Final Results - Replacement
Caledonia Investments PLC
8 June 2000
The issuer has made the following amendment to the Final Results
announcement released today at 07:00 under RNS No 8970L
Within the 'Key Financial Results' the asterisks should refer to '2000' and not
'1999' as previously stated.
All other details remain unchanged.
The full corrected version is shown below.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 PRELIMINARY RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT
'Continued progress in building value for shareholders'
Caledonia Investments plc, the diversified trading and investment company,
today announces its preliminary results for the twelve months ended 31 March
2000. The salient features are:
Key Financial Results
2000 1999
Total operating profit £45.2m £41.3m
Profit before taxation £51.8m £93.9m
Shareholders funds £764.3m * £793.3m
Basic earnings per ordinary share 46.1p 79.3p
Adjusted basic earnings per ordinary share 37.0p 34.7p
Dividends per ordinary share - Annual 23.0p 22.0p
- Special 70.0p -
Net asset value per ordinary share 960p * 951p
Underlying net asset value per ordinary share 1189p * 1070p
* After providing for the proposed special dividend of 70.0 pence per
ordinary share
* Total operating profit increased by 9.4% from £41.3m to £45.2m.
* Adjusted basic earnings per ordinary share rose 6.6% from 34.7 pence to
37.0 pence.
* Before deduction of the special dividend, net asset value per ordinary
share rose 8.3% to 1030 pence and 17.7% to 1259 pence when adjusted to
reflect market value of the group s quoted associate companies.
* Annual dividend up 4.5% from 22.0 pence to 23.0 pence per ordinary
share, continuing over 30 years of unbroken dividend growth.
* Proposed special dividend of 70.0 pence per ordinary share reflecting
strong asset growth.
Business Highlights
Operating profit
The principal factors behind the increase in total operating profit are a
substantial £7.1m increase to £21.1m in Caledonia's share of profits from
Close Brothers and a profit of £5.1m from the sale of development land in
Oxford, partially offset by a reduction in net interest receivable from £9.1m
to £4.6m mainly as a result of exchange losses and lower cash balances.
Profit before taxation
Profit before taxation for the year ended 31 March 2000 was £51.8m (1999 -
£93.9m). Last year's figure was boosted by a substantial profit on sale of
operations, amounting to £55.8m. This year, profit on sale of operations was
£9.8m.
Special dividend
In recent years, the group has recorded strong investment gains with adjusted
net assets per share increasing to 1259 pence, subject to the effect of any
taxation. At 31 March 2000, Caledonia s net cash balances stood at some
£111m with the prospect of further realisations to come from the sale of the
group's interests in Robert Fleming and News Communications & Media.
Caledonia has therefore decided to recommend a special dividend of 70.0 pence
per share, at a total cost of £55m. After payment of the special dividend,
the group will retain substantial cash or near cash balances for future
investment and has no net gearing.
The special dividend is in addition to the recommended final annual dividend
of 15.5 pence per share, which increases the total annual dividends for the
year from 22.0 pence last year to 23.0 pence in line with Caledonia's
progressive dividend policy.
Discount to net asset value
Caledonia's share price remained at a substantial discount to underlying
assets throughout the year. Two significant initiatives were taken to help
address this. First the cross shareholding between Caledonia and Sterling
Industries, which was not seen to be helping the share price of either
company, was unwound by the acquisition of the 73% of Sterling Industries not
already owned. As a consequence, 8m Caledonia shares owned by Sterling were
effectively cancelled and some 5.6m new Caledonia shares were issued to
shareholders in Sterling, resulting in a net reduction in the total number of
shares in issue of almost 3%. Secondly, in the last quarter of the financial
year, Caledonia bought in nearly 2% of its equity at attractive prices which
enhanced net asset value per share.
Caledonia will seek to renew the authority to purchase its shares at the
Annual General Meeting in July, which will enable it to continue the buy in
policy on a judicious basis.
Investments in new technology sectors
As signalled at the time of the interim results in November, Caledonia has
been steadily increasing its commitment to the telecommunications, media and
technology sectors. The group has taken a number of small initiatives in
this field, mainly through funds but some directly, at a total cost of some
£10m. At 31 March 2000, these investments had appreciated in value to around
£40m and at the current time are still valued at nearly three times their
total purchase cost even after taking account of the recent downturn in the
technology sector.
