Interim Results

Kerry Group PLC 04 September 2007 Press Announcement Tuesday 4 September 2007 Interim Report Half Year Ended 30 June 2007 Kerry, the global ingredients, flavours, and consumer foods group, reports interim results for the half year ended 30 June 2007 and appointment of Chief Executive Designate. Financial Highlights • Sales revenue of €2,332m • Like-for-like revenue growth of 5.6% • Trading margin increased from 7.2% to 7.4% • Trading profit growth of 6.2% to €172m • Adjusted earnings per share* up 7.1% to 58.8 cent • Interim dividend per share up 10.9% to 6.1 cent *before intangible amortisation and non-trading items Commenting on the results Kerry Group Chief Executive Hugh Friel said; ' During the first half of 2007, Kerry delivered solid organic growth across all Group businesses and territories. Group food ingredients and consumer foods businesses generated 5.6% organic revenue growth and 20 basis points margin improvement. We have successfully managed continued input cost inflation through cost recovery and business efficiency programmes and expect a good outturn for the full year.' For further information please contact: Frank Hayes Director of Corporate Affairs Tel no + 353 66 7182304 Fax no +353 66 7182972 Kerry Web Site www.kerrygroup.com/ Chairman's Statement For the half year ended 30 June 2007 The Group performed strongly in the first half of 2007. Good organic growth and margin improvement was achieved in Kerry's food ingredients and consumer foods businesses. Building on the progress made in the second half of 2006, the Group continued to successfully manage the inflationary input cost environment through cost recovery and business efficiency programmes. Having divested non-core low margin activities prior to year-end 2006, all Group operating divisions and business regions achieved good profitable growth in the period under review. Successful technology development and new product roll outs contributed significantly to the achievement of strong top-line growth. Results In the first six months of 2007 total Group revenue amounted to €2,332m. This reflects like-for-like growth of 5.6% relative to the first half of 2006 when account is taken of acquisitions, business disposals and exchange rate effects due mainly to the weaker US dollar. Group trading profit increased by 6.2% to €172.4m despite significant input cost increases, adverse currency rates and the impact of business disposals. Trading margins in the period advanced by 20 basis points to 7.4%. Group profit after taxation, finance charges and non trading items increased by 5% to €105.8m. Adjusted earnings per share increased by 7.1% to 58.8 cent. The interim dividend of 6.1 cent per share reflects an increase of 10.9% over the 2006 interim dividend. Business Reviews Food Ingredients The Group's food ingredients, flavours and bio-science businesses all performed robustly in the first six months of 2007. Total sales revenue increased by 4.1% to €1,611m reflecting like-for-like growth of 5.9% when adjusted for currency translation, acquisitions and business disposals impact. Trading profits in ingredients markets grew by 5.8% to €130m. The trading margin improved by 10 basis points to 8.1%. Against a background of energy driven input cost inflation, this performance was achieved through cost recovery programmes and the on-going successful development of Kerry's 'go-to-market' strategy. Good results have been achieved through this programme dedicated to the provision of industry leading customer service through innovative product solutions and applications developed across the Group's broad based science and technology platforms. In American ingredients markets sales revenue in the period reported at €644m represents 6% like-for-like growth. Good progress was achieved in all market segments of the U.S. market. The speciality dairy and lipids sector has recovered from the challenging sectoral market conditions of 2005/2006. Building on Kerry's leading cheese and dairy flavour technologies, good volume growth was achieved in frozen complete sauces. Trans-fat replacement also provided good growth opportunities. The demand for enhanced nutritional offerings continues to drive development in the ready-to-eat cereal and nutrition sector. Kerry achieved strong volume growth in the granola bar sector which is exhibiting double digit growth year-on-year. While progress continued