NZX Limited/Announcement
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NZX Full Year Results and Annual Report 2016 published

Full Year Results13 February 2017NZXFinancials

NZX Limited
Appendix 1

Results for announcement to the market


Reporting Period 12 months to 31 December 2016

Previous Reporting

Period

12 months to 31 December 2015


Amount (000s) Percentage change

Revenue from ordinary

activities

$NZ 77,544 6.0%

Profit (loss) from

ordinary activities after

tax attributable to

security holder.

$NZ 9,182 (23.9%)

Net profit (loss)

attributable to security

holders.

$NZ 9,182 (61.5%)


Interim Dividends for

2016 year

Amount per security Imputed amount per

security

Interim first half 2016

dividend paid on 16

September 2016

$NZ 0.0300 $NZ 0.011667

Final Dividend for 2016

year

Amount per security Imputed amount per

security

Final second half 2016

dividend to be paid on

24 March 2017

$NZ 0.0300 $NZ 0.011667

Total 2016 dividend $NZ 0.0600 $NZ 0.023334


Record date Payment date

Interim first half 2016

dividend

2 September 2016 16 September 2016

Final second half 2016

dividend

10 March 2017 24 March 2017


Comments: For additional information please see financial

release and annual report attached.

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APPENDIX 7 – NZSX Listing Rules
Number of pages including this one

(Please provide any other relevant

NZSX Listing Rule 7.12.2. For rights, NZSX Listing Rules 7.10.9 and 7.10.10. details on additional pages)

For change to allotment, NZSX Listing Rule 7.12.1, a separate advice is required.

Full name

of Issuer

Name of officer authorised to

Authority for event,

make this notice

e.g. Directors' resolution

Contact phone

Contact fax

numbernumberDate

Nature of event

BonusIf ticked,Rights Issue

Tick as appropriateIssuestate whether:Taxable/ Non TaxableConversionInterestRenouncable

Rights IssueCapitalCallDividend

If ticked, stateFull

non-renouncable

change

X

whether:

InterimYear

X

SpecialDRP Applies

EXISTING securities affected by this

If more than one security is affected by the event, use a separate form.

Description of theISIN

class of securities

If unknown, contact NZX

Details of securities issued pursuant to this eventIf more than one class of security is to be issued, use a separate form for each class.

Description of theISIN

class of securities

If unknown, contact NZX

Number of Securities toMinimum

Ratio, e.g

be issued following eventEntitlement

1 for 2 for

Conversion, Maturity, Call

Treatment of Fractions

Payable or Exercise Date

Tick if

provide an

pari passu

ORexplanation

Strike price per security for any issue in lieu or date

of the

Strike Price available.

ranking

Monies Associated with Event

Dividend payable, Call payable, Exercise price, Conversion price, Redemption price, Application money.

Source of

Amount per securityPayment

(does not include any excluded income)

Excluded income per security

(only applicable to listed PIEs)

SupplementaryAmount per security

Currencydividendin dollars and cents

details -

NZSX Listing Rule 7.12.7

Total monies

TaxationAmount per Security in Dollars and cents to six decimal places

In the case of a taxable bonusResident

Imputation Credits

issue state strike priceW ithholding Tax(Give details)

Foreign

FDP Credits

W ithholding Tax(Give details)

Timing

(Refer Appendix 8 in the NZSX Listing Rules)

Record Date 5pmApplication Date

For calculation of entitlements -Also, Call Payable, Dividend /

Interest Payable, Exercise Date,

Conversion Date. In the case

of applications this must be the

last business day of the week.

Notice DateAllotment Date

Entitlement letters, call notices,For the issue of new securities.

conversion notices mailedMust be within 5 business days

of application closing date.

OFFICE USE ONLY

Ex Date:

Commence Quoting Rights:Security Code:

Cease Quoting Rights 5pm:

Commence Quoting New Securities:Security Code:

Cease Quoting Old Security 5pm:

10 March, 201724 March, 2017

$0.005294

$8,049,471

Date Payable

24 March, 2017

N/A$0.002083$0.011667

$

Enter N/A if not

applicable

In dollars and cents

Ordinary SharesNZNZXE0001S7

04 498 227104 496 28931422017

$0.0300

EMAIL: announce@nzx.com

Notice of event affecting securities

NZX Limited

Bevan Miller - CFODirectors' Resolution

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NZX Limited
Annual Report

2016

Serving New Zealand’s

capital markets

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Contents

Chairman's Report..................................................04

CEO Report............................................................09

Management Commentary....................................12

Board of Directors..................................................24

Corporate Governance..........................................27

Directors' Responsibility Statement.......................34

Financial Statements..............................................35

Notes to the Financial Statements.........................40

Auditor's Report.....................................................68

Statutory Information.............................................72

Directory.................................................................78

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Chairman's

Report

Dear fellow shareholder,

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present

NZX’s Annual Report for 2016, and welcome this

opportunity to communicate with you, our shareholders.

NZX sits at the heart of New Zealand’s capital

markets. As the operator of the local stock exchange

it is a privilege to serve at the centre of this network

– and as the Chairman of NZX it is a role on which I

place tremendous importance.

2016 was a year of repositioning for NZX. The Ralec

litigation concluded, we reshaped our Agri business,

and transitioned our SuperLife and Smartshares

businesses to the Financial Markets Conduct Act

(FMCA). The costs associated with these activities

weighed on earnings. The Funds Services business

remains in an investment phase and the Agri business

did not meet expectations in a difficult market. As a

result, earnings for the year are well below the

Board's desired level. Nevertheless, our efforts during

the year created a solid foundation for future earnings

growth.

Market health

In a year headlined by global economic uncertainties

and volatility, the New Zealand equity market

remained in good health. This is evident in the

increase in the S&P/NZX 50 Index (Gross) which was

up 8.8% for the year to 31 December 2016. It is worth

noting that the five year return of this index to the end

of 2016 was 110.1%, which equates to an exceptional

compound annual growth rate over the same period

of 16.0% p.a.

1

This illustrates the strong performance of the New

Zealand market compared to major international

market indices, including the Hong Kong Hang Seng

Index (annualised return of 6.1% over the same five

year period), the Australian S&P/ASX 200

Accumulation Index (6.7%), the UK FTSE 100 Total

Return Index (6.7%), and the USA S&P 500 Total

Return Index (17.4%).

The 12 month forward weighted PE ratio for the New

Zealand market is currently 18.9x, which is 10% above

the five year historic average.

2

These combined

figures indicate that New Zealand’s capital markets

remain open for business, particularly during a period

of global economic uncertainty.

On this note, I am pleased to welcome Tegel Group

Holdings, NZME, Investore Property, New Zealand

King Salmon and Tilt Renewables, all of which listed

on the NZX Main Board in 2016.

1Source: Bloomberg

2Source: Forsyth Barr

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S&P/NZX 50 Index performance compared to S&P/ASX 200

and S&P 500 Indices

50

100

150

200

250

2012

2013

2014

2015

2017

2016

S&P/NZX 50 Index (Gross)

S&P/NZX 50 Index (Capital)

S&P/ASX 200 Index S&P 500 Index

Source: IRESS

Progress with creating stronger and deeper capital

markets is more graphically illustrated by the increase

in the ratio of equity market capitalisation to Gross

Domestic Product, which peaked at 50.1% in July.

This is a significant milestone given this ratio was as

low as 25.0% in February 2009 and in mid-2012 had

still only risen to 27.6%. In addition, our benchmark

index, the S&P/NZX 50 Gross Index exceeded 7,000

points for the first time in May.

NZX Equity Market Capitalisation

$140

$120

$100

$80

$60

$40

$20

$-

Dec-16

Dec-2015

Dec-2014

Dec-2013

Dec-2012

Dec-2011

NZX Equity Market Capitalisation (billions)

Source: NZX Data

The performance of New Zealand’s listed debt market

was another notable highlight of 2016. Debt market

capitalisation was up 29.7% to $25.7 billion following

the listing of $6.4 billion of new debt in 2016,

demonstrating that this product is meeting the needs

of the market extremely well, and highlighting its

attractiveness as a capital raising option for

corporates, banks and local and central government.

I would like to acknowledge the wide range of loyal

supporters of the market who have issued further debt

and welcome The Co-operative Bank who joined the

NZX Debt Market in 2016.

NZX Debt Market Capitalisation

$-

$5

$10

$15

$20

$25

$30

Dec-2011

Dec-2012

Dec-2013

Dec-2014

Dec-2015

Dec-2016

NZX Debt Market Capitalisation (billions)

Source: NZX Data

The above statistics are impressive and validate the

sustained run and competitive advantage of NZX’s

equity and debt markets. The markets have benefited

from several large, high quality companies listing,

raising capital and diversifying their funding sources

here in recent years, a low interest rate environment,

and the investment of significant KiwiSaver funds.

2016 in review

Financial performance

NZX’s Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and

Amortisation (EDITDA) were $22.5 million in 2016, at

the bottom of the guidance range that NZX provided

in February 2016 and consistent with the update

provided in October 2016. Growth in operating

expenses of 13.3% reflected several one-time costs,

including professional fees for the Ralec litigation,

Financial Markets Conduct Act (FMCA) and CEO

transition costs, and the targeted investments made

in our Funds Services business.

Reported net earnings in 2015 included a gain of

$11.8 million realised on the sale of the Group’s 50%

stake in Link Market Services (NZ). Excluding this gain,

the decline in 2016 net earnings was 23.9%, reflecting

lower operating earnings, the loss on sale of

businesses sold during the year and increased

depreciation and amortisation expenses.

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I acknowledge the Group’s financial performance is

not satisfactory. It failed to meet the Board’s

expectations and those of our shareholders. The

Board and executive team are determined to drive

earnings growth for shareholders as we operate an

increasingly integrated set of businesses. Our 2017

earnings guidance reflects this.

More information about NZX’s 2016 financial and

operational performance is provided in the CEO

Report and Management Commentary.

Business performance

Our Markets business demonstrated pleasing growth

with revenue up 6.0% to $52.9 million, while operating

costs were down 4.5%. This operating leverage

resulted in 9.5% growth in segment earnings.

Our Fund Services business remained in investment

mode, reflecting the deliberate strategic investments

made to grow our SuperLife, Smartshares and NZX

Wealth Technologies businesses for the long-term.

The momentum of the Funds Services business

accelerated in Q3 when NZX Wealth Technologies

announced two major new clients, Craigs Investment

Partners and Hobson Wealth (formerly Macquarie

Equities New Zealand). These developments reinforce

the Board’s high-level of confidence in NZX’s decision

to increase its presence within the passive funds

management sector and the provision of funds

services infrastructure. The focus for this business in

2017 is on translating customer growth into earnings

growth.

It was a difficult year for NZX Agri, as we repositioned

our New Zealand and Australia businesses and market

conditions adversely impacted advertising revenues.

Our reshaped Trans-Tasman business now has a

greater focus on data and analytics, which have more

attractive earnings prospects and stronger linkages

to our Markets business.

In addition, we finally concluded the Ralec litigation

in November, which the Judge described as ‘a nil all

draw’. This litigation was again a drain on corporate

earnings and management attention in 2016. Although

we had hoped to resolve the matter without needing

to go to a costly trial, we are very pleased to have it

conclusively behind us, with all outstanding matters

resolved, and no further costs going forward.

With the key deliverables of the Ralec litigation, the

Agri business restructure, major client wins by NZX

Wealth Technologies and SuperLife and Smartshares’

transition to the FMCA (which required a significant

short-term investment of resources), all successfully

delivered in 2016, the stage has been set for a step

change in earnings in 2017.

As such, NZX expects full year 2017 EBITDA to be in

the range of $27 million to $30 million, compared to

$22.5 million in 2016. This represents expected

growth in EBITDA of 20% to 33%. This is subject to

market outcomes, particularly with respect to initial

public offerings, secondary capital raising, and equity

and derivatives trading volumes. This guidance

assumes no material adverse events, significant one-

off expenses or major accounting adjustments. It also

assumes no acquisitions or divestments.

Capital structure and dividend

The company continues to maintain a gearing position

that the Board considers is consistent with its role as

a systemically important financial institution at the

centre of the New Zealand capital markets. The Board

continues to monitor the company’s capital position

in light of the future growth potential of our

derivatives business, and contingent earnout

payments for previous acquisitions. The Board remains

comfortable with current capital levels.

The Board declared fully imputed dividends of 6

cents per share in respect of the 2016 year. While this

significantly exceeds the target payout ratio of 80%

of free cash flow in NZX’s current dividend policy, the

Board considers this to be an appropriate level of

payout in light of the non-recurring factors that

reduced 2016 earnings, and NZX’s balance sheet and

cash position. Total shareholder return for NZX in the

year to 31 December 2016 was 4.02%. As I mentioned

above, our share price underperformed in 2016.

Improving the Group’s future earnings and our share

price will continue to have the full focus of the Board

and executive team in 2017.

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Regulation and Policy update

The quality of NZX's regulatory function, core

technology and operations was formally recognised

in June when NZX received a clean bill of health from

the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) as part of its

annual Market Operator Obligations Review. It

concluded NZX complied with all of its market

operator obligations and was not required to take any

specific actions.

My thanks goes to our Head of Market Supervision

Joost van Amelsfort who has managed our

relationship with the FMA very well. We have seen a

huge improvement in NZX’s regulatory practices

under his leadership as he ensures the highest

standards are maintained.

Effective market regulation is a by-product of the

positive working relationship we have with the FMA

and Special Division. We are grateful for their efforts

and it is a privilege to serve our markets alongside them.

Under the leadership of Head of Policy and Legal

Hamish Macdonald, our policy team will shortly

publish the updated NZX Corporate Governance Best

Practice Code. This is the first substantive update to

the Code since 2003 and represents a significant step

forward in reducing fragmentation between various

reporting practices among Main Board listed issuers.

I am a strong supporter of listed companies exhibiting

good corporate governance as organisations can have

a huge impact on the communities in which they

operate. I hope this updated Code will lead to

increased investor education and confidence in the

broader marketplace. Feedback received as part of

this review exceeded our expectations. Thank you to

everyone who took the time to make a submission.

I would also like to acknowledge our former Minister

for Commerce and Consumer Affairs the Hon Paul

Goldsmith. On behalf of the Board, we have all

benefited from your open working relationship and

look forward to working with your successor the Hon

Jacqui Dean in 2017.

Looking forward

Our people

As the Board looks to 2017 we remain acutely aware

of the importance of not just running a well-

functioning exchange that operates fair, orderly and

transparent markets, but also a commercial business

that delivers profitable growth for shareholders.

To achieve this, the first half of 2017 will see the

Board focus on ensuring we have the right leadership

in place to make the best decisions to drive future

earnings growth. The Board has made good progress

in its search for a new CEO, engaging global

recruitment firm Korn Ferry to lead this process.

To ensure the characteristics of the successful

candidate meet the needs of NZX and the markets

we operate in, the Board appointed Propero

Consulting to survey 80 of its stakeholders to ensure

a very broad perspective on the skills needed for a

role at the heart of our capital markets.

Feedback consistently emphasised that the most

important leadership qualities were strong financial

acumen, the ability to create wealth and seasoned

judgement. Participants stated it was imperative the

CEO was empathetic to markets needs and committed

to working alongside stakeholders to build a healthy

marketplace at the core of our economy.

Proactive engagement with the market remains a

priority for the Board. Thank you to everyone who

completed the survey for your invaluable insights. We

will provide a further update to the market once the

recruitment process is finalised.

Given the timeframes associated with the search for

a new CEO, the Board appointed Head of Markets,

Mark Peterson, as Interim CEO, effective 1 January

2017. On behalf of the Board I would like to thank

Mark for leading NZX through this transition. Mark is

a capable leader with a passion for NZX. We are

confident that under his leadership earnings growth

will be delivered.

We farewelled Tim Bennett at the end of 2016

following his resignation as CEO in October. The

Board thanks Tim for his dedicated service.

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I would also like to acknowledge former Chief

Operating Officer Mandy Simpson and Head of

Corporate Affairs Kate McLaughlin, who left in

October 2016 and January 2017 respectively, for

their contribution to NZX.

Closing remarks

NZX recognises the importance of its position at the

heart of New Zealand’s capital markets network.

We operate in a dynamic industry and the Board are

grateful for the efforts of Mark Peterson and the

executive team who delivered several important

initiatives in 2016.

I would particularly like to thank all NZX employees

and their families for their commitment to the

organisation and enthusiasm.

I would also like to thank our customers, particularly

our listed issuers and market participants. We look

forward to working with you in 2017.

Finally, thank you to our shareholders for your loyal

support as the Board and executive team worked

through a year of significant transition. As our

guidance reflects, I am confident we will execute on

our growth opportunities and deliver growing profits

for shareholders in the years to come.

James Miller, Chairman

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CEO Report

To our shareholders,

On behalf of our staff, I am pleased to report on the

progress we have made over the past year.

There is little doubt that 2016 was a pivotal year for

NZX. A great deal was achieved to establish a

foundation for future earnings growth across the

Group and operate a more integrated set of

businesses going forward.

In January 2017, I took over as Interim CEO. I look

forward to making a broader contribution to the New

Zealand economy above and beyond my role as Head

of Markets.

While I am pleased to report on our progress, I want

to acknowledge the context in which our financial

results were achieved. In 2016, a significant amount

of cost and resource went into the Ralec litigation, our

transition to the Financial Markets Conduct Act

(FMCA), and the repositioning of our Agri business,

putting downward pressure on earnings. These

distractions are now behind us and our business is

well positioned for future earnings growth.

Our clear focus for 2017 is on driving profitable

growth from our existing businesses, serving our

customers, and delivering for our shareholders.

Below is a summary of our performance by business.

I hope you find our results encouraging.

Year in review

Markets

It was a good year for our markets business, which

produced sound financial results with revenues up

6.0% to $52.9 million, while operating costs were

down 4.5%, delivering 9.5% growth in segment

earnings. This result was underpinned by:

•The impressive growth of NZX's listed debt

market, with debt market capitalisation up 29.7%,

and the number of listed debt products up 20.2%

on the prior year;

•The number of equity trades, up 19.8% on 2015

as overseas investors turned to New Zealand in

search of lower volatility and higher yields;

•The performance of the S&P/NZX 50 Index, which

fared well despite ongoing global economic

uncertainties, up 8.8% as at 31 December 2016;

•The popularity of NZX’s Dairy Derivatives Market,

with participation (measured by the number of

active trading accounts) up 67.0% on 2015; and

•The launch and subsequent take up of NZ Milk

Price Futures and Options, with early trading in

these products exceeding expectations.

Technology remained a priority for the executive team

as we worked alongside market participants to

improve infrastructure as we prepare to deliver an

upgrade to our clearing system in 2017.

In addition to this, the executive team have a renewed

focus on improving operational efficiencies in 2017.

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This is to ensure our teams are efficiently supporting

the foundations we have put in place for future

earnings growth across the Group.

NZX Markets Revenue

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

2012

2013

201420152016

Full Year Revenue ($millions)

Source: NZX Data

Our policy team earned a great deal of positive

feedback from the broader market as we actively

engaged with stakeholders as part of NZX’s

corporate governance review. This feedback extended

to our regulation team who continued to work

diligently to ensure the operation of fair, orderly and

transparent markets. Both teams continue to pro-

actively address market trends, changes in technology

and law, and developments in international best

practice to ensure we are operating markets with a

strong reputation for integrity.

Funds Services

Our Funds Services business maintained good growth

momentum during 2016. This was evident in:

•Funds Under Management (FUM) growth in

SuperLife’s KiwiSaver business up 21.1% on the

prior year, while total SuperLife FUM increased

15.8%;

•SuperLife winning four new group corporate

superannuation mandates;

•Growth in direct retail sales of Smartshares

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) products, with

total external FUM up 10.7% on 2015;

•SuperLife and Smartshares completing their FMCA

compliance transition. While this impacted

segment earnings, these were one-off costs

associated with a significant regulatory change; and

•NZX Wealth Technologies securing two major new

clients. These were Hobson Wealth (formerly

Macquarie Equities New Zealand) and Craigs

Investment Partners, who will use the platform for

their KiwiSaver, superannuation and self-select

products. Both clients are expected to transition

onto the platform in the first half of 2017, bringing

approximately $2.5 billion in Funds Under

Administration.

Total Funds Under Management in SuperLife schemes

1.80

1.60

1.40

1.20

1.00

0.80

0.60

0.40

0.20

-

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

Funds Under Management ($billions)

Source: NZX Data

The SuperLife and Smartshares teams will now focus

tightly on marketing and generating earnings growth,

after spending much of 2015 on product

development, and 2016 on integration and

compliance. We are confident our Funds Services

business will grow significantly in 2017 as it moves out

of investment mode, and builds on its strategic

investments made in passive funds management over

the past two years.

