Final Results
Barratt Developments PLC
28 September 2005
28th September 2005
BARRATT DEVELOPMENTS PLC
Results for the year ended 30th June 2005
Group Highlights:
• Group turnover £2,512.7m (2004: £2,516.0m)
• Group operating profit £411.3m (2004: £375.6m) up 10%
• Group pre-tax profit £406.6m (2004: £367.7m) up 11%
• Basic earnings per share 123.6p (2004: 111.4p) up 11%
• Dividend for the year 26.98p (2004: 21.58p) up 25%
• Net cash in hand £276.9m (2004: £189.7m in hand) with average gearing of 2%
• Successful disposal of US housing division for £85m in August 2004
• ROACE remains one of the strongest in the sector at 31% (2004: 37%)
UK Housing Highlights:
• UK housebuild turnover £2,472.4m (2004: £2,327.6m) up 6%
• UK housebuild operating profit (before exceptional items) £395.7m
(2004: £366.4m) up 8%
• UK housebuild operating margin increased to 16.0% (2004: 15.7%)
• UK unit sales 14,351, up 2%, again more than any other housebuilder
• More than 11,700 homes on brownfield sites, Britain's leading urban regenerator
• Leading private sector provider of social housing, 1,760 homes (2004:1,308)
• UK average selling price £172,200 up 4%
• 300,000th home completed in year
Charles Toner, Chairman of Barratt Developments commented:
'Once again, Barratt has demonstrated its ability to succeed in a competitive
market place. Despite challenging conditions, the Group improved margins, posted
record pre-tax profits of £406.6m and achieved its 13th consecutive year of
organic growth. We also built more homes in total and more homes on brownfield
sites than any other housebuilder. We have the land bank, financial resources
and capacity to ensure our long term growth strategy remains unchanged. Our
decision to increase the dividend by 25% reflects our confidence in our future
prospects.'
David Pretty, Group Chief Executive of Barratt Developments commented:
'Our wide geographic spread and product range, together with our urban
regeneration and social housing expertise all contributed to a good result for
the year. The immediate economic outlook may be uncertain but a healthy forward
order book of £900m, together with completions to date, puts us in a good
position. It's too early to assess the market for the rest of the year but we
are working on the basis that it will remain challenging. Nevertheless, we are
targeting to maintain volumes this year but, should the market improve, we have
the ability to immediately respond and move volumes forward. All in all, we are
well placed for the future.
For further information please contact:
Barratt Developments PLC
David Pretty, Group Chief Executive On the day: 020 7067 0700
Colin Dearlove, Group Finance Director Thereafter: 0191 286 6811
Weber Shandwick Square Mile
Terry Garrett/Chris Lynch 020 7067 0700
The financial analysts' presentation slides will be available on the Barratt
corporate website:
www.barratt-investor-relations.co.uk from 10.30am today.
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
I am very pleased to report that, notwithstanding the challenging market
conditions throughout the year, the Group achieved further growth in volume and
margins producing a record £406.6m pre-tax profit. This was our 13th consecutive
year of organic growth and we continue to build more homes in total and more
homes on brownfield sites than other housebuilder in Britain.
We are also well positioned for the future, having ended the financial year with
healthy forward sales of £774m. With further sales progress since 1st July 2005,
forward sales now stand at £900m which, together with completions to date,
already secures 52% of our full year requirement.
Key features of the results for the year ended 30th June 2005 are as follows:-
• Group pre-tax profit amounted to £406.6m against £367.7m the previous year, an
increase of 11%.
• UK pre-tax profit, before the exceptional item of £15.9m from the disposal of
ground rents, was £390.7m compared to £358.3m the previous year, up 9%.
• Basic earnings per share amounted to 123.6p against 111.4p the previous year,
an increase of 11%.
• A final dividend of 17.99p per share will be recommended, payable on 18
November 2005 to shareholders on the register on 21 October 2005, against
14.68p the previous year. This gives a total dividend for the year of 26.98p,
an increase of 25%, 4.6 times covered. This increase reflects our progress and
the Board's confidence in the future performance of the Group.
• Net cash in hand at the year end was £276.9m (2004: £189.7m cash in hand) with
an average gearing over the year of just 2%. This was achieved notwithstanding
a £234.0m increased investment in land stocks and work in progress.