Caledonia believes that its traditional approach of taking relatively
significant stakes in individual investment opportunities is less appropriate
to this sector and that, given the complexities and range of these emerging
technologies, a mainly collective approach is likely to be more effective.
At the year end, Caledonia took a £20m cornerstone investment in the recently
launched Amerindo Internet Fund, whose US-based management has had a long and
successful record of investing in the technology field.
Commenting on the results, Peter Buckley, said:
'These results show robust and successful progress for the twelve months
to 31 March 2000. The Board remains focused on maximising value over the
long term. We are confident that our strategy will leave us well
positioned to continue this and to seize opportunities both in so-called
old economy situations where we think there are still interesting
prospects and in the fast emerging telecommunications, media, and
technology sectors.'
'Although it is too early to make any meaningful comment about the year in
prospect, a considerable market correction has now taken place which has
impacted more widely than the technology sector and which will inevitably
have affected our underlying net asset value per share. Nonetheless,
given our strong balance sheet, we remain well placed to take advantage of
investment opportunities in the context of our longer term approach.'
Enquiries:
Caledonia Investments plc: 020 7481 4343
Peter Buckley, Chairman and Chief Executive
Citigate Dewe Rogerson: 020 7638 9571
Bill Trelawny
Charles Vivian
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS
FINANCIAL
Close Brothers (associate: 19%)
Close Brothers celebrated its twenty-fourth consecutive year of profits
growth with a solid 10% improvement for its year to 31 July 1999. Since then
the group has announced a sparkling 110% advance in earnings per share for
its half year to 31 January 2000.
During the year, new initiatives were taken in the field of private client
investment management and instalment finance for personal insurance premiums,
as well as the expansion of the corporate finance operation into France and
Germany. In August, Rea Brothers was acquired for £56m, adding additional
fund management and banking activities in London as well as offshore private
client business. Subsequently, Warrior, a business specialising in finance
for Armed Forces personnel, was acquired at a cost of £21m and merged with
the existing Close Brothers business in this field. The property lending
operation has also been expanded by the acquisition of a complementary
activity from Granville Bank.
The significant uplift in stock market bargains recorded from November last
year - particularly in smaller company and AiM stocks - has contributed to a
significant increase in the profits of Winterflood Securities. Whilst the
initial increase seems linked to the increased investment activity
surrounding the e-commerce excitement, it will remain to be seen at what
levels this activity is sustained.
Technological change will call for vigilance and a market downturn will
almost certainly subdue volumes, but management is keenly aware of this and
must be congratulated on their highly impressive performance.
Rathbones (investment: 13%)
For the year to 31 December 1999, Rathbones saw growth of 22% in funds under
discretionary management to £5bn. Operating profit rose by 24% to £22.4m,
with increases in earnings and dividends per share of 15% and 16%
respectively.
The year also saw good growth in revenues from its trust division, which is
now starting to make a meaningful contribution to the profits of the group.
Following new marketing initiatives, unit trust funds under management
doubled during 1999. The company was also voted Discretionary Fund Manager of
the Year by readers of the Investors Chronicle and was a major winner in the
Private Asset Managers Awards for 2000.
Robert Fleming (investment: 1%)
As anticipated last year, Robert Fleming has experienced buoyant trading
conditions, particularly in South East Asia. Furthermore, the timing of its
acquisition of the other 50% of Jardine Fleming held by Jardine Matheson
proved propitious. In April 2000, the Board of Robert Fleming announced a
recommended offer of £27.44 per share for the company from Chase Manhattan
Corporation.
Completion of the offer at the values prevailing at the time of the
announcement would give us an exit value of some £46.7m, against a carrying
value of £20.4m and an original purchase cost of £7.5m.
Friends Ivory & Sime (investment: 8%)
1999 was a very successful year for Friends Ivory & Sime. Funds under
management at its year end increased to over £37bn (1998 - £25bn). Earnings
per share and dividends grew impressively by 30% and 18% respectively on an
annualised basis.