Agri

Market conditions were difficult for NZX Agri, which

provided challenges for the publishing component

of this business in 2016. The performance of this

business is summarised below:

•Low commodity prices for dairy products

impacted farmer returns resulting in a 20.8%

reduction in paid advertising page equivalents,

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which directly correlated to a 20.1% reduction in

publishing revenues;

•Low advertising returns were also driven by

NZX's decision to exit the magazine publishing

and Clear Grain Exchange businesses, instead

focusing on parts of the Agri business that have

broader links to the markets we operate in; and

•While publishing revenue declined, total data

revenues grew 11.5% in 2016, driven by a 36.0%

increase in the New Zealand based AgriHQ and

iFarm revenue.

We believe steps taken to reshape NZX Agri in 2016,

with a stronger focus on data and analytics, have put

this business on a firmer financial footing, and position

it better for the long-term, especially as the outlook

for the dairy sector appears to be improving.

To lead our streamlined Agri business, we have

appointed Jeremy Anderson, effective 1 March 2017.

Jeremy joins NZX with broad experience from across

New Zealand and Australia’s agricultural sectors, and

we look forward to welcoming him to the Group and

growing this business.

Overall Group performance

A summary of NZX's Group financial performance is

below. More information is provided in the

Management Commentary.

•Revenues increased 6.0% to $77.5 million

•Operating expenses increased 13.3%, driven by

a mix of deliberate investments in NZX's Funds

Services business, and onetime FMCA regulatory

and CEO transition costs

•Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and

Amortisation (EDITDA) of $22.5 million came

within the previously guided range

•Reported 2015 Net Profit included an

$11.8 million gain on sale of the Group's 50%

investment in Link Market Services (NZ). 2016 net

earnings were 23.9% down on the prior year

excluding this gain

Creating value

NZX plays a critical role in supporting the

development of New Zealand’s capital markets. To

be an effective player at the heart of this network our

team must proactively engage to address the needs

of our customers.

In 2017, our team remains focused on meeting the

needs of market participants, and seeking new ways

to engage and deliver. The team at NZX are

committed to continuing to build a collaborative

culture at the core of New Zealand’s markets

ecosystem. This is an NZX that engages, which seeks

feedback, and delivers in a timely and professional

manner. This is a market that needs to work for everyone.

I believe that if we can achieve this, then we can

achieve our underlying goal of improving returns for

our shareholders.

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge the support I have

received from the Board and executive team as

Interim CEO and the positive working relationship

that has resulted.

It is a privilege to lead our team through this period

– a group of very capable, dedicated and talented

individuals. Thank you for your hard work.

A final word of thanks to our shareholders. I am

passionate about four things – customers, quality,

delivery and staff – and making the right decisions in

these areas will ensure better returns for you.

We have some fantastic opportunities in front of us

to grow NZX. I look forward to leading our business

and working with everyone involved.

Mark Peterson, Interim CEO

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Management

Commentary

Financial results for the year ended 31 December 2016

Overview

NZX’s reported earnings are summarised in the table below.

2016

$000

2015

$000

2014

$000

Change

2016 v 2015

Total revenue77,54473,15165,1896.0%

Operating expenses(55,027)(48,572)(40,588)13.3%

Earnings before net finance expense, tax, depreciation and

amortisation and gain on sale (Operating Earnings)

22,51724,57924,601(8.4%)

Net finance income(373)17087(319.4%)

Depreciation and amortisation(7,936)(6,990)(5,490)13.5%

(Loss)/gain on disposal of businesses and property, plant and

equipment

(467)(29)421510.3%

Gain on sale of associate-11,807-(100.0%)

Share of profit of associate-411673(100.0%)

Impairment expense(793)--NM

Adjustment to provision for earnout731--NM

Tax expense(4,497)(6,076)(6,802)(26.0%)

Net profit after tax – reported9,18223,87213,111(61.5%)

Earnings excluding Link gain9,18212,06513,111(23.9%)

Total revenues increased 6.0% as a result of an increase in activity levels in the capital markets (particularly

debt listing and securities trading), growth in funds management activities and a full year of wealth platform

fees, partly offset by a drop in advertising revenue in agri publications as a result of weak market conditions

in the dairy sector.

This revenue growth was more than offset by growth in operating expenses of 13.3%. A portion of the

$6.5 million growth in costs resulted from factors that related solely to 2016, including costs associated with

CEO transition and costs associated with the transition to the Financial Markets Conduct Act (FMCA) in the

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Funds Services business. The remainder of the increase was the result of a full year of costs of operating new

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) launched in 2015, a full year of NZX Wealth Technologies costs, and growth

in IT and employee costs.

The combined impact of these factors was a decline in EBITDA of 8.4%. Depreciation and amortisation

expense increased as a result of reclassifying some of the Group’s intangible assets as fixed life rather than

indefinite life assets, together with a full year of amortisation on software in NZX Wealth Technologies.

Reported net earnings declined by 61.5%. However, reported 2015 results included a gain of $11.8 million

realised on the sale of the Group’s 50% stake in Link Market Services (NZ). Excluding this gain, the decline in

net earnings was 23.9%.

Segment earnings

The breakdown of Operating Earnings by business segment is set out in the table below.

($000)

201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Segment earnings:

Markets41,06737,51236,1809.5%

Funds Services(316)1,726752(118.3%)

Agri8551,0401,303(17.8%)

Corporate(19,089)(15,699)(13,634)21.6%

Group Operating Earnings22,51724,57924,601(8.4%)

The Markets division saw earnings grow by 9.5% due to increased listings and transaction volumes, while

costs declined. Listings growth came from the debt market which saw a nearly 30% increase in market

capitalisation during the year, while the number of securities traded was up nearly 20%.

Funds Services earnings dropped by $2.0 million due to costs incurred during 2016 in order to achieve

compliance with the requirements of the FMCA, a full year of costs associated with NZX Wealth Technologies

and the new ETFs launched in 2015. Both NZX Wealth Technologies and a number of the new ETFs are

currently loss-making as they grow their customer base in order to achieve the necessary scale to reach profitability.

NZX’s Agri business was impacted by a downturn in the New Zealand agricultural sector. This flowed through

into a notable reduction in advertising volumes.

Corporate costs increased due to costs associated with the CEO transition, a $0.4 million short-term increase

in rent expense as the company reorganised its office accommodation, higher IT costs and increased employee

costs.

Revenue

Markets


Securities information revenue

Securities information revenue is derived from the sale of capital markets data to global data resellers, as

well as a broad range of subscription products to other participants in the capital markets. Sales to resellers

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represents the largest source of revenue within this category. These resellers incorporate this data into their

own subscription products delivered via data terminals. The reseller pays NZX based on the number of

terminal licences they have with their end customers that include NZX data. Thus the number of data

terminals is the most significant revenue driver for this category.

($000 unless otherwise stated)201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Securities information revenue10,40610,55810,406(1.4%)

Terminal numbers (12 month average)7,4077,2227,2912.6%

While terminal numbers increased 2.6%, a change in the mix of terminals towards lower value products

resulted in a small decline in data from securities terminals. A reduction in revenue from other data products

added to the decrease in securities information revenue.

Listing fees

There are three components to listing fees:

•Annual listing fees paid by equity and debt issuers on NZX’s securities markets. The primary drivers of

this revenue are the number of listed issuers and any changes in the fee schedule;

•Initial listing fees, which are paid by equity and debt issuers upon their initial listing on NZX’s securities

markets. The primary driver of this revenue is the number of new listings and the value of new capital

listed (as fees are based on the opening market capital of the newly listed entity); and

•Secondary issuance fees, which are paid by existing issuers when they raise additional capital through

placements, rights issues, the exercise of options, dividend reinvestment plans, further debt issues, etc.

The primary driver for this revenue is the value of secondary capital raised.

($000 unless otherwise stated)

201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Annual listing fees9,2268,5847,9367.5%

Initial listing fees2,3307642,800205.0%

Secondary issuance fees3,3414,0422,419(17.3%)

Total listing fees14,89713,39013,15511.3%

Number of listed issuers2322312150.4%

Equity market capitalisation$115.5b$110.2b$96.5b4.9%

Debt market capitalisation$25.7b$19.8b$13.2b29.7%

Number of new equity listings761916.7%

Value of new equity listed$2.1b$1.7b$4.7b24.5%

Value of new debt listed$6.4b$8.1b$1.7b(20.8%)

Total secondary capital raised$4.6b$12.9b$2.4b(64.2%)

Annual listing fees were up $0.6 million. More than half of this increase came from the debt market, where

there has been a substantial increase in the number and value of listed debt instruments over the past 18

months. The remainder of the increase resulted from growth in equity market capitalisation and changes to

the fee schedule increasing fees for existing issuers. While there were seven new equity listings in 2016 (three

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NZX Main Board IPOs, two NXT market IPOs and two new entities split out of existing issuers), several

delistings meant that the number of listed issuers was almost unchanged.

Initial listing fees increased $1.6 million. Although there was little increase in equity raising activity compared

to 2015, there was substantial listing of new debt products in 2016, which was the primary driver of the tripling

of initial listing fees. The $8.1 billion of debt raised in 2015 was mostly the result of the compliance listing of

$5.6 billion of existing debt by the Local Government Funding Authority, while in the current year new debt

listed reflected higher-value new debt issues.

Despite a 64.2% decrease in the value of secondary capital raised, secondary issuance fees only declined

17.3% ($0.7 million). The issuance fee as a percentage of capital raised decreases the larger a capital raising

is and 2015 secondary capital raising was dominated by a small number of very large capital raisings by dual-

listed Australian banks. By contrast, in 2016 secondary capital raising was spread over a number of smaller to

medium sized transactions which resulted in a higher yield as a percentage of capital raised.

Other issuer services

This revenue represents fees billed for time spent by NZX’s market supervision team reviewing listing and

secondary capital raising documents, requests for waivers from NZX Listing Rules and other significant issuer

matters.

($000)

201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Other issuer services revenue1,1447701,01348.6%

The increase in revenue resulted from more complex transactions occurring in 2016 coupled with the increase

in listing activity in the debt market.

Securities trading revenue

This represents fees billed for the execution of trades on NZX’s equity and debt markets. Trading fees are a

combination of a fixed fee per trade and a variable fee based on the value of the trade. The fixed fee

component accounts for approximately 70% of NZX’s trading revenues, hence the number of trades is the

most significant revenue driver.

($000 unless otherwise stated)

201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Securities trading revenue5,7654,9764,42415.9%

Number of trades1.75m1.46m1.31m19.8%

The number of securities traded increased just under 20% in 2016, which resulted in a corresponding increase

in fixed per-trade fees. Approximately 30% of securities trading revenue is derived from variable fees based

on the value traded which only increased only 5.5%, meaning the increase in total securities trading revenue

was lower than the growth in the number of trades.

Participant services revenue

This represents fees billed to broking and advisory firms who are accredited participants in NZX’s equity and

debt markets.

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($000)201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Participant services revenue3,5923,5263,4791.9%

Participant services revenues were stable, with no significant changes to fee structures or number of market

participants to whom these fees were charged.

Securities clearing revenue

This revenue represents fees for clearing and settlement activities and a range of related services such as

custody and stock lending undertaken by NZX’s subsidiary New Zealand Clearing and Depository

Corporation. The largest component is clearing fees, which are billed based on the value of the transactions

settled. Hence total value traded is the most significant revenue driver for this category.

($000 unless otherwise stated)

201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Securities clearing revenue5,6635,3654,6535.6%

Total value traded$44.0b$41.7b$35.0b5.5%

The increase in securities clearing revenue almost exactly reflected the growth in total value traded during the

year. The 5.5% growth in value traded was noticeably lower than the 19.8% increase in the number of trades

as much of the volume growth came from “algorithmic” trading, which is characterised by a large number of

low value trades.

Dairy derivatives revenue

This is trading, clearing and settlement fees for trading in NZX dairy futures and options. Fees are calculated

per lot traded, hence the total number of lots traded is the most significant revenue driver. These fees are

largely billed in USD reflecting the global nature of the market, hence changes in the NZD:USD exchange rate

also have an impact on reported revenues.

($000 unless otherwise stated)

201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Dairy derivatives revenue7066842543.2%

Lots traded198k214k101k(7.2%)

The number of lots traded declined 7.2% in 2016 due to low volatility through the first half of the year

reducing the incentive for buyers of dairy products to hedge their price exposure. This particularly manifested

in a significant reduction in the volume of milk powder options traded, which had been a significant driver of

volumes in 2015. Increased volatility in the latter part of 2016 saw trading momentum return somewhat.

Despite the fall in the number of lots traded, revenue increased 3.2% as a result of the weakening of the NZD

relative to the USD over the period.

Market operations revenue

NZX operates a number of aspects of the New Zealand electricity market under long term contracts from the

Electricity Authority and operates the Fonterra Shareholders' Market on behalf of Fonterra. Market operations

revenue has two components:

•Fixed annual fees for market operator contracts; and

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•Fees for development projects related to the market operator contracts, which are generally billed on a

time and materials basis.

($000)201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Development revenue1,4931,3752,5608.6%

Contractual revenue9,2369,2569,074(0.2%)

Total market operations revenue10,72910,63111,6340.9%

NZX successfully retendered in 2015 for the four market operator contracts that it has with the Electricity

Authority and the new contracts commenced in 2016. While the fees for the basic service operation decreased

in the new contracts, this was offset by additional annual contracted revenue for the enhancement of the

systems used to provide these services. Accordingly, the total contractual revenue was almost unchanged in 2016.

Development revenues also remained at similar levels to 2015, with a similar portfolio of development and

consulting activities undertaken in 2016.

Funds Services

Funds management revenue

NZX has two sources of funds management income:

•Funds management fees derived by SuperLife's superannuation and KiwiSaver activities. NZX acquired

SuperLife Limited effective 1 January 2015, which was amalgamated with Smartshares Limited in

November 2016. These fees are a mix of membership fees (a flat fee charged on a per member basis) and

Funds Under Management (FUM) fees (calculated based on a percentage of funds under management).

Thus the key revenue drivers are number of members and FUM.

•Funds management fees derived by Smartshares, a provider of ETFs. These fees are calculated as a

percentage of FUM, therefore FUM is the key revenue driver for Smartshares.

($000 unless otherwise stated)

201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

SuperLife revenue7,0386,433-9.4%

Smartshares revenue4,5893,5622,71628.8%

Total funds management revenue11,6279,9952,71616.3%

SuperLife member numbers48,01543,713-9.8%

SuperLife FUM$1,660m$1,433m-15.8%

Smartshares external FUM$487m$440m$411m10.7%

Smartshares SuperLife FUM$1,218m$1,050m$88m16.0%

Total Smartshares FUM$1,705m$1,490m$499m14.4%

A combination of 15.8% growth in FUM and 9.8% growth in member numbers resulted in a 9.4% increase in

SuperLife revenue. SuperLife added 4,302 new members during the year. Three quarters of these were added

in November 2016 with the migration of new superannuation mandates to SuperLife. As they came on late in

the year, their impact on 2016 revenues was small, hence the growth in revenues is not as large as the growth

in year-end member numbers would suggest.

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Smartshares revenue increased 28.8% as a result of a full year of revenue from the new ETFs launched during

2015 compared to only a part year in the prior period, as well as growth in FUM during 2016 of 14.4%.

Wealth platform fees

Wealth platform fees are earned by NZX Wealth Technologies (formerly Apteryx), a business that NZX

acquired effective 1 July 2015. Fees are calculated based on the amount of Funds Under Administration

(FUA), therefore this is the key revenue driver for this business.

($000 unless otherwise stated)201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Administration fees1,365689-98.1%

Development fees40--NM

Total wealth platform fees1,405689-103.9%

FUA$1,292m$1,317m-(1.9%)

Growth in administration fees reflects 12 months of revenue in 2016 compared to only six months in the prior

year. FUA remained stable throughout 2016.

Development fees represent amounts payable by new customers for work to customise the NZX Wealth

Technologies platform for their requirements. This work is on track to be completed in the first half of 2017,

enabling the transfer of substantial additional FUA onto the platform.

Agri

Agri information revenue

This revenue falls into two categories:

•Publishing revenues – advertising and subscription revenues from the publication of rural newspapers and

magazines. Advertising is the most significant contributor to revenue and hence the volume of

advertising, measured by advertising page equivalents, is the most important revenue driver.

•Data revenues – revenue from the sale of subscription data and analytical products in the New Zealand

agri sector and Australian grain industry.

($000)

201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Publishing revenue6,4518,0698,953(20.1%)

Agri data revenue4,0383,6213,25111.5%

Total agri information revenue10,48911,69012,204(10.3%)

Total paid advertising page equivalents1,6792,1202,483(20.8%)

The adverse conditions that began impacting the New Zealand rural sector in 2015 persisted in 2016 with low

commodity prices for dairy products impacting farm returns causing advertisers to cut back their spending.

This was evident in the 20.8% reduction in paid advertising page equivalents which directly correlated with the

20.1% reduction in publishing revenues. Another factor in the reduction in paid advertising page equivalents

was the sale of the Group’s two remaining magazine titles, effective 1 October 2016.

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While publishing revenues declined, data revenues were up 11.5% as a result of strong growth in the New

Zealand business. New Zealand data revenues were up 36% due to growth in sales of existing products, the

development of AgriHQ Pulse (an online news service) and a full year of revenue from the iFarm business that

was acquired in 2015. Conversely, Australian data revenues declined 0.9% in reported NZD terms as a result

of a reduction in farmer subscribers and changes in the NZD:AUD exchange rate adversely impacting reported

NZD revenue.

Commodities trading revenue

This revenue came from trade fees on NZX’s Australian online grain trading market, the Clear Grain

Exchange. A fixed fee was billed per tonne traded on the exchange, hence the number of tonnes traded was

the primary driver of revenue.

NZX sold the Clear Grain Exchange effective 1 December 2016, so no grain trading revenue will be reported

in future periods.

($000 unless otherwise stated)

201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Commodities trading revenue1,1218771,25127.8%

Total tonnes traded543k452k595k19.9%

Higher tonnes were traded in 2016 relative to 2015 due to the 2015/16 harvest seeing a greater proportion

of grain sold later in the harvest (which fell into NZX’s 2016 financial year) than was the case in the previous

harvest. This resulted in a 27.8% increase in commodities trading revenue.

Operating Expenses

Personnel costs

Gross personnel costs are made up of:

•Wages and salaries, comprising base remuneration of permanent and fixed term employees, leave

expense, short-term incentive costs (bonuses and commissions), long-term incentive costs (employee

share schemes), ACC and KiwiSaver contributions;

•Contractor costs, comprising the cost of all individuals on short term contracts (including freelance

contributors to agricultural publications); and

•Other personnel costs, including training and development, recruitment and staff benefits.

Where employees or contractors are engaged on capital projects, a proportion of their time is capitalised to

capital work in progress, resulting in a credit to personnel costs.

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($000 unless otherwise stated)201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Wages and salaries(29,198)(24,424)(18,320)19.5%

Contractor costs(2,325)(2,138)(2,872)8.7%

Other personnel costs(1,185)(1,127)(1,034)5.1%

Gross personnel costs(32,708)(27,689)(22,226)18.1%

Less capitalised labour2,8551,63825174.3%

Reported personnel costs(29,853)(26,051)(21,975)14.6%

Staff numbers (FTEs)2372371880.0%

Wages and salaries costs increased by $4.8 million. Of this amount, $1.7 million related to NZX Wealth

Technologies with a full 12 months of expense in 2016 compared to six months in 2015, as well as additional

staff recruited to service major new clients won during 2016. The remainder of the increase was due to costs

associated with the CEO transition, additional staff recruited on a fixed term basis to support major projects

(the clearing system upgrade, the energy systems upgrade and the FMCA compliance project) and additional

leave accruals. This was offset by an increase in capitalised labour reflecting capitalisation of staff time on the

clearing system and energy projects as well as development work undertaken by NZX Wealth Technologies.

Contractor costs increased 8.7% due to additional contract resource engaged on energy projects and

increased use of contractors for covering short term vacancies.

Information technology costs

This includes software licence fees, software and hardware support and maintenance fees,

telecommunications and data network costs and the cost of IT services provided by third parties.

($000)

201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Information technology costs(7,303)(6,242)(5,828)17.0%

IT costs increased by $1.1 million. This increase resulted from increased costs of data feeds used in the

securities and agri data businesses, increased NZD cost of annual software maintenance fees billed in USD as

a result of changes in the exchange rate, additional software licence costs in the energy business that were

previously borne directly by the Electricity Authority, and miscellaneous price increases and additional

services acquired from external suppliers.

Professional fees

This includes legal expenses and advisory and consultancy fees.

($000)

201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Ralec litigation expenditure(2,984)(3,094)(956)(3.6%)

Other professional fees(2,609)(2,505)(2,481)4.2%

Total professional fees(5,593)(5,599)(3,437)(0.1%)

Ralec litigation costs were in line with the previous year. The trial was completed in 2016 with neither party

successful in its claim for damages. No further costs will be incurred in respect of this matter in future with an

agreement being reached that neither party would appeal the judgement.