• On 30 August 2004 we completed the disposal of our small Southern California
operation, for net proceeds of £85m, in line with the Group's strategy to
focus on our UK operations.
• Return on average capital employed continued to be amongst the highest in the
industry at 31% (2004: 37%).
These robust results demonstrate the continued success of our organic growth
strategy and the fundamental strengths of our Group.
The medium and long term fundamentals of the housing market remain sound,
bolstered by a continuing serious shortage of new homes due to the very slow
planning system. The economic outlook in the short term, however, remains
uncertain notwithstanding the recent 0.25% cut in interest rates. With over nine
months of our financial year yet to run it is, therefore, too early to
accurately assess the market for the year ahead, although we are well placed to
achieve further growth in completions if market conditions allow.
Our experienced management team across Britain has, once again, demonstrated its
ability to succeed in a very competitive market place. I would like to thank all
of our local teams throughout the Group, both office and site based, for all
their hard work. Our record performance is a result of their teamwork, skills
and enthusiasm.
We are pleased to welcome a new Non-Executive Director, Mr Bill Shannon, who
joined the Board in September. Mr Shannon has had a long and distinguished
career with Whitbread PLC, serving as an Executive Director between 1994 and
2004. He is also a Non-Executive Director of Aegon UK PLC and Matalan PLC and
brings with him a wealth of experience in the business sector.
Looking ahead, we are well placed to continue to progress. Despite the short
term economic uncertainties, our long term strategy remains unchanged and
undoubtedly there will be many growth opportunities going forward. Our wide
geographic spread and extensive product range, together with our urban
regeneration and social housing expertise, all contributed to a good result for
the year. These core strengths, together with our healthy forward sales, strong
finances and experienced management team leave us well positioned for the future
and able to quickly respond as market conditions improve.
Charles Toner
Chairman
CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S OPERATIONAL REVIEW
Our teams across the country successfully adapted to a more demanding and
competitive market place, achieved yet another record result for the Barratt
Group - our 13th consecutive year of organic growth.
We built more new homes in total and more homes on regenerated brownfield land
than any other housebuilder for the third consecutive year. We also strengthened
our leading position in the provision of social housing. No housebuilder does
more to create sustainable communities than Barratt.
In addition, during the year, we had the pleasure of handing over the keys to
the 300,000th Barratt home completed since our Group was formed in 1958 by Sir
Lawrie Barratt.
At the same time as growing our business, our work has been recognised this year
by a record number of design, quality and environmental awards.
UK HOUSING
A total of 14,351 new homes were completed, an increase of 2%, helping increase
UK housebuild turnover by 6% to a new record of £2,472.4m (2004: £2,327.6m). A
further improvement in our margin, combined with the £15.9m exceptional profit
from the sale of our freehold ground rent portfolio and low gearing, produced a
record Group pre-tax profit of £406.6m, an increase of 11%. The underlying
operating profit from our core UK housing activity increased to £395.7m, up 8%,
with the operating margin increasing again from 15.7% to 16.0%.
Our average selling price increased by 4% to £172,200. Total private completions
were 1% down, at 12,591 units, with an increased selling price of £182,100, up
5%. Social housing completions increased by 35% to 1,760, at an average selling
price of £101,700, up 14%.
We continue to benefit from the strength of our long-standing national purchase
agreements with our main suppliers. These helped us maintain our stringent
control of costs. We are also taking positive action to reduce costs further in
every part of our business.
HOUSING MARKET
The housing market throughout our financial year was certainly one of the most
challenging for years, but one which we had anticipated and prepared for. As a
result, and despite the weaker general economic situation and buyer hesitancy,
we were able to compete well in all of our operational areas. Forward sales at
the year end stood at a healthy £774m. Whilst down on last year's all time
record, which reflected the previous year's over-heated market, in percentage
terms this remains at the upper end of our historic norm. This has now increased
to £900m which together with completions to date, secures 52% of our full year
requirement, with 9 months of the financial year yet to come.
The fundamentals of the housing market remain sound, supported by low interest
rates and good employment levels. These are underpinned by restricted supply
caused by constant planning delays, and the enormous need for new housing which
will have to be met in due course.
Quite apart from these factors, our Group greatly benefits from a number of core
strengths which continue to boost our performance and provide valuable
protection from market fluctuations.
GEOGRAPHIC AND PRODUCT DIVERSITY
Our wide geographic spread and product range are just two of our core strengths.
