Interim Results
Associated British Foods PLC
24 April 2007
24 April 2007
Associated British Foods plc announces its
interim results for the 24 weeks ended 3 March 2007
Investment in Primark and sugar drives growth
Highlights
• Adjusted operating profit up 7% to £272m*
• Group revenue up 12% to £3,220m
• Adjusted profit before tax up 5% to £268m **
• Adjusted earnings per share level at 23.3p **
• Interim dividend per share up 4% to 6.5p
• Net investment in capital and acquisitions over the last year of £720m
• Net debt of £350m
• Basic earnings per share down 9% to 19.2p and profit before tax down
15% to £198m, reflecting increases in the charges for the amortisation of
intangibles and the net loss on the sale of businesses and fixed assets
George Weston, Chief Executive of Associated British Foods, said:
'This is a good set of results. The satisfactory growth in revenue and
operating profit in the first half reflects the substantial investment made by
the group in capital and acquisitions last year. The advances made by Primark
and sugar are the beginning of the benefits we expect from this investment and
represent a significant development for these businesses.'
* before amortisation of intangibles and profits less losses on the sale of
property, plant & equipment
** before amortisation of intangibles, profits less losses on the sale of
property, plant & equipment and losses on the sale of businesses
All figures stated after amortisation of intangibles, profits or losses
on the sale of businesses and property, plant & equipment are shown on the face
of the consolidated income statement.
For further information please contact:
Associated British Foods:
Until 1500 only
George Weston, Chief Executive Geoff Lancaster, Head of External Affairs
John Bason, Finance Director Mobile: 07860 562 659
Tel: 020 7638 9571
Jonathan Clare/Chris Barrie/Fiona Bradshaw, Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Tel: 020 7638 9571
After 1500
John Bason, Finance Director
Tel: 020 7399 6500
ASSOCIATED BRITISH FOODS plc
INTERIM REPORT
FOR THE 24 WEEKS ENDED 3 MARCH 2007
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
This half year shows the early benefits of the investment made last year and has
been a period of considerable activity which has seen the group perform well
against a backdrop of challenging market conditions. In particular the results
include, for the first time, those of Illovo Sugar Limited, in which we acquired
a 51% interest in September 2006. The rapid roll-out of new Primark stores
contributed some £200m of additional sales. The Kingsmill brand was relaunched
in February. Energy costs eased during the period but the currency translation
impact of the strengthening of sterling, particularly against the US dollar,
reduced operating profit year-on-year by £8m.
Adjusted operating profit increased by 7% to £272m. Net interest paid rose in
the period reflecting the major investment of the past year. Adjusted profit
before tax increased by 5% to £268m. Minorities' share of adjusted profits rose
sharply due to the sizeable minority interests in Illovo. Adjusted earnings per
share, reflecting this, were level with the previous year.
With the acquisition of Illovo, our sugar activities now extend to 24 plants
operating in nine countries in three continents. This important strategic step
for the business not only provides a substantial growth opportunity within
sub-Saharan Africa but also supports our intention to develop our EU sales
capacity by harnessing the tariff free trading arrangements afforded from 2009/
10 to the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Illovo grows and processes cane
sugar in four LDC countries. In addition to the contribution from Illovo, our
other sugar businesses all showed progress in the first half.
It is now accepted by the sugar industry in Europe that the restructuring
process in its current form will fall short of the 6m tonnes target for
voluntary renunciation of quota by an estimated 2m tonnes. We are pleased that
the industry is actively engaging with the European Commission to determine how
the restructuring programme can be modified to speed up the process of restoring
the balance between consumption and production in the EU market. Furthermore,
the Commission has demonstrated its desire to manage the supply of sugar in the
EU in 2007/8 with its announcement of an advanced quota withdrawal of 2m tonnes
for the beet industry.
British Sugar will commission the UK's first bioethanol plant at Wissington in
June 2007 with commercial sales of ethanol starting later in the Summer. This
plant will have the capacity to deliver 55,000 tonnes or 70m litres per year of
ethanol to the UK market for blending with petrol. British Sugar is also
continuing to develop plans for a cereal based biofuel facility in the UK.
In grocery the major issue was the disappointing results from the UK bakeries.
Following the relaunch of the Kingsmill brand in February better trading is
expected in the second half. The North American and Australian grocery
businesses made good progress.