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Other professional fees increased slightly by 4.2%. While 2015 costs included costs associated with the launch

of 16 new ETFs and the acquisition of Apteryx (now NZX Wealth Technologies) which were not repeated in

2016, this was offset by additional legal fees and other expenditure incurred in the FMCA compliance project

within the funds management business.

Marketing, print and distribution

This includes marketing and promotional expenditure and print and distribution costs for the Group’s

agricultural publications.

($000)201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Marketing, print and distribution(3,064)(3,549)(3,827)(13.7%)

Print and distribution costs declined in line with the reduction in agri publications revenue, as reduced

advertising volumes meant the production of smaller publications. The Group also sold its two remaining

magazine titles, effective 1 November 2016, and as a result there are only 10 months of print and distribution

costs for these publications in the current year compared to a full year in 2015.

Fund expenditure

This represents the cost of operating the Smartshares ETFs. They are a mixture of costs that are effectively

fixed in the short term (principally outsourced fund accounting and administration costs and registry fees) and

costs that vary in proportion to FUM (principally custodian fees, trustee fees, index fees, settlement costs and

third party manager fees).

($000)

201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Fund expenditure(3,660)(2,280)(1,063)60.5%

There were 16 new ETFs launched during the course of 2015 and the increase in costs was largely driven by

having a full year of the cost of operating these funds in 2016 as opposed to a part year in 2015. There was

also a further increase in variable costs due to 14.4% growth in total FUM between 31 December 2015 and

31 December 2016.

Other expenses

This comprises general and administrative expenditure, including rent, travel, insurance, directors fees, audit

fees and general overheads.

($000)

201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Other expenses(5,554)(4,851)(4,458)14.5%

The increase in other expenses was principally the result of a $0.4 million increase in rent and associated

premises costs. NZX had previously sublet approximately half its Auckland office to Link Market Services,

which moved to larger premises in 2016 to support business growth. NZX moved its SuperLife business into

this space however there was a period of approximately six months where NZX effectively incurred lease

costs on two premises. NZX also has surplus space in its Wellington offices that it subleases. This was vacant

for approximately half of 2016 during which time NZX was bearing the full rental cost.

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There was also an increase in statutory fees and compliance costs associated with the FMCA compliance

regime and an increase in doubtful debts expense, however these were largely offset by an increase in

capitalised overheads in line with the increase in labour capitalisation.

Other Income and Expenses

Net finance income/(expense)

This comprises net interest and foreign exchange gains/losses.

($000)201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Interest income9431,218615(22.6%)

Interest expense(1,233)(1,197)(407)3.0%

Net gain/(loss) on foreign exchange(83)149(121)(155.7%)

Net finance (expense)/income(373)17087(319.4%)

Interest income from cash and interest expense was relatively stable year on year. The $0.2 million decrease

in interest income largely resulted from use of money interest credits in 2015.

The largest factor in the change from net finance income in 2015 to a net finance expense in 2016 was the

foreign exchange loss recognised in 2016 compared to a gain recognised in 2015.

Gain/(loss) on disposal

($000)

201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Gain on disposal of associate-11,807-NM

Other (loss)/gain on disposal(467)(29)421510.3%

Total (loss)/gain on disposal(467)11,77842NM

NZX sold its 50% stake in Link on 30 June 2015 with a gain of $11.8 million recognised in 2015 on this sale.

In 2016, the Group sold its two rural magazine titles in New Zealand and the Clear Grain Exchange business

in Australia, realising a combined loss on disposal of these businesses of $469,000.

Depreciation and amortisation

($000)

201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Depreciation of PP&E(1,294)(1,189)(1,073)8.8%

Amortisation of intangibles(6,642)(5,801)(4,417)14.5%

Total depreciation and amortisation(7,936)(6,990)(5,490)13.5%

The increase in depreciation resulted from capital expenditure during the period.

Amortisation expense increased by $0.8 million. Of this amount $0.4 million results from a change in

classification of certain intangible assets in 2016 from indefinite lived (which are not amortised) to finite lived

(which are amortised). The remainder reflects amortisation of software development completed in 2015 and

2016 (principally by SuperLife and NZX Wealth Technologies).

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Impairment

($000)201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Impairment expense(793)--NM

In its half year results to 30 June 2016 the Group wrote down the carrying value of certain of its brand assets,

including those of the rural magazine publications that were subsequently sold. This resulted in an impairment

charge of $0.8 million.

Adjustment to provision for earnout

($000)

201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Adjustment to provision for earnout731--NM

NZX acquired Apteryx (which it subsequently renamed NZX Wealth Technologies) in 2015 for an initial

payment of $1.5 million. A further $2.5 million was payable in the event that the business achieved Funds

Under Administration of $3.0 billion and monthly revenues of $0.25 million by 31 March 2017. Based on a

probability assessment NZX recognised a provision for 50% of the earnout (discounted to present value) at

31 December 2015.

The earnout targets will not be met and accordingly the earnout provision has been reversed in 2016 resulting

in a credit to earnings of $1.3 million.

Offsetting this is an adjustment to increase to the provision for the SuperLife earnout, to record an increase

in the likelihood of the full earnout being paid to 95% (previously accrued at 90%).

Share of profit of associate

($000)

201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Share of profit of associate-411673(100.0%)

The share of profit of associates came from NZX’s 50% interest in Link. This ceased upon the sale of the Link

stake on 30 June 2015.

Tax expense

($000 unless otherwise stated)

201620152014

Change

2016 v 2015

Tax expense(4,497)(6,076)(6,802)(26.0%)

Effective tax rate (excluding non-assessable gain on disposal of Link)32.9%33.5%35.4%(1.9%)

The decrease in tax expense reflects lower earnings before tax. The effective tax rate is higher than the

statutory rate of 28% due to the significant expenditure on the Ralec litigation which is not deductible for tax

purposes.

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Board of

Directors

As at 31 December 2016

1. James Miller

CHAIRMAN: BCOM, FCA

James Miller, NZX Chairman, was appointed to the

Board in August 2010. James is a director of Mercury

(formerly Mighty River Power), ACC and Auckland

International Airport. He was previously on the ABN

AMRO Securities Board, INFINZ Board, and Financial

Reporting Standards Board. James brings 14 years’

direct experience in the New Zealand capital markets

with Craigs Investment Partners, and prior to that ABN

AMRO and Barclays de Zoete Wedd. James is a

qualified chartered accountant and is a Fellow of the

Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand, a

Certified Securities Analyst Professional and an

accredited director of the Institute of Directors in NZ

Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Otago

University and is a graduate of The Advanced

Management Program, Harvard Business School (USA).

James is a member of NZX's Human Resources

Committee, and an ex officio member of the Audit and

Risk Committee.

2. Neil Paviour-Smith

BCA, FCA, AFA, ACIS, FCFIP, MSAA

Neil Paviour-Smith is Managing Director of Forsyth

Barr and a director of various related companies. He

is also a director of Chartered Accountants Australia

New Zealand and a Councillor of Victoria University

of Wellington.

He has more than 25 years’ experience in the New

Zealand securities and funds management industries.

Neil is an NZX Adviser and an Authorised Financial

Adviser, a Fellow of the Institute of Finance

Professionals NZ Inc (INFINZ) and former Chairman

of the NZ Society of Investment Analysts. He is a

Fellow Chartered Accountant, an accredited Master

Stockbroker of the Stockbrokers Association of

Australia and a member of the Institute of Directors,

Governance New Zealand and the CFA Institute.

Neil is Chair of NZX's Audit and Risk Committee and

a member of the Human Resources Committee.

3. Alison Gerry

MAPPFIN, BMS (Hons)

Alison Gerry became an NZX director in February

2012. She has been a professional director since 2007

and is currently on the boards of Spark, Infratil, Vero

and Wellington Airport. Alison has more than 20

years' experience working for both corporates and

financial institutions in Auckland, Sydney, Hong Kong,

Tokyo and London in trading, finance and risk roles.

Alison was also a Visiting Fellow at Macquarie

University in Sydney for 12 years until 2011. Alison has

a first class honours degree in Management Studies

from Waikato University and a Masters of Applied

Finance from Macquarie University.

Alison is Chair of the Board of wholly owned NZX

subsidiary New Zealand Clearing and Depository

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1

2

4

3

5

6

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Corporation Limited, a member of the Regulatory

Governance Committee and member of the Human

Resources Committee.

4. Dame Therese Walsh

DNZM, BCA, FCA

Dame Therese Walsh joined the Board in February

2013. She is a professional director and is currently

Deputy Chairperson of TVNZ, a director of ASB Bank

Limited and Air New Zealand Limited, a Trustee of

Wellington Regional Stadium, and is a Victoria

University Council Member. She also sits on a number

of Government panels, including the Major Events

Investment Panel. Previously she was Head of New

Zealand for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, and

Chief Operating Officer for Rugby New Zealand 2011.

She has been a director of New Zealand Cricket and

Save the Children NZ, a member of the New Zealand

Rugby Union executive team, and held a senior role

with KPMG.

Dame Therese is a qualified chartered accountant, and

a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of

New Zealand. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and

Administration from Victoria University.

She is a member of NZX’s Audit and Risk Committee,

the Regulatory Governance Committee, and Chair of

the Conflicts Committee.

5. Jon Macdonald

BE (Hons)

Jon Macdonald joined the Board in May 2013. Jon is

CEO of NZX/ASX listed Trade Me Group. Jon has a

background in engineering and technology. He joined

Trade Me in 2003 and was appointed CEO in 2008.

Prior to joining Trade Me, Jon worked in London for

HSBC Investment Bank in a variety of technical and

management positions, and has worked for Deloitte

Consulting with a focus on telecommunications and

financial services. He is a Trustee of NZ Technology

Training Charitable Trust.

Jon has a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from the

University of Canterbury.

Jon is Chair of NZX's Human Resources Committee,

and a member of the Conflicts Committee and the

Regulatory Governance Committee.

6. Dr Patrick Strange

BE (Hons), PHD

Dr Patrick Strange joined the Board in May 2015.

Patrick has spent 30 years working as a senior executive

and director in both private and listed companies,

including more than six years as Chief Executive of

Transpower, where he oversaw Transpower’s

$3.8 billion of essential investment in the National

Grid. Previously, he had also been Chief Executive of

Vector.

Patrick holds a doctorate in civil engineering from the

University of Auckland, and worked in increasingly

senior roles in Europe and the USA before returning

to New Zealand.

Patrick is Chair of Chorus, and a director of Mercury

(formerly Mighty River Power), Auckland International

Airport and of Endeavour Energy and Essential Energy

in Australia.

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Corporate

Governance

Corporate Governance environment

By virtue of the industries in which it operates and its critical role within New Zealand's capital markets, the

NZX Group is subject to a more complex corporate governance environment than most New Zealand

listed companies.

The overarching regulatory and compliance framework within which the NZX Group operates is summarised

in the table below.

Company/division

Principal source of

compliance obligations

Regulator/oversightExternal assurance activities

NZX Limited (as a listed entity)Companies Act, FMCAFMAAnnual statutory audit by

KPMG

NZX Main Board Listing RulesSpecial DivisionOngoing Special Division

surveillance and the Tribunal

annual report on Special

Division activities

Capital marketsFMCAFMAMarket Operator

Obligations Review by FMA

Capital markets – clearing houseRBNZ designationRBNZ and FMA jointlyAnnual operational audit of

clearing house by KPMG

Funds managementFMCAFMA

Fund trust deedsSupervisorAnnual compliance report to

Supervisor by KPMG

EnergyElectricity Authority Industry

Participation Code

Electricity AuthorityAnnual compliance audits by

various external providers

As a listed entity, NZX is required to comply with the NZX Main Board Listing Rules (the Rules) (including in

relation to the Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) managed by its wholly owned subsidiary Smartshares Limited).

For all other listed entities, NZX is charged with the monitoring and enforcement of compliance with these

Rules. As NZX cannot regulate itself, the monitoring and enforcement of NZX’s own compliance with the

listing rules is undertaken by the Special Division, an independent division of the New Zealand Markets

Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal). Members of the Special Division are appointed by the Chair of the

Tribunal and confirmed by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA).

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Corporate Governance framework

NZX Board

Management

Subsidiary

Boards

Board

Committee

Audit and

Risk

Human

Resources

Regulatory

Governance

Conflicts

CEO

Smartshares

NZCDC

Other

subsidiaries

Head of

Market

Supervision

Head of

Compliance

Other

Executives

Head of Funds

Management

Head of Market

Operations

Against this backdrop, the NZX Group's governance framework is summarised in the diagram above.

NZX Board

The Board is responsible for the overall direction and

strategy of NZX. It appoints the Chief Executive and

delegates the day-to-day operation of NZX’s business

(excluding NZX’s regulatory functions) to the Chief

Executive.

As at 31 December 2016, the Board comprised

six directors, all of whom were non-executive

directors and all of whom were independent directors

in accordance with the Rules, with the exception of

James Miller, who was non-independent by virtue of

also being a director of Accident Compensation

Corporation, which is a substantial product holder in

NZX. The directors are James Miller (Chair),

Neil Paviour-Smith, Alison Gerry, Dame Therese

Walsh, Jon Macdonald and Dr Patrick Strange. Profiles

of directors are provided on page 24.

In accordance with NZX’s constitution and the Rules,

one third of the directors are required to retire

by rotation every year and may offer themselves for

re-election by shareholders. Nominations for

directors may also be made in accordance with NZX’s

constitution.

The Board holds regular scheduled meetings. The

Board also holds ad hoc meetings to consider time

sensitive or specific issues (including via teleconference).

The Board has access to executive management, who

are invited to attend and participate in appropriate

sessions of Board meetings.

Directors may seek their own independent

professional advice to assist with their responsibilities.

The Board has established a Code of Ethics that

provides a set of principles for directors to apply in

their conduct and work for NZX. The principles include

the management of conflicts of interest, the required

skills of directors, trading in NZX’s shares,

and maintaining confidentiality of information received

in their capacity as directors of NZX.

The Board has in place a Conflict Management Policy.

The purpose of this policy is to identify possible

conflicts that might arise between NZX’s commercial

and regulatory roles and to describe the processes in

place at a management and Board level to ensure

that these potential conflicts are appropriately managed.

Board Committees

The Board has four standing committees: the Audit

and Risk Committee, the Regulatory Governance

Committee, the Human Resources Committee and the

Conflicts Committee. No additional remuneration has

to date been paid to any director for additional duties

associated with membership of any committee. The

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non-director members of the Regulatory Governance

Committee and the Conflicts Committee are paid

separate fees for their services on these committees.

The terms of reference for each of the Board

committees can be downloaded at: www.nzxgroup.

com/investor-centre/corporate-governance

Information on attendances at committee meetings

during 2016 is disclosed in a table on the next page.

Audit and Risk Committee

The purpose of the Audit and Risk Committee is to

assist the Board with financial reporting and corporate

financial matters. The Audit and Risk Committee also

assists the Board in fulfilling its risk management

responsibilities, other than with respect to regulation

which is addressed by the Regulatory Governance

Committee and clearing house risk which is addressed

by the Board of New Zealand Clearing and

Depository Corporation Limited. The Audit and Risk

Committee also oversees internal and external

audit processes.

The Audit and Risk Committee may only comprise

independent directors and at least one member must

have expertise in accounting or a financial

background. As at 31 December 2016, the members

of the Audit and Risk Committee were: Neil Paviour-

Smith (Chair), Dame Therese Walsh and Dr Patrick

Strange. Neil Paviour-Smith and Dame Therese Walsh

are considered by the Board to have expertise in

accounting and a financial background.

The Audit and Risk Committee has a clear line of

communication with the independent external auditor

(KPMG), independent internal auditor (EY) and the

internal finance and audit team, and it may, at its

discretion, meet with the independent auditors

without management being present.

Regulatory Governance Committee

The Regulatory Governance Committee’s core

function is to assist the Board with its governance

responsibilities relating to NZX’s regulatory function.

The Committee does not have any authority to make

regulatory decisions and is not involved in day-to-day

operations, management, or decision making except

where specific delegations of authority may be made

by the Board. No such delegations were made in the

financial year to 31 December 2016.

The Regulatory Governance Committee comprises

non-executive directors and an independent non-

director member (Derek Johnston). As at 31 December

2016, the members of the Regulatory Governance

Committee were: Derek Johnston (Chair), Alison

Gerry, Jon Macdonald and Dame Therese Walsh.

Human Resources Committee

The core function of the Human Resources Committee

is to ensure that human resource policy and practices

support NZX in achieving its commercial and

stakeholder goals.

As at 31 December 2016, members of the Human

Resources Committee were Jon Macdonald (Chair),

Alison Gerry, James Miller and Neil Paviour-Smith.

Conflicts Committee

The Conflicts Committee’s core function is to monitor

the adequacy of the company's conflicts

arrangements and make recommendations to the

Board on conflicts management policies and

procedures, including recommendations to address

any perceived or actual conflicts of interest between

NZX’s regulatory responsibilities and its

commercial interests.

The Conflicts Committee is appointed by the NZX

Board, and comprises directors who are deemed by

the Board to be sufficiently independent of conflicts

in relation to NZX Group activities and an

independent non-director member (David Flacks, who

is also chairman of the Tribunal). The members of the

Conflicts Committee are Dame Therese Walsh

(Chair), Alison Gerry, Jon Macdonald and David Flacks.

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2016 Board and Committee attendance

Board

Audit and Risk

Committee

Regulatory

Governance

Committee

HR

Committee

Conflicts

Committee

James Miller8/8––3/3–

Neil Paviour-Smith8/84/5–3/3–

Alison Gerry7/8–4/43/31/2

Dame Therese Walsh8/84/54/4–2/2

Jon Macdonald8/8–4/43/32/2

Dr Patrick Strange8/85/5–––

Derek Johnston––4/4––

David Flacks––––2/2

The Chief Executive is not a member of any Committee but attended a number of meetings as an invited attendee.

Management

The Chief Executive is responsible for implementing

policies and strategies set by the Board and is

accountable to it. The Chief Executive and senior

management operate under specific delegations of

authority from the Board. In October 2016 the Chief

Executive resigned, effective 31 December. NZX has

appointed an Interim Chief Executive while a search

for a new Chief Executive is undertaken.

The Board has made a separate direct delegation to

the Head of Market Supervision in respect of NZX’s

regulatory functions. Accordingly, the Head of Market

Supervision has a direct reporting line to both the

Chief Executive (in respect of operational matters) and

the Board (in respect of regulatory matters).

In addition, the Head of Compliance is responsible for

ensuring that NZX’s compliance frameworks and

policies remain fit for purpose and that these are duly

followed in practice.

NZX’s Head of Funds Management has a direct line

of reporting to the Chief Executive as well as a

secondary line of reporting to the Board of Smartshares.

During 2016 the Chief Operating Officer role was

replaced by a Head of Market Operations role. NZX's

Head of Market Operations has a direct line of

reporting to the Chief Executive as well as a

secondary line of reporting to the Board of New

Zealand Clearing and Depository Corporation Limited

in respect of the activities of the NZX Group's clearing

house.

Profiles of all the senior managers of NZX are

available at: www.nzxgroup.com/who-we-are/

management-profiles

Insurance and Indemnification

NZX provides insurance cover and indemnities to

directors and executive employees. Further detail is

set out on page 73.

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Gender and Diversity

NZX is committed to building and maintaining

diversity of skills and perspectives across the

organisation. We believe that diversity of thought at

all levels, in an inclusive environment, leads to

improved outcomes for our employees, our

customers and our shareholders. The NZX Diversity

Policy requires:

•Transparent, merit-based, recruitment and reward

decisions;

•Identification and support of talented individuals;

and

•Use of flexible work practices to encourage broad

workforce participation.

NZX established a Diversity and Inclusion employee

committee in 2016. Its objective is to implement

improved diversity and inclusion initiatives across the

organisation.

As part of NZX’s annual employee engagement

survey, measurements are taken on employees’ views

of NZX as an equal opportunity employer and as an

employer that cares about its employees’ wellbeing.

The results of this survey are reported to the Board.

The Diversity Policy does not set quantitative targets

for workforce composition, but does require an age

and gender breakdown to be provided to the Board

quarterly. The Board will consider whether further

measurement is appropriate over time and will

consider updates to the current policy as part of

transitioning to the updated NZX Corporate

Governance Best Practice Code.

The gender balance of NZX directors, officers and all

permanent employees (excluding officers) for the

years ended 31 December 2016 and 2015 was as

follows:

31 DECEMBER 2016

31 DECEMBER 2015

DirectorsNumber%Number%

Female233%233%

Male467%467%

Total6100%6100%

Officers

1

Female218%218%

Male982%982%

Total11100%11100%

All employees

Female11047%10946%

Male12453%12954%

Total234100%238100%

1 An officer means a person, however designated, who is concerned or takes part in the

management of the issuer's business, but excludes a person who does not: a) report

directly to the Board; or b) report directly to a person who reports to the Board.

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The board has evaluated NZX's performance against

its 2016 diversity objectives.