These ensure we avoid an over-dependence on any one geographic area or market
sector and enable us to adjust production, sales and land buying in line with
market conditions. Today, we have 450 sites in production being built by our 32
operating divisions working throughout England, Scotland and Wales. We are able
to serve all sectors of the market at prices currently from £72,000 to £2m.
Together with our affordable average selling price of £172,200 this maximises
our appeal to the widest range of buyers.
We have identified areas where we consider both coverage and market share can be
increased. Accordingly, we have established an East Anglia division and land has
already been acquired for this new operation. The first homes are targeted for
completion this financial year and we would expect this new division to produce
circa 400 homes per annum by 2010.
We have always had a strong presence in the area known as the Thames Gateway and
have currently 3 operating divisions covering that area. However, due to the
increased complexity of urban regeneration, and the need for more focus, we have
formed a new Thames Gateway operation to act as a specialist facilitator for our
local divisions. Already, two large sites, totalling circa 600 homes have been
agreed with English Partnerships under the London Wide Initiative. Construction
is due for commencement during 2006, with completions following from 2008
onwards.
At the same time, we have taken the opportunity to redeploy our resources to
ensure greater coverage of expansion areas in Kent. Our former South London
division has been relocated to Sevenoaks and renamed Barratt Kent. Its previous
operating area has been redistributed between our two major West and East London
divisions, both of which have excellent track records in all aspects of urban
renewal. These changes will improve both our specialist urban regeneration
opportunities in the capital and our Group coverage for all types of housing.
Other areas of the country have been identified where we can, at the appropriate
time, increase coverage and market share. These will be actioned when the time
is right.
URBAN REGENERATION AND BROWNFIELD DEVELOPMENT
We lead the industry in the regeneration of Britain's cities and urban areas
with a track record based on 30 years of experience. 82% of our homes in the
year were built on brownfield sites, which equates to over 11,700 homes, rising
to over 95% in London. This significantly exceeds the Government's 60% target
and, once again, is more than any other housebuilder.
Whilst much of our urban regeneration has been undertaken in the South, our
brownfield activities in other towns and cities across the rest of the country
continue to expand and prosper. Apart from London and the South East, we are
currently active in many towns and cities, including Edinburgh, Glasgow,
Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham, Leicester, Cardiff, Bristol, Brighton and
Southampton.
In addition, important new projects totalling over 4,000 homes have recently won
planning approval and are underway or soon to start. These include Aberdeen,
Edinburgh, Stockton-on-Tees, Hull, Liverpool, Rochdale, Wolverhampton, Bedford,
Torquay, Southampton and in London. Many other brownfield projects, large and
small, are in the planning pipeline and others are at an advanced stage of
negotiation.
Furthermore, we have been chosen by the London Borough of Barnet, together with
our partner Metropolitan Housing Trust, as preferred developer for the major
West Hendon Regeneration Scheme. This should produce over 2,000 new homes, again
over the next 10 years.
We have also been selected, again as preferred developer, for the regeneration
of East Central Rochdale. Together with our partner Artisan, we will be
commencing the first phase of 80 new homes in 2006 with a potential of 1,500 new
homes over the next 10 years.
Brownfield development has massive potential and we continue to commit
substantial resources to this growing sector. With our unrivalled track record
we remain very well placed to contribute to, and benefit from, the Government's
ongoing emphasis on urban regeneration.
SOCIAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS
Our social housing partnerships continue to prosper. We have reinforced our
leadership in the provision of affordable housing, be it low cost homes for
sale, rent, shared ownership or for those with special needs. In the year just
ended we significantly increased output, building 1,760 homes for our housing
association partners, an increase of 35%. Our production in this key sector has
increased 116% over the past 4 years and we are now the largest provider of
social housing from the private sector.
Currently, we have 91 partnerships underway across Britain, with a further 87
due to start. As with urban regeneration, the provision of much needed
affordable social housing is receiving much greater Government priority. This
key sector is likely to grow further and, with our long experience in this field
and local network, we are well placed to contribute.
LAND AND PLANNING
Our land acquisition and planning skills continue to serve us well in a
difficult planning environment. We remained prudent in the land market
throughout the year, but were able to acquire 19,059 plots which was 4,708
plots, 33%, more than we used. These extra plots increased the land bank to
54,063 plots and, including 7,000 further plots agreed, this brings our total UK
land bank to over 61,000, the highest ever. This is 4.25 years' supply at
current volumes.