In May 2000, Friends Provident Life Office, which has a controlling interest
in FIS, announced that it would be seeking a Stock Exchange listing in mid-
2001 following demutualisation. We believe that this should enhance the long
term growth prospects of FIS.
INDUSTRIAL AND SERVICES
Sterling Industries (subsidiary 100%)
Caledonia's bid, valuing the whole of Sterling Industries at £97m, was
successfully concluded in January 2000. Aside from the 10% shareholding in
Caledonia already referred to above, the group held cash balances of some
£13.5m, which were paid out by way of dividend to Sterling's shareholders at
the time of acquisition, and two engineering divisions with promising niche
positions in global markets.
The Hydraulics division, which manufactures a sophisticated range of
cartridge valves for mobile equipment, performed slightly behind last year. A
delivery backlog in the UK plant has now been rectified and a new managing
director has just been appointed. Outright ownership of this division by
Caledonia broadens the scope to take further advantage of its position in
this specialist market.
The Thermal Process division had a difficult year due to a shortage of orders
in the aftermath of the Asian crisis and the closure of one of its operations
in the UK. Consideration is being given to re-aligning the business units
within the division, which should enable greater focus to be brought to bear
on the skill sets within each activity.
The outlook for both engineering divisions remains very competitive but we
believe that the decision to purchase these businesses will be amply
justified.
Amber (subsidiary: 100%)
The Amber group achieved trading profits just ahead of last year at £2.5m
(1999 - £2.4m), with a strong performance from the group's UK silicone
business and Treco Srl, based in Italy, as well as a first full year
contribution from Taylor Chemical Company in Atlanta. Improved profitability
in Amber's German selling companies was offset by exchange differences when
reporting in sterling, but activity levels were good. Amber's traditional UK
industrial consumables division encountered a more difficult year, and a
review is underway to identify new opportunities for this activity. Overall,
higher interest costs resulting from recent acquisitions, together with
increased goodwill amortisation, brought pre-tax profits in at £1.9m (1999 -
£2.2m).
During the year, the group made two small acquisitions, Alchimica Srl in
Italy and Quantum Silicones LLC in the USA, to further Amber's strategy of
becoming a leading independent silicone compounder. The new financial year
has started with an encouraging level of activity for Amber's silicone
businesses, particularly in the USA. The UK market for industrial consumables
remains challenging, though improving trends are evident in Germany.
Edinburgh Crystal (subsidiary: 89%)
Edinburgh Crystal achieved a welcome turnaround during the past year, with
operating profit in excess of £0.5m after reporting a loss of £0.9m last
year. However, the sector remains challenging and aggressive discounting
persists in the market place, mainly due to over capacity. Our strategy
continues to focus on means of improving the company's market position.
Offshore Logistics/Bristow (investments: 6%/49%)
As indicated a year ago, the year to 31 March 2000 proved to be a difficult
one and earnings per share of Offshore Logistics decreased from 97 cents to
42 cents. The group as a whole suffered from the aftermath of the very low
oil price and this particularly impacted Bristow's activities in the North
Sea.
Co-ordination of the US and UK operations of the group has improved over the
past year and a three division structure has been put in place comprising the
Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea and International. The outlook for the year
ahead as a whole is better, with improvements anticipated in the market place
and from further operating efficiencies.
Wallem (investment: effective 74%)
Wallem has continued to record improved profitability following the difficult
trading conditions which resulted from the 1998 Asian crisis. In particular,
its increased focus on its well regarded shipmanagement operations has
contributed to substantially better results. Prospects for continuing
improvement are good.
AHL Services (investment: 10%)
AHL Services recorded a further year of growth but not at quite the same 111%
and 65% rates as in its first two years as a NASDAQ listed company. Earnings
per share grew by 22% but the last quarter to December 1999 disappointed
market expectations and the share price reacted accordingly. The group has
continued to develop both organically and by acquisition in its two main
fields of expansion - marketing and operational support services. The former
incorporates some e-fulfilment business and the company is seeking to develop
this further.
