Interim Results

Genus PLC 07 June 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 7 June 2006 GENUS plc Interim Results for the twelve months ended 31 March 2006 Genus plc, the world leading animal genetics company, which has changed its year end to 30 June, announces interim results for the twelve months to 31 March 2006. 2006 2005 Restated for FRS17 (see note 11) Highlights (Adjusted) Operating profit* from Continuing £16.9m £10.4m Operations Profit before tax from Continuing £13.4m £7.5m Operations (note 2) Earnings (note 8) £9.0m £6.9m Basic EPS (note 8) 20.8p 19.0p Highlights (Statutory) Group turnover £219.4m £183.2m Operating profit £6.3m £9.2m Exceptional items, goodwill £13.1m £1.7m amortisation and discontinued operations losses Profit before tax £1.1m £8.1m Basic EPS (4.3)p 16.3p • Group - Operating profit from Continuing Operations* was up £6.5m (63%) to £16.9m (2005: £10.4m) o Operating profit* for the historical Genus businesses, before unallocated costs, was up £3.2m (25%) to £16.1m (2005: £12.9m) o Operating profit of £6.7m* from the Sygen business (acquired in December 2005), before unallocated costs, was ahead of plan - Sygen acquisition synergies exceeding original expectations - Adjusted basic EPS of 20.8p was up 9% (2005: 19.0p) - Net debt of £124m was better than plan - Non-core and low margin veterinary and dental wholesaling operations divested for £8.1m in cash. *before exceptional items and goodwill amortisation Bovine Genetics Division - Sales of £96.9m were up 16% (2005: £83.6m), reflecting 11% volume growth and improvements in price mix - Record operating profit before goodwill amortisation and exceptional items of £13.1m, was up 22.4% (2005: £10.7m) - Three new high ranking bulls were added to the stud, including the top ranked bull in USA - £2.8m has been invested in four acquisitions in Australia, in line with the strategy to expand in semen retailing - market share now 45% Porcine Genetics Division - Operating profit before goodwill amortisation and exceptional items for four months post-acquisition period was £7.3m compared with £4.6m in the equivalent prior year period - Strong post-acquisition operating cash generation - £1m investment in nucleus farm in Russia was sanctioned Other businesses - Animal Health and Development Consulting increased operating profit, before goodwill amortisation and exceptional items, by 43% to £3.0m (2005: £2.1m) - Loss-making Shrimp business to be sold. Agreement reached in principle to sell Brazilian shrimp business to an MBO team Commenting on prospects Richard Wood, Chief Executive, said: 'Since our last results statement, we have achieved a momentous change for Genus. The successful acquisition of Sygen in December 2005 has positioned Genus as the world's leading animal genetics company, adding research opportunities across the existing Group and across more species. We have concentrated on the integration of Sygen and synergies of the acquisition since December and are pleased to report these have exceeded our initial expectations. 'Additionally, the original Genus businesses have reported record results. We have increased operating profit across Bovine Genetics, Animal Health and Development Consulting in spite of variable conditions across international markets and we have sold off two, non - core operations.' 'Overall, we view Group prospects positively and we look forward to the year ahead with the many opportunities for the enlarged Group.' Contact: Richard Wood, Chief Executive Tel: 01256 347101 David Timmins, Finance Director Tel: 01256 347102 Charles Ryland/Suzanne Brocks Buchanan Communications Limited Tel: 020 7466 5000 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Overview I am very pleased to report, in this second interim results statement covering the 12 months to 31 March 2006, that the acquisition of Sygen International plc ('Sygen') has been most successful and that the historical businesses of Genus had a record year. Sygen International plc, the porcine and shrimp genetics company, was acquired on 2 December 2005 for a consideration, excluding fees, of £189m. This acquisition has positioned Genus as the world's leading animal genetics company and enables research and development expenditure to be spread throughout the Group and across more species. I am also very pleased to report that the integration of the acquired businesses is progressing well and that the synergy savings estimated at the time of acquisition are now expected to be exceeded. The acquisition was financed by a placing of 16.9 million new ordinary shares at 325p per share, the company receiving net proceeds of £53m, and new bank borrowing facilities of £180m. During the reporting period, in line with our stated strategy, we divested two non-core businesses in order to release cash and to focus management resource on the integration of the Sygen businesses. In addition, as already reported, we closed a small non-core consulting business to enable Development Consulting to become a fully stand-alone business. Results For the 12 month period ended 31 March 2006, Group turnover increased by 19.8% to £219.4m (2005: £183.2m). Group turnover for Continuing Operations increased by £64.0m to £177.9m (2005: £113.9m) after reflecting both the Sygen acquisition and the disposals in the reported period. Of this increase, £48.5m was from Sygen. Bovine Genetics' turnover increased by 15.9% to £96.9m (2005: £83.6m). Turnover in the continuing operation of Animal Health, primarily the licensed veterinary pharmaceutical business, increased by 14.7% to £7.8m (£6.8m) and Development Consulting increased its turnover by 3% to £24.7m (£24.0m). Operating profit from Continuing Operations was £16.9m (before exceptional items and goodwill amortisation) and increased by £6.5m (62.5%) over the previous year (2005: £10.4m). Sygen contributed £5.3m. Bovine Genetics delivered a record operating profit of £13.1m (before exceptional items and goodwill amortisation), an increase of £2.4m (22.4%) over the previous year (2005: £10.7m). The effective rate of tax on adjusted earnings was 33% (2005: 30%). This increase mainly reflects the expected higher tax rate of the acquired business. Adjusted earnings (note 8), increased by £2.1m (30%) to £9.0m (2005: £6.9m). Adjusted earnings per share increased by 1.8p (9%) to 20.8p (2005: 19.0p). This increase was achieved after the first time adoption of FRS17, which reduced after tax earnings by £0.6m (2005 restated: £0.4m) equivalent to 1.4p per share (2005 restated: 1.3p per share). Adjusted earnings is also stated after the non-cash expense for the Long Term Incentive Plan ('LTIP'), which has increased by £0.7m to £0.8m (2005: £0.1m) to reflect the more favourable outlook of the Group following the successful Sygen acquisition. Exceptional items totalling £1.7m within operating profit, principally comprised £0.7m relating to the integration and restructuring of Sygen and, as already reported, £0.9m relating to the restructuring of the UK bovine operation and the closure of non-core consulting operations. As part of our objective to divest non-core businesses, we sold the Group's non-core veterinary wholesaling business on 28 October 2005 for £7.1m in cash. Prior to disposal, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of £2.2m in the 6 month results to 30 September 2005. The loss recorded on disposal was £1.9m. On 22 February 2006, the Group's non-core dental wholesaling business was sold for £1m cash. The profit on disposal of £0.2m was offset by a £0.7m goodwill write-off to produce a loss of £0.5m and is also recorded after operating profit, giving a total loss on disposal of discontinued business of £2.4m. After a thorough review, the Board has decided to divest the loss-making shrimp business to concentrate resources and investment on the much larger bovine and porcine businesses. In accordance with accounting standards, the net tangible assets of the shrimp business were valued on acquisition on the basis of existing use. However, following the decision to divest, an asset impairment charge of £2.3m has been made in the period. The exceptional costs, loss on discontinued operations, asset impairment in the shrimp business and goodwill amortisation, reduced the Group's operating profit from Continuing Operations by £10.6m (of which approximately £9.4m was non-cash) from £16.9m to £6.3m (2005: £9.2m). Profit before tax was £1.1m (2005: £8.1m) reflecting the loss on sale of non-core discontinued operations and the higher interest charge resulting from the acquisition debt financing. Basic loss per share was 4.3p (2005: profit 16.3p). During the year, a one-off profit of £755,000 was realised, principally from the disposal of two properties in the Bovine division. Cash & Net Debt A strong second half performance from Bovine Genetics and from Porcine Genetics since acquisition, increased cash flow from operating activities for the twelve months ended 31 March 2006. After adjusting for £5.7m payments made in respect of fair value adjustments, cashflow from operating activities was £12.6m (2005: £9.4m). On 26 October 2005, the Company secured credit facilities from Barclays Bank totalling £180m. These comprised a £110m term loan and a £70m multi-currency revolving credit facility. Disposal proceeds of £8.1m from the two non-core divestments in Animal Health reduced debt. Two residual properties from Animal Health have since been sold after the period end for £1.5m, realising a profit of £0.8m, which will be recognised in the period to 30 June 2006. Prior to the period end, £10m had been repaid to the bank, so reducing the term loan. Net debt reduced from a peak of £130m to £124m by the period end, which was better than plan. Dividend In line with previous years and our stated dividend strategy, the Board does not recommend an interim dividend due to the high cost of distribution to the relatively large number of shareholders. As previously reported, the Company has changed its accounting reference date to 30 June. The Board currently expects to recommend a final dividend when the results of the fifteen month period to 30 June 2006 are known. World Agricultural Markets Market conditions have been stable in the USA for both bovines and porcines. Milk production was up by 5% on last year as cow numbers rose. Beef prices fell as farmers put surplus animals to market early in order to protect against increasing feed prices. US pig prices were 15% lower than last year but, with prices still between $40 and $50/cwt, most producers remained profitable. Conditions remained favourable in Latin America for milk producers but the extensive outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Brazil has severely curtailed beef and pig exports so that prices fell sharply. There was some pricing 'over-spill' into Argentina. In Europe, farmer concern over the EU price support mechanism, introduced in 2005, remains but response has been less acute and markets have returned to more normal levels. However, the change in price support and the established pattern of lower milk prices, prevailing for the last few years, is driving farmers to increase their operations or opt out of the business. As a result, cow numbers are falling as smaller farmers leave the industry. The larger farmers are, of course, the most important for the future of Genus. Following the announcement of the lifting of the export ban on UK animals, prices for calves are rising steeply. Many Far Eastern markets have been depressed in the porcine sector, particularly the large Chinese market. The world market for shrimps has continued to be depressed, despite the imbalance