During the year we spent £745m on land acquisition, an increase of £94m over the
year. This increase largely represents the redeployment of the £85m proceeds
from the USA disposal.
Notwithstanding the serious planning delays bedevilling the industry, we secured
an increased level of planning approvals for 16,400 plots. This is 6% more than
the previous year. As a result, we have all the necessary approvals in place to
achieve our requirements for this year. Furthermore, over 90% of the land
required for 2006/07 is already owned or contracted, with over 70% for the
following year, 2007/08.
On the back of our planning progress, we would expect our average outlets to
continue their steady increase, which will help mitigate the effects of a more
moderate market. Subject to planning approvals being obtained on programme, we
would expect outlets to increase over the new financial year to an average of
circa 465.
ADVANCE HOUSING
Our joint venture operation, Advance Housing, increased production of steel
framed modular housing from its automated production facility in Daventry,
Northamptonshire.
It is now in its second year of production, increasing output from 81 homes to
151 homes. 128 homes were occupied by private purchasers on 9 Group developments
and a further 23 homes were supplied to our Housing Association clients on 2
developments.
The concept is beginning to realise its potential, reflecting, as it does, the
Government's continuing emphasis on modern methods of construction. We aim to
increase output again this year, subject to achieving the necessary planning
approvals.
SKILLS TRAINING
Once again we have significantly increased our investment in skills training
with over 50% of our employees already achieving the CSCS (Construction Skills
Certification Scheme) standard in the past year. This puts us ahead of industry
targets to have a fully carded and qualified workforce, including our
subcontractors, by 2010.
Our apprentice training programme remains the largest in the industry, making a
real contribution to addressing the national construction skills shortage.
Currently, 536 apprentices are receiving on-site skills training on our
developments nationwide. In addition, we have 59 graduates on fast-track career
paths. An increasing number of our managerial and supervisory staff, both
on-site and office based, began their careers on our apprentice and graduate
programmes. This augurs well for our future prospects.
CUSTOMER CARE
Improving customer care is very important to us. We believe good progress has
been made over the last three years in comprehensively overhauling our quality
and customer services procedures and our independently audited buyer survey
responses show continuing improvement. We remain focused on targeting further,
and lasting, improvement in all parts of our operation.
Last month we launched our new 10 point Customer Charter setting out
unequivocally the standards of quality and service we strive to provide to our
customers. We are also developing a Customer Care Personal Code of Practice for
all our Staff, Suppliers and Sub-Contractors, pledging our commitment to the
core values of integrity, respect and courtesy upon which the delivery of
quality and service depend. A comprehensive staff training programme for the new
Charter is underway and a similar programme will be put in place for the Code of
Practice.
Like all in the sector, we are highly dependent on our subcontractors and
suppliers aspiring to and achieving similar standards of quality, service and
customer care to ourselves. A major area of focus in our subcontractor and
supplier partnerships in the year ahead will be to ensure that all who work for,
and supply to, the Barratt Group are aware of our increased expectations and are
fully committed to compliance with our new Customer Charter and Code of
Practice.
AWARDS
Our construction teams produced an excellent performance in this years' NHBC
'Pride in the Job' campaign securing 51 Quality Awards, up from 40 last year,
and a new record. This secured 19% of the total nationwide NHBC awards compared
to our market share of 9%.
The Group also did well in the Daily Express British Housebuilder Awards.
KingsOak secured the Best National Builder Award 2005 and a further 6 top awards
went to Barratt and KingsOak Divisions.
It is very pleasing to report that for a record fourth time we were voted 'Major
Housebuilder of the Year' in the 2005 'Building' awards, one of the most
prestigious awards in the construction industry. The award recognises the
Group's leading role and outstanding contribution to housing and urban renewal.
We were also recognised by the Design Council as one of 'an elite' group of
quoted British companies, which use good design as a management discipline and
tool at the strategic heart of our business.
Our leading contribution to design innovation in housebuilding was also
recognised in the 2005 House Builders' Federation's publication 'Designing Homes
for Life'. No less than 9 of our developments were showcased for their positive
design features, more than any other national housebuilder.