INVESTMENT FUNDS
English & Scottish Investors (associate: 30%)
English & Scottish Investors performance for its year to 31 January improved
significantly with overall net asset value per share increasing by 15.6% to a
year end record 222 pence per share. This was in line with the MSCI World
Index and ahead of the FTSE All-Share Index. English & Scottish Investors
also took advantage of the new freedom for investment trusts to purchase
their own shares and has since bought in over 9% of its issued ordinary
capital. Whilst these purchases to date have increased Caledonia's
shareholding from 27.4% to 30.2% and have benefited net asset value per
share, the share price, in common with most of its peer group, has remained
at an unsatisfactory discount. The share buy in policy on its own, whilst
never the complete solution, still has a part to play. Supply and demand for
the shares and underlying investment performance will be the key determinants
and we are watching these closely.
British Empire Securities and General Trust (associate: 18%)
British Empire Securities and General Trust recorded good results for the
year to 30 September 1999, with net asset value per share increasing by 37% -
well ahead of its benchmark. Its subsequent half year to 31 March 2000 has
seen a continuation of satisfactory performance.
We remain of the view that the manager's 'value' style investing has
considerable merit and the long term record of solid achievement, is
commendable.
Investments
As can be seen from the table at the end of this announcement, two holdings,
The AIM Trust and European Asset Value Fund, which were previously included
in the 'other' total, have been highlighted following the significant rise in
their respective valuations. The AIM Trust reported exceptional performance,
making it the best performing smaller companies investment trust over the 12
months to 31 January 2000. European Asset Value Fund has merged with another
holding in this category - French Property Trust. The 'other' total includes
a number of holdings which have performed well, including a stake in the
Amerindo Technology Growth Fund taken last summer.
LEISURE AND MEDIA
The Sloane Club (subsidiary: 100%)
Steady progress continued during the year. The joint venture with Cadogan
Estates to manage 16 club suites has prospered with encouragingly good
occupancy rates. The Sloane Club continues to seek new opportunities to
leverage off its existing management resources and expand its operations.
Radio Investments (associate: 49%)
Activity in the radio sector remained high and valuations attributable to
radio stations increased steadily throughout the period. During the year, the
Guardian Media Group purchased an interest in the company, which matched our
own shareholding. We believe that their understanding of the media sector
will be of considerable benefit to us and that investment in this sector will
deliver good returns in the run up to deregulation.
Sun International Hotels (investment: 18%)
Sun International Hotels ('SIHL') experienced a varied year. The first full
season of the acclaimed 1250 room expansion on Paradise Island went well. The
management challenges of doubling the size of the resort were well executed
as also the handling of Hurricane Floyd, which was the worst storm to hit the
area for over 25 years. Fortunately, no serious structural damage was
suffered and the opportunity was taken to advance the enlargement and
improvement of the Ocean Club and also to re-landscape the golf course, which
provided the basis to develop some 120 luxury home sites around the new
course and along the beach front. These are beginning to be sold at
encouraging prices. Development of 198 timeshare apartments has also
started.
Whilst Paradise Island has continued to live up to expectations and build its
international reputation, the casino operations in Atlantic City have been
disappointing as the recently completed $50m refurbishment did not bring
about the anticipated uplift in business. Further attention is being given
to this situation, management changes have been made and some signs of
improvement are now evident. This setback, combined with the potential
exposure to the highly competitive Las Vegas gaming market following the
announcement a year ago of SIHL's intention to purchase The Desert Inn
property, caused a significant decline in the SIHL share price. This
purchase arrangement has since been cancelled. On 12 January 2000, Sun
International Investments ('SIIL') which together with its shareholders,
controls 53% of SIHL and in which we are equal one third investors with the
listed South African leisure group, Kersaf Investments and the Kerzner
family, decided to put forward a merger proposal to acquire, for $24 per
share, the 47% of SIHL not already owned, amounting to some $368m. This
initiative will involve an increase in SIIL's gearing which should be well
within the cash flow potential from its operations and remains conditional on
financing being in place and a recommendation from the independent committee
of the SIHL board to minority shareholders regarding the fairness of the
offer.