through sweet inclusions in the bakery market, volumes were slightly lower in the ice-cream sector due to the impact of dairy raw material prices on sectoral growth. Kerry's savoury technologies performed well in the U.S. and Canadian markets in particular through meat seasonings in the red meat market and coating systems for poultry and seafood applications. Kerry continues to achieve excellent progress in the foodservice sector across American markets through sweet and savoury applications. Beverage syrups and sweet inclusions again recorded good growth through coffee house and restaurant chains and successfully extended market development into Latin American and Central American markets. New product lines were successfully launched during the period in the Jet Smoothie, Jet Blended Beverage Base and Oregon Chai product ranges. Strong volume growth was achieved through meat seasonings and savoury application in South American markets. Kerry Bio-Science again grew satisfactorily in American markets in the first half of 2007 with strong growth in culinary, cell nutrition and excipient markets, and also continued development of dairy, meat and beverage ingredient applications. The increased trend towards all-natural labelled products and ingredients continues to provide good growth opportunities for Kerry Bio-Science technologies. In addition the progressive development of key customer accounts in Latin American markets is leading to strong double digit growth in the sub-region. Despite unprecedented raw material cost inflation, SheffieldTM Pharma Excipients achieved strong first half growth through innovative anhydrous product launches and the commencement of a global sales and marketing agreement. In the pharma cell nutrition segment growth was in line with overall sectoral growth rates. Innovation through novel processes for protein hydrolysis has produced good results and patents have been submitted. Mastertaste flavours, benefiting from growing demand for salt reduction and calorie reduction, recorded strong development through its taste modulation technologies in savoury and beverage applications in American markets. Manheimer Fragrances achieved excellent results in the first half of 2007, with significant new product launches through new and existing accounts in the home environmental and personal care sectors. In European markets, sales revenue increased by 4% to €656m, reflecting like-for-like revenue growth of 3.6%. While cost recovery in European markets lagged other regions, nevertheless significant progress was achieved and the focus on cost saving programmes continues. Culinary applications again provided good growth for Kerry's sauces, purees, bouillons and broths. In the UK market sales increases in the chilled savoury sector proved satisfactory but the difficulties in the frozen sector continued to impact volume and margin growth. Supply chain efficiencies assisted business development in Germany and Italy but market conditions in the French savoury sector proved challenging. Satisfactory market development was achieved in Eastern European markets. The foodservice sector throughout European markets continued to provide good growth opportunities for Kerry's food and beverage ingredients. In line with global dairy market developments, conditions in European markets in the first half of 2007 improved significantly relative to the difficult market situation in 2006. The increasing demand for dairy products and dairy ingredients globally coupled with a reduction/elimination of inventories has led to much improved returns to milk producers and a recovery in dairy processor margins. Kerry Dairy Ingredients has also continued to benefit from on-going development of milk proteins in the nutritional and functional food and beverage sectors. Kerry recorded a good first half performance in the European fruit and sweet ingredients sector. Product innovation and supply chain efficiencies contributed to satisfactory improvement in fruit applications into the yoghurt and fruit smoothie sectors. Fruit and sweet ingredients also benefited from increased demand in Europe for enhanced nutritional offerings in the breakfast cereal and confectionery sectors. In Europe, Kerry Bio-Science achieved good growth in beverage, bakery, dairy and confectionery markets. Additional capacity arising from the major investment programme at the Menstrie yeast production