In addition, the Group won 13 Greenleaf environmental awards which was, for the
fourth year running, the most in the industry.
THE YEAR AHEAD ......... AND LOOKING FORWARD
We have produced another set of record results, and achieved our 13th
consecutive year of progress, in a challenging and competitive market place.
The short-term economic outlook remains unclear and with only three months of
our financial year elapsed, it is too early to assess the market for the rest of
the year. We shall be operating on the assumption that the market will remain
challenging but are targeting to maintain volumes. We have the benefits of a
healthy forward order book, increasing outlets, a growing social housing
programme and our proven marketing ability to achieve sales in tougher times.
However, should the market improve, we also have the land bank with planning
permission and the capacity to immediately respond and increase volumes.
Notwithstanding the uncertain short-term economic outlook, the underlying
fundamentals of the housing market are sound and there will be many growth
opportunities for us in the future. Our long-term growth strategy therefore
remains unchanged. Our national geographic spread and wide product range,
together with our urban regeneration and social housing skills, have all
contributed to a good result this year and will boost our performance in the
future. These core strengths, together with our healthy forward sales, quality
land bank, strong finances and experienced management team, leave us well
positioned for the future and poised for further growth once market conditions
allow.
David Pretty
Group Chief Executive 28th September 2005
For further information please contact:
Barratt Developments PLC
David Pretty, Group Chief Executive On the day: 020 7067 0700
Colin Dearlove, Group Finance Director Thereafter: 0191 286 6811
Weber Shandwick Square Mile
Terry Garrett/Chris Lynch 020 7067 0700
The financial analysts' presentation slides will be available on the Barratt
corporate website: www.barratt-investor-relations.co.uk from 10.30 am today,
together with photographic images of Charles Toner, David Pretty and a selection
of Barratt developments.
Further copies of the announcement can be obtained from the Company Secretary's
office at:
Barratt Developments PLC Wingrove House • Ponteland Road • Newcastle upon Tyne
NE5 3DP
The following are the unaudited results of the Group for the year ended 30th
June 2005.
________________________________________________________________________________
1. Group Profit and Loss Account Unaudited Audited
2005 2004
£m £m
________________________________________________________________________________
Turnover - Continuing operations 2,484.7 2,343.1
- Discontinued operations 28.0 172.9
________________________________________________________________________________
Group Turnover 2,512.7 2,516.0
________________________________________________________________________________
Operating profit - Before exceptional items 395.0 364.2
- Exceptional items, profit on
disposal of freehold ground rents 15.9 -
________________________________________________________________________________
- Continuing operations 410.9 364.2
- Discontinued operations 0.4 11.4
________________________________________________________________________________
Operating profit 411.3 375.6
Net interest payable (4.7) (7.9)
________________________________________________________________________________
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 406.6 367.7
Taxation (115.9) (107.2)
________________________________________________________________________________
Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 290.7 260.5
Dividends (63.9) (51.4)
________________________________________________________________________________
Retained profit 226.8 209.1
________________________________________________________________________________
Earnings per share - basic 123.6p 111.4p
________________________________________________________________________________
Earnings per share - diluted 122.1p 110.1p
________________________________________________________________________________
Dividend per share 26.98p 21.58p
________________________________________________________________________________
Dividend cover 4.6x 5.2x
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
2. Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses Unaudited Audited
2005 2004
£m £m
________________________________________________________________________________
Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 290.7 260.5
Currency translation differences on foreign
currency net investments - (3.9)
________________________________________________________________________________
Total gains and losses recognised since last annual
report 290.7 256.6
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
3. Group Balance Sheet Unaudited Audited
2005 2004
£m £m
________________________________________________________________________________
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 11.3 11.9
________________________________________________________________________________
Current assets
Properties held for sale 7.2 9.7
Stocks 2,403.0 1,977.0
Debtors due within one year 37.7 41.6
Debtors due after more than one year 2.6 1.3
Bank and cash 285.1 230.4
________________________________________________________________________________
2,735.6 2,260.0
Current liabilities
Creditors due within one year (1,293.4) (1,066.0)
________________________________________________________________________________
Net current assets 1,442.2 1,194.0
________________________________________________________________________________
Total assets less current liabilities 1,453.5 1,205.9