The two other important operations within SIHL - the Mohegan Sun casino in
Connecticut and the Sun Resorts properties in Mauritius - have both continued
to develop satisfactorily. SIHL's share of the management fees from the
Mohegan Sun casino has grown for the fourth year in succession since opening,
but at the end of 1999, the management contract, which was due to expire at
the end of 2003 was bought out by the Mohegan Tribe in exchange for a 5%
revenue sharing agreement which runs to 2015. This will result in a lower
contribution for SIHL in the current year, but as the $850m expansion of the
casino comes on stream in late 2001 and early 2002, it is expected that the
annual contribution will approach or exceed the amounts receivable under the
original arrangement.
In Mauritius, a substantial refurbishment of the world famous St. Geran Hotel
was completed in December. Plans are also in hand for SIHL to manage a new 90
room hotel being built in The Seychelles by Sun Resorts. The Royal Mirage
Hotel in Dubai, for which Sun has the management contract, opened
successfully last August.
News Communications & Media (investment: 6%)
Following good profit growth in recent years, the board of Newscom announced
a recommended cash offer of £18 per share for the company in May 2000. Our
acceptance of the offer will give us an exit value of £25.2m against a
carrying value of £21.4m and an original purchase cost of £6.3m.
Swallow Group
Swallow Group, formerly Vaux Group, closed its brewing activities on 2 July
1999 and subsequently sold its tenanted pub estate to Pubmaster Inns, with
the intention of developing its hotels and managed houses and extending its
leisure club operations. However, having received an approach from Whitbread,
the boards of Whitbread and Swallow Group announced on 22 November 1999 a
recommended cash offer at 390 pence per share as well as a second interim
dividend of 8 pence. The offer represented a 41% premium over the reference
Swallow Group share price.
Gross proceeds for Caledonia's 4.8% holding in Swallow Group totalled £26.7m,
yielding a £12.3m profit on the aggregate historic cost of the investment of
£14.4m.
PROPERTY AND GENERAL
Subsidiaries
Over the years, we have held a number of smaller interests in the property
sector. Last year, Edinmore, which seeks out interesting land and residential
property opportunities in the UK and especially Scotland, made a useful
contribution. This year, St. Lawrence Properties sold a 5.5 acre development
site in Oxford for £12.8m realising a £5.1m profit. The company retains 3
acres from which it is hoped to generate additional profit.
Central European Land (associate: 44%)
With our partner, Meinl Bank of Vienna, we have seen an increase in operating
profit in the company's second year of operation and have made some additions
to the portfolio of retail properties in both the Czech Republic and Hungary.
Both countries are likely to be among the early new entrants to the EU and
their economies should benefit from their accession.
Quintain Estates and Development (investment: 5%)
We added 0.7m shares to our holding in 1999 and took advantage of weak market
conditions to buy a further 1.9m shares in April 2000, bringing our holding
to 9m. The company is rationalising the recently acquired Chesterfield
Properties and English and Overseas Properties portfolios to good effect.
We continue to have confidence in the management's special skills in dealing
with complicated situations, which should have a beneficial effect on the net
asset value.
Other
These comprise a number of holdings in the technology sector and a separately
managed portfolio of holdings in listed smaller companies, which have
performed well. In addition, part of the group's liquidity is invested in a
portfolio of equity market holdings.