ObjectiveEvaluation

Key people managers will

receive diversity training.

Achieved.

Senior management are due

to complete refresher

training in 2017.

HR metrics based on gender and

age will be presented to the

Board quarterly for their

consideration.

Achieved.

Further, the Human

Resources Committee

reviewed the diversity policy

and its application across all

of the organisation.

Management will consider

whether there are other

measures which may be

appropriate for understanding

the composition of the NZX

workforce and, if such measures

are identified, will present these

to the Board for its consideration.

Achieved.

Although no additional

measures have

currently been identified, this

will continue to be

kept under review.

NZX will undertake a review to

ensure that remuneration is fair

and equitable across all levels of

the organisation to minimise

inadvertent discrimination.

Achieved.

In addition to internal

assessments,

NZX continued to utilise the

services of the Hay Group to

provide independent

benchmarking.

During 2016 NZX undertook the

Gallup Work Survey. This

included a question on whether

staff consider NZX an equal

opportunity employer.

In addition, a survey question

was asked about employees

overall work satisfaction.

Achieved.

72% of all NZX employees

either agreed or strongly

agreed that NZX was an

equal opportunity employer.

A rating of 3.76 out of a

possible 5 was achieved.

Governance Policies

As noted above, the Board has adopted a Code of

Ethics, Delegated Authority Policy and Diversity

Policy. In addition to these policies, the Board has

adopted a formal Securities Trading Policy and

Conflict Management Policy.

Securities Trading Policy


NZX has a Securities Trading Policy to assist in

compliance with insider trading provisions of the

FMCA. The policy is administered by NZX’s Chief

Financial Officer. The policy restricts directors and

officers trading in a number of ways including:

•Prohibiting trading by NZX senior managers and

directors in NZX’s securities during “black-out”

periods set out in the policy. These occur prior

to the release to the market of NZX financial

results and prior to the release to the market of

any prospectus for a general offer of securities

issued by NZX or a subsidiary of NZX (excluding

Smartshares).

•If a director, or officer or employee of NZX

wishes to trade NZX securities outside a blackout

period, that person must first apply for and

obtain, consent from NZX’s Corporate Counsel.

•If the Chief Executive wishes to trade NZX

securities, additional arrangements, including

approval by the Chair of the Board apply.

Because of the nature of NZX’s business, any

employee who wishes to buy or sell any financial

product listed on NZX’s markets must follow the

policy and apply for consent to trade. This policy is

reinforced through individual employment agreements.

Conflict Management Policy


As a licensed market operator, NZX is required to

undertake the supervision of the markets that it

operates. This dual role as market operator and

regulator may lead to a perception of conflict between

NZX’s regulatory and commercial functions.

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For this reason, it is important for NZX to effectively

and demonstrably manage any conflicts that might

arise between its commercial and regulatory roles.

Accordingly, NZX has developed a Conflict

Management Policy. The purpose of this policy is to

identify possible conflicts and to describe the

processes in place at a management and Board level

to manage potential conflicts.

NZX staff receive training on both NZX's securities

trading policy and conflict management

arrangements periodically. Copies of both policies can

be downloaded at: www.nzxgroup.com/investor-

centre/corporate-governance

Other Governance practices


Nominations

Given the size of the Board, there is no nominations

and succession committee. Rather the full Board is

involved in the director nomination process.

Disclosure

NZX has internal procedures to ensure that key

financial and material information is communicated

to the market in a clear and timely manner. In addition

to its disclosure obligations under the Rules, NZX has

adopted a quarterly revenue reporting regime and

produces operating metrics monthly. This additional

information is intended to provide transparency and

assist the market in evaluating NZX’s performance.

NZX also maintains a website which provides contact

points for the public, and is updated with information

regarding NZX, and its releases. This information is

available at: www.nzxgroup.com/investor-centre/

reports-information

Corporate social responsibility

NZX has outlined its approach to corporate social

responsibility on the corporate governance section

of its website: www.nzxgroup.com/investor-centre/

corporate-governance/corporate-social-responsibility

Risk management


The Board is responsible for ensuring that key

financial and business risks are identified and

appropriate controls and procedures are in place to

effectively manage those risks.

Corporate Governance best practice

NZX is committed to ensuring it employs best practice

governance structures and principles in keeping with

Appendix 16 of the NZX Main Board Listing Rules (the

Rules) and the Corporate Governance in New Zealand

Principles and Guidelines published by the FMA in

December 2014. As noted above, during 2015 - 2016

NZX undertook extensive industry consultation to

update its current version of Appendix 16 which is

planned for publication in 2017. NZX will be

undertaking a process to update its policies and

practices to reflect the new corporate governance

standards and this will be reflected in future reporting.

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Directors'

Responsibility

Statement

The directors are responsible for the preparation, in

accordance with New Zealand law and generally

accepted accounting practice, of financial statements

which give a true and fair view of the financial position

of NZX Limited and its subsidiaries (the NZX Group)

as at 31 December 2016 and the results of their

operations and cash flows for the year ended

31 December 2016.

The directors consider that the financial statements

of the NZX Group have been prepared using

accounting policies appropriate to the NZX Group’s

circumstances, consistently applied and supported

by reasonable and prudent judgments and estimates,

and that all applicable New Zealand Equivalents to

International Financial Reporting Standards have been

followed.

The directors are pleased to present the financial

statements of the NZX Group for the year ended

31 December 2016.

The financial statements were authorised for issue for

and on behalf of the directors on 13 February 2017.

J B Miller

Chairman of Directors

N Paviour-Smith

Director and Chairman

of Audit and Risk

Committee

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Financial

Statements

Income Statement ....................................................................36

Statement of Comprehensive Income .....................................37

Statement of Changes in Equity...............................................37

Statement of Financial Position ................................................38

Statement of Cash Flows..........................................................39

Notes to the Financial Statements

1.Reporting entity and statutory base...................................40

2.Intangible assets.................................................................42

3.Goodwill.............................................................................43

4.Impairment tests.................................................................44

5.Segment reporting.............................................................46

6.Loss on disposal of businesses and property, plant and

equipment..........................................................................47

7.Impairment expense...........................................................48

8.Adjustment to provision for earnout..................................48

9.Operating revenue.............................................................48

10.Operating expenses...........................................................49

11.Funds held on behalf of third parties.................................50

12.Gain on sale of associate ...................................................50

13.Taxation..............................................................................51

14.Earnings per share..............................................................52

15.Bank overdraft and cash flow reconciliation.......................53

16.Receivables and prepayments............................................54

17.Property, plant and equipment...........................................55

18.Trade payables...................................................................56

19.Other liabilities...................................................................56

20.Term loan............................................................................57

21.Shares on issue...................................................................57

22.Dividends............................................................................58

23.Share based payments.......................................................58

24.Financial instruments .........................................................59

25.Related party transactions..................................................65

26.Lease commitments as lessee............................................66

27.Contingent liabilities...........................................................66

28.Capital commitments.........................................................66

29.Subsequent events.............................................................67

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36The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements

Income Statement

For the year ended 31 December 2016

Note

2016

$000

2015

$000

Operating revenue

Securities information10,40610,558

Listing fees14,89713,390

Other issuer services1,144770

Participant services3,5923,526

Securities trading5,7654,976

Securities clearing5,6635,365

Dairy derivatives706684

Market operations10,72910,631

Commodities trading1,121877

Agri information10,48911,690

Wealth platform fees1,405689

Funds management11,6279,995

Total operating revenue977,54473,151

Operating expenses

Personnel costs(29,853)(26,051)

Information technology(7,303)(6,242)

Professional fees10(5,593)(5,599)

Marketing, printing and distribution(3,064)(3,549)

Funds expenditure(3,660)(2,280)

Other expenses10(5,554)(4,851)

Total operating expenses(55,027)(48,572)

Earnings before net finance income, income tax, depreciation, amortisation and

impairment, adjustment to provision for earnout, share of profit of associate, gain

on sale of associate and loss on disposal of business and property, plant and

equipment

22,51724,579

Interest income9431,218

Interest expense(1,233)(1,197)

Net (loss)/gain on foreign exchange(83)149

Net finance income(373)170

Loss on disposal of businesses and property, plant and equipment6(467)(29)

Depreciation and amortisation expense(7,936)(6,990)

Impairment expense7(793)-

Adjustment to provision for earnout8731-

Gain on sale of associate12-11,807

Share of profit of associate-411

Profit before income tax13,67929,948

Income tax expense13(4,497)(6,076)

Profit for the year9,18223,872

Earnings per share

Basic (cents per share)143.49.1

Diluted (cents per share)143.49.0

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The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements37

Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 31 December 2016

2016

$000

2015

$000

Profit for the year9,18223,872

Other comprehensive income recognised through equity

Foreign currency translation differences5(14)

Total other comprehensive income5(14)

Total comprehensive income for the year9,18723,858

Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 December 2016

Note

Share

Capital

$000

Retained

Earnings

$000

Translation

Reserve

$000

Total Equity

$000

Balance at 1 January 201529,97520,92718751,089

Profit for the year-23,872-23,872

Foreign currency translation differences--(14)(14)

Total comprehensive income for the year-23,872(14)23,858

Transactions with owners recorded directly in

equity:

Dividends paid22-(15,834)-(15,834)

Issue of shares2110,000--10,000

Share based contingent consideration215,000--5,000

Dividend accrued on contingent consideration shares-(248)-(248)

Share based payments212,341--2,341

Cancellation of non-vesting shares21(88)50-(38)

Total transactions with owners recorded directly in

equity

17,253(16,032)-1,221

Balance at 31 December 201547,22828,76717376,168

Profit for the year-9,182-9,182

Foreign currency translation differences--55

Total comprehensive income for the year-9,18259,187

Transactions with owners recorded directly in

equity:

Dividends paid22-(16,094)-(16,094)

Issue of shares2169--69

Share based payments21345--345

Cancellation of non-vesting shares21(86)86--

Total transactions with owners recorded directly in

equity

328(16,008)-(15,680)

Balance at 31 December 201647,55621,94117869,675

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38The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements

Statement of Financial Position

As at 31 December 2016

Note

2016

$000

2015

$000

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents30,80440,293

Funds held on behalf of third parties1170,84761,786

Receivables and prepayments1615,92311,569

Total current assets117,574113,648

Non-current assets

Non-current receivables16-1,827

Property, plant & equipment173,2593,507

Goodwill335,76435,764

Other intangible assets237,36739,001

Total non-current assets76,39080,099

Total assets193,964193,747

Current liabilities

Funds held on behalf of third parties1170,84761,786

Trade payables185,6325,882

Other liabilities1913,80313,588

Current tax liability135912,113

Total current liabilities90,87383,369

Non-current liabilities

Non-current other liabilities199,0938,272

Term loan2020,00020,000

Deferred tax liability134,3235,938

Total non-current liabilities33,41634,210

Total liabilities124,289117,579

Net assets69,67576,168

Equity

Share capital47,55647,228

Retained earnings21,94128,767

Translation reserve178173

Total equity attributable to shareholders69,67576,168

Net tangible assets per share (cents per share)-1.280.53

Included within the cash and cash equivalent balance at 31 December 2016 is $20.0 million (31 December

2015: $20.0 million) that is held for risk capital requirements by the Clearing House and is not available for

general cash management use by the Group.

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The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements39

Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended 31 December 2016

Note

2016

$000

2015

$000

Cash flows from operating activities

Receipts from customers74,78472,688

Net interest received77178

Payments to suppliers and employees(53,463)(48,038)

Income tax paid(7,824)(6,533)

Net cash provided by operating activities1513,57418,295

Cash flows from investing activities

Receipts from associate-850

Proceeds from the sale of associate56313,800

Cash (paid)/acquired on acquisition/disposal of businesses(541)59

Payments for property, plant and equipment(1,105)(2,097)

Payments for intangible assets(5,886)(3,440)

Acquisition of businesses-(11,500)

Net cash used in investing activities(6,969)(2,328)

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from term loans-20,000

Dividends paid22(16,094)(15,834)

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities(16,094)4,166

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(9,489)20,133

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year40,29320,160

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year30,80440,293

Cash comprises:

Cash at bank20,80432,793

Bank deposits10,0007,500

Net cash and cash equivalents and bank overdraft30,80440,293

Included within the cash and cash equivalent balance at 31 December 2016 is $20.0 million (31 December

2015: $20.0 million) that is held for risk capital requirements by the Clearing House and is not available for

general cash management use by the Group.

Of the $20.0 million proceeds from term loans in 2015, $10.0 million was used to fund the acquisition of

SuperLife Limited, with the remaining $10.0 million used to fund the $10.0 million increase in Clearing House

risk capital.

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Notes to the

Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2016

1. Reporting entity and statutory base

Reporting entity


These financial statements are for NZX Limited (the Company) and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the

Group).

The Group operates New Zealand securities, derivatives and energy markets, including building and

maintaining the infrastructure on which they operate. It provides funds management services including

superannuation and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), as well as building and operating wealth management

platforms for other providers. It also provides a range of information and data to support market growth and

development in the securities and agricultural sectors.

The Company is incorporated and domiciled in New Zealand, registered under the Companies Act 1993 and

is an FMC reporting entity under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (FMCA). These financial statements

have been prepared in accordance with that Act and the Financial Reporting Act 2013. The Company is listed

and its ordinary shares are quoted on the NZX Main Board.

Basis of preparation


These are the Group financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016. They have been prepared

in accordance with New Zealand Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (NZ GAAP). They comply with New

Zealand equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (NZ IFRS) and other applicable Financial

Reporting Standards, as appropriate for profit oriented entities. The financial statements also comply with

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

The measurement basis adopted in the preparation of these financial statement is historical cost, modified

by the revaluation of certain financial instruments as identified in the accompanying notes. These financial

statements are presented in New Zealand Dollars ($), which is the Company’s functional currency. All financial

information presented in New Zealand Dollars has been rounded to the nearest thousand, except when

otherwise indicated.

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Basis of consolidation


The Group financial statements are prepared by consolidating the financial statements of all the entities that

comprise the Group, being the Company and its subsidiaries. Consistent accounting policies across the

parent and all subsidiaries and associates are employed in the preparation and presentation of the Group

financial statements.

i.Business combinations

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method as at the acquisition date, which is the

date on which control is transferred to the Group. On acquisition, the assets, liabilities and contingent

liabilities of a subsidiary are measured at their fair values at the date of acquisition. In determining the fair

value of assets acquired, NZX assesses identifiable intangible assets including brands, intellectual property,

software, management rights and any other identifiable intangible assets using recognised valuation

methodologies and with reference to suitably qualified experts. Any excess of the cost of acquisition over the

fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recognised as goodwill.

ii.Investments in subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the

consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

In preparing the Group financial statements all intercompany balances and transactions, and unrealised

profits arising within the Group are eliminated in full.

iii. Investment in associates

Associates are all entities over which the Group has significant influence but not control, generally

accompanying a shareholding of between 20% and 50% of the voting rights. Investments in associates are

accounted for using the equity method of accounting and are initially recognised at cost. The Group’s share

of its associates' post-acquisition profits or losses is recognised in the Income Statement. Since the sale of its

investment in Link Market Services Limited in June 2015, the Group has no investment in associates.

Accounting policies


Accounting policies that summarise the measurement basis used and are relevant to the understanding of the

financial statements are provided throughout the accompanying notes.

The accounting policies adopted have been applied consistently throughout the periods presented in these

financial statements.

There are no new standards, amendments or interpretations that have been issued and are not yet effective,

that are expected to have a significant impact on the Group.

Accounting estimates and judgements


The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with NZ IFRS requires management to make

judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported

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amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates

and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are

recognised in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected. The principal

areas of judgement, including information about assumptions and estimation uncertainties that have a

significant risk of resulting in a material adjustment within the next financial year, for the Group in preparing

these financial statements are set out in:

•note 2 - intangible assets

•note 3 - goodwill

•note 23 - share based payments

2. Intangible assets

Intangible assets are initially measured at cost. The direct costs associated with the development of software

and website assets for internal use are capitalised where success is probable and the capitalisation criteria of

NZX's accounting policy and NZ IFRS are met. The cost of intangible assets acquired in a business

combination is their fair value at the date of the acquisition. Intangible assets with a finite life are amortised

from the date the asset is ready for use on a straight-line basis over its estimated life which is as follows:

•Software and websites: 3-9 years

•Management rights: 20 years

At each reporting date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its intangible assets to determine whether

there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. This is outlined in note 4 below.

Where estimated useful lives or recoverable values have diminished due to technological change or market

conditions, amortisation is accelerated.

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Software

and

websites

$000

Brands,

Trademarks

and rights to

use Brands

$000

Data

archives,

customer

lists,

databases,

and other IP

$000

Management

rights

$000

Intangible

work in

progress

$000

Total

$000

Gross carrying amount

Balance at 1 January 201537,6547,9063,1322,34438451,420

Additions--255-3,2633,518

Disposals(133)----(133)

Acquired on acquisition of businesses2,273--15,772-18,045

Transfer from WIP1,276---(1,276)-

Balance at 31 December 201541,0707,9063,38718,1162,37172,850

Additions198---5,7625,960

Disposals(10,161)----(10,161)

Transfer from WIP2,406---(2,406)-

Balance at 31 December 201633,5137,9063,38718,1165,72768,649

Accumulated amortisation &

impairment

Balance at 1 January 201523,0754,982---28,057

Amortisation expense5,016--789-5,805

Disposals(13)----(13)

Balance at 31 December 201528,0784,982-789-33,849

Amortisation expense5,474208167793-6,642

Impairment expense-793---793

Disposals(10,002)----(10,002)

Balance at 31 December 201623,5505,9831671,582-31,282

Net Book Value

As at 31 December 201512,9922,9243,38717,3272,37139,001

As at 31 December 20169,9631,9233,22016,5345,72737,367

3. Goodwill

Carrying amount

2016

$000

2015

$000

Balance at beginning of the year35,76413,233

Acquired on acquisition of SuperLife Limited-20,730

Acquired on acquisition of Apteryx business-1,494

Acquired on acquisition of other business-307

Balance at end of the year35,76435,764

A cash generating unit (CGU) to which goodwill has been allocated is tested for impairment annually, and

whenever there is an indicator of impairment based on the performance of the CGU relative to expected

future performance and other relevant factors. For the year ended 31 December 2016, the directors have

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reviewed the carrying value of goodwill for impairment and determined that no impairment exists. A

description of the impairment tests carried out and the key assumptions used is set out in note 4.

4. Impairment tests

Indefinite life intangible assets are reviewed for impairment annually. They are also reviewed for impairment

whenever there are indicators of impairment, as are finite life intangible assets.

A summary of the CGUs to which intangible assets have been allocated as at 31 December 2016 is outlined below:

Software &

websites

$000

Other finite

life

intangible

$000

Indefinite

life

intangible

$000

Work in

progress

$000

Total other

intangible

$000

Goodwill

$000

TOTAL

$000

Cash generating unit

Clearing House3,873--3,8877,760-7,760

Agri541,777-211,8522,4894,341

Grain Information Unit2631,7746-2,0433,0095,052

Funds Management96214,1922,3441317,51120,72938,240

Wealth Technologies960--1,1542,1141,4943,608

Energy826--5731,3997,7209,119

Direct data181261,458-1,6023231,925

Other

Other intangible assets477---477-477

Other computer software2,530--792,609-2,609

9,96317,8693,8085,72737,36735,76473,131

Impairment test


For the year ended 31 December 2016, the directors have reviewed all intangible assets for impairment using

discounted cash flow analysis, comparable EBITDA multiple analysis and/or other factors as appropriate to the

asset being tested. All impairment tests have been undertaken on a value in use basis.

Key assumptions used in the calculation of recoverable amounts in discounted cash flow analysis are

consistent with those used and disclosed in the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015

unless indicated otherwise. Discounted cash flow analysis using a forecast period of five years was used for

all CGUs, other than Agri where a ten year forecast period was used, and Energy where a forecast period of

eight years was used to match the remaining contractual period. The analysis also used an independently

assessed WACC of 10.35% (2015: 10.4%) for New Zealand CGUs and 12.76% (2015: 12.3%) for Australian

CGUs (and were stress tested at higher rates). A terminal growth rate of 2.0% p.a. has been used to

extrapolate cash flow projections beyond five years in New Zealand and 2.5% p.a. in Australia. Management

has assessed the long term economic outlook data available, and assessed that the use of a 2% p.a. and 2.5%

p.a. terminal growth rate in 2016 were appropriate, consistent with the prior year. Where relevant, EBITDA

multiples were used to cross-check the discounted cash flow analysis for established businesses.

The review of the carrying values of goodwill and intangible assets has determined that all the CGUs have

recoverable amounts exceeding their carrying values. Therefore no impairment charges are required at

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31 December 2016. An impairment expense of $793,000 on Agri brand assets was recognised in the current

financial year as a result of impairment testing completed at the 30 June 2016 half year reporting period (refer

note 7).