in supply and demand, because of the various outbreaks of disease last year. Progress with the integration of Sygen Following completion of the acquisition on 2 December 2005, the Sygen Board left the business. We undertook an extensive communication exercise with all staff and established a new, integrated, geographical business structure. We have since undertaken a careful review of all business sectors. No material information about the business was discovered that had not been identified during the comprehensive due diligence process. As a result of the reviews, we are concentrating on four main areas:- 1. Research & Development • Reset priorities using commercial targeting. • Overlapping infrastructures being combined to create a fundamental research facility of excellence in Wisconsin whilst reducing cost. 2. Synergy Cost Savings • Begun to merge back offices in the USA with other regions to follow. • Announced the closure of the Sygen operations in Kentucky and the move of sales and sales support staff for porcines to offices close to Nashville, Tennessee. • Closed the Sygen offices in Oxford, transferring most of the UK operating staff to the Genus offices in Nantwich, Cheshire. Continuing head office staff have been transferred to the Genus head office in Basingstoke. 3. Investment in Core Business • Investing £1m in a nucleus porcine herd and operations in Russia. 4. SyAqua Strategy • Announced the divestment of the SyAqua shrimp business. • Secured intellectual property and potentially saleable parent lines. Bovine Genetics - 44% of Group Turnover In stable market conditions the increases to the sales force in the USA, Canada and Europe, both this year and last year, drove up sales volume by 11% to 10.5 million doses. The new high ranking bulls added to the stud from the increasingly successful R&D programme helped increased average prices, rising by 12% in the beef sector and by 10% in dairy. Operating margins increased to 13.5% from 12.8% in the prior year as a result of higher average selling prices and efficiency improvements, which more than offset the impact of sales growth occurring in lower priced markets. Operating profit before exceptional items and goodwill amortisation of £13.1m was up 22.4% (2005: £10.7m). We have made further progress in developing our retail business in Australia by adding four more small acquisitions to the one completed in 2004/5. As a result, we increased our market share from 33% to 45% and placed the business in a good position to take advantage of the new selling season which is just beginning. Notable amongst a number of successes in Europe has been the growth of sales and profits in Italy. Last year the business introduced the contract 'Reproductive Management Service' successfully pioneered with large farmers in the USA, whereby customers sign-up for a contract mating service for their cows. Computer based mating programmes are used and the service binds the customer to use Genus bulls and insemination services in order to achieve measurable improvements in fertility for the herd. In its first year of operation in Italy, more than 10,000 cows have been contracted for the service and this has increased sales by 18% to £3.9m. (2005: £3.3m). In Latin America, operating profit was flat because of foot and mouth disease in Brazil but the Mexican business remained strong and the new Argentinian operation made a small profit in its first year. Porcine Genetics - 21% of Group Turnover (4 Months Only) In the four months since Genus acquired this business it has performed ahead of both budget and the same period last year. The main drivers have been higher royalty income in the USA and reduced operating costs in all regions. These have more than offset a softening of pig meat prices in the USA and very low prices in the Far East. Operating profit before exceptional items and goodwill amortisation for the period since acquisition was £7.3m. The European business has also benefited strongly from lower operating costs and has been profitable throughout the period. We are considering further reorganisation aimed at improving profitability commencing with the Spanish operations. We will be making these changes in the new financial year. With sales at a similar level to the USA, Europe had been loss-making for several years because of the fragmented nature of the market. In the growing Latin American market, an outbreak of foot and mouth disease has temporarily reduced the contribution from the joint venture in Brazil but the Mexican and Chilean businesses remained strong. Far Eastern markets have been depressed all year, suffering from disease outbreaks, over-supply and resultant low pig meat prices. However, the businesses remained profitable. Both the subsidiary and joint venture in China suffered reversals. Although profitable overall, they were substantially down on last year. Nevertheless, the Far East is the area with the highest growth potential in the long-term because of population density, the increasing level of protein consumption and the massive number of pigs farmed. However, most of the farms are small and inefficient and it will take time before the industry consolidates into the large units similar to those which are the principal customers for porcines in the USA and Europe. The other area of high growth potential is Eastern Europe. In this market new money is being diverted into large intensive pig units and we believe that opportunities exist to grow with that change by investing selectively in countries as new farms are established. In this regard, we have recently sanctioned an investment of £1m to set up a nucleus farm in Russia adjacent to a newly established farm customer. The investment will protect our intellectual property and reduce transport costs from alternative supply sources in Poland and