MRM - 2019 Universal Registration Document
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Risk factors
Main risk factors
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COMPETITION
Description of the risk and its impacts
Risk mitigation measures
Given that there are numerous rival property companies with larger portfolios or greater financial standing, and due to its relatively small portfolio and relatively modest financial resources, M.R.M. risks experiencing a lack of visibility or difficulties to establish preferential relationships with vendors, purchasers, brands or brokers, thereby reducing its acquisition, sale or letting opportunities.
As a listed company, M.R.M. regularly communicates with the market and has therefore acquired some visibility. Its link to the SCOR group, the world’s fourth largest reinsurer, has also boosted its reputation and visibility. M.R.M. also attends trade fairs and major events in the property sector, as well as maintains its professional contacts and network.
2.2.4 Legal and tax risks
9 COMPLIANCE WITH TAX REGULATIONS AND THE SIIC REGIME
Description of the risk and its impacts
Risk mitigation measures
M.R.M. is exposed to changes to French tax rules. Any increase in the tax rates imposed on M.R.M. could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, its financial position and its operating income, leading to a fall in profitability and a decrease in its value, and making its shares less appealing to investors. Since 1 January 2008, M.R.M. has benefitted from the SIIC status governed by Article 208-C of the French General Tax Code under which it is exempt from corporate income tax (subject to distribution conditions) on the share of its profit derived from the rental of its properties, capital gains on the sale of properties or of certain stakes in real estate companies, and certain dividends. In addition, failure to meet this distribution obligation during the financial period would mean that the exemptions would not apply to that year. Moreover, theM.R.M. would lose the benefit of the SIIC regime if one or more of its shareholders acting in concert (other than listed companies benefiting from the SIIC regime) were to hold 60% or more of its shares or voting rights. The Company currently does not envisage one of its shareholders directly or indirectly holding 60% or more of its shares. However, since 29 May 2013, M.R.M.’s main shareholder has been SCOR SE which owns 59.9% of the share capital. The loss of SIIC status could have a material adverse effect on M.R.M. Finally, M.R.M. is exposed to the risk of future modifications in the SIIC regime or the interpretation of provisions related to it by the tax and accounting authorities, which could affect the business, results and financial position of the Company. Any disagreements with the tax authorities could lead M.R.M. into tax disputes, while an incorrect tax payment could harm M.R.M.’s reputation and have a financial impact.
M.R.M. calls on expert external consultants to keep up-to-date with tax changes and their impact, and for any legal or tax-related questions that it might have. Both M.R.M.’s and SCOR’s teams closely monitor SCOR’s shareholding and voting rights to ensure that they do not exceed the 60% threshold. In 2019, the General Meeting of Shareholders authorised the removal of the double voting rights attached to shares in the Company registered continually for at least two years in the name of the same shareholder. This removal of the double voting rights has made it easier to monitor shareholder voting rights, and therefore to comply with any threshold disclosures, as well as making it easier to manage the ownership constraints linked to the SIIC regime.
M.R.M. 2019 UNIVERSAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENT
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