Further information on specific assumptions underlying the CGU discounted cash flow analysis is set out below.

a.Clearing House

Other than the general assumptions outlined above, the principal assumption on which the discounted cash

flows for this CGU are dependent is the future revenue growth rate. Future revenue growth is dependent on

growth in equity and dairy derivatives markets. Growth in equity markets has been forecast based on

historical growth rates, while dairy derivatives are expected to trade within a range of 3% to 36% (2015: 5%

to 25%) of their respective underlying markets by the end of the forecast period (currently this range is 1% to

8%). This assumption is based on trading statistics for similar derivative products in overseas markets.

b. Agri

Other than the general assumptions outlined above, the principal assumption on which the discounted cash

flows for the Agri CGU is dependent is the future revenue growth rate which is assumed to be up to 10%

during the explicit forecast period. The Company considers this reasonable based on historical experience.

The value of the Agri information business was cross checked against the EBITDA multiples of listed media entities.

c.Grain Information Unit

Other than the general assumptions outlined above, the principal assumption on which the discounted cash

flows for the Grain Information Unit CGU are dependent is the future revenue growth rate which is assumed

to be 2%. The Company considers this reasonable based on historical experience.

d. Funds Management

Smartshares Limited acquired the management rights for SmartOZZY, SmartMOZY, and the SmartMIDZ funds

for a total value of $2,344,000. These are held in the Group accounts with an indefinite life, as there is no

expiry date for these rights and they are expected to apply indefinitely. Additionally the acquisition of

SuperLife Limited has resulted in additional management rights acquired of $15,772,000, which are held in the

Group accounts as a finite life asset to be amortised over 20 years and goodwill of $20,730,000. Other than

the general assumptions outlined above, the principal assumption on which the discounted cash flows are

dependent is the future level of funds under management which is assumed to grow between 10.0% pa to

20.0% pa during the explicit forecast period.

e.Energy

The carrying value of the Energy CGU is comprised mainly of a goodwill amount of $7,720,000. This business

has a significant reliance on service provider contracts it has in place with the Electricity Authority (EA) which

were renewed in late 2015 for the eight year period 1 May 2016 to April 2024, with the EA having an option

to renew for a further 3 years. As a result of this renewal, NZX has certainty of minimum cash flows to be

received over the contract period which, and along with additional uncontracted consulting revenue, support

the current carrying value of the CGU.

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5. Segment reporting

The Group has three revenue generating segments, as described below, which are the Group‘s strategic

business areas, and a Corporate segment which has no revenue but includes all costs that are shared across

the organisation. In prior periods the Group had five reportable segments and the change to three distinct

groups is to better reflect each business's growth prospects and investment requirements. The reportable

segments are:

•Markets - operator and regulator of securities and derivatives markets and provider of trading, post-trade

and data services for securities and derivatives, as well as the provider of a central securities depository.

It also includes the Fonterra Shareholders' Market and the energy markets business, which comprises the

contracts operated on behalf of the Electricity Authority;

•Funds Services - provider of superannuation, KiwiSaver and Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) and funds

administration platforms; and

•Agri - provider of information, news, data and analysis relating to the agriculture sectors in New Zealand

and Australia through printed publications and online services.

The Group’s CEO (the chief operating decision maker) reviews internal management reports for each of these

strategic areas on a regular basis. The Group’s revenue is analysed into each of the reportable segments.

Expenses incurred are allocated to these segments only if they are direct and specific expenses to one of the

three segments. The remaining expenses that relate to activities shared across the group are reported in a

Corporate segment.

The Group's assets and liabilities are analysed into each of the revenue generating segments, apart from

those assets and liabilities that are utilised on a shared basis, which are allocated to the Corporate segment.

Segmental information for the year ended 31 December 2016

Markets

$000

Agri

$000

Funds

Services

$000

Corporate

$000

Total

$000

Operating revenue52,90211,61013,032-77,544

Operating expenses(11,835)(10,755)(13,348)(19,089)(55,027)

Total segment result41,067855(316)(19,089)22,517

Segment assets123,36011,99146,82211,791193,964

Segment liabilities(77,788)(2,012)(15,525)(28,964)(124,289)

Net assets45,5729,97931,297(17,173)69,675

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Segmental information for the year ended 31 December 2015

Markets

$000

Agri

$000

Funds

Services

$000

Corporate

$000

Total

$000

Operating revenue49,90212,56710,682-73,151

Operating expenses(12,390)(11,527)(8,956)(15,699)(48,572)

Total segment result37,5121,0401,726(15,699)24,579

Segment assets110,48015,22544,70223,340193,747

Segment liabilities(68,329)(2,763)(16,015)(30,472)(117,579)

Net assets42,15112,46228,687(7,132)76,168

Geographical information

In presenting information on the basis of geographical segments, segment revenue is based on the

geographical location of customers. Segment non-current assets are based on the geographical location of the

assets.

Revenue

2016

$000

2015

$000

New Zealand63,00059,838

Australia6,1396,402

Other8,4056,911

Total revenue77,54473,151

Non-current assets

2016

$000

2015

$000

New Zealand72,49175,886

Australia3,8994,213

Total non-current assets76,39080,099

6. Loss on disposal of businesses and property, plant and equipment

2016

$000

2015

$000

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment229

Loss on disposal of business - Clear Grain Exchange(469)-

(467)29

During the period the Group disposed of the business and assets of:

•Rural magazine publications Dairy Exporter and Country-wide, effective 1 November 2016; and

•The Clear Grain Exchange, effective 1 December 2016.

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7. Impairment expense

At 30 June 2016, NZX recognised an impairment of part of the residual value of brand assets in relation to

NZX's Agri business, reflecting future expectations for rural publications. These assets were subsequently sold

as part of the disposal of the Group's rural magaine titles, refer note 6.

8. Adjustment to provision for earnout

The provision for the Apteryx (now NZX Wealth Technologies) earnout was calculated at 31 December 2015

based on a probability weighted range of possible outcomes against the earnout targets required to be met,

at the latest by 31 March 2017, for any payment to be made. The Group has reassessed the probability of

meeting the targets at 31 December 2016 and with only a short time left to the final earnout deadline it has

become clear that the targets will not be met. Accordingly, the earnout provision has been adjusted to nil.

The earnout receivable from the sale of Link Market Services was received during the period and accordingly

no accrual remains in respect of this item at 31 December 2016.

A provision for the final earnout payment for the acquisition of SuperLife was initially recognised in 2015 at

90% of the amount payable. In 2016 the provision has been increased to 95% reflecting the fact that funds

under management are currently ahead of the earnout target (refer note 19).

9. Operating revenue

Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefit will flow to NZX and the

revenue can be measured reliably, regardless of when the payment is being made. Revenue is measured at

the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. The specific revenue recognition criteria for the

classes of revenue are as follows:

i.Markets:

(1) Securities information revenue is recognised over the period the service is provided.

(2) Issuer services consists of revenue from annual listing fees, initial listing fees, subsequent capital

raisings and regulatory services. Initial and subsequent listing fees are recognised when the listing

or subsequent capital raising event has taken place. Annual listing fees are billed on 30 June for the

following 12 month period and are recognised on a straight line basis over this 12 month period.

Fees for regulatory services are recognised when the service is provided.

(3) Trading fees, from the trading of debt and equities securities, are recognised at trade date.

(4) Participant services consist of annual participant fees and initial participant fees. Initial participant

fees are recognised when the participant's application has been approved. Annual participant fees

are billed on 30 June for the following 12 month period and are recognised on a straight line basis

over this 12 month period.

(5) Fees for debt and equity clearing and settlement, which are recognised at settlement date (currently

two days after initial trade date).

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(6) Fees for the trading of derivatives and commodities are recognised at trade date. Fees for derivative

market clearing and settlement are recognised at settlement date.

(7) Revenue from the provision of energy post-trade systems and technology services and advisory and

related services is recognised over the period the service is provided.

ii.Funds Services - revenue for the provision of funds services is recognised when the services are rendered.

iii. Agri - agricultural information revenue consists of subscriptions and advertising fees. Subscription

revenues are recognised on a straight line basis over the subscription period. Advertising revenues are

recognised when the advertisement is published.

10. Operating expenses

Professional fees comprise:

2016

$000

2015

$000

Legal expenses(3,560)(3,604)

Other professional fees(2,033)(1,995)

Total professional fees(5,593)(5,599)

Legal expenses for the current year includes $3.0 million (2015: $3.1 million) incurred in relation to the Ralec

litigation, refer to note 27. Other significant legal costs in 2016 related to the FMCA compliance project.

Other significant legal costs in 2015 related to the cost of establishing new Smartshares ETFs and the

acqusition of Apteryx (now NZX Wealth Technologies).

Other expenses comprise:

2016

$000

2015

$000

Operating lease rental expense(1,832)(1,421)

Directors' fees(370)(406)

Remuneration paid to Group auditors(321)(306)

Remuneration paid to other auditors(3)(3)

Other operating expenses(3,028)(2,715)

Total other expenses(5,554)(4,851)

The directors' fees have declined this year as the number of board members reduced from seven to six

following the Annual Meeting in May 2015.

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Remuneration paid to Group auditors

2016

$000

2015

$000

Audit and review of NZX Group and subsidiary statutory financial statements(128)(134)

Audit of statutory financial statements for Funds managed by Smartshares Limited, an NZX subsidiary(153)(104)

Total audit fees(281)(238)

Prospectus extraction reports and operation reviews for Funds managed by Smartshares Limited-(29)

Annual operational audit of the Clearing House(35)(34)

Annual depository assurance engagement of New Zealand Depository Limited(5)(5)

Total other audit related services(40)(68)

Total fees paid to the auditor(321)(306)

11. Funds held on behalf of third parties

2016

$000

2015

$000

Bond deposits1,5061,346

Collateral deposits57,79455,287

Funds held on behalf of clients11,5475,153

70,84761,786

The collateral deposits represent balances deposited by participants to cover margins on outstanding

settlement obligations for cash market, stock lending transactions and derivative contracts. Funds lodged as

margin collateral are interest bearing and are carried at the amounts deposited which represent fair value.

Interest earned on collateral deposits is returned to participants and a collateral management fee is charged.

There is an equal and opposite amount disclosed under current liabilities for the total amount repayable to

participants.

The funds held on behalf of clients represent balances deposited by participants in addition to their cash

collateral requirements. The funds are lodged in a non interest bearing account and are carried at the amount

deposited which represents fair value. There is an equal and opposite amount disclosed under current

liabilities for the total amount repayable to participants.

The bond deposits represent balances deposited by issuers, required as a condition of listing on NZX's

markets. Funds lodged as bond deposits are interest bearing and are carried at the amounts deposited which

represent fair value. There is an equal and opposite amount disclosed under current liabilities for the total

amount repayable to issuers.

12. Gain on sale of associate

Effective 1 July 2015 the Group sold its 50% stake in Link Market Services Limited (Link) to the other 50%

shareholder for $14.3 million. The net sale proceeds comprised:

•$13.8 million of initial consideration received on settlement on 30 June 2015;

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•$623,000 of contingent consideration payable based on the future performance of Link, which was

received during 2016; less

•A liability to issue NZX shares to the value of $125,000 as a retention amount in respect of key employees

of Link Market Services in three years time if these employees remain with Link.

A gain on sale of $11.8 million was recognised in 2015, calculated as follows:

2016

$000

2015

$000

Disposal of associate

Proceeds from sale of associate-14,298

Less carrying value-(2,491)

Gain on sale of associate-11,807

13. Taxation

a.Income tax expense recognised in profit or loss

2016

$000

2015

$000

Tax expense comprises:

Current tax expense6,1197,507

Prior period adjustment-47

Deferred tax relating to the origination and reversal of temporary differences(1,622)(1,478)

Total tax expense4,4976,076

The prima facie income tax expense on pre-tax accounting profit from operations reconciles to the income tax

expense in the financial statements as follows:

2016

$000

2015

$000

Profit before income tax expense13,67929,948

Income tax calculated at 28%(3,830)(8,385)

Non-deductible expenses(667)(1,398)

Non-taxable gain on sale of associate-3,306

Equity accounted earnings of associate-115

(4,497)(6,362)

Under provision of income tax in prior year-(45)

Tax credits-331

(4,497)(6,076)

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b. Current tax liabilities

2016

$000

2015

$000

Balance at beginning of the year(2,113)(195)

Current year charge(6,165)(7,507)

Prior period adjustment(137)(944)

Tax paid7,8246,533

Balance at end of year(591)(2,113)

c.Deferred tax liability

2016

$000

2015

$000

Balance at beginning of the year(5,938)(2,663)

Current year movement1,6221,478

Deferred tax on acquisition-(4,724)

Prior period adjustments(7)(29)

Balance at end of the year(4,323)(5,938)

Deferred tax balance comprises:

Employee entitlements867761

Doubtful debts14785

Property, plant and equipment, and software(5,643)(6,920)

Other306136

(4,323)(5,938)

d. Imputation credit account

2016

$000

2015

$000

Imputation credits available for use in subsequent reporting periods12,69414,830

14. Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share at 31 December 2016 is calculated by dividing the profit for the year by the weighted

average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. An adjustment to take into account the

shares issued under the Team and Results share plans (refer note 23) is made to weighted average number

of shares used in the calculation of the diluted earnings per share at 31 December 2016.

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a.Basic earnings per share

2016

$000

2015

$000

Profit for the year ($000)9,18223,872

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of earnings per share (in thousands)267,914263,539

Basic earnings per share (cents per share)3.49.1

b. Diluted earnings per share

2016

$000

2015

$000

Profit for the year ($000)9,18223,872

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of earnings per share (in thousands)269,696263,941

Fully diluted earnings per share (cents per share)3.49.0

15. Bank overdraft and cash flow reconciliation

a.Bank overdraft facility

The Group has access to an overdraft facility which was established in 2015 to allow the Group flexibility in its

working capital management. The facility limit is $10.0 million and has no fixed expiry date. The bank may

cancel the facility by giving 30 days written notice. The effective interest rate of the facility at 31 December

2016 was 3.85% (2015: 4.15%).

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b. Reconciliation of profit for the year to net cash provided by operating activities

2016

$000

2015

$000

Profit for the year9,18223,872

Share of profit of associate-(411)

Gain on sale of associate-(11,807)

Share based payment bonus accrual470653

Non cash interest expense on investing activity357343

Depreciation and amortisation expense7,9366,990

Impairment in intangible and goodwill793-

Disposal of assets365-

Adjustment to provision for earnout(731)-

9,190(4,232)

(Increase) in receivables and prepayments(3,118)(1,324)

Increase in trade payables and other liabilities1,457436

Increase in current tax liability(1,522)992

(Decrease) in deferred tax liability(1,615)(1,449)

(4,798)(1,345)

Net cash provided by operating activities13,57418,295

16. Receivables and prepayments

Receivables and prepayments are initially recognised at the fair value of the amounts to be received. They are

subsequently measured at amortised cost (using the effective interest method) less impairment losses, if any.

2016

$000

2015

$000

Trade receivables9,8077,022

Provision for doubtful debts(560)(302)

9,2476,720

Sundry debtors1,7912,013

Prepayments2,2042,094

Accrued proceeds for disposal of Link Market Services-623

Accrued interest7690

Accrued income74629

Financial asset - current amount1,859-

Total current receivables and prepayments15,92311,569

Financial asset - non current amount-1,827

Total receivables and prepayments15,92313,396

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The current financial asset at 31 December 2016 (2015: non current financial asset) represents the loan owed

by the former CEO under the CEO share plan, as described in note 23.

a.Movement in provision for doubtful debts

The Company maintains a provision for doubtful debts when there is objective evidence of its customers

being unable to make required payments and also makes a provision for doubtful debts on all balances

greater than 90 days overdue which have not been subject to review.

2016

$000

2015

$000

Balance at beginning of the year(302)(278)

Amounts written off during the year-54

(Increase)/decrease in provision recognised in profit or loss(258)(78)

Balance at end of the year(560)(302)

17. Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. The cost of

assets is the value of the consideration given to acquire the assets and the value of other directly attributable

costs incurred in bringing the assets to the location and condition necessary for their intended use.

Depreciation is recognised in the Income Statement and is calculated on a straight line basis so as to write off

the net cost of each asset over its expected useful life to its estimated residual value. Leasehold

improvements are depreciated over the period of the lease or estimated useful life, whichever is the shorter,

using the straight line method. The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation method are

reviewed at the end of each annual reporting period.

The following estimated useful lives are used in the calculation of depreciation:

•Computer equipment: 3 - 7 years

•Furniture and equipment: 3 - 10 years

•Leasehold improvements: 5 - 10 years

•Motor vehicles: 3 years

Computer

equipment

$000

Furniture and

equipment

$000

Leasehold

improvements

$000

Motor

Vehicles

$000

Capital work

in progress

$000

Total

$000

Net book value at 1 January 20167917451,90545213,507

Additions during the year8021673825731,105

Transfers from WIP during the year14-70-(84)-

Depreciation expense for the year(694)(320)(239)(41)-(1,294)

Disposals during the year(37)(9)-(6)(7)(59)

Net book value at 31 December

20168765831,7742333,259

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18. Trade payables

Trade payables and accruals are initially recognised at fair value less transaction costs (if any). They are

subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

2016

$000

2015

$000

Trade payables607248

Goods and services tax payable1,090727

Accrued expenses3,8344,807

Accrued interest101100

5,6325,882

19. Other liabilities

2016

$000

2015

$000

Employee benefits5,5304,430

Unearned income8,2737,860

Deferred consideration payable on Apteryx acquisition-1,223

Earn out accrual-75

Total current other liabilities13,80313,588

Non current - Deferred consideration on SuperLife acquisition9,0938,272

Total other liabilities22,89621,860

Deferred consideration on SuperLife acquisition

NZX acquired 100% ownership of SuperLife Limited, a provider of superannuation, KiwiSaver, and managed

investments products, effective 1 January 2015.

In addition to the initial consideration of $20 million, the sale and purchase agreement provided for

additional consideration of up to $15.0 million dependent on the retention and growth of SuperLife's Funds

Under Management (FUM) over a three year period ending 31 December 2017. These further payments, if

targets are achieved, were $5.0 million of NZX ordinary shares at an issue price of $1.21 per share (issued

January 2016) and up to $10.0 million in cash.

Up to $10.0 million in cash will become payable after 31 December 2017, with the amount payable

dependant on the rate of growth in FUM over the three year earnout period. No additional amount is payable

if FUM is less than $1.41 billion at 31 December 2017 (equivalent to a 7% compound annual growth rate). The

full $10.0 million is payable if FUM exceeds $1.57 billion (equivalent to an 11% compound annual growth

rate). Partial payment of the earnout amount will result if FUM at 31 December 2017 is between $1.41 billion

and $1.57 billion.

Based on the expected probabilities of achieving the earnout, taking into account historic growth rates, the

Group has accrued for 95% (2015: 90%) of the $10.0 million of contingent consideration (present valued) that

will be paid at the end of the three year period if the 11% growth target is met.

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20. Term loan

2016

$000

2015

$000

Current--

Non-current20,00020,000

Total term loans20,00020,000

The $20.0 million term loan has an expiry date of 16 January 2019. The facility is unsecured and contains two

financial covenants which have been met throughout the year:

•The ratio of interest bearing debt to EBITDA shall not exceed 3.5 times; and

•The ratio of EBITDA to interest shall exceed 4.0 times.

The weighted effective interest rate at 31 December 2016 was 2.60% (31 December: 3.62%).

21. Shares on issue

The Company had 268,315,689 fully paid ordinary shares as at 31 December 2016 (2015: 263,919,546 fully

paid ordinary shares). The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared and are

entitled to one vote per share at meetings. Included within this total is 1,575,000 fully paid ordinary shares

(2015: 1,575,000 fully paid ordinary shares) issued under the CEO share plan as outlined in note 23.

At 31 December 2016 the Company has 2,018,493 restricted shares (2015: 315,889 restricted shares) on issue

under the NZX Limited employee share plan - Team and Results held by entities within the Group. All shares

issued under the employee share plan are subject to transfer conditions and eligibility criteria before they are

able to vest as ordinary shares. Until those transfer conditions and/or eligibility criteria are met, none are

quoted on the NZX Main Board.

Movement in share capital

Number

$000

Balance at 1 January 2015255,613,66929,975

Issue of fully paid ordinary shares8,305,87710,000

Share based contingent consideration accrued-5,000

Share based payments-2,341

Non-vesting shares-(88)

Balance at 31 December 2015263,919,54647,228

Issue of fully paid ordinary shares4,396,14369

Share based payments-345

Non-vesting shares-(86)

Balance at 31 December 2016268,315,68947,556

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22. Dividends

20162015

For year

ended

Cents per

share

Total $000Cents per

share

Total $000

Dividends declared and paid

March 201531 Dec 143.007,916

September 201531 Dec 153.007,918

March 201631 Dec 153.008,043

September 201631 Dec 163.008,051

Total dividends paid for the year6.0016,0946.0015,834

Refer to note 29 for details of the second half 2016 dividend.