GROUP PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
for the year ended 31 March 2000
2000 1999
£m £m
Group turnover 90.2 58.2
-------- --------
Trading profit 12.2 5.0
Income from investments 7.7 8.5
Interest receivable 4.6 9.1
Other income 0.7 0.8
Group overheads (6.2) (5.7)
-------- --------
Group operating profit 19.0 17.7
Share of operating profit of associates 26.4 24.0
Amortisation of goodwill on acquisition
of associates (0.2) (0.4)
-------- --------
Total operating profit 45.2 41.3
Profit on sale of operations 9.8 55.8
Interest payable (3.2) (3.2)
-------- --------
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 51.8 93.9
Tax on profit on ordinary activities (13.2) (27.6)
-------- --------
Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 38.6 66.3
Minority interests (equity) (0.9) (0.6)
-------- --------
Profit for the financial year 37.7 65.7
Dividends (73.7) (18.2)
-------- --------
Loss retained for the financial year (36.0) 47.5
======== ========
Earnings per ordinary share
Basic 46.1p 79.3p
Diluted 46.0p 79.2p
Adjusted basic 37.0p 34.7p
-------- --------
Dividends per ordinary share
Annual 23.0p 22.0p
Special 70.0p -
-------- --------
GROUP STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES
for the year ended 31 March 2000
2000 1999
£m £m
Profit for the financial year 37.7 65.7
Realised gains and losses on sale of investments 23.1 18.3
Provision against investments (5.0) (4.3)
Movement in revaluation reserve (15.8) (73.5)
Tax on sale of investments (3.3) 3.4
Exchange differences 0.6 7.0
Share of reserve movements of associates
Realised gains and losses on sale of
investments 15.5 30.5
Movement in revaluation reserve 16.1 (35.7)
Tax on sale of investments (0.1) (5.4)
Exchange differences 0.1 (0.3)
Other movements 0.6 (3.6)
-------- --------
Total recognised gains and losses 69.5 2.1
======== ========
GROUP RECONCILIATION OF SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS
for the year ended 31 March 2000
2000 1999
£m £m
Total recognised gains and losses 69.5 2.1
Dividends (73.7) (18.2)
-------- --------
(4.2) (16.1)
Issue of shares 39.2 -
Purchase of own shares (9.6) -
Reclassification of share capital (56.7) -
Goodwill on disposals written back 3.8 18.4
Goodwill capitalised into investments - 3.0
Share of goodwill movements of associates (1.5) (1.3)
-------- --------
Net movement in shareholders' funds (29.0) 4.0
Opening balance of shareholders' funds 793.3 789.3
-------- --------
Closing balance of shareholders' funds 764.3 793.3
======== ========
GROUP BALANCE SHEET
at 31 March 2000
2000 1999
£m £m
Fixed assets
Intangible assets 11.1 6.5
Tangible assets 48.6 39.3
Investments
Investment in associates 256.6 224.9
Other investments 425.0 408.0
-------- --------
741.3 678.7
-------- --------
Current assets
Stocks 18.2 11.8
Debtors 47.5 21.0
Short term deposits 108.5 147.8
Cash at bank and in hand 16.0 19.2
-------- --------
190.2 199.8
-------- --------
Creditors falling due within one year
Short term borrowings (13.7) (12.1)
Other creditors (117.6) (42.2)
-------- --------
(131.3) (54.3)
-------- --------
Net current assets 58.9 145.5
-------- --------
Total assets less current liabilities 800.2 824.2
Creditors falling due after more than one year
Long term borrowings (5.6) (0.7)
Provision for liabilities and charges
Deferred taxation (28.4) (29.1)
-------- --------
766.2 794.4
Minority interests (equity) (1.9) (1.1)
-------- --------
764.3 793.3
======== ========
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 4.4 4.2
Share premium account 1.3 1.3
Capital redemption reserve 0.8 0.7
Revaluation reserve 191.2 205.2
Profit and loss account 566.6 581.9
-------- --------
Shareholders' funds (equity) 764.3 793.3
======== ========
Net asset value per ordinary share 960p 951p
GROUP STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the year ended 31 March 2000
2000 1999
£m £m
Net cash inflow from operating activities 15.4 23.1
-------- --------
Dividends from associates 8.2 14.0
-------- --------
Servicing of finance
Interest paid - (0.1)
Dividends paid to minority shareholders - (0.2)
-------- --------
- (0.3)
-------- --------
Taxation (20.3) (7.6)
-------- --------
Capital expenditure and financial investment
Purchase of intangible fixed assets (0.1) -
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (2.8) (2.9)
Sale of tangible fixed assets 0.3 0.2
Purchase of investments (50.5) (43.6)
Sale of investments 58.3 60.8
Loans to associates - (0.1)
-------- --------
5.2 14.4
-------- --------
Acquisitions and disposals
Purchase of operations (17.5) (15.3)
Net cash acquired with operations 12.3 0.5
Dividends paid to a subsidiary's former
shareholders (10.6) -
Investment in associates (7.8) (11.1)
Sale of operations (0.8) 47.1
Sale of interests in associates - 56.6
-------- --------
(24.4) 77.8
-------- --------
(15.9) 121.4
Equity dividends paid (18.6) (17.4)
Management of liquid resources 39.7 (102.8)
Financing (10.1) -
-------- --------
Decrease in cash in the year (4.9) 1.2
-------- --------
RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO OPERATING CASH FLOWS
For the year ended 31 March 2000
2000 1999
£m £m
Group operating profit 19.0 17.7
Depreciation and amortisation 3.6 2.9
Loss and provision against own shares - 0.8
Profit on sale of fixed assets (0.1) (0.1)
Tax credits on franked investment income - (0.7)
Investment income and interest accruals
decrease 2.8 (2.3)