Primark opened 23 new stores in the period adding 0.9 million sq ft of selling
space, net of the closure of five adjacent smaller stores. By the half year,
all but four of the former Littlewoods stores had been converted and were
trading as Primark stores. Primark's sales and profit in the first half were
36% and 28% respectively ahead of the previous year mainly due to the additional
retail selling space. The identification of further new sites, in all countries
where Primark operates, continues. This is expected to result in significant
further expansion in the next two years, although not on the scale of the past
year. The new, much larger, distribution depot in the UK is now fully
operational and working well.
During the period we disposed of our Scandinavian food distributor and our
commodity food polyols business in the US for total proceeds of £60m. There
will be a phased closure of the polyols manufacturing plant in Delaware but
provision for the expected loss associated with the disposal and closure has
been made in these accounts and is included in the net loss of £39m on the sale
of businesses.
Cash flow in the period was strong. Net borrowings at the end of the period
amounted to £350m as against £162m a year ago. The cash consideration for
Illovo in September 2006 plus its debt totalled £382m, and so the other cash
flows over the past year have been positive. The group's financial capacity
remains very substantial.
Board Changes
In my last annual statement I reported in full on the appointment as directors
on 2 November 2006 of Lord Jay of Ewelme and Mr Javier Ferran. On 28 February
it was announced that Jeff Harris will retire from the board at the conclusion
of the board meeting on 18 April. Jeff's contribution both as a director and as
chairman of the Audit committee has been outstanding for which we thank him.
Peter Smith was appointed to the board on 28 February and will succeed Jeff
Harris as chairman of the Audit committee. Mr Smith is also currently chairman
of Savills plc and a non-executive director of Templeton Emerging Markets
Investment Trust plc and NM Rothschild & Sons Limited. I am confident he will
make a valuable contribution to ABF.
Dividends
The board has decided that the interim dividend will be 6.5p, an increase of 4%
on last year. This dividend will be paid on 2 July 2007 to shareholders
registered at the close of business on 1 June 2007.
Outlook
The successful outcome of the European Commission's refinement of the terms of
the sugar regime restructuring, due over the coming months, will be of great
importance. Following the extensive Primark store opening programme we will now
take the opportunity to optimise the performance of these new stores. Our
businesses are well placed to face the competitive conditions in the markets in
which they operate. Despite continuing adverse currency translation impacts, we
expect progress in adjusted operating profit and in adjusted earnings in the
remainder of the year.
Martin Adamson
Chairman
24 April 2007
OPERATING REVIEW
Group revenue increased by 12% to £3,220m and adjusted operating profit by 7% to
£272m.
These advances are the result of the substantial investments made by the group
in capital and acquisitions last year. Profit from our sugar businesses
increased by 64% following the acquisition of a 51% interest in Illovo Sugar
Limited in September 2006, and the benefit of capacity increases and efficiency
improvements in existing sugar factories. Primark's profit increased by 28%
reflecting the current extensive store opening programme.
The increase in adjusted operating profit has been achieved despite an estimated
total impact of £28m on the profits of Primary Food and Grocery arising from
changes to the EU sugar regime.
Although a disappointing performance by Allied Bakeries led to a reduction in
grocery profit, a major relaunch of Kingsmill has now been implemented.
Ingredients made very good progress but the profit increase was held back by the
impact of currency translation.
PRIMARY FOOD & AGRICULTURE
Primary Food 2007 2006
Revenue £m 579 282
Operating profit £m 87 53
Agriculture 2007 2006
Revenue £m 322 296
Operating profit £m 7 8
In Primary Food, the acquisition of Illovo led to a doubling of revenue and a
64% increase in profit.
Profit in the UK was in line with the same period last year. The business
benefited from a very efficient campaign, additional quota acquired, lower
energy costs and earlier exports of sugar. These factors were offset by the
further impact on profit of sugar regime reform amounting to £24m arising from
the temporary quota cut and the cost of the restructuring levy which exceeded
reduced beet costs, although sugar prices were more stable. In Poland profit
was ahead of last year benefiting from an excellent campaign, factory
rationalisation and improved retail prices.
Operations in the UK and Poland once again achieved improvements in production
performance and the Glinojeck factory performed ahead of expectations following
completion of its major expansion programme. The sugar crop was 1.16m tonnes in
the UK and 0.21m tonnes in Poland.