23. Share based payments

a.CEO share plan

A CEO share scheme was in place under the former CEO's employment contract. The scheme runs for a

period of five years expiring mid 2017 and will continue in place until its conclusion as part of the agreed

transition for the former CEO who resigned as an employee effective 31 December 2016.

Pursuant to the terms of the scheme, 1,575,000 new ordinary shares were issued on 31 December 2012 at an

issue price of $1.19 per share, being the volume weighted average price of NZX shares for the 10 business

days ended on Friday 4 May 2012 (the business day immediately preceding the CEO's start date).

The issue price of the shares is funded by a loan from NZX, which bears interest at NZX's cost of bank

funding. The shares are entitled to dividends and are held by a nominee wholly owned by NZX for the

duration of the scheme.

If over the period of the scheme NZX's total shareholder return (TSR) exceeds a margin of 1% over NZX's

weighted average cost of capital (to be determined annually by the Board), the former CEO will receive a

taxable bonus equivalent to the amount of the loan and will receive a transfer of the shares on full repayment

of the loan and any accrued interest. For the purposes of determining the hurdle rate, the initial 2012 issue

price has been set at $1.10 which was the price on the day of the release of the 1H results (20/8/2012) under

the previous CEO. If the hurdle rate is not met, then on expiry of the scheme the former CEO will not receive

the bonus, will be required to repay the loan from his own resources and will receive a transfer of shares.

The Group historically accounted for the scheme in accordance with NZ IFRS 2 by calculating the fair value

of the shares and recognising this as an expense on a straight line basis over the five year term of the plan.

The total fair value was determined to be $383,000. The fair value was calculated by reference to an

independent valuation which was based on the following assumptions:

•Grant date: 2 August 2012

•Share price on grant date: $1.19

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•Historic volatility (NZX share price): 29%

As a result of the former CEO ceasing employment on 31 December 2016, the remaining unrecognised

balance of $38,300 has been recognised in the current period.

b. Employee and other restricted shares

NZX Limited employee share plan - Team and Results


The NZX Limited employee share plan – team and results (Team and Results Plan) was implemented in May 2010.

Under the terms of the Team and Results Plan, NZX offers selected employees (Participants) non-participating

redeemable shares (Restricted Shares) which will be reclassified as NZX ordinary shares at the completion of

the term of the Team and Results Plan, subject to certain eligibility and transfer conditions.

Both the Team and Results components of the Team and Results Plan are offered on terms of three years.

If the eligibility or transfer conditions are not met, the Restricted Shares are redeemed by NZX. The proceeds

from the redemption of the Restricted Shares will be applied in repayment of the Loan, which will discharge

any obligation on the Participant to repay the Loan. Following redemption, the Participant will not receive any

entitlements, such as distributions or dividends, issued in respect of the Restricted Shares. The effect of this

is that the Participant receives no shares or cash and the Loan is repaid.

Details of Restricted Shares issued under the Team and Results Plan, transfers of shares to NZX employees and

redemptions of shares during the period are set out below:

Number of

shares

000

Average

share price

$

Balance at 1 January 20154961.23589

Shares transferred to NZX employees(41)1.34146

Redemptions(139)1.25899

Balance at 31 December 20153161.21203

Shares issued2,3111.09303

Shares transferred to NZX employees(196)1.21429

Redemptions(412)1.06796

Balance at 31 December 20162,0191.10500

Total financial assistance provided by NZX under the Team & Results Plan as at 31 December 2016 was

$2,231,000 (2015: $383,000).

24. Financial instruments

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks including credit risk, liquidity risk and market risk

(including foreign currency risk and interest rate risk).

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The Board of directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Group’s risk

management framework, including the management of financial risk. The Board has established an Audit and

Risk Committee (Committee), which is responsible for developing and monitoring the Group’s financial risk

management policies (except for those relating to clearing and settlement activities discussed below). The

Committee reports regularly to the Board of directors on its activities.

The NZX Group undertakes securities clearing and settlement activities for the listed equities, debt and

derivatives markets through its clearing house New Zealand Clearing and Depository Corporation Limited

(NZCDC or the Clearing House). These activities expose NZCDC and the NZX Group to several significant

financial risks. Management of these risks is the responsibility of the Board of directors of NZCDC. The NZCDC

Board reports to the main NZX Board on a regular basis on its risk management activities.

The specific financial risks faced by the Group, the way in which they are managed and their impact on the

financial statements are discussed below:

a.Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails

to meet its contractual obligations. Credit risk arises from three principal sources:

•Receivables from customers arising in the normal course of business;

•Investment of surplus cash and Clearing House risk capital with financial institutions;

•Credit risk arising from the activities of the Clearing House, which is discussed separately in section (g).

Excluding Clearing House activities, NZX has no significant concentrations of credit risk from general

customers, with balances receivable spread across a broad portfolio of customers. NZX does not require

collateral to be provided against receivables incurred in the ordinary course of business, although listed

issuers and participants in NZX's equity and debt markets are required to provide a bond that may be called

upon in the event of default on financial obligations.

The status of trade receivables at the reporting date was as follows.

2016

$000

2015

$000

Not past due4,8185,148

Past due 0 - 30 days1,514540

Past due > 30 days3,4751,334

9,8077,022

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In summary, trade receivables are determined to be impaired as follows.

2016

$000

2015

$000

Gross trade receivables9,8077,022

Individual impairment(153)(155)

Collective impairment(407)(147)

9,2476,720

The movement in the allowance for impairment in respect of trade and other receivables during the year is set

out in note 16(a).

For investment of risk capital and surplus cash balances, NZX follows a treasury policy that requires

investments to be held only with high credit quality counterparties and sets limits on NZX's exposure to

individual counterparties. The counterparty limits are as follows:

•The greater of $10 million or 60% of cash and cash equivalents for registered banks that operate in New

Zealand with a minimum credit rating of AA-; and

•30% of total cash and cash equivalents for other institutions with a minimum credit rating of A- (the total

exposure for other institutions cannot exceed 50% of the total cash and cash equivalents).

b. Foreign exchange risk

NZX primarily derives revenues and incurs expenses in local currencies (NZD for New Zealand operations and

AUD for Australian operations). In a minority of cases however, receipts and payments are in foreign

currencies (principally USD). NZX utilises foreign currency receipts to offset purchases denominated in foreign

currencies. The Company determines forward exposures, and considers these in line with internal policies and

procedures. It may enter into forward exchange agreements to keep any exposure to an acceptable level,

though no such contracts were considered necessary in the current or prior financial year. Monetary assets and

liabilities are kept to an acceptable level by buying or selling foreign currencies at the spot rate.

Foreign exchange risk also arises on the translation of NZX's investment in its Australian operations and

intercompany balances between the parent and these entities. NZX does not attempt to hedge this risk.

c.Interest rate risk

NZX is exposed to interest rate risk in that future interest rate movements will affect the interest that it pays

on borrowings and the cash flows and the market value of investment assets. NZX does not currently use any

derivative products to manage interest rate risk.

The Group's investment assets, particularly those designated as risk capital, are generally required to be

readily convertible into cash. These are therefore invested in short term interest bearing assets or held as bank

deposits at floating rates of interest. This reduces the risk of movements in the market value of financial

investments, but increases the Group's exposure to changes in cash flows as a result of shot term movements

in interest rates.

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During 2015, the group drew down $20 million of term debt. $10 million of this was to fund the acquisition

of SuperLife Limited, while $10 million was to provide for additional risk capital in the Clearing House. The

interest period for the debt utilised to provide risk capital is set to match as closely as possible the interest

period for the related short term investments in which the risk capital is held, thus minimising the net interest

rate risk to the Group.

As at balance date, none of the Group's investments or term debt were subject to interest periods of greater

than three months.

An analysis of the sensitivity of the Group's earnings to movements in interest rates is shown below. As at

both 31 December 2016 and 2015 the Group's interest bearing assets exceeded its interest bearing

liabilities, hence an increase in interest rates would have had a positive impact on earnings.

2016

$000

2015

$000

Effect on net interest income:

1% increase in interest rate274398

1% decrease in interest rate(274)(398)

This above information is calculated using the Group's cash balances (less the $20.0 million held as risk

capital for Clearing House), the Group's term debt, and the bank balances of $15.7 million (2015:

$18.2 million) held by the Funds managed by the Group's subsidiary, Smartshares Limited. The Funds' bank

balances are included in Smartshares Limited as the manager of these Funds is entitled to interest on

amounts held in respect of distributions received (including distributions in respect of securities on loan under

any securities lending programme undertaken by the Fund) and interest earned on application monies.

d. Liquidity risk management

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will be unable to realise its assets on a sufficiently timely basis to meet

its financial liabilities as they fall due. Liquidity risk arises from the general activities of the Group as well as in

specific situations in the operation of the Clearing House. Clearing House liquidity risk is discussed in section

(g).

The Group manages its general liquidity risk by maintaining adequate cash reserves, maintaining a sufficient

term to maturity for its term borrowings and maintaining adequate overdraft facilities to provide it the

flexibility to absorb predicted variability in cash flows. It continuously monitors forecast and actual cash flows

to assist with determining the appropriate levels of cash reserves and borrowing capacity.

The table below summarises the Group's exposure to liquidity risk based on the undiscounted contractual

cash flows and maturities of term debt.

Term loan

Total

contractual

cash flows

$000

Less than 1

year

$000

1-2 years

$000

2-5 years

$000

More than 5

years

$000

31 December 2016(21,040)(520)(20,520)--

31 December 2015(21,448)(724)(20,724)--

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e.Accounting classification and fair values

The fair value of the financial instruments, which comprise cash and cash equivalents, funds held on behalf of

third parties, receivables, trade payables, other liabilities and term loans, approximates their carrying

amounts in these accounts.

f.Energy Clearing House

NZX, through its subsidiary Energy Clearing House Limited (ECH), is the electricity-market operation service

provider responsible for ensuring that market participants pay or are paid the correct amount for the

electricity they generated or consumed during the previous month. ECH also manages the prudential security

requirements of participants, intended to ensure payers can meet their obligations in the market.

At 31 December 2016, ECH has outstanding payables and receivables for the purchase and sale of electricity,

and the settlement of transmission losses. These items are not recorded in the Group’s statement of financial

position, because the energy market participants have accepted the risks associated with electricity settlement.

In discharging its obligations under the Electricity Industry Participation Code, ECH is required to ensure that

purchasers maintain adequate levels of prudential security. Participants can comply with this obligation in a

number of ways, including third party guarantees, letters of credit and deposits of cash with the ECH.

ECH holds cash deposit security on trust, and does not recognise the security provided in its statement of

financial position. There was $11,789,209 cash held from such deposits at 31 December 2016 (2015: $9,743,875).

g. Clearing House counterparty credit risk

The Clearing House acts as a central counterparty to trades on NZX's securities and derivatives markets.

Trades that enter the Clearing House are immediately novated such that the Clearing House becomes the

buyer to every sell trade and the seller to every buy trade. As buy and sell settlement transactions that are

novated to the Clearing House offset each other, the Group is not directly exposed to price movements in the

underlying equities or derivatives.

For the period between trade date and settlement date, the Clearing House is exposed to credit risk on the

buy trade as participants could default on their obligations to deliver cash in exchange for the securities

acquired by the Clearing House on the buy side of the trade.

Should the buying participant fail to deliver cash, the Clearing House must still meet its obligation to buy the

securities from the selling participant. In this instance the Clearing House is subject to liquidity risk as it may

be unable to realise sufficient cash to pay for the securities it is acquiring.

If the buying participant defaults on its obligation to deliver cash and the Clearing House acquires the

securities, it then becomes exposed to market price risk on the securities acquired. If the price of the

securities falls, the Clearing House would incur a loss on the disposal of those securities.

Credit risk

Counterparty credit risk is primarily managed in two ways. Firstly, through imposing requirements on

participants, including minimum capital adequacy requirements, that aim to ensure that participants maintain

sufficient capital and liquidity to meet their obligations to the Clearing House on an ongoing basis. Secondly,

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through calculating margin requirements on participants' open positions and requiring participants to post

this margin as collateral as security for the trades. Margin requirements are calculated for each participant

based on that participant’s unsettled transaction in each security. Margin rates for each security are based on

the underlying characteristics of the security and its price volatility. Margin requirements are calculated on a

daily basis using current market prices. Each day, margin requirements are compared to collateral held and a

margin call made where necessary. Participants are then required to post additional eligible collateral.

Eligible collateral includes cash, bank performance bonds, and securities (including New Zealand and US

government securities and NZX 50 listed securities). Securities provided as collateral are subject to a

prudential value discount, commonly referred to as a "haircut".

The Group is also exposed to counterparty credit risk through New Zealand Clearing Limited (NZCL) by acting

as central counterparty for securities lending transactions. As NZCL is exposed to the full principal value of

each loan, NZCL requires collateral to be posted equal to 105% of the loan. All loans are revalued on a daily

basis and additional collateral required where appropriate.

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is managed through a combination of the collateral held from participants, the Clearing House's

own cash reserves and a specific liquidity facility which provides short term liquidity in the event of a

participant default.

Collateral from the defaulting participant would be applied towards meeting the settlement obligations on the

other side of the trade. The Clearing House also holds risk capital in cash and highly liquid investments, which

is available to meet the buy side obligations of defaulted transactions. As at 31 December 2016 the Clearing

House held risk capital of $20 million (31 December 2015: $20 million). Finally, on 30 December 2014 the

Clearing House entered into an agreement with a major New Zealand fund manager to provide liquidity

support in the form of $50 million of securities or cash. Use of this facility is limited to situations where a

participant default has occurred. The Clearing House may access the facility to obtain liquidity in the form of

securities or cash, collateralised against cash or eligible securities provided by the Clearing House to the Fund

Manager. The facility was for an initial term of two years ending December 2016. This has been extended for

another two years ending December 2018.

Market risk

The risk that the Clearing House will realise a loss from liquidating securities that it becomes the owner of as

a result of a participant default is managed by maintaining sufficient participant collateral and risk capital to

absorb projected losses. Any losses incurred are initially funded from the defaulting participant's margin

collateral. Should this be insufficient to cover the losses, then these must be met from the Clearing House's

own risk capital. The Clearing House regularly stress tests clearing participant exposures against the total

amount of margin collateral and risk capital resources.

Clearing balances outstanding

As at 31 December 2016, NZCL has a right to receive $5.610 million (2015: $13.872 million) from Clearing

Participants and an obligation to pay $5.610 million (2015: $13.872 million) to Clearing Participants for the

settlement of cash market transactions. All of these outstanding transactions were settled subsequent to

31 December 2016. The aggregate absolute value of all net outstanding cash market settlement transactions

at 31 December 2016 was $58.613 million (2015: $111.193 million). In addition, at 31 December 2016, the

total value of outstanding securities loans was $1.605 million (2015: $5.205 million) and the absolute notional

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value of open derivative contracts was US$128.71 million (2015: US$57.560 million) and NZD$103.06 million

(2015:NZD$nil).

Cash collateral held to cover these outstanding settlement positions at 31 December 2016 was

$35.707 million (2015: $35.542 million). In addition, at 31 December 2016 no collateral (2015: $5.5 million)

was held by way of performance bonds.

25. Related party transactions

a.Transactions with key management personnel

Key management personnel comprises the Group’s senior management team. Key management personnel

compensation comprised the following:

2016

$000

2015

$000

Short-term employee benefits4,1773,758

Share-based payments141218

Resignation benefits1,305-

5,6233,976

b. Transactions with directors and other entities NZX directors are associated with

The Company regularly enters into transactions under normal commercial terms and conditions with other

entities that some of the directors may sit on the Board of or are employed by.

Directors fees for the year were $370,000 (2015: $406,000) and have been included in other expenses (note 10 ).

c.Transactions with other related parties

During 2015, the Group made sales to and purchases from its associate, Link Market Services Limited (Link),

the amounts of which are set out below. The Group had no associates in 2016 following the disposal of Link

in June 2015.

2016

$000

2015

$000

Transactions with related parties

Sales to Link Market Services Limited-275

Interest on receivable from former CEO106104

Purchases from Link Market Services Limited-(184)

Balances with related parties

Receivable from Link Market Services Limited--

Current receivable from former CEO1,87734

Non current receivable from former CEO-1,827

Payable to Link Market Services Limited--

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d. Transactions with managed funds

Management fees are received from the funds managed by wholly owned subsidary Smartshares Limited and

are shown in the Income Statement as funds management revenue. Management fees were also received from

the funds managed by wholly owned subsidary SuperLife Limited which was amalgamated into Smartshares

Limited on 9 November 2016.

26. Lease commitments as lessee

Non-cancellable operating lease payments

2016

$000

2015

$000

Non-cancellable operating lease payments:

Up to 1 year1,9272,020

1 - 2 years1,8271,851

2 - 5 years3,8524,996

> 5 years-491

7,6069,358

The Group leases a number of office premises under operating leases. The leases have a remaining period

of between one to five years, with options to renew beyond the initial expiry date.

27. Contingent liabilities

Ralec Litigation

The Ralec litigation, disclosed as a contingent liability in the period year, was heard in the High Court in New

Zealand between May 2016 and July 2016. The final judgement was released on 16 November 2016. No

damages or compensation were awarded to either party.

Final settlement was reached between the parties to the dispute on 1 December 2016. As a result, there will

be no appeal by either party of the High Court's decision.

There are therefore no contingent liabilities as at 31 December 2016.

28. Capital commitments

2016

$000

2015

$000

Capital expenditure commitments:

Software development7101,368

7101,368

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29. Subsequent events

Dividend

Subsequent to balance date the Board declared a second half 2016 dividend of 3.00 cents per share, to be

paid on 24 March 2017 (with a record date of 10 March 2017). This is in line with the NZX dividend policy

adopted on 21 February 2014.




© 2017 KPMG, a New Zealand partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent

member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity.


Independent Auditor’s Report

To the shareholders of NZX Limited

Report on the consolidated financial statements

Opinion

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated

financial statements of NZX Limited (the company)

and its subsidiaries (the Group) on pages 36 to 67:

i. Present fairly in all material respects the Group’s

financial position as at 31 December 2016 and

its financial performance and cash flows for the

year ended on that date; and

ii. Comply with New Zealand Equivalents to

International Financial Reporting Standards and

International Financial Reporting Standards.



We have audited the accompanying

consolidated financial statements which

comprise:

— the consolidated statement of financial position

as at 31 December 2016;

— the consolidated income statement, statement

of comprehensive income, statement of

changes in equity and statement of cash flows

for the year then ended; and

— Notes, including a summary of significant

accounting policies and other explanatory

information.


Basis for opinion

We conducted our Audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (New Zealand) (ISA’s (NZ)). We

believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

We are independent of the group in accordance with Professional and Ethical Standard 1 (Revised) Code of

Ethics for Assurance Practitioners issued by the New Zealand Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and the

International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (IESBA

Code), and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the

IESBA Code.

Our responsibilities under International Standards on Auditing (New Zealand) are further described in the

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the consolidated financial statements section of our report.

Our firm has also provided other regulatory assurance services to the Group. Subject to certain restrictions,

partners and employees of our firm may also deal with the group on normal terms within the ordinary course of

trading activities of the business of the group. These matters have not impaired our independence as auditor of

the group. The firm has no other relationship with, or interest in, the group.

Materiality

The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. Materiality helped us to determine the

nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures and to evaluate the effect of misstatements, both individually

and on the consolidated financial statements as a whole. The materiality for the consolidated financial

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statements as a whole was set at $0.8 million determined with reference to a benchmark of group profit before

tax. We chose the benchmark because, in our view, this is a key measure of the group’s performance.

Key Audit Matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit

of the consolidated financial statements in the current period. We summarise below those matters and our key

audit procedures to address those matters in order that the shareholders as a body may better understand the

process by which we arrived at our audit opinion. Our procedures were undertaken in the context of and solely

for the purpose of our statutory audit opinion on the consolidated financial statements as a whole and we do not

express discrete opinions on separate elements of the consolidated financial statements.

The key audit matter How the matter was addressed in our audit

Goodwill and other intangible assets impairment assessment ($73 million, note 4 of the financial

statements)

NZX’s goodwill and other intangible

assets arise from acquisitions and

subsequent IT investments and

relate to a number of different cash

generating units (CGU’s) as

described in note 4 of the financial

statements.

The goodwill and other intangible

assets are quantitatively significant

and the valuation models used in the

impairment tests include a range of

subjective assumptions about the

future performance of the cash

generating units.

We focussed on the impairment

tests for the CGUs that we

considered to have a higher risk of

impairment. This assessment was

primarily based on the level of

judgement involved in the underlying

valuation model and market

conditions for the relevant CGU. The

CGUs we considered to be higher

risk were Energy, Agri, Funds

management, Wealth Technologies

and the Grain Information Unit.