Stocks decrease 0.6 1.0
Debtors increase (14.7) 2.7
Creditors increase 4.2 1.1
-------- --------
15.4 23.1
-------- --------
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
1. Dividends
2000 1999
£m £m
Interim of 7.5p paid (1999 - 7p) 6.2 5.8
Final of 15.5p proposed (1999 - 15p) 12.2 12.4
Special of 70.0p proposed (1999 - nil) 55.3 -
-------- --------
73.7 18.2
-------- --------
The proposed final and special dividends will be paid on 2 August
2000 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on
30 June 2000.
2. Earnings per ordinary share
The calculation of basic earnings per ordinary share was based on
the profit for the financial year after deduction of minority
interests, amounting to £37.7m (1999 - £65.7m), and on the
81,864,429 weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue
during the year (1999 - 82,800,050) after excluding shares held
during the year by the Caledonia Investments plc Employee Share
Trust.
The adjusted basic earnings per ordinary share were calculated as
a measure of the group's earnings excluding sale of operations,
amortisation of goodwill and other items, net of any tax
adjustments. This is considered to provide a more consistent
indication of underlying operating performance.
The adjusted basic earnings per ordinary share were reconciled as
follows:
2000 1999
pence pence
Basic earnings per ordinary share 46.1 79.3
Adjustments
Profit on sale of operations (11.9) (67.4)
Share of associate's restructuring costs 1.8 1.3
Amortisation of goodwill 0.8 0.6
Related tax effect 0.2 20.9
-------- --------
Adjusted basic earnings per ordinary share 37.0 34.7
-------- --------
Share of associate's restructuring costs in 2000 represented the
group's share of the exceptional restructuring costs incurred by
Close Brothers as part of its reorganisation after its
acquisition of Rea Brothers and Warrior.
Share of associate's restructuring costs in 1999 represented the
group's share of the exceptional restructuring costs incurred by
Exco prior to its offer to acquire the broking operations of
Intercapital Group.
3. Analysis of changes in net funds
Opening Exchange Cash Closing
balance differences flow Acquisitions balance
£m £m £m £m £m
Cash at bank and in hand 19.2 0.1 (3.3) - 16.0
Bank overdrafts (11.9) - (1.6) - (13.5)
------------------------------------------------------
7.3 0.1 (4.9) - 2.5
Short term deposits 147.8 (0.1) (39.7) 0.5 108.5
Debt due within one year (0.2) - - - (0.2)
Debt due after more
than one year (0.7) 0.1 0.3 (5.3) (5.6)
------------------------------------------------------
154.2 0.1 (44.3) (4.8) 105.2
------------------------------------------------------
ANALYSIS BY BUSINESS SECTOR
Financial
Name Business Group Attributable Book
share profits value Valuation
% £m £m £m
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associates
Close Brothers
Group plc * Merchant banking 19.0 21.1 65.0 269.2
Investments
Rathbone Brothers
plc * Fund management 12.8 0.9 45.1 45.1
Robert Fleming
Holdings Ltd Merchant banking 1.0 0.5 20.4 20.4
Friends Ivory &
Sime plc * Fund management 7.9 0.3 19.0 19.0
Garban Intercapital
plc * Moneybroking 4.1 0.5 11.5 11.5
Other - 1.1 1.1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23.3 162.1 366.3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Listed on the UK or overseas stock exchanges.