the Czech Republic. Shrimp Genetics - 1% of Group Turnover (4 Months Only) Despite moving quickly to reduce costs, the shrimp business has accrued losses in its first four months of Genus ownership before coming into the main selling season. However, we believe it is unlikely that profits from the selling season will be sufficient to offset losses in the full year to June 2006. The operating loss before exceptional items and goodwill amortisation for the period since acquisition was £0.7m. Having reviewed the prospects for the business carefully, we have decided that our efforts and investments are better directed at achieving the growth and synergies available in the larger bovine and porcine businesses. The shrimp market is volatile and customers are not yet prepared to pay for the added-value potential from expensive research, all of which is of a long-term nature in any event. Accordingly, we have decided that the business should be divested at the earliest opportunity. Indeed, we have already secured agreement, in principle, to sell the Brazilian shrimp business to an MBO team. We are actively exploring offers for the other shrimp businesses. Research & Development On an historical basis, Genus & Sygen together have spent £16.4m per year on R& D. The majority of expenditure, in both cases, has been on the development of elite animals by traditional selection processes. This has produced a successful and competitive product range in both bovines and porcines. In this regard, Boar 380 is making strong in-roads into world markets and will maintain porcine's competitive edge over the next few years. For Europe and the Far East, it will be important that new lines are selected from the extensive porcine nucleus programmes for development to meet the niches in the European amalgamation of these very varying product markets. The increasing success of the bull selection programme has been reported over the last two years, following changes to the process made in 2000/1. These changes have resulted in a significant strengthening of the stud this year. (It takes 5 years to develop and test a new bull.) In particular, we are pleased to announce that a new bull, called Bolton, entered the US ranking as number one. Bolton is very highly rated in terms of the production and lifespan potential of his daughters and is likely to sell well at high prices worldwide. The newly amalgamated R&D programme will continue to invest most of its expenditure on traditional selection programmes. In the fundamental research which augments this selection process, Sygen concentrated most expenditure on genomics whilst Genus spread its investment across a number of projects, including sexed semen, health, fertility and, most importantly, semen physiology. The new combined programme will maintain the same target list but the proportion of expenditure will be more evenly split and overlap reduced so that cost productivity will be improved and all projects will target both porcine and bovine sectors. We are in the process of creating a new centre of excellence for this research in the extensive Genus laboratories in Wisconsin, USA. Animal Health - 23% of Group Turnover This division had a most successful year achieving an operating profit from continuing operations, before goodwill amortisation, of £1.9m, some 35% higher than last year, despite having divested the low margin veterinary wholesaling business for £7.1m in cash on 28 October 2005. The property assets not sold with the business are now being divested. All but one have recently been sold and the £1.5m proceeds and £0.8m book profit will be recorded in our 15 month results to 30 June 2006. The residual licensed pharmaceutical business increased its year on year sales by 6% to £7.0m and its operating profit of £1.9m was 12% higher than last year (2005: £1.7m). Both sales and profit growth have arisen from the successful launch of a number of small new products together with a stalwart defence of established products against aggressive competition. Development Consulting - 11% of Group Turnover The business had a good year, generating an operating profit of £1.1m, 38% higher than last year (2005: £0.8m), despite the disruption arising from the nearby Buncefield Oil Depot explosion on 11 December 2005. The team proved its expertise in project management for which it earns its overseas consultancy contracts, by operating a virtual office for a few weeks and then by relocating to new temporary offices, while, at the same time, winning both new contracts and contract extensions. As announced in November, we closed all non-core consultancy offices during the first half year. As a result, the Development Consulting business is now fully stand-alone and can be divested at the appropriate time. Employees I am pleased to have the opportunity of welcoming all the Sygen staff as new members of the Genus team and am looking forward to working with them to achieve an even more substantial future for the enhanced Group. During the process of the acquisition, existing Genus staff performed well, achieving record results. I would like to thank them for their efforts during this period of great change and much opportunity for the Company. Outlook We are confident that the enlarged group will meet market expectations in the period to June 2006. For the year ahead, our new bulls, continued strength of the porcine lines and the savings made in operating expenses, should support strong profit growth, despite softening markets limiting volume growth. We believe the new emphasis on research targeting will hasten and broaden the chance of a commercial breakthrough. The areas of likely savings anticipated from the integration of Sygen have been confirmed and implementation is ahead of both plan both in time and quantum. As a result, the group will be