China performed very well with a record crop of over 0.5m tonnes. This crop,
combined with production efficiencies, exceptionally high sugar yields and
consistent prices, drove an increase in profit. Such is the competition from
alternative, higher value crops in China that farmers, in conjunction with local
and provincial governments, required higher prices for cane in order to justify
their continued farming of this crop. These higher prices partly offset the
profit improvement in this business.
Illovo's contribution to this result was ahead of our expectations at the time
of acquisition. Illovo's earnings for the full year to 31 March 2007 were over
40% ahead of those achieved in its prior year. This is despite production in
South Africa and Tanzania being significantly lower than planned due to the
combination of extended drought and then unusually high rainfall at the end of
the growing season. Malawi and Zambia both delivered strong manufacturing
performances. The recent announcement of the planned £100m investment to double
sugar production in Zambia over the next two years is an example of the exciting
growth opportunities available to this business.
Stronger volumes and margins benefited our UK agricultural business and
Frontier, the arable joint venture with Cargill, delivered a strong profit
increase from revenue growth and cost synergies. In China, the inability to
pass on the impact of high raw material costs led to a reduction in the profit
for animal feeds.
GROCERY
2007 2006
Revenue £m 1,226 1,257
Operating profit £m 64 84
Grocery revenue and profit were lower than last year. The reduction in profit
was primarily a result of a poor performance by Allied Bakeries, the currency
translation impact of the weaker dollar on the results of our US businesses and
lower sugar prices in Silver Spoon.
ACH continued to perform well in both the US and Mexico. Sales of Mazola
increased in a US consumer oil category which has stabilised following the
decline last year. In January we announced the rationalisation of our commodity
oils business. Oil processing at Jacksonville will cease and we will exit the
supply of certain low margin products. A charge of £2m relating to this
rationalisation was made in the first half with a further £3m to be taken in the
second half. Capullo in Mexico showed further strong sales growth. In spices,
the development of the premium brand, Spice Islands, continued and was
complemented by the introduction of two new product ranges.
The competitive bread market in the UK delayed the recovery of increased wheat
prices last Autumn, volumes were lower than expected and profitability suffered
as a result. We have now implemented a major relaunch of the Kingsmill brand
with improved products and new packaging. Recipes have been improved to exclude
artificial preservatives and loaves are now larger and have a softer texture.
Bread prices have been increased and strong marketing support, including
television advertising, will continue into the second half.
International hot beverages continued to deliver good sales growth with market
share gains in its main strategic markets. Progress in the Twinings brand was
driven by a strong performance in the UK with further growth in sales of
Everyday, green tea, speciality black teas and infusions. Twinings sales were
also strong in Australia, the US and other international export markets,
particularly Italy and Russia. Thailand continued to be the major driver of
Ovaltine brand growth which benefited from new products and strong marketing
support. In October we sold our Scandinavian food distributor and the profit on
this disposal is included in these results.
Silver Spoon's profit was impacted by the reduction in selling prices sustained
last year. Billington's grew strongly and significant new business for
Fairtrade sugar, which is packed in the UK and supplied by our African business,
Illovo, was secured. The integration of Westmill's various ethnic food
businesses was completed successfully and good progress is being made with the
consolidation of its logistics and warehousing at a site adjacent to the main
office in North London. At Ryvita further investment was made in marketing and
in its supply chain. Growth in Ryvita Minis, Goodness bars and the premium
crispbread range partially offset a decline in standard crispbread.
In Australia, bread prices were increased to recover significantly higher wheat
costs following the drought in Australia and higher world prices. Bakery
volumes grew and major improvements were made in the operation of the Sydney
bakery. Our new bakery in Wuhan, China, started trading in January supplying
rolls to the rapidly expanding foodservice market. This bakery will provide a
platform for the development of local retail sales and market opportunities
elsewhere in China.
INGREDIENTS
2007 2006
Revenue £m 345 322
Operating profit £m 33 32
Revenue was ahead by 7% to £345m and profit by 3% to £33m. Both revenue and
profit were adversely affected by currency translation and the underlying
performance was very good with a profit increase of 9%.
The yeast business demonstrated good progress with price increases in many
markets to recover higher molasses and energy costs. This drove a particularly
strong recovery in North America. In China, production capacity was expanded to
keep pace with the very strong growth in domestic demand. Resources in our
bakery ingredients business were strengthened as it continued to develop well,
albeit from a low base.
Good organic growth was achieved in yeast and particularly in bakery ingredients
in developing countries where it was driven by the use of our bread ingredient
technology and the launch of a range of new products to the craft bakery
sectors.