facility in Scotland facilitated good growth in the European beverage sector and in the U.S. cell nutrition sector. Excellent progress was achieved in the European bakery market as functional solutions offered through the Kerry Bio-Science portfolio, including enzymes, fermented ingredients and emulsifiers, are increasingly adopted in preference to competitor offerings. Functional ingredients also outperformed market growth rates in the confectionery sector as manufacturers strive to enhance product texture and consumer appeal. Similarly in the dairy sector, due to the increased focus on health and wellness, the Kerry Bio-Science range of SherexTM, MyvatexTM and DurafreshTM products achieved excellent results as manufacturers focus on production of added value products with enhanced taste, texture, shelf life and convenience attributes. Mastertaste flavours made solid progress in Europe. Strong growth was achieved in UK chilled savoury markets in particular through core supplier accounts in the culinary sector. Strong gains were also achieved through major branded product launches in the Italian confectionery market. Mastertaste natural products division also continued to successfully advance its market positioning in the European beverage sector. In Asia Pacific markets Group ingredients businesses continue to achieve excellent results in food and beverage applications. Sales revenue increased by 14.3% (like-for-like 14.6%) to €199m. Kerry's branded flavoured beverage offerings achieved steady growth throughout the region's fast growing consumer and foodservice markets. Progress in development of speciality nutritional products for 'growing diets', in particular for the Chinese market, again achieved double digit market growth rates. The rate of growth in regional savoury markets slowed - most notably in Australia. Kerry Bio-Science also grew steadily in Asia Pacific markets, particularly in Japan, China and India, through its range of beverage, meat, dairy, bakery and confectionery technologies. The Esterol emulsifier facility in Malaysia continues to make excellent progress despite increased input cost pressures. Considerable growth was also achieved through SheffieldTM Pharma Excipients due to the expansion of regional pharmaceutical manufacturing coupled with manufacturing shifts by major branded pharmaceutical companies into the region. Kerry's Pinnacle bakery business unit achieved strong growth in Australia boosted by the successful introduction of speciality lifestyle bakery offerings for in-store, franchise bakery and foodservice outlets. Consumer Foods Kerry's consumer foods businesses performed strongly in a competitive UK and Irish market environment in the first half of 2007. Divisional revenue increased to €882m which reflects like-for-like growth of 4.5% relative to the same period of 2006. Trading profits increased by 6.6% to €56m assisted by the success of new product launches and investment in the division's brands - leading to a 30 basis points improvement in the operating margin to 6.3%. Significant progress was also made in maximising production and supply chain efficiencies in the face of a challenging input cost environment. All Kerry Foods' brands continued to achieve satisfactory development and lead category growth. In Ireland Denny and Ballyfree again achieved excellent progress in premium sliced meats categories benefiting from successful new product development and marketing support. Denny sausage and bacon product ranges also performed satisfactorily. Freshways maintained double digit growth in the period through its range of premium convenience 'food to go' offerings. The Freshways sandwich range achieved strong market development at retail level and a range of Heat n'Eat baguettes and ciabattas was successfully launched in convenience and foodservice channels. Dawn health juice offerings and smoothies achieved wider market penetration and Kerry Spring recorded solid growth in flavoured and non-flavoured segments of the Irish market. Kerry Foods continued to outperform market growth rates in the UK and Irish cheese and spreads business through its branded and private label offerings. Charleville cheese and the fast growing Low Low cheese offering continued to grow market share in the Republic of Ireland market whilst rebranding of the Coleraine brand in Northern Ireland achieved a strong market response. Cheestrings again achieved satisfactory growth in the UK cheese snacks sector whilst Ficello achieved strong double digit growth in France. Strong gains were also achieved in the foodservice and retail cheese slices markets. However margins in the cheese category were impacted by the spike in raw material pricing. In the UK market Kerry Food's leading savoury sector brands all advanced market positioning. Richmond and Wall's continued to grow market shares in the chilled sausage sector as the frozen segment contracts. In the meat snacking sector Mattessons Fridge Raiders continues to drive category growth at encouraging levels. The fresh ready meals market grew steadily during the first six months of 2007. Kerry Foods grew sales in line with market growth rates across all market segments. Its 'healthily balanced' innovative lines introduced in H2 2006 achieved good results as consumers seek the assurance of high quality, nutritional fresh ingredients. In the frozen ready meals segment, while overall sales volume continued to decline year-on-year, the market has restored stability and Rye Valley Foods has consolidated its strong market positioning due to its lowest cost producer status. Finance The Group delivered free cash flow of €75m (H1 2006: €20m) in the first half having spent €39m on fixed assets, €64m on seasonally affected working capital, €35m on finance costs and €12m on tax. In the first half of 2007, the Group used its share buy-back programme authorisation to purchase 10.8m shares at a total cost of €232m. Allowing for dividend and share buy-back cashflows of €230m, net debt at the end of the half year increased to €1,357m compared to €1,338m at the end of the first half of 2006. Net debt to EBITDA at 2.8 times was similar to the prior half year level. Finance costs were €38m, compared to €35m in the same period of 2006 (reflecting an increase in interest rates) with EBITDA to net interest covered 6.0 times (H1 2006 : 7.0 times). Dividend The Board has declared an interim dividend of 6.1 cent per share, an increase of 10.9% on the 2006 interim dividend of 5.5 cent per share. The interim dividend will be paid on 23 November 2007 to shareholders registered on the record date 19 October 2007. Board and Management Changes The Board announces that Mr Hugh Friel, who became Chief Executive of the Group in January 2002, will retire as Chief Executive and Director of the Group on 31 December 2007. The Group is pleased to announce that Mr Stan McCarthy has been appointed Chief Executive Designate to succeed Mr Friel on his retirement. Mr Stan McCarthy (age 49), who has been an Executive Director of the Group since 1999, is currently President and CEO Kerry Ingredients Americas. Mr McCarthy joined Kerry's Graduate Recruitment Programme in Ireland in 1976 and worked in Finance until his appointment as Financial Controller in the USA on establishment of Kerry's Representative Office in Chicago in 1984. Following the Group's acquisition of Beatreme in 1988 he was appointed Vice President of Materials Management and Purchasing. In 1991 he was appointed Vice President of Sales and Marketing and was named President of Kerry North America in 1996. Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive of the Group in 2002, Mr Hugh Friel (age 63) served as Joint Deputy Managing Director of the Company since the formation of Kerry Group in 1986. He has been with the Kerry organisation since its foundation in 1972, overseeing its growth as Director of Finance. Current Trading and Outlook Building on the first half outcome, the Group expects a good performance throughout all businesses and geographic markets for the full year - notwithstanding the challenging input cost environment and currency headwinds. Driven by positive trends towards new product development favouring Kerry's broad base of food and beverage ingredients technologies and applications, and Kerry Foods' capability to meet consumer demand for quality, convenient healthy foods, the Group expects to achieve continued solid organic growth. Kerry will continue to seek acquisition opportunities which will enhance shareholder value. Results for the half year ended 30 June 2007 Kerry Group plc Consolidated Income Statement for the half year ended 30 June 2007 Half year ended Half year ended Year ended 30 June 2007 30 June 2006 31 Dec. 2006 Unaudited Unaudited Audited Notes €'000 €'000 €'000 Revenue 1 2,331,652 