materially stronger and more competitive than either business could have been alone. Summarised Group Profit and Loss Account Year ended 31 March 2006 Continuing Operations Discontinued Unaudited Audited Before Exceptional Operations Year Year exceptional items and (note 4) ended ended items and goodwill 31/3/06 31/3/05 goodwill amortisation Restated amortisation for FRS 17 (note 11) £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Turnover Continuing operations 129,346 - - 129,346 113,904 Acquisitions (note 12) 52,727 52,727 - ---------- ---------- -------- --------- --------- 182,073 - - 182,073 113,904 Discontinued operations (note 4) - - 41,477 41,477 69,345 ---------- ---------- -------- --------- --------- Group and share of joint ventures 182,073 - 41,477 223,550 183,249 Less share of joint ventures (4,197) - - (4,197) - ---------- ---------- -------- --------- --------- Group Turnover 177,876 - 41,477 219,353 183,249 ---------- ---------- -------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------- --------- Adjusted operating profit (note 11) 16,944 - (32) 16,912 10,931 Amortisation of goodwill - (4,189) (166) (4,355) (1,747) Exceptional impairment of goodwill - - (2,239) (2,239) - Exceptional impairment of net assets (note 3) - (2,342) - (2,342) - Other exceptional items (note 3) - (1,663) - (1,663) - ---------- ---------- -------- --------- --------- Operating profit (note 2) 16,944 (8,194) (2,437) 6,313 9,184 Of which; - Continuing operations 11,616 (2,491) - 9,125 8,850 - Acquisitions 5,328 (5,703) - (375) - ---------- ---------- -------- --------- --------- 16,944 (8,194) - 8,750 8,850 - Discontinued operations (note 4) - - (2,437) (2,437) 334 ---------- ---------- -------- --------- --------- Group operating profit 16,944 (8,194) (2,437) 6,313 9,184 Share of operating profit of joint ventures 350 - - 350 - Total operating profit: 17,294 (8,194) (2,437) 6,663 9,184 Group and share of joint ventures Loss on sale of discontinued operations (note 4) (2,427) - Profit on disposal of fixed assets 755 298 Net interest payable and similar charges (note 5) (3,924) (1,386) --------- --------- Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 1,067 8,096 Tax on profit on ordinary activities (note 6) (2,936) (2,193) --------- --------- (Loss) / profit on ordinary activities after taxation (1,869) 5,903 Dividend (note 7) (23) (2,788) --------- --------- Retained (loss) / profit for the financial period (1,892) 3,115 ========= ========= (Loss)/earnings per share - adjusted basic (note 8) 20.8p 19.0p - adjusted diluted (note 8) 20.4p 18.7p - basic (note 8) (4.3)p 16.3p - diluted (note 8) (4.3)p 16.1p Dividend per share - 7.5p SUMMARISED GROUP BALANCE SHEET At 31 March 2006 Unaudited at Audited 31 March at 31 March 2006 2005 Restated for FRS 17 (note 11) £000 £000 Fixed assets Intangible assets 177,958 26,062 Tangible assets 39,324 16,697 Investments: - Joint ventures 3,772 - - Other 1,195 269 --------- -------- 222,249 43,028 --------- -------- Current assets Stocks 21,487 17,396 Debtors 53,448 36,846 Cash at bank and in hand 19,692 7,559 --------- -------- 94,627 61,801 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year (63,660) (48,479) --------- -------- Net current assets 30,967 13,322 --------- -------- Total assets less current liabilities 253,216 56,350 Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year (128,032) (282) Provisions for liabilities and charges (7,734) (923) --------- -------- Net assets excluding pension liabilities 117,450 55,145 Pension liabilities (16,019) (6,643) --------- -------- Net assets 101,431 48,502 --------- -------- Capital and reserves Called up share capital 5,522 3,726 Share premium account 92,136 39,899 Treasury shares (186) (128) Profit and loss account 3,959 5,005 --------- -------- Equity shareholders' funds (note 10) 101,431 48,502 --------- -------- SUMMARISED GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT Year ended 31 March 2006 Unaudited Audited Year Year ended ended 31/3/06 31/3/05 £000 £000 Net cash inflow from operating activities (note 9) 6,897 9,403 Returns on investments and servicing of finance (3,658) (1,119) Taxation (3,139) (2,823) Capital expenditure and financial investments 1,726 (4,096) Acquisitions (196,034) (2,225) Disposals 6,152 - Equity dividends paid (2,859) (2,298) ------------ ----------- Net cash outflow before management of liquid resources and financing (190,915) (3,158) Issue of ordinary share capital 56,832 2,938 Capital element of finance lease payments (494) (949) Increase / (decrease) in borrowings 132,530 (2,595) ------------ ----------- Net cash inflow / (outflow) from financing 188,868 (606) ------------ ----------- Decrease in cash in the period (2,047) (3,764) ============ =========== RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT Unaudited Audited Year Year ended ended 31/3/06 31/3/05 £000 £000 Decrease in cash in the period (2,047) (3,764) Repayment of loan notes - 1,637 New long term loans (133,890) (437) Repayment of bank loans 1,360 1,395 New finance leases (71) (154) Cash balances acquired with subsidiaries 17,380 - Repayment of capital element of finance lease contracts 565 1,103 ------------ ----------- Change in net debt resulting from cash flows (116,703) (220) Exchange differences and other non-cash movements 99 210 ------------ ----------- Movement in net debt in the period (116,604) (10) Net debt at 1 April (7,468) (7,458) ------------ ----------- Net debt at 31 March (124,072) (7,468) ------------ ----------- STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES Unaudited Audited Year Year ended 31/3/06 ended 31/3/05 Restated for FRS 17 £000 £000 (Loss)/Profit for the period (1,892) 5,903 Exchange adjustments 3,161 (176) FRS 17 actuarial loss, net of deferred tax (3,094) (982) -------- -------- -------- Total recognised