Enzymes and proteins have seen good sales growth in the period, particularly in
the US and Asia. Enzyme sales were strong, especially to the textile and animal
feed markets, but profit was affected by higher raw material costs. Investment
in capacity expansion is being made at the Finnish enzyme factory to meet
increasing demand. Profit increased in proteins with higher volumes and
improved pricing. Capacity expansion is underway at both of the yeast extract
plants and for milk protein isolates. A new protein specialities group,
comprising specialist sales and product development expertise, has been created
to build our capability in this high value-added sector.
We completed the sale of our commodity food polyols business in the US in
February and there will be a phased closure of the old manufacturing plant in
Delaware. The loss on disposal of this business, including the write-off of
goodwill and the costs of the plant closure, is provided for in these accounts.
The business supplying antacids, excipients including polyols, and drug delivery
systems to pharmaceutical companies has been retained.
RETAIL
2007 2006
Primark
Revenue £m 721 530
Operating profit £m 91 71
Littlewoods
Revenue £m - 141
Operating profit £m - 16
Primark's results were substantially ahead of last year with a revenue increase
of 36% to £721m and profit ahead 28% to £91m. The increases resulted primarily
from the additional retail selling space from an extensive store opening
programme. As expected, the operating profit margin fell from 13.4% to 12.6%
primarily as a result of the higher depreciation charge associated with the
recent capital investment.
Like-for-like sales were level with last year in the first half despite the
previously highlighted impact on existing stores of adding 1.5 million sq ft of
new space. Our estimate for like-for-like sales growth in stores unaffected by
new openings is 6%. Trading in the new stores has been encouraging.
Delivering the store opening programme for the first half, on time and to
budget, was a major achievement for the management team. 23 new stores were
opened and five smaller stores were closed to give 161 stores with 4.4 million
sq ft of retail selling space at the half year. All but four of the 41 former
Littlewoods stores were trading by the half year.
New store openings:
Aberdeen Dublin - Swords Lincoln
Blackpool Dundee Murcia - Spain
Burton-on-Trent Dunfermline Oldham
Camberley Eastbourne Plymouth
Cheltenham Glasgow - Parkhead Poole
Chesterfield Greenock Swindon
Coventry Hanley Wolverhampton
Doncaster Inverness
Stores closed:
Aberdeen (resite) Doncaster (resite) Swindon (resite)
Burton-on-Trent (resite) Dundee (resite)
Our new store openings included our second store in Spain and we are very
encouraged by early trading in both Spanish stores.
We will open a further eight stores in the second half taking the total retail
selling space to 4.7 million sq ft by the financial year end. Six of these
stores were acquired outside the Littlewoods transaction which demonstrates that
Primark's heightened profile makes attractive high street locations easier to
secure, as evidenced by the highly successful opening of the 70,000 sq ft store
on London's Oxford Street on 5 April.
George Weston
Chief Executive
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
24 weeks 24 weeks 52 weeks
ended ended ended
3 March 4 March 16 September
2007 2006 2006
£m £m £m
Note
Revenue 1 3,220 2,887 5,996
Operating costs before exceptional items (2,994) (2,651) (5,486)
Exceptional items - - (97)
226 236 413
Share of profit after tax from joint ventures 3 3 10
and associates
Profits less losses on sale of property, plant 12 - 10
& equipment
Operating profit 241 239 433
Adjusted operating profit 1 272 255 561
Profits less losses on sale of property, plant 12 - 10
& equipment
Amortisation of intangibles (43) (16) (41)
Exceptional items - - (97)
Profits less losses on sale of businesses (39) (5) (4)
Provision for loss on termination of an - - (8)
operation
Profit before interest 202 234 421
Financial income 71 73 149
Financial expenses (75) (73) (151)
Profit before taxation 198 234 419