2,265,336 4,645,920 ___________ ___________ ___________ Trading profit 172,389 162,249 383,688 Intangible asset amortisation (6,133) (5,433) (12,093) Non-trading items 2 4,067 3,223 (73,425) ___________ ___________ ___________ Operating profit 170,323 160,039 298,170 Finance costs (37,827) (34,772) (76,930) ___________ ___________ ___________ Profit before taxation 132,496 125,267 221,240 Income taxes (26,693) (24,534) (43,491) ___________ ___________ ___________ Profit after taxation and attributable to equity 105,803 100,733 177,749 shareholders ___________ ___________ ___________ Earnings per ordinary share (cent) - basic 3 57.6 53.8 95.6 - fully diluted 3 57.4 53.6 95.2 Kerry Group plc Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2007 30 June 2007 30 June 2006 31 Dec. 2006 Unaudited Unaudited Audited €'000 €'000 €'000 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 996,901 1,061,266 1,010,343 Intangible assets 1,679,040 1,679,400 1,684,756 Financial asset investments 15,872 14,131 19,866 Other non-current assets 54,418 4,168 10,856 ___________ ___________ ____________ 2,746,231 2,758,965 2,725,821 ___________ ___________ ____________ Current assets Inventories 569,459 573,469 495,313 Trade and other receivables 663,017 623,276 597,073 Cash and cash equivalents 123,366 101,235 188,844 Financial assets 1,646 7,378 4,485 Assets classified as held for sale 2,696 - 2,696 ___________ ___________ ____________ 1,360,184 1,305,358 1,288,411 ___________ ___________ ____________ Total assets 4,106,415 4,064,323 4,014,232 ___________ ___________ ____________ Current liabilities Trade and other payables 921,021 886,117 836,550 Financial liabilities 49,525 205,185 27,261 Tax liabilities 61,380 50,501 51,909 Deferred income 2,224 4,226 2,726 ___________ ___________ ____________ 1,034,150 1,146,029 918,446 ___________ ___________ ____________ Non-current liabilities Financial liabilities 1,445,089 1,233,889 1,356,296 Retirement benefits obligation 148,048 178,561 180,269 Other non-current liabilities 91,046 103,767 87,368 Deferred tax liabilities 147,380 126,721 131,252 Deferred income 16,812 19,147 17,434 ___________ ___________ ____________ 1,848,375 1,662,085 1,772,619 ___________ ___________ ____________ Total liabilities 2,882,525 2,808,114 2,691,065 ___________ ___________ ____________ Net assets 1,223,890 1,256,209 1,323,167 ___________ ___________ ____________ Capital and reserves Share capital 21,790 23,419 23,445 Share premium account 387,603 381,022 383,341 Other reserves 11,348 (31,826) (32,089) Retained earnings - cancelled shares (280,292) - - - retained income 1,083,441 883,594 948,470 ___________ ___________ ____________ Shareholders' equity 1,223,890 1,256,209 1,323,167 ___________ ___________ ____________ Kerry Group plc Consolidated Statement of Recognised Income and Expense for the half year ended 30 June 2007 Half year ended Half year ended Year ended 30 June 2007 30 June 2006 31 Dec. 2006 Unaudited Unaudited Audited €'000 €'000 €'000 Fair value movements on available-for-sale investments (3,994) 1,689 7,424 Fair value movements on cash flow hedges (4,206) 7,248 (2,608) Exchange difference on translation of foreign operations 2,283 (15,258) (13,389) Actuarial gains on defined benefit pension schemes 65,024 64,640 61,924 Deferred tax on items taken directly to reserves (12,712) (12,987) (12,251) ___________ ___________ ____________ Net income recognised directly in equity 46,395 45,332 41,100 Transfers Cash flow hedges to profit or loss from equity (2,143) (564) 160 Profit for the period after taxation 105,803 100,733 177,749 ___________ ___________ ____________ Total recognised income and expense for the period attributable to equity shareholders 150,055 145,501 219,009 ___________ ___________ ____________ Kerry Group plc Consolidated Reconciliation of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the half year ended 30 June 2007 Half year ended Half year ended Year ended 30 June 2007 30 June 2006 31 Dec. 2006 Unaudited Unaudited Audited Notes €'000 €'000 €'000 At beginning of period 1,323,167 1,177,684 1,177,684 Total recognised income and expense for the period 150,055 145,501 219,009 Dividends paid 4 (23,144) (20,597) (30,757) Purchase of shares 3 (231,850) (48,442) (48,442) Long term incentive plan expense 1,350 - 1,265 Shares issued during the period 4,312 2,063 4,408 ___________ ___________ ____________ At end of