Interim Report

BT Group PLC 07 November 2002 BT Group Half Year Results and Interim Report Chairman's Statement "This is an excellent set of results. The operating performance and cash generation of the business has been particularly strong in a difficult market. I am pleased to report that we will be paying an interim dividend of 2.25 pence per share. The recently announced agreement to dispose of our stake in Cegetel will see net debt reduce by a further £2.5 billion on completion. These results demonstrate our ability to reduce debt, reward our shareholders and invest for the future." Sir Christopher Bland, 6 November 2002 _________________________________________________________________________________________ Review Group turnover from continuing activities increased by 2 per cent. This was a good performance in difficult market conditions. Although the three year revenue target of 6 to 8 per cent compound annual growth is unlikely to be achieved in the present market conditions, we expect total revenue growth for the second half to be in line with current market expectations. Future revenue growth will benefit from our focus on developing new wave initiatives. Group profit before taxation* increased by 57 per cent to £818 million reflecting improved gross margins in BT Retail, cost reductions across the lines of business, reduced operating losses in the overseas activities of BT Ignite and a reduction in the level of interest payable. Earnings per share* were 6.2 pence, an increase of 68 per cent. An interim dividend of 2.25 pence per share will be paid on 10 February 2003 to shareholders on the register on 31 December 2002. We expect this year's final dividend to be slightly more than the historical level of one and a half times the interim dividend. Our progressive dividend policy remains unchanged. Cash inflow from operating activities amounted to £2,736 million, representing a strong conversion of profits into cash. Capital expenditure at £1,108 million was 19 per cent lower than last year reflecting the continued management focus and control over capital expenditure. Full year expenditure is expected to be around £2.8 billion. Net debt was reduced by a further £589 million to £13.1 billion at 30 September 2002. Exceptional profits of £66 million reflect the gain on disposal of BSkyB shares. On 16 October 2002 we agreed to sell our stake in Cegetel, subject to regulatory approval, for approximately £2.5 billion which will generate a profit of approximately £1.4 billion. *from continuing activities before goodwill amortisation and exceptional items ____________________________________________________________________ Group profit and loss account for the six months ended 30 September (unaudited) 2002 2001 (a) (b) £m £m Turnover, including share of ventures 10,092 13,315 Group turnover 9,248 10,758 Group operating profit 1,288 844 Share of operating profit (loss) of ventures 115 (824) Profit on sale of investments and group undertakings 66 4,495 Profit on sale of property fixed assets 6 12 Amounts written off investments (7) (535) Net interest payable (595) (836) Profit before taxation 873 3,156 Taxation (272) (272) Profit after taxation 601 2,884 Minority interests (11) (14) Profit attributable to shareholders 590 2,870 Interim dividend (194) - Earnings per share - basic 6.9p 35.8p - diluted 6.8p 35.5p Earnings per share before goodwill amortisation and exceptional items - basic 6.2p 3.7p - diluted 6.2p 3.7p Interim dividend per share 2.25p - (a) Results are wholly from continuing activities. (b) Includes the results of discontinued activities - mmO2, Japan Telecom, J-Phone Communications, Airtel and Yell. ________________________________________________________________________ Group cash flow statement for the six months ended 30 September (unaudited) 2002 2001 £m £m Inflow from operating activities, including ventures 2,736 2,688 Outflow for returns on investments (606) (679) and servicing of finance Taxation paid (146) (238) Outflow for capital expenditure and financial investments (1,226) (2,032) Inflow for acquisitions and disposals 1 5,419 Equity dividends paid (173) - Inflow before use of liquid resources and financing 586 5,158 Management of liquid resources 1,117 (3,959) Outflow from financing (1,469) (1,101) Increase in cash 234 98 ________________________________________________________________________ Group balance sheet 30 September 31 March 2002 2001 (a) 2002 (unaudited) £m £m £m Fixed assets 17,171 42,102 17,551 Current assets 9,354 13,816 10,122 Current liabilities (8,764) (14,441) (9,390) Net current assets (liabilities) 590 (625) 732 Total assets less current liabilities 17,761 41,477 18,283 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year 15,394 17,704 16,245 Provisions for liabilities and charges 2,304 2,763 2,324 Minority interests 67 78 72 Capital and reserves (4) 20,932 (358) 17,761 41,477 18,283 (a) Before the demerger of mmO2. __________________________________________________________________ Notes 1. This statement has been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies in the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2002. 2 The figures for the year ended 31 March 2002 are extracts from those accounts. A copy of the statutory accounts for that year, on which the auditors have issued an unqualified report, has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. If you have any queries as a shareholder please call Freefone 0808 100 4141. Further information about BT and these financial results may be found on the internet at www.btplc.com/investorcentre BT Group plc 81 Newgate Street, London EC1A 7AJ ________________________________________________________________________ Independent Review Report to BT Group plc Introduction We have been instructed by the company to review the financial information which comprises the group profit and loss account, group cash flow statement, group balance sheet and the related notes. We have read the other information contained in the interim report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial information. Directors' responsibilities The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the interim report in accordance with the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority which require that the accounting policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent with those applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where any changes, and the reasons for them, are disclosed. Review work performed We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4 issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review consists principally of making enquiries of group management and applying analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data and, based thereon, assessing whether the accounting policies and presentation have been consistently applied unless otherwise disclosed. A review excludes audit procedures such as tests of controls and verification of assets, liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with United Kingdom Auditing Standards and therefore provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly we do not express an audit opinion on the financial information. Review conclusion On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months ended 30 September 2002. PricewaterhouseCoopers, Chartered Accountants London. 6 November 2002 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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