Interim Results

M. P. EVANS GROUP PLC Interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2005 "Encouraging progress since completion of merger" * Profit before taxation £3,332,000 (2004 £5,214,000) reflecting lower palm-oil prices and weaker US Dollar - 2005 included exceptional merger costs of £625,000 * Introduction of interim dividend payment - 2p per share; minimum of a further 4p anticipated to be paid as the final dividend * Strong balance sheet * Implementation of Group's new strategy in line with expectations o Sale of Sungei Reyla and Lendu Estates expected to go unconditional before year end - total selling price approximately £8.4 million o Strategic sale of remaining Malaysian estates under way o 12,000-hectare palm-oil project on Bangka Island developing as planned with first plantings expected in 2006 o Search continues for 30,000 to 40,000 hectares of land suitable for palm-oil development in Indonesia and further beef-cattle investments in Australia * Continuing strong demand for edible oil in emerging markets - China and India * High mineral oil prices continue to encourage use of vegetable oil for bio-fuels * Strong demand for beef and continuing buoyant prices since June rainfall in Australia Commenting on the results, Richard Robinow, chairman of M.P. Evans Group PLC, said: "I am delighted to be reporting on the first results since the completion of the merger in February. Although our results are lower than last year, palm-oil prices in early 2004 were unusually strong. Prevailing prices so far this year still provide a healthy return to the efficient producer. Our strategy is on track to expand our interests in Indonesian palm oil and Australian beef cattle." Enquiries: M. P. Evans Group PLC Telephone 020 7796 4133 on 26 September only. Thereafter telephone 01892 516333 Peter Hadsley-Chaplin Joint managing director Philip Fletcher Joint managing director Hudson Sandler Noémie de Andia Elisabeth Young An analysts' meeting will be held today at 9:30 a.m. at the offices of Hudson Sandler, 29 Cloth Fair, London EC1A 7NN Review of operations The board is pleased to present the first set of results to shareholders since the completion of the merger in February 2005. The profit before taxation of £3,332,000 for the first half of 2005 was lower than the £5,214,000 relating to the same period in 2004 as a result, primarily, of lower palm oil prices and the weakness of the US Dollar. 2005 included exceptional re-organisation costs of £625,000. The Group generated operating cash flows of £3,901,000 (2004 £3,219,000). The board proposes, for the first time, to pay an interim dividend of 2p per share. In accordance with UK accounting rules, Bertam Holdings PLC ("BH") is now included on a merger-accounting basis, with the result that the 30 June 2004 and 31 December 2004 comparative figures have been restated as if BH had been a wholly-owned subsidiary throughout these periods. Lendu Holdings PLC has been included on an acquisition-accounting basis with the result that it is included in the Group accounts from the date of the merger. REVIEW OF THE PERIOD The palm oil market After a sharp rise in early 2005 when palm oil briefly reached over US$450 per tonne, the price has gradually eased back since then towards the US$400 level. The average for the first half was US$415 compared with US$510 last year. World palm oil production, demand and stocks have all been on an upward trend as has generally been the case with the other major vegetable oils. As always, it is difficult to predict future palm oil prices, depending as it does upon the levels of production and demand within the complex worldwide vegetable oil market. However, the fundamentals appear to be encouraging with the current strength of the mineral oil price making the use of vegetable oil (including palm oil) for bio-fuels, used as an additive to conventional petrol and diesel, more and more attractive. Meanwhile, continuing strong demand remains for edible oil in the emerging markets of China and India, as well as more established markets in Europe. The beef-cattle market The Australian cattle market opened the year at levels similar to those prevailing in the latter part of 2004. By April it was apparent that the usual wet season in the northern part of Australia had failed to materialise and prices eased lower in response to the ensuing drought as large numbers of cattle were put up for sale. However, this decline was tempered by the fact that demand for beef both domestically and from the US and Japan remained strong. Demand for Australian beef was further underpinned by the continuation of the ban on US beef imports into Japan as a result of BSE concerns. Unusual rainfall in large areas of eastern Australia in late June led to a substantial recovery in cattle prices and this strength has persisted. Exchange rates Sterling was generally strong during the first half of 2005. The Group's Indonesian net earnings benefited from the weakness of the Rupiah against the US Dollar but this was more than offset by the effect of the US Dollar's weakness against Sterling. Since the half year, Sterling has weakened, and the Rupiah has further weakened, against the US Dollar, both of which factors are beneficial to the Group. Sterling also strengthened during the period against the Malaysian Ringgit which had a negative impact on the Group's net earnings. Until July 2005 the Malaysian Ringgit was fixed against the US Dollar at US$1 = RM3.80. Since then it has been allowed to float on a managed basis but there has been little significant movement from this fixed level. The exception to the general strength of Sterling has been the Australian Dollar which gradually strengthened, benefiting the Group's Australian earnings in Sterling terms. Details of exchange rates are set out in note 8. Results for the period Trading profit Indonesia and Malaysia Production, crop and selling-price details were as follows:- 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2005 2004 2004 Tonnes Tonnes Tonnes 1) Crops - oil palm fresh fruit bunches ("f.f.b.") Group estates Indonesia 73,100 71,100 160,100 Malaysia 34,100 28,100 68,100 ------ ------ ------ Associated-company estates Indonesia 150,100 151,400 320,100 Malaysia 8,000 6,800 15,200 ------ ------ ------ 2) Production - Indonesia Crude palm oil Group estates 11,100 - - Associated-company estates 32,300 35,300 72,200 ------ ------ ------ Palm kernels Group estates 2,500 - - Associated-company estates 7,300 8,400 16,800 ------ ------ ------ 3) Selling prices Palm oil Rotterdam cif - average per tonne US$415 US$510 US$475 Pangkatan sales fob - average per kg Rp3,300 - - ------ ------ ------ The majority-owned estates reported lower earnings than for the same period last year. Although f.f.b. crops were similar in Indonesia, they were, as expected, markedly higher in Malaysia but the most significant factor during the period was lower average palm oil prices. The palm oil mill was successfully commissioned on Pangkatan Estate in January 2005 and since then has been processing the f.f.b. from Pangkatan, Bilah and Sennah Estates. Palm oil and kernels have been sold by tender on a regular basis and, in order to achieve this, working stocks are held on site ready for such sales. Since this is the first period in which such stocks, amounting to approximately 680 tonnes of oil and 150 of kernels, have been built up, not all of the production was sold during the period. The period under review is therefore not comparable with the same period last year. Australia The results of the Group's cattle property, Woodlands, have been brought into the Group's results for the first time following the February 2005 merger. During the year, some 1,100 head of cattle were sold but there was a delay in replacing them because of the extreme and prolonged drought. However, since then, as referred to above under "The beef- cattle market", welcome rains have been received which has not only brought on the renovated pastures and the forage crops but also allowed the herd to be built up again. It is currently standing at approximately 2,100 head. Before the merger, the Australian cattle activities on Woodlands and the cotton and cattle activities on Gubbagunyah, