Final Results

IMI PLC 06 March 2006 6 March 2006 IMI plc Preliminary Results IMI plc, the major international engineering group, today announced its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2005. 2005 2004 % change Continuing businesses: Sales £1341m £1239m +8.2 Operating profit * £159.5m £137.2m +16.3 Operating cash flow * £166.7m £155.5m Total: Sales £1578m £1611m -2.0 Operating profit * £178.3m £164.4m +8.5 Total profit before tax * £175.5m £161.1m +8.9 Adjusted earnings per share ** 33.4p 29.5p +13.2 Profit before tax and exceptional items £169.9m £155.3m +9.4 Exceptional items after tax (£99.3m) (£33.1m) Basic earnings per share 3.9p 19.1p Total dividend for year 17.5p 16.5p +6.1 * before intangible amortisation and exceptional items ** before change in fair value of financial instruments, intangible amortisation and exceptional items Norman Askew, Chairman of IMI commented: 'The continued progress we have made in our platform businesses is demonstrated by another year of improved performance with organic sales growth of around 5%, operating profit increased by 16%, operating margins increased to nearly 12% and continued strong operational cash generation. With a healthy order book across our business we expect this steady progress to continue in 2006.' CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS 2005 has seen IMI continue to build on the foundations laid over the last few years. With the sale of Polypipe in September, all the businesses previously identified as non-core have now been sold. This leaves us firmly focused on our five continuing businesses in Fluid Controls and Retail Dispense, our chosen platforms for profitable growth. The continued progress we have made in these businesses is demonstrated by another year of improved performance with organic sales growth of around 5%, operating profit increased by 16%, operating margins increased to nearly 12% and continued strong operational cash generation. Corporate activity during the year also saw expenditure of £64m on acquisitions and £73m on the on-market share buy-back programme. With businesses capable of regularly achieving healthy cash conversion and a very sound balance sheet we have considerable scope to make organic and acquisition investment to help promote further growth. With this in mind, the Board has sanctioned an acceleration of some further restructuring within existing businesses and strengthened the Group's merger and acquisition resource. The acquisition of Truflo, announced today, is a welcome addition to our Fluid Controls business. The on-market buy-back programme introduced in 2005 will continue to be used as a flexible tool in our balance sheet management. The Board continues to recognise the importance of dividend income to shareholders and we are recommending the final dividend be increased by 6.4% from 10.2p to 10.85p. This makes the total dividend for the year 17.5p, an increase of 6.1% over the 16.5p paid in respect of 2004. Outlook Momentum in the US and Asia appears still to be positive and although we remain cautious about the macro-economic outlook for the UK and Europe, there are some signs that confidence is improving. With a healthy order book across our businesses we expect the steady progress in both Fluid Controls and Retail Dispense to continue. CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REVIEW 2005 proved to be another positive year for the Group, with profit before tax, intangible amortisation and exceptional items at £175.5m, an all-time record for IMI. The disposal of Polypipe in September effectively brings to a close the portfolio repositioning of IMI announced in 2001. With five platform businesses each with leading market positions in clearly identified global niches, the new IMI can look forward with confidence to further growth and margin improvement. The ability to capture market insight, and to convert that into practical, innovative and customised engineering solutions for our targeted customers is the common theme across all our businesses, and is central to delivering against our growth and margin ambitions. One example of such creativity in 2005 was the launch of a new pneumatic suspension system for Land Rover's Discovery and Range Rover models, providing a breakthrough in off-road comfort, and delivering a real point of difference to Land Rover in the ever competitive automotive sector. Across the businesses we see potential to develop further our growth and margin improvement. End market trends are largely positive, our market positions are strengthening, and we have a growing reputation for successful innovation with an increasing number of global, blue chip clients. Our focus now is to accelerate investments in new product development and key account management, with a particular focus on