 submitted to Parliament
Ljubljana, 14 October 2023 – Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) has prepared the Annual Report – Management of Assets of RS and SSH for 2023, pursuant to Article 67 of ZSDH-1, which requires SSH to monitor the performance of state-owned companies.
The year 2023 was a year of challenges, opportunities, and significant achievements for Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) and the companies in the portfolio it manages. Economic conditions, both globally and especially in Europe, have tightened considerably in recent months. Numerous risks and a volatile business environment, including escalating tensions and conflicts in the Middle East, alongside the prolonged war in Ukraine, have slowed economic recovery among Slovenia’s key trading partners. This has also affected the performance of export-oriented companies with state capital assets.
Performance of SSH and Portfolio Companies in 2023
The return on equity (ROE) of capital assets under SSH's management reached 10.1%, the highest since the company’s establishment in 2014. This result exceeded the planned return for 2023 by 2.8 percentage points, against a target of 7.3% set in the Annual Asset Management Plan (AAMP).
A key focus of our capital asset management is the implementation of a sound dividend policy. Through this, SSH seeks to maximise returns for the owner while balancing the performance of individual companies in the portfolio with their developmental needs. In 2023, dividend payments by the companies within the SSH's portfolio totalled EUR 175.5 million. Of this, RS and ZPIZ received EUR 122.3 million, and SSH received EUR 52.2 million in dividends. These payouts exceeded the projected target of 7.9 percent (EUR 162.6 million).
In 2024, dividend payouts for the financial year 2023 are expected to total EUR 487.1 million, surpassing the forecast of EUR 383.9 million for the year by 26.9 %. The majority of dividends will be contributed by companies from the Energy pillar (56.5%), followed by the Economy pillar (19.6%). The Finance pillar will contribute 18.4% of the total dividends, the Transport pillar 4.9%, and the Tourism pillar 0.6%. The top six dividend payers will together account for 81.5% of total dividends.
At the end of 2023, the total value of capital assets under SSH’s management stood at EUR 12.2 billion, reflecting an increase of EUR 1.0 billion compared to the end of 2022 (EUR 11.2 billion).
The fair value of financial claims under management was EUR 203.5 million at the end of 2023, while the book value of tangible assets, mostly comprising real estate, was EUR 94.3 million, with an estimated market value of EUR 158.8 million.
The high return was largely driven by the exceptional performance of the Energy pillar, particularly the HSE and GEN Groups. By the end of 2023, HSE had returned EUR 342 million in subsequent capital payments to the Republic of Slovenia, with the remaining amount scheduled for return in 2024, as planned during the share capital increase. This confirms that SSH, as a diligent asset manager, acted swiftly and effectively in light of the company’s challenging circumstances, thereby ensuring the company’s continued operations and preserving the value of the Republic of Slovenia’s investment in HSE.
All major companies within the Transport pillar exceeded their planned results for 2023. The banks within the Finance pillar performed significantly above expectations, and despite slightly lower results from the insurance companies, the overall results of the pillar were strong and above projections. The Economy and Tourism pillars also delivered results that surpassed planned targets in 2023.
Intensified Focus on Corporate Governance Development
One of SSH's primary objectives is to strengthen the culture of good corporate governance in companies with state capital assets. In 2023, we significantly revised and supplemented the regulations governing this area, including the Rules on the Assessment of Potential Candidates for Members of Supervisory and Management Bodies of SOEs. Additionally, we updated the SSH Code to enhance business transparency, accountability of office holders, and stakeholder confidence.
We have also updated the SSH Recommendations and Expectations with the introduction of a new Recommendation No. 14, which provides detailed guidance on compliance and integrity within companies where SSH holds a majority stake or exercises dominant influence. SSH continues to monitor, and will in future continue to oversee, the implementation of the SSH Code, along with its Recommendations and Expectations, in companies with state capital assets.
The core objectives of SSH remain the strengthening of risk management and internal control functions, ensuring business transparency, and the integration of ESG factors and sustainable business models.
In response to the devastating storm in August 2023, SSH acted swiftly, calling on all companies with state capital assets to assess the damage and risks. SSH also updated its Recommendations and Expectations, allowing greater flexibility for sponsorships and donations aimed at addressing the consequences of natural disasters. Furthermore, in line with emergency legislation, SSH transferred its entire 2023 net profit, totalling EUR 78.9 million, to the state budget fund for post-flood and landslide recovery efforts.
Our achievements mirror the effective work and commitment of all employees. Together, we have achieved our planned goals, stemming from our collective expertise and knowledge. We assure that SSH will continue to incorporate all key topics of sustainable business into its asset management-related activities, supporting a successful transition essential for the long-term competitiveness and value of companies within our portfolio.