Adjusted profit before taxation 268 255 559
Profits less losses on sale of property, plant 12 - 10
& equipment
Amortisation of intangibles (43) (16) (41)
Exceptional items - - (97)
Profits less losses on sale of businesses (39) (5) (4)
Provision for loss on termination of an - - (8)
operation
Taxation - UK (25) (35) (60)
- Overseas (18) (31) (51)
2 (43) (66) (111)
Profit for the period 155 168 308
Attributable to:
Equity shareholders 152 166 301
Minority interests 3 2 7
Profit for the period 155 168 308
Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share 3 19.2 21.0 38.1
(pence)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
At At At
3 March 4 March 16 September
2007 2006 2006
Note £m £m £m
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 1,454 1,239 1,542
Property, plant & equipment 2,548 2,203 2,479
Biological assets 46 - 46
Investments in joint ventures 39 39 54
Investments in associates 18 18 15
Employee benefits assets 193 96 169
Deferred tax assets 87 78 82
Other receivables 5 - 5
Total non-current assets 4,390 3,673 4,392
Current assets
Assets classified as 3 77 53
held for sale
Inventories 895 854 681
Biological assets 52 - 51
Trade and other receivables 797 758 913
Other investments 20 201 53
Cash and cash equivalents 364 354 349
Total current assets 2,131 2,244 2,100
TOTAL ASSETS 6,521 5,917 6,492
Current liabilities
Liabilities classified as held for - - (11)
sale
Interest-bearing loans and (80) (166) (531)
overdrafts
Trade and other payables (1,016) (797) (997)
Income tax (71) (99) (85)
Provisions (42) (11) (49)
Total current liabilities (1,209) (1,073) (1,673)
Non-current liabilities
Interest-bearing loans (654) (551) (176)
Provisions (26) (38) (21)
Deferred tax liabilities (407) (251) (398)
Employee benefits (41) (21) (42)
liabilities
Total non-current liabilities (1,128) (861) (637)
TOTAL LIABILITIES (2,337) (1,934) (2,310)
NET ASSETS 4,184 3,983 4,182
Equity
Issued capital 47 47 47
Other reserves 173 173 173
Translation reserve (58) 78 (29)
Hedging reserve (5) 1 (6)
Retained earnings 3,819 3,656 3,773
3,976 3,955 3,958
Minority interests 208 28 224
TOTAL EQUITY 6 4,184 3,983 4,182
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
24 weeks 24 weeks 52 weeks
ended ended ended
3 March 4 March 16 September
2007 2006 2006
£m £m £m
Cash flow from operating activities
Profit before taxation 198 234 419
Add back non-operating items
Profits less losses on sale of (12) - (10)
property, plant & equipment
Profits less losses on sale of 39 5 4
businesses
Provision for loss on termination of - - 8
an operation
Exceptional items - - 97
Financial income (71) (73) (149)
Financial expenses 75 73 151
Adjustments for
Share of profit from joint ventures (3) (3) (10)
and associates
Amortisation 43 16 41
Depreciation 109 95 177
Pension cost less contributions (14) 3 (1)
Increase in inventories (224) (279) (29)
Decrease/(increase) in receivables 108 (58) (178)
Increase in payables 54 14 78
Decrease in provisions (18) (45) (62)
Cash generated from operations 284 (18) 536
Income taxes paid (48) (69) (117)
Net cash from operating activities 236 (87) 419
Cash flows from investing activities
Dividends received from joint - - 1
ventures
Dividends received from associates - - 3
Purchase of property, plant & (227) (156) (432)
equipment
Purchase of intangibles (7) - (13)
Sale of property, plant & equipment 22 83 181
Purchase of subsidiary undertakings (1) (100) (496)
Sale of subsidiary undertakings 60 - -
Interest received 7 22 36
Net cash from investing activities (146) (151) (720)
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to minorities (9) (4) (6)
Dividends paid to equity shareholders (99) (95) (144)
Interest paid (24) (25) (47)
Decrease in other current asset investments 32 70 216
Financing
Decrease in short-term loans (360) (372) (46)
Increase/(decrease) in long-term loans 479 - (365)
(Increase)/decrease in own shares held (9) (1) 1
Net cash from financing activities 10 (427) (391)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and 100 (665) (692)
cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the 198 894 894
beginning of the period
Effect of movements in foreign exchange (1) 3 (4)