improving the quality of our people through both internal development and external recruitment. We also see further opportunities to improve our efficiencies and reduce our cost base through expanding our existing low cost manufacturing capabilities in Mexico, The Czech Republic and China, and accelerating our Far East materials outsourcing programme. We expect to invest around £20m per year for each of the next three years both in upgrading our people talent and transferring more of our manufacturing capacity to already established low cost facilities, raising the percentage of total production in these territories from around 25% today to 40% in three years' time. We would, in time, expect to improve operating margins as a result by 150 to 200 basis points. In addition to this accelerating internal investment and the continuation of the share buy-back programme, we are confident of spending at least £80-100m per annum on judicious top quality bolt-on acquisitions. The acquisition of Truflo gets us off to a strong start to 2006. This combination of internal investment, bolt-on acquisitions, and share buy-backs is expected to introduce overall debt of around £400-500m over the next three years, a level which we believe to be wholly consistent with optimising our balance sheet and enhancing shareholder returns. FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONS REVIEW Results summary Following the sale of Polypipe, the results have been analysed between continuing and discontinued operations. Sales from continuing businesses at £1341m (2004: £1239m) were 8% ahead of last year including £35m (3%) from acquisitions. Operating profit from continuing businesses before intangible amortisation was £159.5m (2004: £137.2m), 16.3% ahead, including £4.6m (3%) from acquisitions. Discontinued businesses comprise the eight months trading of the Polypipe businesses up to the date of sale on 2 September 2005. 2004 also includes the Doors and Windows division of Polypipe which was closed prior to the disposal. Sales for the period at £237m and operating profit at £18.8m compared to £372m and £27.2m respectively, for the full year 2004. Total operating profit before intangible amortisation and exceptional items was £178.3m (2004: £164.4m), an increase of 8.5%. Interest costs on net borrowings were £8.2m, a cover of 22 times. Including the impact of pension fund financing under IAS19 and the change in fair value of financial instruments under IAS39, net financing costs were £2.8m (2004: £3.3m). Profit before tax, intangible amortisation and exceptional items, is £175.5m (2004: £161.1m) an increase of 8.9%. After intangible amortisation, profit before tax and exceptional items is £169.9m (2004: £155.3m) an increase of 9.4%. The effective tax rate for the year on profit before intangible amortisation and exceptional items is 32% compared to 33% in 2004. Adjusted earnings per share (excluding the change in fair value of financial instruments, intangible amortisation and exceptional items) is 33.4p (2004: 29.5p) an increase of 13.2%. Adjusted earnings per share from continuing businesses only was 29.7p (2004: 24.2p) an increase of 22.7%. Exceptional items The net exceptional loss arising from the sale of Polypipe and closure of the Doors and Windows division was £99.3m including acquired goodwill. This loss includes a discount of £3.1m from par value on the vendor loan, the proceeds from which were received in February 2006. The impact of this exceptional loss has been to reduce basic earnings per share by 28.4p, resulting in a basic earnings per share of 3.9p compared to 19.1p in 2004. Cash flow Operating cash flow in continuing businesses was £167m, 105% of operating profit (before intangible amortisation). Corporate activity comprising disposals, acquisitions and share buy-back amounted to a £73m inflow. After paying dividends and the additional pension scheme funding contribution, and absorbing £31m in respect of the European Commission fine, cash inflow for the year was £77m. Balance sheet The pension fund deficits under IAS19 increased by £30m during the year largely as a result of revised mortality assumptions in the main UK fund. The actuarial valuation of the UK fund on 31 March 2005 revealed a funding deficit of £51m which is being eliminated by annual payments of around £16m starting in December 2005 and continuing over the next three years. Closing net debt was £10.6m (2004: £75.7m). The following is a review of our business areas where comparisons with the previous year relate to continuing operations and operating profit is stated before intangible amortisation. FLUID CONTROLS Severe Service Sales £213m (2004: £177m) Operating profit £28.3m (2004: £22.5m) Operating margin 13.3% (2004: 12.7%) Another year of strong growth in our Severe Service business further demonstrates our ability to capture opportunities in the buoyant power and oil & gas markets. Organic sales growth was 18% with growth in order intake running at a similar level. New valves continue to drive the majority of the growth with the power markets in Asia and the oil & gas markets in the Middle East particularly strong. Although the current focus is on new valve opportunities our after-market customer service business continues to increase with the rate of growth improved over last year. In addition, government mandated maintenance programmes have generated good demand in our Nuclear Services business for strainer equipment for nuclear power stations. Our presence in Japan and the Asian markets has been significantly strengthened by the recent acquisition in November 2005 of the ABB control valves business and the investments in businesses in Korea and China. With the market outlook remaining very positive and a strong order backlog, we are well positioned going into 2006. Fluid Power Sales £492m (2004: £439m) Operating profit £58.5m (2004: £43.5m) Operating margin 11.9% (2004: 9.9%) Our Fluid Power business continued the encouraging progress seen over the last few years with the momentum being maintained both in growing sector sales and operational improvements. Overall organic sales growth was around 4% despite relatively subdued European end markets. The sector growth was again led by Global Truck and the acquisition of GT Development in November strengthens further our product and market position. The medical and printing and packaging sectors also showed good growth. Syron, our in-plant automotive tooling business bought in February 2005 made a good contribution in its first year. In the general pneumatics market, the US and Asia Pacific had another positive year. In Europe the markets were somewhat mixed although recent order trends have been more encouraging. We have recently launched an innovative European web based direct sales initiative aimed at improving product availability and service for a focused group of smaller customers; results to date have been encouraging. Operating margins have improved considerably over the last few years and have now reached 12%. We have identified a number of initiatives to improve this further and have recently announced the transfer of more production from our US Littleton operations to our lower cost facility in Mexico. Indoor Climate Sales £172m (2004: £168m) Operating profit £25.3m (2004: £24.3m) Operating margin 14.7% (2004: 14.5%) Despite low growth and significant new material price inflation, particularly copper, Indoor Climate produced another resilient performance. Lower thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) sales in Germany were offset by improved sales elsewhere, particularly Eastern Europe. Sales of balancing valves across Europe improved in the second half to finish overall ahead of last year and this offers encouragement for 2006. We continue to gain momentum in our focus on targeted markets and sectors and have had good success with PFI contracts in the UK, project wins in the Middle East and Asia and further growth in Eastern Europe. We are increasingly looking at using our considerable brand strength with the launch of some new products which will be available in 2006. Indoor Climate remains a highly focused business with strong brand names and leading market positions. RETAIL DISPENSE Beverage Dispense Sales £278m (2004: £267m) Operating profit £27.1m (2004: £24.9m) Operating margin 9.7% (2004: 9.3%) In the US, consumer confidence has in the main remained positive throughout 2005 with increased restaurant traffic across the sector. Beverage Dispense in the US has benefited and produced a strong underlying performance both in the brand owner and foodservice business. We did particularly well within the convenience and gas category and developed further our relationship with national accounts including the recognition earned from YUM! Brands as its 'Global Equipment Supplier of the Year'. Operationally, transfer of manufacturing to China and Mexico has continued and lower cost procurement has been driven robustly. Our US beverage parts operation is gaining momentum and will be strengthened by the acquisition in November 2005 of Northern Parts. In Europe both the soft drink and beer markets have been disappointing for most of the year although recently the trend has improved. In the UK the second half has seen improving beer equipment sales. We have now established a manufacturing presence in the Ukraine to access the growing Ukraine and Russian beer markets. Asia Pacific continues to offer good potential and growth has again been strong in 2005. We continue to look at the markets we serve to develop new products and initiatives which will further our