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Item 11 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Manchester United Plc · 20-F · FY 2025 · Period ended Jun 30, 2025
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Market Risk
Our operations are exposed to a variety of financial risks that include foreign exchange risk, and cash flow and fair value interest rate risk. We review and agree policies for managing these risks, which are then implemented by our finance department. Please refer to Note 30 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 30 June 2025 and 2024 and for the years ended 30 June 2025, 2024 and 2023 included elsewhere in this Annual Report for a fuller quantitative and qualitative discussion on the market risks to which we are subject and our policies with respect to managing those risks. The policies are summarized below:
Foreign exchange risk
We are exposed to both translational and transactional risk of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. A significant foreign exchange risk we face relates to player transfer fees payable in Euros and the revenue received in Euros as a result of participation in UEFA club competitions. We ordinarily seek to hedge economically the majority of the foreign exchange risk of this revenue either by using contracted future foreign exchange expenses (including player transfer fee commitments) or by placing forward contracts at the point at which it becomes reasonably certain that we will receive the revenue.
We also receive a significant amount of sponsorship revenue denominated in US dollars. We seek to hedge the foreign exchange risk on future US dollar revenues whenever possible using our US dollar net borrowings as the hedging instrument. The foreign exchange gains or losses arising on retranslation of our US dollar net borrowings used in the hedge are initially recognized in other comprehensive income, rather than being recognized in the statement of profit or loss immediately. Amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in a hedging reserve are subsequently reclassified into the statement of profit or loss in the same accounting period, and within the same statement of profit or loss line (i.e. commercial revenue), as the underlying future US dollar revenues. The foreign exchange gains or losses arising on re-translation of our unhedged US dollar borrowings are recognized in the statement of profit or loss immediately.
As of 30 June 2025, the amount accumulated in the hedging reserve relating to the above hedge was a credit of £1.0 million (this amount is stated gross before deducting related tax).
Based on exchange rates as of 30 June 2025, a 10% appreciation of pounds sterling compared to the US dollar would have resulted in a credit to the hedging reserve in respect of the above hedge of approximately £16.8 million for the year ended 30 June 2025. Conversely, a 10% depreciation of pounds sterling compared to the US dollar would have resulted in a debit to the hedging reserve in respect of the above hedge of approximately £20.0 million for the year ended 30 June 2025.
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Payment and receipts of transfer fees may also give rise to foreign exchange exposures. Due to the nature of player transfers we may not always be able to predict such cash flow until the transfer has taken place. Where possible and depending on the payment profile of transfer fees payable and receivable we will seek to economically hedge future payments and receipts at the point it becomes reasonably certain that the payments will be made or the revenue will be received. When hedging revenue to be received, we also take account of the credit risk of the counterparty.
Further, we are exposed to cash flow risk on fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. Foreign exchange gains or losses arising on re-translation of our unhedged US dollar borrowings are recognized in the statement of profit or loss immediately and are subject to UK Corporation tax. From time to time, we may use foreign currency options to manage the unfavourable impact foreign exchange volatility may have on our cash flows.
Cash flow and fair value interest rate risk
Our cash flow and fair value interest rate risk relates to changes in interest rates for borrowings. Borrowings issued at variable interest rates expose us to cash flow interest rate risk. Borrowings issued at fixed rates expose us to fair value interest rate risk. Our borrowings under our revolving facilities and our secured term loan facility bear interest at variable rates. As of 30 June 2025, we had £162.9 million of variable rate indebtedness outstanding under our secured term loan facility and £160.0 million of variable rate indebtedness outstanding under our revolving facilities.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Foreign exchange forward contracts
We typically enter into foreign exchange forward contracts, as considered appropriate, to purchase and sell foreign currency in order to minimize the impact of foreign exchange movements on our financial performance primarily for our exposure to Broadcasting revenue received in Euros for our participation in UEFA club competitions, for transfer fees payable and receivable in foreign currency, and for operating expenses payable in foreign currency. As of 30 June 2025, the fair value of outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts was a net liability of £5.8 million.
Embedded foreign exchange derivatives
We have a number of embedded foreign exchange derivatives in our host Commercial revenue contracts. These are separately recognized in the financial statements at fair value since they are not closely related to the host contract. As of 30 June 2025, the fair value of such derivatives was an asset of £nil and a liability of £0.1 million.