gains and losses relating to the period (1,825) 4,745 Prior year adjustment - Impact of FRS17 adoption (note 11) (6,643) - -------- -------- Total recognised gains and losses since last annual report (8,468) 4,745 ======== ======== Notes to the interim results 1 Basis of preparation The interim results, which are unaudited, have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Group's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2005, except for the first time adoption of Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 17, 'Accounting for Retirement Benefits' which the company adopted on 1 April 2005. The adoption of FRS 17 gives rise to a prior period adjustment, details of which are given in note 11. The interim results are unaudited and do not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information relating to the year ended 31 March 2005 is derived from the statutory accounts which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors on those accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 237 (2) or 237 (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The interim results were approved by the Board of Directors on 7 June 2006. 2 Segmental analysis Turnover Operating profit before goodwill amortisation and exceptional items Unaudited Audited Unaudited Audited Year Year Year Year ended ended ended ended 31/3/06 31/3/05 31/3/06 31/3/05 Restated Restated for FRS 17 for FRS 17 (note 11) (note 11) £000 £000 £000 £000 Area of activity Group and share of joint ventures: Bovine Genetics 96,934 83,575 13,095 10,719 Porcine Genetics 50,730 - 7,340 - Development Consulting 24,658 23,954 1,088 792 Animal Health 7,840 6,850 1,937 1,354 Unallocated costs - - (5,845) (2,506) Less: Share of joint ventures (Porcine Genetics) (4,197) - - - --------- --------- --------- --------- Continuing operations before Shrimp Genetics 175,965 114,379 17,615 10,359 Shrimp Genetics 1,997 - (671) - --------- --------- --------- --------- Continuing operations 177,962 114,379 16,944 10,359 Inter-segmental sales (86) (475) - - Discontinued operations 41,477 69,345 (32) 572 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total 219,353 183,249 16,912 10,931 --------- --------- --------- --------- 2 Turnover and segmental analysis continued Operating Profit Unaudited Audited Year Year ended ended 31/3/06 31/3/05 Restated for FRS 17 (note 11) £000 £000 Area of activity Group and share of joint ventures: Bovine Genetics 11,073 9,727 Porcine Genetics 4,362 - Development Consulting 1,056 761 Animal Health 1,500 868 Unallocated Costs (5,845) (2,506) Less: Share of joint ventures (Porcine Genetics) (350) - --------- ---------- Continuing operations before Shrimp Genetics 11,796 8,850 Shrimp Genetics (3,046) - --------- ---------- Continuing operations 8,750 8,850 Discontinued (2,437) 334 --------- ---------- Total 6,313 9,184 --------- ---------- Turnover Operating Profit Unaudited Audited Unaudited Audited Year Year Year Year ended ended Ended ended 31/3/06 31/3/05 31/3/06 31/3/05 Restated Restated for FRS 17 for FRS 17 (note 11) (note 11) Geographical region of origin £000 £000 £000 £000 Group and share of joint ventures: United Kingdom 72,430 68,675 5,912 6,640 Europe 20,823 5,063 1,663 1,632 North America 63,104 32,373 5,492 332 Rest of the world 25,802 8,266 1,878 2,752 Unallocated costs - 2 (5,845) (2,506) Less: Share of joint ventures (Porcine Genetics) (4,197) - (350) - --------- --------- --------- --------- Continuing operations 177,962 114,379 8,750 8,850 Inter-segmental sales (86) (475) - - Discontinued 41,477 69,345 (2,437) 334 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total 219,353 183,249 6,313 9,184 --------- --------- --------- --------- Porcine Genetics. United Kingdom includes £2.2m of turnover and £(0.4)m of operating profit, the Europe region includes £15.4m of turnover and £0.1m of operating profit, the North America region includes £21.7m of turnover and £2.9m of operating profit, the Rest of the world region includes £11.4m of turnover and £1.8m of operating profit, all relating to the acquisition of Sygen International plc during the period (see note 12). Shrimp Genetics. The Rest of the World region includes £2.0m of turnover and £(3.0)m of operating loss, relating to Shrimp Genetics acquired with the acquisition of Sygen International plc during the period (see note 12). 2 Turnover and segmental analysis continued Discontinued turnover and operating profit derives from the veterinary product and dental wholesale distribution businesses (formerly part of the Animal Health division) and originating in the United Kingdom. Turnover Unaudited Audited Year Year ended ended 31/3/06 31/3/05 Restated for FRS 17 (note 11) £000 £000 Geographical region of destination United Kingdom 46,576 43,552 Europe 37,332 19,652 North America 52,481 24,522 Rest of the world 41,487 26,178 --------- --------- Continuing operations 177,876 113,904 Discontinued 41,477 69,345 --------- --------- Total 219,353 183,249 --------- --------- Discontinued turnover was made to customers in the United Kingdom. Unaudited Audited Year Year ended ended 31/3/06 31/3/05 Restated for FRS 17 (note 11) £000 £000 Analysis of continuing operations Turnover 177,876 113,904 -------- -------- Operating profit: Group and share of joint ventures 17,294 8,850 Net interest payable and similar charges (3,924) (1,386) -------- -------- Profit before taxation on continuing operations before exceptional items and goodwill amortisation 13,370 7,464 -------- -------- 3 Other exceptional items Other exceptional items of £1,663,000 in the year to March 2006 comprise £704,000 relating to the integration and restructuring of the Porcine Genetics business, £456,000 relating to costs associated with the closure of the Strategic Consulting business, £470,000 relating to the restructuring of the Group's UK Bovine operation and £33,000 relating to integration of Shrimp Genetics. Following the decision to divest the SyAqua Shrimp Genetics business, an exceptional impairment of net assets charge of £2,342,000 has been recognised in operating profit in the period, to write down the carrying value of the net assets of this business segment to its estimated recoverable amount, excluding any future operating losses and costs of disposal. 