undoubted leadership position. Merchandising Systems Sales £186m (2004: £188m) Operating profit £20.3m (2004: £22.0m) Operating margin 10.9% (2004: 11.7%) It was always going to be difficult to maintain the rate of growth in Merchandising Systems especially in the absence of large one-off contracts enjoyed in the previous two years. Nevertheless, there were many successes in 2005. Display Technologies had an excellent year with a strong performance in the beverage, packaged and bulk food sectors. Front-end merchandising and display carts achieved further growth and we continued to develop in the home improvement sector. In the cosmetics sector volumes again improved and we also obtained our first significant commitment from a major US brand owner. In the high growth consumer electronics sector we secured new business in mobile telephones and children's teaching aids. In the automotive sector, as expected, activity was lower in merchandising for car showrooms in the US, resulting in lower sales than last year. However, it is encouraging that in recent months we have secured over $100m in extensions of existing or new three to five year contracts within the automotive sector. We continue to invest in unique research and technology tools to help drive tangible benefits for our customers. CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT for the year ended 31 December 2005 Continuing Discontinued Total Continuing Discontinued Total 2005 2005 2005 2004 2004 2004 Notes £m £m £m £m £m £m __________________________________________ _________________________________ Revenue 2,3,4 1,341 237 1,578 1,239 372 1,611 Operating profit before intangible amortisation 2,3,4 159.5 18.8 178.3 137.2 27.2 164.4 Intangible amortisation (5.6) - (5.6) (5.8) - (5.8) __________________________________________ _________________________________ Operating profit 2,4 153.9 18.8 172.7 131.4 27.2 158.6 European Commission fine* 3 - - - - (33.1) (33.1) __________________________________________ _________________________________ Profit/(loss) before financing costs 153.9 18.8 172.7 131.4 (5.9) 125.5 Financial income 5 16.2 16.2 14.0 14.0 Financial expenses 5 (19.0) (19.0) (17.3) (17.3) Profit/(loss) before tax Before exceptional items and intangible amortisation 156.7 18.8 175.5 133.9 27.2 161.1 European Commission fine* - - - - (33.1) (33.1) Intangible amortisation (5.6) - (5.6) (5.8) - (5.8) __________________________________________ _________________________________ Total 151.1 18.8 169.9 128.1 (5.9) 122.2 UK taxation 6 (2.5) (5.7) (8.2) (1.2) (8.5) (9.7) Overseas taxation 6 (45.9) (0.3) (46.2) (43.0) (0.2) (43.2) __________________________________________ _________________________________ Profit/(loss) after tax before loss on disposal 102.7 12.8 115.5 83.9 (14.6) 69.3 Loss after tax on disposal and associated closure costs - (99.3) (99.3) - - - __________________________________________ _________________________________ Total profit/(loss) for the period 102.7 (86.5) 16.2 83.9 (14.6) 69.3 __________________________________________ _________________________________ Attributable to: Equity shareholders of the parent 13.5 67.5 Minority Interest 2.7 1.8 ________ ________ Total profit for the period 16.2 69.3 ________ ________ Earnings per share 7 Basic earnings/(loss) per share 28.6p (24.7p) 3.9p 23.2p (4.1p) 19.1p Diluted earnings/(loss) per share 28.4p (24.6p) 3.8p 23.0p (4.1p) 18.9p * relating to businesses disposed of in 2002. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET at 31 December 2005 2005 2004 £m £m ________________________________ Assets Intangible assets 185.8 333.4 Property, plant and equipment 192.1 279.7 Deferred tax assets 75.5 61.7 ________________________________ Total non-current assets 453.4 674.8 ________________________________ Inventories 205.6 248.1 Trade and other receivables 301.8 305.6 Current tax 18.6 8.6 Investments 13.0 8.0 Cash and cash equivalents 188.9 120.7 ________________________________ Total current assets 727.9 691.0 ________________________________ Total assets 1181.3 1365.8 ________________________________ Liabilities Bank overdraft (6.9) (5.3) Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (44.4) (55.2) Exceptional payables - EC fine - (31.3) Current tax (27.1) (31.4) Trade and other payables (301.9) (331.5) ________________________________ Total current liabilities (380.3) (454.7) ________________________________ Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (148.2) (135.9) Employee benefits (172.8) (142.4) Provisions (34.1) (41.3) Deferred tax liabilities (4.4) (8.3) Other payables (20.4) (28.4) ________________________________ Total non-current liabilities (379.9) (356.3) ________________________________ Total liabilities (760.2) (811.0) ________________________________ Net assets 421.1 554.8 ________________________________ Equity Issued capital 89.6 88.7 Share premium 149.4 139.9 Other reserves 7.3 (0.6) Retained earnings 171.3 322.8 ________________________________ Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the parent 417.6 550.8 Minority interest 3.5 4.0 ________________________________ Total equity 421.1 554.8 ________________________________ CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the year ended 31 December 2005 2005 2004 Note £m £m __________________________________________ Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from the operations 9 212.3 239.4 Interest paid (18.2) (17.4) Income taxes paid (54.2) (52.3) __________________________________________ Net cash from operating activities 139.9 169.7 Additional pension scheme funding (15.6) - EC fine (31.3) - __________________________________________ 93.0 169.7 __________________________________________ Cash flows from investing activities Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment 6.8 4.0 (Purchase of)/proceeds from sale of investments (1.1) 0.2 Interest received 10.0 8.2 Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired (63.6) (20.9) Disposal of subsidiary 209.0 - Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (48.7) (50.8) Capitalised development expenditure (5.2) (2.8) __________________________________________ Net cash from investing activities 107.2 (62.1) __________________________________________ Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from the issue of share capital 10.4 3.8 Purchase of own shares (72.6) - Repayment of borrowings (14.0) (9.8) Dividends paid to minorities (1.6) (1.3) Dividends paid (59.4) (55.9) __________________________________________ Net cash from financing activities (137.2) (63.2) __________________________________________ Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 63.0 44.4 Cash and cash equivalents at start of period 115.4 66.9 Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held 3.6 4.1 __________________________________________ Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 182.0 115.4 __________________________________________ Reconciliation of net cash to movement in net borrowings Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 63.0 44.4 Repayment of borrowings 14.0 9.8 __________________________________________ Cash inflow 77.0 54.2 Currency translation differences (11.9) 14.5 __________________________________________ Movement in net borrowings in the period 65.1 68.7 Net borrowings at the start of the period (75.7) (144.4) __________________________________________ Net borrowings at the end of period (10.6) (75.7) __________________________________________ CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE 2005 2004 £m £m ____________________________ Foreign exchange translation differences 5.6 2.3 Actuarial (losses)/gains on defined benefit plans (net of deferred tax) (36.4) 1.0 Fair value gains/(losses) on financial instruments (net of tax) 2.3 (4.5) ____________________________ Income and expense recognised directly in equity (28.5) (1.2) Profit for the period 16.2 69.3 ____________________________ Total recognised income and expense for the period (12.3) 68.1 ____________________________ Attributable to: Equity holders of the parent (15.0) 66.3 Minority interest 2.7 1.8 ____________________________ Total recognised income and expense for the period (12.3) 68.1 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 2005 2004 £m £m ____________________________ Shareholders' equity at start of period 550.8 534.9 Total recognised income and expense for the period (15.0) 66.3 Dividends paid (59.4) (55.9) Share based payments (net of deferred tax) 3.4 1.7 Issue of ordinary shares net of costs 10.4 3.8 Purchase of own shares into treasury (72.6) - ____________________________ (118.2) (50.4) ____________________________ Shareholders' equity at end of period 417.6 550.8 ____________________________ NOTES RELATING TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. Basis of preparation EU law (IAS Regulation EC 1606/2002) requires that the annual consolidated financial statements of the Group, for the year ending 31 December 2005, be prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopted for use in the EU ('adopted IFRS'). The transition date for the application of IFRS was 1 January 2004. The comparative figures for 31 December 2004 have been restated to reflect the transition to IFRS. 2. Segmental analysis Segment information is presented in the consolidated financial statements in respect of the Group's continuing business segments, which are the primary basis of segment reporting. The business segment reporting format reflects the Group's management and internal reporting structure. Operating profit before intangible Revenue amortisation Operating profit 