Cash and cash equivalents at the end 297 232 198
of the period
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE
24 weeks 24 weeks 52 weeks
ended ended ended
3 March 4 March 16 September
2007 2006 2006
£m £m £m
Actuarial gains on defined benefit schemes - - 43
Deferred tax associated with defined - - (12)
benefit schemes
Effect of movements in foreign exchange (40) 49 (88)
Tax on effect of movements in foreign exchange - (2) -
Net gain/(loss) on hedge of net 1 (10) 14
investment in foreign subsidiaries
Movement in cash flow hedging position 1 (8) (13)
Net (loss)/gain recognised directly in equity (38) 29 (56)
Profit for the period 155 168 308
Total recognised income and expense 117 197 252
for the period
Adjustments relating to the adoption - 9 7
of IAS 32 and IAS 39 on 18 September 2005 (Equity
shareholders)
117 206 259
Attributable to:
Equity shareholders 124 194 246
Minority interests (7) 3 6
117 197 252
NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT
1. Segmental analysis
Revenue Adjusted operating profit
24 weeks 24 weeks 52 weeks 24 weeks 24 weeks 52 weeks
ended ended ended ended ended ended
3 March 4 March 16 September 3 March 4 March 16 September
2007 2006 2006 2007 2006 2006
Business segments £m £m £m £m £m £m
Grocery 1,226 1,257 2,578 64 84 182
Primary Food 579 282 671 87 53 115
Agriculture 322 296 623 7 8 15
Ingredients 345 322 683 33 32 79
Retail 721 671 1,309 91 87 185
Central - - - (13) (11) (22)
3,193 2,828 5,864 269 253 554
Businesses disposed:
Grocery 7 35 78 - 1 3
Agriculture - 3 8 - - 1
Ingredients 20 21 46 3 1 3
3,220 2,887 5,996 272 255 561
Geographical segments
United Kingdom 1,503 1,484 2,995 114 133 280
Europe, Middle East & 614 277 668 62 35 70
Africa
The Americas 544 576 1,164 58 58 121
Asia Pacific 532 491 1,037 35 27 83
3,193 2,828 5,864 269 253 554
Businesses disposed:
United Kingdom - 3 8 - - 1
Europe, Middle East & 7 35 78 - 1 3
Africa
The Americas 20 21 46 3 1 3
3,220 2,887 5,996 272 255 561
1. Segmental analysis - 24 weeks ended 3 March 2007
Business segments Primary Elimina-
Grocery Food Agriculture Ingredients Retail Central tions Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Revenue from continuing 1,231 624 323 368 721 - (74) 3,193
operations
Businesses disposed 7 - - 20 - - - 27
Internal revenue (5) (45) (1) (23) - - 74 -
Revenue from external 1,233 579 322 365 721 - - 3,220
customers
Adjusted operating profit 64 87 7 33 91 (13) - 269
from continuing operations
Businesses disposed - - - 3 - - - 3
Adjusted operating profit 64 87 7 36 91 (13) - 272
Amortisation of (6) (24) - (13) - - - (43)
intangibles
Profits less losses on 4 - - - 8 - - 12
sale of property, plant &
equipment
Profits less losses on 6 - - (39) (6) - - (39)
sale of businesses
Profit before financial 68 63 7 (16) 93 (13) - 202
income, financial expenses
and taxation
Financial income 71 - 71
Financial expenses (75) - (75)
Taxation (43) - (43)
Profit for the period 68 63 7 (16) 93 (60) - 155
Segment assets (excl. 1,804 1,497 184 949 1,352 14 - 5,800
investments in associates
and joint ventures)
Investments in associates 9 7 28 13 - - - 57
and joint ventures
Segment assets 1,813 1,504 212 962 1,352 14 - 5,857
Cash and cash equivalents 364 - 364
Employee benefits assets 193 - 193
Deferred tax assets 87 - 87
Other investments 20 - 20
Segment liabilities (339) (339) (54) (130) (190) (38) - (1,090)
Interest-bearing loans and (734) - (734)
overdrafts
Income tax (71) - (71)
Deferred tax liabilities (407) - (407)
Employee benefits (35) - (35)
liabilities
Net assets 1,474 1,165 158 832 1,162 (607) - 4,184
Capital expenditure 38 48 3 18 94 - - 201
Depreciation 36 30 3 13 27 - - 109
Amortisation of 6 24 - 13 - - - 43
intangibles
Geographical segments Europe
United Middle East The Asia Elimina-
Kingdom & Africa Americas Pacific tions Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m
Revenue from external customers 1,503 621 564 532 - 3,220
Segment assets 2,705 1,398 936 818 - 5,857
Capital expenditure 125 39 19 18 - 201
Depreciation 66 15 12 16 - 109
Amortisation of intangibles 2 27 12 2 - 43
1. Segmental analysis - 24 weeks ended 4 March 2006
Business segments Primary Elimina-