4 Discontinued Operations On 28 October 2005 the Group completed the divestment of its non-core veterinary product wholesale business for a total of £7.1 million in cash. For the year ended 31 March 2005 the business employed 125 staff and generated turnover of £66 million and an operating profit of £0.4 million before allocation of central costs, on net assets of £6 million. On 22 February 2006 the Group completed the divestment of its non-core dental product wholesale business for a total of £1m in cash. For the year ended 31 March 2005 the business employed 16 staff and generated turnover of approximately £3.0m and an operating profit of £0.1m before allocation of central costs, on net assets of £0.8m. 5 Net interest payable and similar charges Unaudited Audited Year Year ended ended 31/3/06 31/3/05 £000 £000 Interest payable on bank loans and overdrafts 3,760 1,036 Interest payable on loan notes - 39 Finance charges payable under finance lease and hire purchase contracts 12 43 Amortisation of debt issue costs 181 72 Net interest cost in respect of pension schemes 141 183 Other similar charges 19 13 --------- --------- Total interest and similar charges payable 4,113 1,386 Bank interest receivable (181) - Other interest receivable (8) - --------- --------- Total interest receivable (189) - --------- --------- Net interest payable 3,924 1,386 --------- --------- 6 Taxation The taxation charge for the period is based on the estimated effective tax rate for the full year of 32.9% (2005: 30%). The total tax charge for the period has been reduced by a credit of £690,000 in respect of prior years, and a credit of £531,000 in respect of exceptional items. 7 Dividends The dividend charged in the period ended 31 March 2006 of £23,000 represents the final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2005 on new shares issued subsequent to the year end. 8 Earnings per share The basic earnings per share is based on a loss after tax for the period of £1,869,000 (31/3/2005: profit: £5,903,000) and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue of 43,034,326 (31/3/2005: 36,208,931). The adjusted earnings per share of 20.8p (31/3/2005: 19.0p) is based on adjusted earnings as set out below and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue. Unaudited Audited Year Year ended ended 31/3/06 31/3/05 Restated for FRS 17 £000 £000 Profit before tax 1,067 8,096 Add: Impairment of goodwill 2,239 - Impairment of SyAqua assets 2,342 - Operating exceptional items 1,663 - Goodwill amortisation 4,355 1,747 Loss on sale of discontinued operations 2,427 - (Profit)/loss on disposal of properties (755) (298) Less: taxation (2,936) (2,193) --------- -------- 10,402 7,352 Less: Associated taxation on adjustments (747) (179) Tax credits relating to prior years (690) (300) --------- -------- Adjusted earnings 8,965 6,873 --------- -------- The diluted earnings per share is based on a loss for the period of £1,869,000 (31/3/2005: profit: £5,903,000) and on 44,025,615 (31/3/2005: 36,755,735) diluted weighted average ordinary shares, calculated as follows: Unaudited Audited Year Year ended ended 31/3/06 31/3/05 000's 000's Basic weighted average number of shares 43,034 36,209 Dilutive potential ordinary shares: Employee share options 992 547 ---------- ---------- 44,026 36,756 ---------- ---------- 9 Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash flow from operating activities Unaudited Audited Year Year ended ended 31/3/06 31/3/05 Restated for FRS 17 £000 £000 Operating profit 6,313 9,184 Long term incentive plan expense 779 102 Depreciation 4,544 3,549 Amortisation of milk quota 7 8 Amortisation of goodwill 4,355 1,747 Exceptional impairment of goodwill 2,239 - Exceptional impairment of net assets 2,342 - Difference between pension charge and cash (880) - contributions Increase in stocks (1,671) (1,262) Decrease/(increase) in debtors 5,042 (3,520) (Decrease) in creditors (16,173) (405) ------------- ----------- Net cash inflow from operating activities 6,897 9,403 ------------- ----------- 10 Reconciliation of Group shareholders' funds Unaudited Audited Year Year ended ended 31/3/06 31/3/05 Restated for FRS 17 £000 £000 (Loss)/profit for the period (1,869) 5,903 Dividends (23) (2,788) --------- ---------- (1,892) 3,115 Other recognised gains and losses relating to the period (net) 67 (1,158) Movements in share capital 53,975 2,938 2004 Performance share plan 779 102 --------- ---------- Net additions to shareholders' funds 52,929 4,997 Opening shareholders' funds (originally £55,145,000 before 48,502 43,505 deducting prior year adjustment of £6,643,000) --------- ---------- Closing shareholders' funds 101,431 48,502 --------- ---------- 11 Adoption of Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 17, 'Accounting for Retirement Benefits'. The Company has made a prior period adjustment as a result of its adoption in the period of Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 17, 'Accounting for Retirement Benefits'. The adjustment to opening profit and loss account reserves amounts to £5,200,000 at 31 March 2004, representing the FRS 17 net pension liability at that date. In accordance with the transitional arrangements of FRS 17, full disclosure of the scheme deficit, the assumptions used in the valuation of the scheme and the impact its full adoption would have on the Group's profit and loss