period 1,223,890 1,256,209 1,323,167 ___________ ___________ ____________ Kerry Group plc Consolidated Cash Flow Statement for the half year ended 30 June 2007 Half year ended Half year ended Year ended 30 June 2007 30 June 2006 31 Dec. 2006 Unaudited Unaudited Audited €'000 €'000 €'000 Operating activities Trading profit 172,389 162,249 383,688 Adjustments for: Depreciation (net) 52,597 53,450 102,923 Change in working capital (65,460) (98,909) (45,893) Exchange translation adjustment 669 (615) (484) ___________ ___________ ____________ Cash generated from operations 160,195 116,175 440,234 Income taxes paid (11,729) (13,466) (35,056) Finance costs paid (net) (34,912) (35,015) (76,581) ___________ ___________ ____________ Net cash from operating activities 113,554 67,694 328,597 ___________ ___________ ____________ Investing activities Purchase of non-current assets (41,886) (56,450) (103,066) Proceeds from the sale of non-current assets 2,995 7,937 13,886 Capital grants received 229 974 1,687 Net expenditure on acquisitions and disposals of businesses (10,471) (86,435) (95,712) Payment of deferred payables (2,457) (1,253) (2,781) Expenditure on non-trading items (583) (3,457) (30,903) Consideration adjustment on previous acquisitions (70) - (63) ___________ ___________ ____________ Net cash used in investing activities (52,243) (138,684) (216,952) ___________ ___________ ____________ Financing activities Dividends paid (23,144) (20,597) (30,757) Purchase of shares (207,341) (4,314) (48,442) Issue of share capital 4,312 2,063 4,408 Net movement on bank borrowings 113,207 89,967 (4,958) Decrease in bank overdrafts (13,237) (55,336) (1,694) ___________ ___________ ____________ Net cash (used in) / from financing activities (126,203) 11,783 (81,443) ___________ ___________ ____________ Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents (64,892) (59,207) 30,202 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 188,844 163,903 163,903 Exchange translation adjustment on cash and cash equivalents (586) (3,461) (5,261) ___________ ___________ ____________ Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 123,366 101,235 188,844 ___________ ___________ ____________ Reconciliation of Net Cash Flow to Movement in Net Debt for the half year ended 30 June 2007 Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents (64,892) (59,207) 30,202 Cash (inflow) / outflow from debt financing (99,970) (34,631) 6,652 ___________ ___________ ____________ Changes in net debt resulting from cash flows (164,862) (93,838) 36,854 Fair value movement on interest rate swaps (2,729) - (5,998) Exchange translation adjustment on net debt 5,006 31,642 50,146 ___________ ___________ ____________ Movement in net debt in the period (162,585) (62,196) 81,002 Net debt at beginning of period (1,194,356) (1,275,358) (1,275,358) ___________ ___________ ____________ Net debt at end of period (1,356,941) (1,337,554) (1,194,356) ___________ ___________ ____________ Kerry Group plc Notes to the Interim Report for the half year ended 30 June 2007 1. Analysis of results Half year ended Half year ended Year ended 30 June 2007 30 June 2006 31 Dec. 2006 Unaudited Unaudited Audited Segment Segment Segment Segment Segment Segment Revenue Result Revenue Result Revenue Result €'000 €'000 €'000 €'000 €'000 €'000 By business segment: Ingredients 1,610,908 130,404 1,547,769 123,206 3,134,288 293,131 Consumer foods 882,242 55,537 874,768 52,075 1,818,733 117,528 Unallocated and Group eliminations (161,498) (13,552) (157,201) (13,032) (307,101) (26,971) _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ 2,331,652 172,389 2,265,336 162,249 4,645,920 383,688 _________ _________ _________ Intangible asset amortisation (6,133) (5,433) (12,093) Non-trading items 4,067 3,223 (73,425) ________ ________ ________ Operating profit 170,323 160,039 298,170 ________ ________ ________ Segment Segment Segment Revenue Revenue Revenue €'000 €'000 €'000 By destination: Europe 1,488,288 1,455,739 3,007,511 Americas 644,386 635,480 1,275,879 Asia Pacific 198,978 174,117 362,530 _________ _________ _________ 2,331,652 2,265,336 4,645,920 _________ _________ _________ 2. Non-trading items Non-trading income in 2007 relates mainly to profit on sale of properties, plant and equipment offset partly by restructuring costs related to the continuation of the restructuring programme of manufacturing plants in Europe, Americas and Asia Pacific, which was announced in 2006. 