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 BY ACTIVITY £m £m £m £m £m £m ________________ __________________ ________________ Fluid Controls 877 784 112.1 90.3 107.6 85.2 Severe Service 213 177 28.3 22.5 27.3 22.4 Fluid Power 492 439 58.5 43.5 55.4 38.9 Indoor Climate 172 168 25.3 24.3 24.9 23.9 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Retail Dispense 464 455 47.4 46.9 46.3 46.2 Beverage Dispense 278 267 27.1 24.9 26.3 24.2 Merchandising Systems 186 188 20.3 22.0 20.0 22.0 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Total continuing operations 1341 1239 159.5 137.2 153.9 131.4 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ REVENUE BY GEOGRAPHICAL DESTINATION 2005 2004 £m £m ________________ UK 164 164 Germany 179 178 Rest of Europe 324 300 USA 466 431 Asia/Pacific 141 107 Rest of World 67 59 ________________ Total continuing operations 1341 1239 ________________ The results in respect of discontinued operations are set out in note 3. 3. Discontinued operations The Polypipe businesses previously included under Building Products were sold to New York based private equity investment fund, Castle Harlan Partners IV LP. The proceeds of the transaction at the time of the sale were worth up to £293m comprising £219m payable in cash, a vendor loan note with a par value of £39m and a contingent consideration of £35m based on performance targets for the three years ending 31 December 2007. The loan note could be repaid through a buyer refinancing in the high yield market or else IMI could exercise its right to sell the note at a time consistent with realising best value. No repayment was received and we exercised our right to sell the note. The proceeds of £35.9m were received in February 2006. The loss on sale of Polypipe and the associated costs of the closure of the Doors and Windows division are shown as an exceptional item arising on discontinued businesses. The exceptional loss after available tax relief is £99.3m. In arriving at the overall loss the contingent consideration has not been recognised as the amount receivable will not be known until 2008. In 2004 we were notified of a fine imposed by the European Commission in respect of the former copper tube business. Pending the outcome of an appeal made in January 2005, the full amount of the fine and associated costs, together amounting to £33.1m (no tax relief on the fine has been assumed), were provided at 31 December 2004. The fine was paid in February 2005 and to date we are still awaiting the outcome of the appeal. We reported in September that we had received a Statement of Objections from the European Commission with respect to our former copper plumbing fittings businesses which were sold in 2002. A decision from the Commission as to the level of any possible fine in the fittings enquiry is expected at some point in 2006. It is not possible to give any reliable estimate of the likely level of fine and consequently no provision has been made at 31 December 2005. The revenue and profit from discontinued operations were as follows: 2005 2004 £m £m £m ________________ _______ Revenue 237 372 _______ _______ Operating profit 18.8 27.2 EC fine relating to copper tube businesses sold in 2002 - (33.1) Less tax (6.0) (8.7) _______ _______ 12.8 (14.6) Loss on disposal (96.6) Closure costs (8.0) _______ (104.6) Less tax 5.3 _______ (99.3) - _______ _______ (86.5) (14.6) _______ _______ 4. Acquisitions The acquisitions completed in the period were as follows: Reporting segment: Acquisition(s) Severe Service: ABB KK control valve businesses (November) Fluid Power: Syron Engineering & Mfg (February); GT Development Corp (November) Beverage Dispense: Northern Parts & Service (November) Of the reported increase in turnover and operating profit (before intangible amortisation), £35m and £4.6m respectively result from the above acquisitions together with the extra months of the prior year acquisition of Fluid Automation Systems (Fluid Power). 5. Net financing costs 2005 2004 £m £m ______________________ Interest income 6.9 6.0 Interest expense (15.1) (15.2) ______________________ (8.2) (9.2) ______________________ Other financing income 9.3 8.0 Other financing expense (3.9) (2.1) ______________________ 5.4 5.9 ______________________ ______________________ Net financing expense (2.8) (3.3) ______________________ 6. Taxation The effective tax rate on profit before exceptional items is 32% (2004: 33%). 