For the CGUs we determined to have a higher risk of impairment, we

compared the cash flow forecasts to Board approved budgets and

assessed forecasting accuracy by comparing current year actual

performance to prior year budgets. The budgets covered one year but

the forecasts used in the valuation models generally extend to five

years. The period beyond the budgets were therefore of particular

focus for our additional procedures described below.

We reviewed and tested the significant assumptions applied to the

revenue forecasts including comparing the forecasts to contractually

receivable amounts, industry/market statistics or forecast inflation

rates.

We assessed the cost forecasts against forecast inflation rates and

managements business plans for the CGUs.

We also compared the discount rate used to our own independently

determined rate and compared terminal growth rates to long term

forecast inflation rates.

As a cross check we compared the valuations to the market, using

comparable businesses (where available) and their earnings or funds

under management multiples.

As an overall test we also compared the Group’s net assets as at 31

December 2016 of $70 million to its market capitalisation of $282

million at 31 December 2016, and noted implied headroom of $212

million.

Based on our analysis, the assumptions and judgements used by the

Directors in the Group’s impairment assessment were within

acceptable ranges and in line with the current market views. We did not

identify any material issues with the carrying value of the goodwill or

intangible assets.


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Other Information

The Directors, on behalf of the group, are responsible for the other information included in the entity’s Annual

Report. Other information may include the Chairman’s report, CEO’s Report, disclosures relating to corporate

governance and statutory information. Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover any

other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements our responsibility is to read the other

information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the

consolidated financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears materially

misstated. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this

other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Use of this Audit Report

This report is made solely to the shareholders as a body. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might

state to the shareholders those matters we are required to state to them in the Auditor’s Report and for no other

purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than

the shareholders as a body for our audit work, this report, or any of the opinions we have formed.

Responsibilities of Directors for the consolidated financial statements

The Directors, on behalf of the group, are responsible for:

— the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally

accepted accounting practice in New Zealand (being New Zealand Equivalents to International Financial

Reporting Standards) and International Financial Reporting Standards,;

— implementing necessary internal control to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that

are fairly presented and free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; and

— assessing the ability to continue as a going concern. This includes disclosing, as applicable, matters related

to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to liquidate or to

cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the consolidated financial

statements

Our objective is:

— to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free

from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; and

— to issue an Auditor’s Report that includes our opinion.

Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance

with International Standards on Auditing (New Zealand) will always detect a material misstatement when it

exists.

Misstatements can arise from fraud or error. They are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate,

they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these

consolidated financial statements.

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A further description of our responsibilities for the Audit of these consolidated financial statements is located at

the External Reporting Board (XRB) website at:

https://www.xrb.govt.nz/Site/Auditing_Assurance_Standards/Current_Standards/Page1.aspx.

This description forms part of our Auditor’s Report.





Brent Manning - Partner

KPMG

Wellington

13 February 2017



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72

Statutory

Information

1. Business operations

The Company sold its Australian grain market

operator Clear Grain Exchange, effective 1 December

2016. It also sold its two remaining rural magazines

on 1 November 2016. There have been no other

changes in the core business undertakings of the

Company or its subsidiaries during the year.

2. Interests register

NZX is required to maintain an interests register in

which particulars of certain transactions and matters

involving the directors must be recorded.

3. Directors interests

The directors have declared interests in the following

entities. Where (R) is shown next to an entity, this

denotes that the director has ceased to have that

interest during 2016.

Director

InterestEntity

Alison GerryDirectorKiwibank Limited

DirectorTelevision New Zealand

Limited (R)

DirectorNew Zealand Clearing and

Depository Corporation

Limited

TrusteeMichael Hill International

Violin Competition

DirectorInfratil Limited

DirectorInterestEntity

DirectorAsteron Life Limited

DirectorVero Insurance New Zealand

Limited

DirectorVero Liability New Zealand

Limited

DirectorSpark New Zealand Limited

Dr Patrick

Strange

ChairmanChorus Limited

DirectorMercury NZ Limited

DirectorAuckland International

Airport Limited

DirectorAusgrid

DirectorEndeavour Energy

DirectorEssential Energy (Australia)

DirectorNew Zealand Clearing and

Depository Corporation

Limited

Dame

Therese

Walsh

Deputy

Chairman

Television New Zealand

Limited

ChairInternational Development

and Selection Panel, MFAT

MemberMajor Events Investment

Panel, MBIE

MemberStrategic Risk and Resilience

Advisory Board, DPMC

TrusteeWellington Regional Stadium

Trust

DirectorASB Bank Limited

Council

Member

Victoria University of

Wellington

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73

DirectorInterestEntity

ChairNew Zealand Rugby Diversity

Committee

DirectorAir New Zealand Limited

AmbassadorWellington Homeless

Woman’s Trust

James MillerDirectorAuckland International

Airport Limited

DirectorMercury NZ Limited

DirectorAccident Compensation

Corporation

DirectorNew Zealand Clearing and

Depository Corporation

Limited (R)

Jon

Macdonald

CEOTrade Me Group Limited

DirectorTrade Me Limited

DirectorTMG Trustee Limited

DirectorOld Friends Limited

DirectorTrade Me Comparisons

Limited

TrusteeNew Zealand Technology

Trading Charitable Trust

Neil Paviour-

Smith

DirectorForsyth Barr Limited and

Associated Companies

DirectorForsyth Barr Limited

DirectorLeveraged Equities Finance

Limited

Board MemberNew Zealand Institute of

Chartered Accountants

Regulatory Board

DirectorChartered Accountants

Australia and New Zealand

Pro ChancellorVictoria University of

Wellington

4. Information used by director

There were no notices from directors of the Company

requesting to disclose or use Company information

received in their capacity as directors that would not

otherwise have been available to them.

5. Directors’ remuneration

The total remuneration available for directors is fixed

by shareholders. The annual fee pool limit is $435,000

and has not been increased since it was approved by

shareholders at the annual meeting in April 2012.

The current fees paid to NZX directors are $50,000

per annum for directors and $100,000 for the Chair.

No additional fees are paid for Committee

Memberships. An additional $10,000 per annum is

paid to non-executive directors of NZX’s wholly owned

subsidiary New Zealand Clearing and Depository

Corporation Limited (NZCDC). Total remuneration

received by each Director in 2016 is set out in the

table below.

DirectorRole

Board

fees

NZCDC

fees

Total

remuneration

Alison

Gerry

Director$50,000$10,000$60,000

Jon

Macdonald

Director$50,000–$50,000

James

Miller

Chairman$100,000$3,984$103,984

Neil

Paviour-

Smith

Director$50,000–$50,000

Dr Patrick

Strange

Director$50,000$6,071$56,071

Dame

Therese

Walsh

Director$50,000–$50,000

Total$350,000$20,055$370,055

6.Indemnification and insurance of

directors and officers

NZX pays premiums in respect of directors’ liability

insurance. The policies do not specify a premium for

individuals.

The insurance provides cover against costs and

expenses involved in defending legal actions and any

damages or judgments awarded or entered against

the individual, settlements negotiated and any legal

costs or expenses awarded against the individual

arising from a liability to persons (other than the

company or a related body corporate) incurred in

their position as a director unless the conduct involves

a wilful breach of duty, improper use of inside

information or position to gain any profit or advantage

or any criminal, dishonest, fraudulent or malicious acts

or omissions or any knowing or wilful violation of any

statute or regulation.

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NZX has granted indemnities to NZX directors and

NZX appointed directors of operating subsidiaries in

relation to potential liabilities and costs they may incur

for acts or omissions in their role as a director of NZX

or an NZX subsidiary. Similar exclusions to those

described in the previous paragraph on insurance apply.

7. Subsidiary Company directors

The directors of all NZX subsidiaries during the year

are as follows.

Clearing House entities


New Zealand Clearing and Depository Corporation

Limited

Timothy Bennett (Ceased to hold office 30 December

2016)

Mark Peterson

James Miller (Non-executive director, ceased to hold

office 30 December 2016)

Alison Gerry (Independent director)

Dr Patrick Strange (Independent director)

New Zealand Clearing Limited

Timothy Bennett (Ceased to hold office 30 December

2016)

Mark Peterson

New Zealand Depository Limited

Timothy Bennett (Ceased to hold office 30 December

2016)

Mark Peterson

New Zealand Depository Nominee Limited

Amanda Simpson (Ceased to hold office 30 December

2016)

Benjamin Phillips

Other NZX Subsidiaries


Energy Clearing House Limited

Amanda Simpson (Ceased to hold office 30 December

2016)

Benjamin Phillips

Fundsource Limited

Bevan Miller

Smartshares Limited

Timothy Bennett (Ceased to hold office 30 December

2016)

Bevan Miller

Paul Baldwin

Guy Elliffe (Independent director)

John Williams (Independent director)

NZX Wealth Technologies Limited

Bevan Miller

Mark Peterson

NZX Profarmer Australia Pty Limited

Timothy Bennett (Ceased to hold office 30 December

2016)

Nathan Cattle (Ceased to hold office 30 December 2016)

Ron Storey

Bevan Miller

NZX Agri Advisors Pty Limited

Nathan Cattle (Ceased to hold office 30 December 2016)

Ron Storey

NZX Rural Limited

Timothy Bennett (Ceased to hold office 30 December

2016)

Bevan Miller

Mandela Investments Limited

Bevan Miller

MXF Nominees Limited

Bevan Miller

New Zealand Exchange Limited

Bevan Miller

NZX CPL Nominee Limited

Bevan Miller

NZX Executive Share Plan Nominees Limited

Mark Reese (Independent Director)

NZX Holding No. 3 Limited

Bevan Miller

NZX Holding No. 4 Limited

Timothy Bennett – (Ceased to hold office 30 December

2016)

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75

NZX Share Scheme Nominee Limited

Bevan Miller

Tane Nominees Limited

Bevan Miller

TZ1 Limited

Bevan Miller

The directors of NZX’s subsidiary companies who are

not NZX employees have declared interests in the

following entities:

Subsidiary

directorInterestEntity

Guy ElliffeCorporate

Governance

Manager

Accident

Compensation

Corporation

John WilliamsInvestment

Manager

Trust Investments

Management Limited

NZX employees do not receive additional

remuneration for acting as directors of subsidiary

companies.

The total amount of remuneration and other benefits

to which independent directors of an NZX subsidiary

was entitled during 2016 is as follows:

Subsidiary director

Remuneration

Guy Elliffe$30,000

John Williams$30,000

Fees earned by NZX Limited directors for acting as

independent directors of New Zealand Clearing and

Depository Corporation Limited are set out in section

five.

8. Donations

During the year NZX made donations to charitable

organisations of $16,591.

9. Employee Remuneration

The table below sets out the number of NZX Group

employees and former employees who received

remuneration and other benefits, including non-cash

benefits and share-based remuneration in excess of

$100,000 per annum. This information is based on all

amounts received by the employees during the

calendar year and therefore includes bonus payments

that relate to the 2015 year (where applicable).

Directors are not included in the table below. Their

remuneration is set out separately in section 5.

Remuneration rangeEmployees

100,000 – 109,99913

110,000 – 119,9998

120,000 – 129,9996

130,000 – 139,9997

140,000 – 149,9995

150,000 – 159,9996

160,000 – 169,9992

170,000 – 179,9993

190,000 – 199,9995

200,000 – 209,9991

210,000 – 219,9992

220,000 – 229,9991

240,000 – 249,9992

250,000 – 259,9991

260,000 – 269,9991

270,000 – 279,9993

280,000 – 289,9991

310,000 – 319,9992

380,000 – 389,9991

400,000 – 409,9991

2,860,000 – 2,869,9991

10. Director transactions in securities of

the Parent Company

Director

Securities held (legally and

beneficially) at 31 December 2016

Alison Gerry–

Jon Macdonald50,000

James Miller40,083

Neil Paviour-Smith500,105

Dr Patrick Strange5,000

Dame Therese Walsh50,000

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76

There were no changes in these relevant interests

during the year.

11. Auditors

The external auditor of the parent company and the

Group is KPMG. They provide audit and other

services, for which their remuneration in 2016 was as

follows:

Group $000

Audit of the financial statements281

Other audit related fees40

Non-audit services–

Total321

12. Top 20 security holders

The following table shows the names and holdings

of the 20 largest holdings of the securities of the

Company at 31 December 2016.

Investor name

Shares

held

% of

issued

shares

HSBC Nominees (New Zealand)

Limited

19,978,2507.5

Citibank Nominees (NZ) Ltd18,381,5496.9

Accident Compensation Corporation16,909,6116.3

FNZ Custodians Limited12,495,3794.7

Aventine Group Limited12,396,6954.6

Nigel Babbage & Philippa Babbage11,700,0004.4

Premier Nominees Limited10,166,0303.8

HSBC Nominees (New Zealand)

Limited

9,380,9333.5

Investment Custodial Services Limited6,023,6842.2

David Mitchell Odlin5,988,6812.2

Forsyth Barr Custodians Ltd5,901,0482.2

BNP Paribas Nominees NZ Limited5,199,7341.9

Custodial Services Limited3,954,6321.5

Leveraged Equities Finance Limited2,680,8261.0

New Zealand Superannuation Fund

Nominees Limited

2,248,3930.8

Custodial Services Limited2,105,7830.8

Cogent Nominees Limited2,050,5820.8

Custodial Services Limited1,656,2030.6

Premier Nominees Limited1,642,7310,6

JPMorgan Chase Bank1,632,5010,6

Total152,493,24556.8

13. Spread of ordinary shareholders as at

31 December 2016

SHAREHOLDERS

SHARES

Size of HoldingNumber%Number%

1-1,0002797.1774,9880.07

1,001-5,00075919.512,506,9480.93

5,001-10,0001,00825.918,107,6743.02

10,001-50,0001,44137.0432,109,43611.97

50,001-100,0002255.7816,055,1885.98

Greater than 100,0001784.58209,361,45578.03

Total3,890100268,315,689100

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14. Substantial product holders

The following information is given pursuant to section

293 of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013

(FMCA). According to NZX’s records and disclosures

made pursuant to section 280 (1)(b) of the FMCA, the

following were substantial product holders in NZX as

at 31 December 2016. The total number of voting

securities on issue as at 31 December 2016 was

268,315,689.

Class

Relevant

interest

% of

Issued

shares

Highclere International

Investors LLP

Ordinary

shares

16,183,7186.03

Accident

Compensation

Corporation

Ordinary

shares

16,909,6116.30

ANZ New Zealand

Investments Limited

Director15,529,1205.79

15. Waivers from Listing Rules and

independent director certificates

The following waiver has been granted to NZX or

relied upon by NZX in the 12 month period ended

31 December 2016:

Waiver from the application of Rule 7.6.1 to allow NZX

to redeem its own Equity Securities where, under the

terms of the NZX Employee Share Plan – Team and

Results, it is obliged or entitled to do so.

16. Securities issued by NZX

NZX’s ordinary shares are quoted on the NZX Main

Board. Shares issued under the various employee

share schemes, such as the CEO LTI Share Scheme

(implemented January 2013) and the NZX Employee

Share Plan – Team and Results (implemented in May

2010), are subject to certain transfer conditions and

entitlement criteria. For as long as shares issued under

these schemes are subject to these restrictions they

are not quoted on any market and will not be quoted

on any market until such time as they vest in the

relevant participants.

This report is signed by and on behalf of the Board

of NZX Limited by:

James MillerNeil Paviour-Smith

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Directory

Registered Office

NZX Limited

Level 1, NZX Centre 11 Cable Street

PO Box 2959

WELLINGTON

Tel: +64 4 472 7599

info@nzx.com

www.nzxgroup.com

Auditors

KPMG

10 Customhouse Quay

WELLINGTON

Tel: +64 4 816 4500

Fax: +64 816 4600


Board of Directors

Alison Gerry

Dame Therese Walsh

Dr Patrick Strange

James Miller

Jon Macdonald

Neil Paviour-Smith


Share Register

Link Market Services Limited

PO Box 91976

Auckland 1142

Investor Enquiries +64 9 375 5998

Fax +64 9 375 5990

enquiries@linkmarketservices.co.nz

www.linkmarketservices.co.nz

NZX Limited
Level 1 / NZX Centre

11 Cable Street

PO Box 2959

WELLINGTON

Tel: +64 4 472 7599

info@nzx.com

www.nzxgroup.com

---

2016 Full Year
Results Presentation

14 February 2017

Contents
• Overview of 2016 results

• 2016 financial and operational performance

• Outlook for 2017

• Dividend

• Further information

2

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

This full year results presentation should be read in conjunction with the management commentary

on NZX’s 2016 results, which provides additional information on many areas covered in the

presentation

Overview of 2016 results
3

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

2016 overview
• A number of significant milestones were achieved in 2016 that put the Group on a strong

footing for 2017 and beyond, including completion of the Ralec litigation, completion of

transition to the FMCA, success in winning major clients for NZX Wealth Technologies,

and reshaping of the rural business, all of which will add meaningfully to 2017 earnings

• All of these items did however have an impact on 2016 results through increased costs,

as did one-off costs associated with the CEO transition

• In terms of the operating performance of the business:

- the Markets division performed strongly, achieving further operating leverage through

growing revenue while at the same time reducing cost. Growth in the listed debt

markets and securities trading volumes were particular highlights

- the Funds Services segment continued to see good revenue growth, though segment

earnings were impacted by the investment required to expand these businesses and

the short-term costs of the FMCA transition

- the Agri business endured difficult trading conditions as advertisers pulled back spend

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

4

A number of non-operating factors impacted 2016 results, but strong

platform built for significant earnings growth in 2017

2016 Operating Earnings
© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

5

2016

$m

2015

$m


Change

Total revenue 77.5 73.2

6.0%

Operating expenses

(55.0)

(48.6)

13.3%

EBITDA

22.5 24.6 (8.4%)

20,000

21,000

22,000

23,000

24,000

25,000

26,000

27,000

28,000

29,000

2015 EBITDA Markets growth FMCA & CEO

Transition Costs

Funds services

investment

Agri decline Increase in

corporate costs

2016 EBITDA

2016 reported results
© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

6

2016

$m

2015

$m


Change

Total revenue 77.5 73.2

6.0%

Operating expenses

(55.0)

(48.6)

13.3%

EBITDA

22.5 24.6 (8.4%)

Depreciation and amortisation

(7.9)

(7.0)

13.5%

Net finance income

(0.4)

0.2

(319.4%)

Gain on disposal of Link NZ

-

11.8

(100.0%)

Associate earnings

-

0.4

(100.0%)

Loss on disposal

(0.4)

-

NM

Impairment

(0.8)

-

NM

Adjustment to earnout

0.7

-

NM

Tax

(4.5)

(6.1)

(26.0%)

Net profit after tax

9.2 23.9 (61.5%)

Significant non-operating items in 2015 and 2016 results
Item 2016

$m

2015

$m

Description

Gain on Link disposal - 11.8 Gain on sale of NZX’s 50% stake in Link Market

Services NZ in June 2015

Loss on sale of assets (0.4) - Loss on disposal of Clear Grain Exchange and

New Zealand rural magazine titles

Impairment (0.8) - Write down of residual value of brands

associated with the rural magazine titles

Earnout adjustment 0.7 - Reversal of contingent earnout payment

accrued on acquisition of Apteryx as earnout

targets not expected to be met, partly offset by

increase in provision for SuperLife earnout due

to increased expectation of full payout

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

7

(4,000)
(3,000)

(2,000)

(1,000)

-

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

EBITDA change

(1,500)

(1,000)

(500)

-

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

Revenue change

Segment results

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

8

Markets

Funds

Services


Agri

Corporate

Markets

Funds

Services


Agri

Corporate

1

2

3

4

5

6

1

Growth in debt listings and securities trading

volumes

Full year of new ETFs and growth in SuperLife

funds under management

Reduction in print advertising

2

3

6

5

4

Operating leverage from revenue growth and

cost reduction

FMCA costs plus full year of losses from

NZXWT and early stage ETFs

CEO transition costs, increase in IT, rent and

payroll costs

2016 financial and operational performance
9

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

Markets earnings
© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

10

2016

$m

2015

$m


Change

Total revenue

52.9 49.9 6.0%

Operating expenses

(11.8) (12.4) -4.5%

Segment earnings

41.0 37.5 9.5%

30,000

32,000

34,000

36,000

38,000

40,000

42,000

2015 EBITDA Increased

trading activity

Increase in debt

raising

Increase in

IPOs

Increase in ALF Reduced

secondary

equity raising

Decrease in

expenses

Other 2016 EBITDA

11
Markets revenue

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

2016

$m

2015

$m


Change

Securities information

10.4

10.6

-1.4%

Listing fees

14.9

13.4

11.3%

Other issuer services

1.1

0.8

48.6%

Securities trading

5.8

5.0

15.9%

Participant services

3.6

3.5

1.9%

Securities clearing

5.7

5.4

5.6%

Dairy derivatives

0.7

0.7

3.2%

Market operations

10.7

10.6

0.9%

Total markets revenue

52.9 49.9 6.0%

• Strong flow of new and secondary debt issuance – debt market capitalisation up 29.7% to

25.7b

• Growth in volume and to a lesser extent value traded in cash markets drove trading and

clearing fee growth

• Relatively limited IPO activity with three main board listings, though two NXT listings and

two spin outs saw 7 new companies listed in 2016

Listing fees
© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

12

Shift from IPOs to new debt listings

$0.0B

$5.0B

$10.0B

$15.0B

$20.0B

$25.0B

$30.0B

03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Source: NZX Data

$0.0B

$1.0B

$2.0B

$3.0B

$4.0B

$5.0B

$6.0B

$7.0B

$8.0B

$9.0B

$10.0B

$11.0B

03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Secondary capital raised New capital listed

2016 revenue $2.3m (2015: $0.8m)

2016 revenue $3.3m (2015: $4.0m)

Equity

Debt

69 3 6 7 1 1 10 2 1 2

New equity

listings

Equity

Debt

16 5 7

$0B
$10B

$20B

$30B

$40B

$50B

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Value traded

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

2,000

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Number of trades (000’s)

Trading and clearing

13

39.6%

5.5%

Change over prior year

32.0%

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

9.8%

-17.2%

Growth in trading fees underpinned by 19.8% volume growth

19.1%

12.0%

19.8%

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017
14

Dairy derivatives

Increase in volatility in commodity prices in 2H 2016 has spurred volume

-

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

-

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

Oct-10

Dec-10

Feb-11

Apr-11

Jun-11

Aug-11

Oct-11

Dec-11

Feb-12

Apr-12

Jun-12

Aug-12

Oct-12

Dec-12

Feb-13

Apr-13

Jun-13

Aug-13

Oct-13

Dec-13

Feb-14

Apr-14

Jun-14

Aug-14

Oct-14

Dec-14

Feb-15

Apr-15

Jun-15

Aug-15

Oct-15

Dec-15

Feb-16

Apr-16

Jun-16

Aug-16

Oct-16

Dec-16

Lots traded (LHS) GDT index (RHS)

• Trading primarily restricted to futures in 2016, whereas significant volumes

of options traded in 2015

• Lack of market volatility in 1H 2016 reduced incentive to hedge

• While year on year volumes were flat, the number of end users accessing

the market continued to grow (up 67% on 2015)

15
$5.9M

$5.7M

$5.3M

$5.4M

$5.8M

$1.6M

$2.4M

$2.6M

$1.4M

$1.4M

$.0M

$1.0M

$2.0M

$3.0M

$4.0M

$5.0M

$6.0M

$7.0M

$8.0M

$9.0M

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Development

Contract

Market operations

New energy contracts commenced, now run through to June 2024

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

Energy revenue

• Change in

structure of EA

contracts

increased

contract revenue.