Grocery Food Agriculture Ingredients Retail Central tions Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Revenue from continuing 1,263 330 296 341 671 - (73) 2,828
operations
Businesses disposed 35 - 3 21 - - - 59
Internal revenue (6) (48) - (19) - - 73 -
Revenue from external 1,292 282 299 343 671 - - 2,887
customers
Adjusted operating profit 84 53 8 32 87 (11) - 253
from continuing operations
Businesses disposed 1 - - 1 - - - 2
Adjusted operating profit 85 53 8 33 87 (11) - 255
Amortisation of (5) - - (11) - - - (16)
intangibles
Profits less losses on - - - (5) - - - (5)
sale of businesses
Profit before financial 80 53 8 17 87 (11) - 234
income, financial expenses
and taxation
Financial income 73 - 73
Financial expenses (73) - (73)
Taxation (66) - (66)
Profit for the period 80 53 8 17 87 (77) - 168
Segment assets (excl. 1,917 926 183 1,009 809 287 - 5,131
investments in associates
and joint ventures)
Investments in associates 6 6 25 20 - - - 57
and joint ventures
Segment assets 1,923 932 208 1,029 809 287 - 5,188
Cash and cash equivalents 354 - 354
Employee benefits assets 96 - 96
Deferred tax assets 78 - 78
Other investments 201 - 201
Segment liabilities (337) (159) (56) (113) (168) (13) - (846)
Interest-bearing loans and (717) - (717)
overdrafts
Income tax (99) - (99)
Deferred tax liabilities (251) - (251)
Employee benefits (21) - (21)
liabilities
Net assets 1,586 773 152 916 641 (85) - 3,983
Capital expenditure 38 22 4 18 80 - - 162
Depreciation 37 26 3 13 16 - - 95
Amortisation of 4 - - 12 - - - 16
intangibles
Geographical segments Europe
United Middle East The Asia Elimina-
Kingdom & Africa Americas Pacific tions Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m
Revenue from external customers 1,487 312 597 491 - 2,887
Segment assets 2,560 767 1,107 754 - 5,188
Capital expenditure 100 18 11 33 - 162
Depreciation 58 7 14 16 - 95
Amortisation of intangibles 2 3 9 2 - 16
1. Segmental analysis - 52 weeks ended 16 September 2006
Business segments
Primary Elimina-
Grocery Food Agriculture Ingredients Retail Central tions Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Revenue from 2,597 766 623 729 1,309 - (160) 5,864
continuing operations
Businesses disposed 78 - 8 46 - - - 132
Internal revenue (19) (95) - (46) - - 160 -
Revenue from external 2,656 671 631 729 1,309 - - 5,996
customers
Adjusted operating 182 115 15 79 185 (22) - 554
profit from continuing
operations
Businesses disposed 3 - 1 3 - - - 7
Adjusted operating 185 115 16 82 185 (22) - 561
profit
Exceptional items - (97) - - - - - (97)
Amortisation of (12) - - (29) - - - (41)
intangibles
Profits less losses on 4 4 (1) - 2 1 - 10
sale of property,
plant & equipment
Profits less losses on 3 (2) - (6) - 1 - (4)
sale of businesses
Provision for loss on - - - - (8) - - (8)
termination of an
operation
Profit before 180 20 15 47 179 (20) - 421
financial income,
financial expenses and
taxation
Financial income 149 - 149
Financial expenses (151) - (151)
Taxation (111) - (111)
Profit for the period 180 20 15 47 179 (133) - 308
Segment assets (excl 1,782 1,497 158 1,010 1,302 14 - 5,763
investments in
associates and joint
ventures)
Investments in 7 6 27 29 - - - 69
associates and joint
ventures
Segment assets 1,789 1,503 185 1,039 1,302 14 - 5,832
Cash and cash 356 - 356
equivalents
Employee benefits 169 - 169
assets
Deferred tax assets 82 - 82
Other investments 53 - 53
Segment liabilities (303) (338) (48) (113) (214) (60) - (1,076)
Interest-bearing loans (707) - (707)
and overdrafts
Income tax (86) - (86)
Deferred tax (398) - (398)
liabilities
Employee benefits (43) - (43)
liabilities
Net assets 1,486 1,165 137 926 1,088 (620) - 4,182
Capital expenditure 84 55 6 48 303 - - 496
Depreciation 71 36 7 30 33 - - 177
Amortisation of 12 - - 29 - - - 41
intangibles
Geographical segments
Europe
United Middle East The Asia Elimina-
Kingdom &Africa Americas Pacific tions Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m
Revenue from external customers 3,003 746 1,210 1,037 - 5,996
Segment assets 2,519 1,533 1,023 757 - 5,832
Capital expenditure 357 52 30 57 - 496
Depreciation 101 18 26 32 - 177
Amortisation of intangibles 4 7 18 12 - 41