3. Earnings per ordinary share Half year ended Half year ended Year ended 30 June 2007 30 June 2006 31 Dec. 2006 Unaudited Unaudited Audited EPS EPS EPS Notes cent €'000 cent €'000 cent €'000 Basic earnings per share Profit after taxation and attributable to equity shareholders 57.6 105,803 53.8 100,733 95.6 177,749 Intangible asset amortisation 3.4 6,133 2.9 5,433 6.5 12,093 Non-trading items (net of related tax) 2 (2.2) (4,033) (1.8) (3,342) 31.8 59,163 _____ _______ _____ ________ _____ ________ Adjusted earnings* 58.8 107,903 54.9 102,824 133.9 249,005 _____ _______ _____ ________ _____ ________ Diluted earnings per share Profit after taxation and attributable to equity shareholders 57.4 105,803 53.6 100,733 95.2 177,749 Adjusted earnings* 58.5 107,903 54.7 102,824 133.4 249,005 * In addition to the basic and diluted earnings per share, an adjusted earnings per share is also provided as it is considered more reflective of the Group's underlying trading performance. Adjusted earnings is profit after taxation before intangible asset amortisation and non-trading items (net of related tax). Number Number Number of Shares of Shares of Shares 30 June 30 June 31 Dec. 2007 2006 2006 000's 000's 000's Unaudited Unaudited Audited Basic weighted average number of shares 183,648 187,271 185,949 Impact of executive share options outstanding 713 760 715 _________ _________ ________ Diluted weighted average number of shares 184,361 188,031 186,664 _________ _________ _________ Actual number of shares in issue 174,321 184,560 184,762 _________ _________ _________ In the first half of 2007 the Company continued its share buy back programme, purchasing 10,841,400 A ordinary shares at a total cost of €232 million. All purchases conducted under the programme were in accordance with the Company's general authority to repurchase securities as approved at the 2007 and 2006 Annual General Meeting of the Company and in accordance with the Listing Rules of the Irish Stock Exchange and the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority. 4. Dividends Half year ended Half year ended Year ended 30 June 2007 30 June 2006 31 Dec. 2006 Unaudited Unaudited Audited €'000 €'000 €'000 Amounts recognised as distributions to equity shareholders in the period: Final 2006 dividend of 12.50 cent per A ordinary share paid 25 May 2007 (Final 2005 dividend: 11.00 cent per A ordinary share paid 26 May 2006) 23,144 20,597 20,597 Interim 2007 dividend of 6.10 cent per A ordinary share payable 23 November 2007 (Interim 2006 dividend: 5.50 cent per A ordinary share paid 24 November 2006) - - 10,160 ______________ _____________ ___________ 23,144 20,597 30,757 ______________ _____________ ___________ Since the end of the period, the Board has declared an interim dividend of 6.10 cent per share. The payment date for the interim dividend will be 23 November 2007 to shareholders registered on the record date 19 October 2007. These consolidated interim financial statements do not reflect this dividend payable. 5. Retirement benefits The Group's net defined benefit pension schemes' deficit which has been recognised in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, was as follows: 30 June 2007 30 June 2006 31 Dec. 2006 Unaudited Unaudited Audited €'000 €'000 €'000 Net deficit in plans before deferred tax at end of period (101,933) (178,561) (180,269) Net related deferred tax asset 42,764 57,386 58,122 ______________ _____________ ___________ Net deficit in plans after deferred tax at end of period (59,169) (121,175) (122,147) ______________ _____________ ___________ 6. Events after the balance sheet date Other than the approval of the interim dividend (see note 4 above) there have been no significant events, outside the ordinary course of business, affecting the Group since 30 June 2007. 7. Accounting policies and general information These unaudited consolidated interim financial statements for the half year ended 30 June 2007 have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies detailed in the 2006 Annual Report. These financial statements are not full financial statements and except where indicated are unaudited. Full consolidated financial statements to 31 December 2006 which received an unqualified audit report, have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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