7. Earnings per ordinary share The weighted average number of shares in issue during the period, net of shares purchased by the company and held as treasury shares, was 349.7m, 352.4m diluted for the effect of outstanding share options (2004: 354.0m, 356.5m diluted). Basic earnings per share have been calculated on earnings of £13.5m, (2004: £67.5m). The directors consider that adjusted earnings per share figures, using earnings as calculated below, give a more meaningful indication of the underlying performance. Total 2005 2004 £m £m ________________________ Profit for the period attributable to equity holders of the parent 13.5 67.5 Charges/(credits) included in profit for the period: Change in fair value of financial instruments 0.6 (0.8) Intangible amortisation 5.6 5.8 Taxation on charges/(credits) included in profit before tax (2.2) (1.3) Exceptional items (after tax) 99.3 33.1 ________________________ Earnings for adjusted EPS 116.8 104.3 ________________________ Adjusted EPS 33.4p 29.5p ________________________ From continuing operations 2005 2004 £m £m ________________________ Profit for the period 102.7 83.9 Minority interest (2.7) (1.8) Charges/(credits) included in profit for the period: Change in fair value of financial instruments 0.6 (0.8) Intangible amortisation 5.6 5.8 Taxation on charges/(credits) included in profit before tax (2.2) (1.3) ________________________ Earnings for adjusted EPS 104.0 85.8 ________________________ Adjusted EPS 29.7p 24.2p ________________________ From discontinued operations 2005 2004 £m £m ________________________ Loss for the period from discontinued businesses (86.5) (14.6) Exceptional items after income tax expense 99.3 33.1 ________________________ Earnings for adjusted EPS 12.8 18.5 ________________________ Adjusted EPS 3.7p 5.3p ________________________ 8. Dividend The Directors recommend a final dividend of 10.85p per share (2004: 10.2p) payable on 26 May 2006 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 18 April 2006, which will absorb £37.1m (2004: £36.2m). Together with the interim dividend of 6.65p per share paid on 21 October 2005, this makes a total distribution of 17.5p per share (2004: 16.5p per share). In accordance with IAS10: 'Events after the Balance Sheet date', this final proposed dividend has not been reflected in the 31 December 2005 Balance Sheet. 9. Cash flow reconciliations Reconciliation of cash generated from the operations 2005 2004 £m £m ___________________ Profit for the period 16.2 69.3 Adjustments for: Depreciation 50.4 58.3 Amortisation 5.6 5.8 Net loss on disposal & closure costs 99.3 - EC fine - 33.1 Financing income (16.2) (14.0) Financing expense 19.0 17.3 Employee benefit charge 2.2 1.6 Equity-settled share-based payment expenses 2.0 1.4 Income tax expense 54.4 52.9 ___________________ 232.9 225.7 (Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables (18.3) 0.2 Increase in inventories (0.7) (4.7) Increase in trade and other payables 8.1 17.9 (Decrease)/increase in provisions and employee benefits (9.7) 0.3 ___________________ Cash generated from the operations 212.3 239.4 ___________________ Reconciliation of operating cash flow Cash generated from the operations 212.3 239.4 Sale of property, plant & equipment 6.8 4.0 (Purchase)/sale of investments (1.1) 0.2 Acquisition of property, plant & equipment (48.7) (50.8) Capitalised development expenditure (5.2) (2.8) ___________________ Operating cash flow 164.1 190.0 ___________________ Continuing businesses 166.7 155.5 Discontinued businesses (2.6) 34.5 ___________________ 164.1 190.0 ___________________ 10. Exchange Rates The profit and loss accounts of overseas operations are translated into sterling at average rates of exchange for the year, balance sheets are translated at year end rates. The most significant currencies are the US Dollar and the Euro - the relevant rates of exchange were: Average Rates Balance Sheet Rates ________________ ___________________ 2005 2004 2005 2004 Euro 1.46 1.47 1.46 1.41 US Dollar 1.82 1.83 1.72 1.92 The financial information set out above does not constitute the company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2005 or 2004 but is derived from the 2005 accounts. Statutory accounts for 2004, which were prepared under UK GAAP, have been delivered to the registrar of companies and those for 2005, prepared under IFRS accounting standards adopted by the EU, will be delivered in due course. The auditors have reported on those accounts; their reports were (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include references to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their reports and (iii) did not contain statements under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The Company's 2005 Annual Report and notice of the forthcoming Annual General Meeting will be posted to shareholders on 5 April 2006. - ends - Enquiries to: Graham Truscott - Corporate Communications - Tel: 0121 717 3712 Press release available on the internet at www.imiplc.com Issued by: Nick Oborne - Weber Shandwick Square Mile - Tel: 020 7067 0700 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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