24 weeks 24 weeks 52 weeks
ended ended ended
3 March 4 March 16 September
2007 2006 2006
£m £m £m
2. Income tax expense
Current tax expense
UK - corporation tax at 30% 15 28 37
Overseas - corporation tax 20 26 46
35 54 83
Deferred tax expense
UK deferred tax 10 7 21
Overseas deferred tax (2) 5 8
Over-provided in prior years - - (1)
Total income tax expense in income 43 66 111
statement
Reconciliation of effective tax rate
Profit before taxation 198 234 419
Less share of profit from joint ventures (3) (3) (10)
and associates
Profit before taxation excluding share of 195 231 409
profit from joint ventures and associates
Nominal tax charge at UK corporation tax 59 69 123
rate (30%)
Lower tax rates on overseas earnings (17) (10) (23)
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 5 7 12
Utilisation of losses (4) - -
Adjustments in respect of prior periods - - (1)
43 66 111
3. Earnings per ordinary share Pence Pence Pence
Adjusted earnings per share 23.3 23.3 50.9
Earnings per share on:
Sale of property, plant & equipment 1.5 - 1.3
Sale of businesses (4.9) (0.7) (0.5)
Provision for loss on termination of - - (1.0)
operation
Exceptional items - - (12.3)
Tax effect on above 2.0 - 3.3
Amortisation of intangibles (5.4) (2.0) (5.2)
Tax credit on intangibles amortisation 1.6 0.4 1.6
Minority share of net amortisation charge 1.1 - -
Earnings per ordinary share 19.2 21.0 38.1
4. Dividends Pence Pence Pence
Per share
2005 final - 12.00 12.00
2006 interim - - 6.25
2006 final 12.50 - -
12.50 12.00 18.25
£m £m £m
Total
2005 final - 95 95
2006 interim - - 49
2006 final 99 - -
99 95 144
The 2006 final dividend of 12.5p per share was approved on 9 December 2006 and totalled £99m when
paid on 12 January 2007. The 2007 interim dividend of 6.5p per share will be paid on 2 July 2007
to shareholders on the register on 1 June 2007.
At Cash flow Exchange At
adjustments 3 March
16 September 2007
2006
£m £m £m £m
5. Analysis of net debt
Cash at bank and in hand, 198 100 (1) 297
cash equivalents and
overdrafts
Short-term borrowings (373) 360 - (13)
Investments 53 (32) (1) 20
Loans over one year (176) (479) 1 (654)
(298) (51) (1) (350)
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances, call deposits and investments
with original maturities of three months or less. Bank overdrafts that are
repayable on demand and form an integral part of the group's cash management are
included as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the cash
flow statement.
24 weeks 24 weeks 52 weeks
ended ended ended
3 March 4 March 16 September
2007 2006 2006
£m £m £m
6. Summary of movements in equity
Opening equity (excluding IAS 32 and IAS 39) 4,182 3,877 3,877
Adjustments relating to adoption of IAS 32 and IAS 39 on - 9 7
18 September 2005
Opening equity (restated) 4,182 3,886 3,884
Profit for the period 155 168 308
Other recognised income and expense for the period (38) 29 (56)
Total recognised income and expense for the period 117 197 252
Dividends paid to shareholders (99) (95) (144)
Net (increase)/decrease in own shares held (7) (1) 1
Minority interests acquired - - 195
Dividends paid to minorities (9) (4) (6)
Closing equity 4,184 3,983 4,182
Attributable to:
Equity shareholders 3,976 3,955 3,958
Minority interests 208 28 224
4,184 3,983 4,182
7. Basis of preparation
These interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
accounting policies set out in the group's statutory accounts for the year
ending 16 September 2006.
The interim results are unaudited and were approved by the board of directors on
24 April 2007 but do not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 290
of the Companies Act 1985. The comparative figures for the financial year ended
16 September 2006 have been abridged from the group's 2006 financial statements
and are not the company's statutory accounts for that financial period. Those
accounts have been reported on by the company's auditors and delivered to the
Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors was unqualified and did not
contain statements under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985.
END
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