Offset by higher

IT costs and

depreciation as

NZX now bears

costs that were

previously directly

borne by the EA

• Development

work was

continuation of

ERM project,

ESB project and

change requests

Funds services earnings
© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

16

2016

$m

2015

$m


Change

Total revenue

13.0 10.7 22.0%

Operating expenses

(13.3) (9.0) 49.0%

Segment earnings

(0.3) 1.7 -118.3%

-1,000

-500

-

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

2015 EBITDA SuperLife FUM

growth

Full year of

NZXWT losses

FMCA costs Full year of early-

stage ETFs

Increased G&A Other 2016 EBITDA

17
Funds Services revenue

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

2016

$m

2015

$m


Change

SuperLife revenue

7.0 6.4 9.4%

Smartshares revenue

4.6 3.6 28.8%

Total funds management revenue

11.6 10.0 16.3%

Wealth platform fees

1.4 0.7 103.9%

Total funds services revenue

13.0 10.7 22.0%

• SuperLife revenue continued to grow on the back of solid growth in funds under

management, which continues to grow ahead of acquisition targets

• Smartshares revenues benefited from a full year of the new ETFs launched in 2015.

However, as these are early stage, many of these do not yet have sufficient revenues to

cover their costs and hence impacted negatively on margin

• Full year of wealth technology fees in 2016 compared to six months in 2015. While funds

under administration was unchanged in 2016, the focus was on winning new clients

whose funds will come onto the platform in 2017

Components of Funds Services segment earnings
© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

18

1. Full year of NZX Wealth Technologies

losses, increased by costs associated

with winning new clients

2. FMCA transition costs comprised legal

and other professional fees, fixed term

contract staff, registry costs, filing fees

and other related costs. None to recur in

2017

3. ETF direct contribution represents

Smartshares revenue less related funds

costs

4. Remaining segment earnings is earnings

from KiwiSaver and Superannuation

business less overheads and shared

costs of funds management unit

-2,000

-1,500

-1,000

-500

-

500

1,000

1,500

NZX WT

earnings

FMCA

transition

costs

ETFs direct

contribution

Remaining

segment

earnings

To t a l 2 0 1 6

segment

earnings

1 2

3 4

SuperLife
• Superannuation FUM grew 13.0%, including four new corporate superannuation

mandates won during the year

• KiwiSaver FUM grew 21.1% on solid net funds inflows and member growth, outstripping

market growth as highlighted in the chart below showing indexed growth in FUM

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

19

100

110

120

130

140

150

160

Dec-14 Mar-15 Jun-15 Sep-15 Dec-15 Mar-16 Jun-16 Sep-16 Dec-16

Superlife

KiwiSaver FUM

Total KiwiSaver

market FUM

Source: Fundsource, Company data

Smartshares
• Number of unitholders up 24.7% year on year

• Number of new retail applications up 177%

• Value of on-market trading up 72.3%

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

20

Traction in direct to retail sales

Shift of Wholesale

FUM by one

advisor group out

of FNZ

Agri earnings
© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

21

2016

$m

2015

$m


Change

Total revenue

11.6 12.6 -7.6%

Operating expenses

(10.8) (11.5) -6.7%

Segment earnings

0.8 1.1 -17.8%

-

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

2015 EBITDA NZ data growth Decrease in print

advertising

Other 2016 EBITDA

22
Agri revenue

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

2016

$m

2015

$m


Change

Publishing

6.4 8.1 -20.1%

New Zealand data

1.7 1.2 36.0%

Australia data

2.4 2.4 -0.9%

To t a l agri information revenue

10.5 11.7 -10.3%

Grain trading

1.1 0.9 27.8%

Total agri revenue

11.6 12.6 -7.6%

• Publishing revenues reflect significant reduction in advertising volumes (paid

advertising page equivalents down 20.8% compared to 2015)

• Growth in NZ data came from sales of existing products, ifarm business acquired in

2015 and online news service launched late 2015

• Grain trading revenues increased on the prior year due to more favourable market

conditions in 2016, however Clear business remained unprofitable and was sold

effective 1 December 2016

Components of Agri result
• Magazines sold 1 November 2016

• Clear Grain Exchange sold 1 December

2016

• Remaining business comprises New

Zealand and Australian data and the

Farmers Weekly publication

• New Zealand data grew 36% due to

increased sales of existing products, full

year of iFarm revenues and launch of

online news service

• Australian data stable

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

23

2016 segment earnings breakdown

-600

-400

-200

-

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

Data and

Farmers Weekly

Clear Magazines

To t a l 2 0 1 6

segment

earnings

24
2016 operating expenses summary

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

2016

$m

2015

$m


Change

Gross personnel costs

32.7 27.7 18.1%

Full year of Wealth Tech, increase in staff

for major projects, CEO transition

Less staff

capitalisation

(2.9) (1.6) 74.3% Increase in major project activity

Net personnel costs

29.8 26.1 14.6%

IT costs

7.3 6.2 17.0%

FX impact on system support costs,

change in model for energy contracts, full

year of Wealth Tech

Professional fees

5.6 5.6 -0.1% Includes $3m of Ralec costs

Marketing, print and

distribution

3.1 3.5 -13.7%

Reduction in print and distribution in line

with decline in Agri publishing revenues

Fund expenditure

3.7 2.3 60.5%

Full year of ETFs launched in 2015 plus

volume growth

Other expenses

5.5 4.9 14.5%

Short term increase in rent costs, higher

doubtful debts provision

Total operating

expenditure

55.0 48.6

13.3%

Investment in the business
25

Expense growth (2011-2016)

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

Stabilised

costs in

traditional

business


Investment

in Funds

Services


Cease in

2016


-

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Markets & corporate Agri Smartshares SuperLife Wealth technologies Ralec costs FMCA and CEO transition

2017 Outlook
© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

Overall outlook for 2017
• Following the structural changes made in 2015 and 2016, the shape of the business is

now where we want it to be. The focus for 2017 is on delivering on the set of

opportunities that we have created and ensuring cost efficiency

• Momentum in the Funds Services segment will accelerate with Craigs and Hobson

Wealth coming onto the NZX Wealth Technologies platform bringing substantial growth in

Funds Under Administration

• Markets outlook, as ever, is difficult to predict. The continuing volatility in the global

outlook causes us to take a cautious view on markets at this early stage of 2017.

Nonetheless, growth in the debt market and changes in fee structure implemented in

2016 will provide ongoing value

• Improved outlook for Agri business as commodity prices pick up after a difficult 2016

• The Funds Services business moves out of investment mode (which saw a significant

step up in the cost base in 2015 and 2016) and into growth mode, where further growth in

costs will only come from growth in revenues

• Major reset of cost base in 2017:

- No further Ralec costs

- No further FMCA or CEO transition costs

- Reduction in rural cost base following the sale of loss-making businesses will add to

margin

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

27

Outlook
• Based on the factors outlined on the previous slide, NZX expects FY 2017 EBITDA to be

in the range of $27.0m to $30.0m, an increase of 20% to 33% on FY 2016 EBITDA

• This is subject to market outcomes, particularly with respect to IPOs, secondary capital

raising, and trading & clearing volumes for equities & derivatives

• Guidance assumes no material adverse events, significant one-off expenses or major

accounting adjustments

• It also assumes no acquisitions or divestments

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

28

EBITDA guidance

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017
29

• “BAU” capital expenditure averaged $2-3 million

p.a. until 2015, with peaks driven by system

implementations/renewals

• This increased as a result of the acquisition of

SuperLife and Apteryx (now NZX Wealth

Technologies), which undertake development of

their core systems in-house

• The Group is also in the middle of a major

upgrade of its clearing and settlement system,

which is anticipated to be competed by mid

2017, and commenced work in 2016 on a 2-3

year upgrade of the systems used to operate the

New Zealand electricity markets under contract

from the EA, which added further to capital

expenditure. This energy project will continue

throughout 2017 and much of 2018

Capex

Investment requirements driven by system lifecycles, addition of new

funds businesses increases BAU capital expenditure

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Millions

PP&E Other software Trading system

Clearing House Clear Grain SuperLife

NZXWT

Dividend
30

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

2H 2016 dividend
• Final 2016 dividend of 3.0 cents declared. Takes total distributions for 2016 to 6.0 cents,

unchanged from 2015

• Dividend to be fully imputed

• To be paid on 24 March 2017 for holdings as at 10 March 2017

31

© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

Further information
32



NZX full annual report available to download at:

http://nzxgroup.com/investor-centre/reports-information



For more information please contact:

Mark Peterson Bevan Miller Hannah Lynch

Interim CEO CFO Head of Communications

mark.peterson@nzx.com bevan.miller@nzx.com Hannah.lynch@nzx.com

+64 21 390 636 +64 21 276 7359 +64 21 252 8990




© Copyright NZX Ltd. 2017

---

NZX Limited
Level 1, NZX Centre

11 Cable Street

PO Box 2959

Wellington 6140

New Zealand

Tel +64 4 472 7599


www.nzx.com



14 February 2017



NZX Full Year 2016 results announcement


NZX today reported its financial results for the 12 months to 31 December 2016.


The period was notable due to a number of actions taken to reposition the Group. The Ralec

litigation was concluded, the Agri business was reshaped, SuperLife and Smartshares

transitioned to the Financial Markets Conduct Act (FMCA), and two significant clients were

secured for the Wealth Technologies business. All of this will position NZX well for future

earnings growth.


NZX Interim CEO Mark Peterson commented: “The past 12 months have been pivotal for NZX.

A great deal of work was undertaken to ensure we have the right foundations in place to drive

profitable growth across the Group going forward, and are effectively operating an increasingly

integrated set of businesses that serve at the heart of New Zealand’s capital markets.”


“The team at NZX are now clearly focused on driving earnings growth out of our Markets, Funds

Services and Agri businesses to better serve our customers, and deliver improved returns for

our shareholders.”


Total NZX revenues for the full year of $77.5 million were up 6.0% on the previous

corresponding period. Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation fell at the

bottom end of the previously guided range at $22.5 million.


Revenue growth was more than offset by an increase in operating expenses of 13.3% on the

prior year. A significant portion of this increase resulted from onetime costs relating to 2016,

including the Smartshares and SuperLife FMCA transition, the repositioning of our Agri

business, and the CEO transition.


In addition, the Ralec litigation concluded in 2016. This again added significantly to the year’s

cost base, however all outstanding matters have now been resolved and no further costs will be

incurred going forward.














2


Reported results are summarised in the table below:



Year ended

31 Dec 2016

$m

Year ended

31 Dec 2015

$m

Change %

Revenue 77.5 73.2 6.0%

Operating expenses (55.0) (48.6) 13.3%

EBITDA* 22.5 24.6 (8.4%)

Net finance income (0.3) 0.2 (319.4%)

Depreciation & amortisation (7.9) (7.0) 13.5%

Loss on disposal (0.5) - NM

Impairment expense (0.8) - NM

Adjustment to provision for earnout 0.7 - NM

Gain on disposal of Link NZ - 11.8 (100.0%)

Associate income - 0.4 (100.0%)

Tax expense (4.5) (6.1) (26.0%)

Net Profit After Tax 9.2 23.9 (61.5%)


* Earnings before net finance income, income tax, depreciation, amortisation and impairment, adjustment to provision for earnout,

share of profit of associate, gain on sale of associate and loss on disposal of business and property, plant and equipment.


Business highlights


Markets

Total revenues in NZX’s Markets business – which includes capital raising, trading and clearing,

listings, participant services, securities data and derivatives and markets operated for Fonterra

and the Electricity Authority – were up 6.0% on the prior period to $52.9 million, while operating

costs were down 4.5%. This operating leverage resulted in 9.5% growth in segment earnings.


The rise in capital markets revenues was driven by NZX’s Debt Market, which continued its

rapid growth trajectory in 2016 as debt market capitalisation increased by 29.7%. While equity

raising activity experienced a small increase, activity in the debt market was the primary driver

in the tripling of initial listing fees compared to 2015.


Trading volumes increased 19.8% on the prior year, as overseas investors turned to New

Zealand in search of lower volatility and higher yields, while total valued traded was up 5.5%.

This contributed to a lift in securities trading revenue and securities clearing revenue up 15.9%

and 5.6% respectively on 2015.


Highlights of the New Zealand equity market included the S&P/NZX 50 Index exceeding 7,000

for the first time in May, and the ratio of equity market capitalisation to Gross Domestic Product

(GDP) peaking at 50.1% in July. This was a significant milestone given the ratio was as low as

25% in February 2009, and in mid-2012 had only increased to 27.6%. The S&P/NZX 50 was up

8.8% for the year to 31 December 2016.


3


Low levels of volatility in the dairy commodities market impacted derivatives market volumes in

the first half of 2016. While trading levels increased strongly in the second half, with momentum

continuing into 2017, full year volumes were slightly down on the prior year.


Despite this, revenue experienced a slight lift up 3.2% due to currency impacts. The number of

end-users accessing NZX’s Dairy Derivatives market continued to climb in 2016 up 67%,

reinforcing its global popularity and long-term growth potential.


Another notable highlight of 2016 was the launch and subsequent uptake of NZ milk price

futures and options contracts, as NZX expanded its suite of risk management tools. Early

volume in these products surpassed expectations with more than 23 million kilograms of milk

solids (Kg/ms) traded in 2016.


Mark Peterson commented: “The performance of NZX’s Markets business was underpinned by

the sustained run New Zealand’s equity and debt markets have experienced in recent years.

We are pleased with the performance of this business, in particular the impressive growth

witnessed in NZX’s debt market, the strong momentum seen in trading volumes, and the

continued lift in popularity of our derivatives market.”


NZX continued to maintain a high quality regulatory environment. This was recognised in June

when the Financial Markets Authority stated that NZX continued to operate fair, orderly and

transparent markets and was not required to take any specific actions following its annual

Market Operator Obligations Review.


Market operations: NZX successfully retendered for the four market operator contracts with the

Electricity Authority in 2015, with these contracts commencing in 2016. Revenues remained

steady as work to upgrade systems used to run the market offset reduced market operation

fees.


Funds Services

Total revenues in NZX’s Fund Services business – which comprises the SuperLife

superannuation and KiwiSaver, Smartshares Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), and NZX Wealth

Technologies (NZXWT) businesses – were up 22.0% on the prior period to $13.0 million due to

a full year of revenue from NZXWT and the new ETFs launched in 2015, as well as continued

growth in Funds Under Management (FUM).


Mark Peterson commented: “NZX’s Funds Services business achieved good momentum in

2016, reflecting the deliberate investment decisions we have made to grow our presence in the

passive funds management and service infrastructure sectors. As we look to 2017 and beyond,

our SuperLife and Smartshares teams will focus tightly on marketing and generating earnings

growth, after spending much of 2015 on product development, and 2016 on integration and

compliance.”


Funds Management: FUM in SuperLife’s KiwiSaver business grew 21.1%, while total SuperLife

FUM increased by 15.8% on 2015.


Total external FUM in NZX’s Smartshares business – which provides a range of 23 passive low

cost ETFs – increased by 10.7% on the prior period.


4


Highlights in this business also included SuperLife winning four new group corporate

superannuation mandates and achieving significant uplift in direct retail ETF sales by

Smartshares.


NZX Wealth Technologies: Highlights in this business included the signing of two major clients,

Craigs Investment Partners and Hobson Wealth (formally Macquarie Equities New Zealand) in

August and September. Both clients are expected to be transitioned onto the NZX Wealth

Technologies platform in the first half of 2017, enabling the transfer of substantial Funds Under

Administration to the platform, which will see the business move from loss-making to

breakeven.


Agri

Total revenues in NZX’s Agri business were down 7.6%. The performance of this business was

once again marked by low commodity prices for dairy products, which impacted sector

confidence and resulted in a 20.8% reduction of paid advertising equivalents on the prior year.

This directly correlated to a decline in publishing revenue of 20.1% on 2015.


While publishing revenues declined, data revenues were up 11.5% on the previous

corresponding period, driven by strong growth in corporate subscriptions for its New Zealand-

based AgriHQ and iFarm products.


Against this backdrop, NZX restructured its Agri business in 2016, divesting the Clear Grain

Exchange in Australia, and the two remaining rural magazine titles in New Zealand.


The streamlined NZX Agri business has a greater focus on data and analytics, which have more

attractive growth prospects and stronger linkages to NZX’s markets business. A new business

head was appointed in December to lead the Agri business and drive growth going forward.


Costs

Growth in operating expenses of $6.5 million over 2016 reflected several one-off costs,

including professional fees for the Ralec litigation and the FMCA transition. The cost line for

Funds Services reflected the targeted investment made here to grow the business with a full

year of operational costs for the new ETFs and NZXWT. In addition, corporate costs were

increased by the CEO transition, a short term increase in rental expenses as the Group

reshuffled its accommodation in Auckland and Wellington, and higher IT costs.


Outlook

As a result of the work done in 2016, the outlook is for a step change in earnings going forward.

NZX expects full year 2017 EBITDA to be in the range of $27.0 million to $30.0 million. This is

subject to market outcomes, particularly in respect to initial public offerings, secondary capital

raising, trading and clearing volumes for equity, derivatives and grain trading volumes. This

guidance assumes no material adverse events, significant one-off expenses, or major

accounting adjustments. It also assumes no acquisitions or divestments.


Dividend

The NZX board has declared a final dividend of 3.0 cents per share, fully imputed. The record

date will be 10 March 2017, with a payment date of 24 March 2017. This brings total

distributions in respect of the 2016 financial year to 6.0 cents per share, unchanged from 2015.


5



For more information please contact:

Media enquires:

Hannah Lynch

Communications Manager

T: 09 308 3710

M: 021 252 8990

E: hannah.lynch@nzx.com


Investor enquires:

Bevan Miller

Chief Financial Officer

M: 021 276 7359

T: 04 498 2271

E: bevan.miller@nzx.com

About NZX Limited

NZX builds and operates capital, risk and commodity markets and the infrastructure

required to support them. We provide high quality information, data and tools to

support business decision making. We aim to make a meaningful difference to

wealth creation for our shareholders and the individuals, businesses and

economies in which we operate. To learn more about NZX, please visit:

www.nzxgroup.com

Data sourced from publicly available filings. Our datasets may not be complete. Automated analysis can produce errors. If you believe any data on this page is incorrect, please contact us at hello@nzxplorer.co.nz. For informational purposes only. Not investment advice.

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