account, balance sheet and statement of total recognised gains and losses has been made in the Company's report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2005. For information purposes additional information on the impact on certain profit and loss account items of adopting FRS 17 has been given below. Unaudited Audited Year Year ended ended 31/3/06 31/3/05 £000 £000 Adjusted operating profit Before FRS 17 17,684 11,389 Impact of FRS 17 (740) (458) ----------- ----------- As reported / restated 16,944 10,931 ----------- ----------- Interest charge Before FRS 17 (3,972) (1,203) Impact of FRS 17 (141) (183) ----------- ----------- As reported / restated (4,113) (1,386) ----------- ----------- Adjusted EPS Before FRS 17 22.2p 20.3p Impact of FRS 17 (1.4)p (1.3p) ----------- ----------- As reported / restated 20.8p 19.0p ----------- ----------- 12 Acquisitions On 2 December 2005 the company purchased 100% of the issued share capital of Sygen International plc for a total cash consideration of £192.4m. The total provisional adjustments required to the book values of the assets and liabilities of Sygen International plc in order to present the net assets at fair values in accordance with group accounting principles were £18.3m, details of which are set out below, together with the resultant amount of goodwill arising. The purchase has been accounted for as an acquisition. From the date of acquisition to 31 March 2006 Sygen International plc contributed £48.5m to turnover, £5.7m to profit before interest and goodwill amortisation, and £5.8m to profit before goodwill amortisation, but after interest. Sygen International contributed £1m to the group's net operating cash flows, paid £0.3m in respect of interest and £0.4m in respect of taxation. 12 Acquisitions continued In the last financial year to June 2005, Sygen International plc made a profit after tax and minority interests of £3.2m. The summarised profit and loss account for the period from 1 July 2005 to 2 December 2005 shown on the basis of the accounting policies of Sygen International plc prior to the acquisition are as follows: £000 Turnover 60,855 Operating Profit before exceptional items 3,688 Exceptional items (8,124) ------- Operating loss (4,436) ------- Loss before taxation (4,265) Taxation (1,300) ------- Loss attributable to shareholders (5,711) Exchange adjustments 4,178 ------- Total recognised losses for the period (1,533) ------- Exceptional items include £6.2m in respect of advisors fees incurred by Sygen on sale of their business to Genus and £1.2m in respect of fees relating to an aborted acquisition. Fair value table Sygen International Book Revaluations Accounting Other Provisional plc acquisition value policy fair value alignment £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Fixed assets Intangible fixed assets 9,474 (9,474) - Tangible fixed assets 28,346 (157) 28,189 Investments in joint ventures 4,662 4,662 Current assets Stock 7,835 (857) (16) 6,962 Debtors 18,201 133 18,334 Cash 17,380 17,380 -------- --------- --------- ------ ---------- Total assets 85,898 (10,488) - 117 75,527 -------- --------- --------- ------ ---------- Creditors Creditors (16,871) (689) (7,288) (24,848) Provisions - Surplus property (2,826) (246) (3,072) - Post retirement benefit liabilities (5,174) (3,921) (9,095) - Sale of businesses (2,007) (2,007) Restructuring (690) (690) Taxation - Current/prepaid (2,615) 420 (2,195) - Deferred (2,031) 3,842 1,811 Loans (473) (473) Total creditors (32,687) (246) (4,610) (3,026) (40,569) -------- --------- --------- ------ ---------- Net assets 53,211 (10,734) (4,610) (2,909) 34,958 Goodwill 157,441 ---------- 192,399 ---------- ---------- Consideration satisfied by: 192,399 Cash (including acquisition cost of £3,566,000) ---------- 12 Acquisitions continued The book value of the assets and liabilities have been taken from the management accounts of Sygen International plc at 2 December 2005 (the date of acquisition) at actual exchange rates on that date. The fair value adjustments are provisional and will be finalised in the 2007 financial statements when the detailed acquisition investigation has been completed. INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO GENUS plc Introduction We have been instructed by the company to review the financial information for the twelve months ended 31 March 2006 which comprises the Summarised Group Profit and Loss Account, Group Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses, Summarised Group Balance Sheet, Summarised Group Cash Flow Statement, Reconciliation of Net Cash Flow to Movement in Net Debt and the related notes 1 to 12. 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. This report is made solely to the company having regard to guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4 issued by the Auditing Practices Board. Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company those matters we are required to state to them in an independent review report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by the law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company, for our work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed. 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 also responsible for ensuring that the accounting policies and presentation applied to the interim figures are 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 the 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 year ended 31 March 2006. Deloitte & Touche LLP London 7 June 2006 Financial Calendar Financial period end 30 June 2006 Announcement of preliminary results September 2006 Annual General Meeting November 2006 Full and final dividend payment November 2006 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange LFFTRTIRIIR

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