Industrial and services
Name Business Group Attributable Book
share profits value Valuation
% £m £m £m
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subsidiaries
Sterling Industries
PLC (3) Engineering 100.0 2.7 25.1 25.1
Amber Industrial Specialty
Holdings PLC chemicals 100.0 2.1 17.2 17.2
Edinburgh Crystal Crystal glass
Glass Co Ltd manufacture 88.9 0.2 3.2 3.2
Other (0.4) - -
Associates
Sterling Industries
PLC (3) Engineering 0.7
Other 0.4 6.4 9.6
Investments
Offshore Logistics Helicopter
Inc *(2) operator 6.1 0.4 16.8 16.8
Bristow Aviation Helicopter
Holdings Ltd operator 49.0 0.7 4.9 4.9
Wallem Group Ltd (1) Shipping services 74.4 - 12.0 12.0
AHL Services Inc * Outsourcing 10.2 - 10.7 10.7
Other 5.5 5.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.8 101.8 105.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Listed on the UK or overseas stock exchanges.
(1) The holding in Wallem Group Ltd comprises 26% of voting ordinary shares
and 91.2% of non-voting ordinary shares.
(2) The holding in Offshore Logistics Inc includes £5.8m of loan stock.
(3) The holding in Sterling Industries PLC was transferred from associates to
subsidiaries on 14 January 2000.
Investment funds
Name Business Group Attributable Book
share profits value Valuation
% £m £m £m
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associates
English & Scottish
Investors plc * Investment trust 29.8 2.1 105.1 93.1
British Empire
Securities and
General Trust plc * Investment trust 17.9 1.4 61.8 50.7
Investments
Amerindo Internet
Fund plc * Investment trust 5.0 - 20.0 20.0
The AIM Trust plc * Investment trust 6.4 - 10.4 10.4
European Asset
Value Fund Investment company 19.1 - 10.2 10.2
Other 0.2 39.1 39.1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.7 246.6 223.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Listed on the UK or overseas stock exchanges.
Leisure and media
Name Business Group Attributable Book
share profits value Valuation
% £m £m £m
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subsidiaries
The Sloane Club
Group Ltd Residential club 100.0 1.8 15.2 15.2
Associates
Radio Investments
Ltd Local radio 48.7 (0.3) 11.2 8.7
Investments
Sun International
Hotels Ltd * Resort operator 17.7 - 71.0 71.0
News Communications Newspaper
& Media PLC * publishing 5.8 0.4 21.4 21.4
Swallow Group plc Hotels 0.8
Other - 6.4 6.4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.7 125.2 122.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Listed on the UK or overseas stock exchanges.
Property and general
Name Business Group Attributable Book
share profits value Valuation
% £m £m £m
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subsidiaries 4.7 19.5 19.5
Associates
Central European Property
Land Ltd investment 44.4 0.6 5.5 6.1
Other 0.1 0.2 0.1
Investments
Quintain Estates and Property
Development PLC * investment 5.4 0.3 9.0 9.0
Other - property 0.2 6.2 6.2
Other - general 1.6 72.1 72.1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.5 112.5 113.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Listed on the UK or overseas stock exchanges.
SUMMARY
Attributable Book
profits value Valuation
£m £m £m
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial 23.3 162.1 366.3
Industrial and services 6.8 101.8 105.0
Investment funds 3.7 246.6 223.5
Leisure and media 2.7 125.2 122.7
Property and general 7.5 112.5 113.0
44.0 748.2 930.5
Cash and deposits 5.5 97.5 97.5
Other items (4.3)
Unallocated liabilities (81.4) (81.4)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
45.2 764.3 946.6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the group were to have realised its investments at 31 March
2000 at the stated underlying value, it is calculated that tax of
£85.9m, amounting to 108 pence per share, would have arisen.
The financial information set out above does not constitute the
company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 March 2000 or
1999. The financial information for 1999 is derived from the
statutory accounts for 1999 which have been delivered to the
registrar of companies. The auditors have reported on the 1999
accounts their report was unqualified and did not contain a
statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985.
The statutory accounts for 2000 will be finalised on the basis of
the financial information presented by the directors in this
preliminary announcement and will be delivered to the registrar
of companies following the company's annual general meeting.
Copies of this statement are available at the company's
registered office, Cayzer House, 1 Thomas More Street, London E1W
1YB.