Creditors due after more than one year (101.5) (89.8)
________________________________________________________________________________
Net assets 1,352.0 1,116.1
________________________________________________________________________________
Capital and reserves
Called up equity share capital 24.2 24.0
Share premium 197.9 190.7
Profit retained 1,129.9 901.4
________________________________________________________________________________
Equity shareholders' funds 1,352.0 1,116.1
________________________________________________________________________________
Net assets per share 559p 465p
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
4. Group Summary Cash Flow Statement Unaudited Audited
2005 2004
£m £m
________________________________________________________________________________
Net cash inflow from operating activities
Operating profit 411.3 375.6
Increase in stocks (528.7) (254.4)
Increase in debtors (7.2) (6.8)
Increase in creditors 294.0 147.5
Other non cash movements 2.3 0.8
________________________________________________________________________________
171.7 262.7
Returns on investments and servicing of finance (4.7) (11.5)
Taxation (113.8) (98.7)
Capital expenditure and financial investment (1.0) (5.4)
Acquisitions and disposals 83.2 -
Equity dividends paid (55.6) (45.0)
________________________________________________________________________________
Cash inflow before financing 79.8 102.1
Financing (1.6) (15.4)
________________________________________________________________________________
Increase in cash 78.2 86.7
________________________________________________________________________________
Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds
Increase in cash 78.2 86.7
Cash flow from decrease in debt 9.0 19.1
________________________________________________________________________________
Change in net funds resulting from cash flows 87.2 105.8
Exchange movements - 2.3
________________________________________________________________________________
Movement in net funds in the period 87.2 108.1
Net funds at 1st July 189.7 81.6
________________________________________________________________________________
Net funds at 30th June 276.9 189.7
________________________________________________________________________________
5. Statutory Accounts
The financial information set out above does not constitute statutory accounts
within the meaning of the Companies Act 1985. The figures in the preliminary
statement have been taken from the group's draft statutory accounts which have
not yet been signed. The figures for the year to 30th June 2004 are an extract
from the full accounts for that year, which have been filed with the Registrar
of Companies and on which the auditors gave an unqualified opinion.
The preliminary financial information has been prepared on the basis of
accounting policies set out in the company's Annual Report for the year ended
30th June 2004.
Work continues on the changes required for the implementation of International
Financial Reporting Standards to ensure compliance for the results to be
reported for the year ending 30th June 2006. The major areas of change are
expected to relate to accounting for pension costs, share based payments,
financial instruments and the timing of dividend payment recognition.
________________________________________________________________________________
6. Geographical Analysis 2005 2004
Turnover Operating Turnover Operating
Profit Profit
£m £m £m £m
________________________________________________________________________________
UK housebuild 2,472.4 395.7 2,327.6 366.4
Other UK 12.3 (0.7) 15.5 (2.2)
Exceptional items - 15.9 - -
________________________________________________________________________________
UK sub-total 2,484.7 410.9 2,343.1 364.2
USA 28.0 0.4 172.9 11.4
________________________________________________________________________________
Group total 2,512.7 411.3 2,516.0 375.6
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
7. Cash in Hand/(Bank Debt) 2005 2004
£m £m
________________________________________________________________________________
Due within one year (4.8) (28.3)
Due after more than one year (3.4) (12.4)
________________________________________________________________________________
(8.2) (40.7)
Bank and cash deposits 285.1 230.4
________________________________________________________________________________
Total net funds 276.9 189.7
________________________________________________________________________________
8. Dividends
The directors propose a final dividend of 17.99p per share (2004: 14.68p) making
a total for the year of 26.98p per share (2004: 21.58p). It is proposed that the
final dividend will be paid on 18th November 2005, to shareholders on the
register, at close of business, on 21st October 2005.
9. Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per ordinary share is based on the profit after taxation of
£290,700,000 (2004: £260,500,000) and the weighted average number of ordinary
shares in issue and ranking for dividend during the year of 235,167,051 (2004:
233,904,273). For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of
shares in issue and ranking for dividend is adjusted to assume the conversion of
all dilutive potential shares. The effect of the dilutive potential shares is
2,962,205 (2004: 2,597,644), this gives a diluted weighted average number of
shares of 238,129,256 (2004: 236,501,917).
10. Net Assets Per Share
Net assets per ordinary share are based on the net assets at 30th June 2005 of
£1,352.0m (2004: £1,116.1m) and the number of shares in issue at that date of
241,972,144 (2004: 239,797,852).
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange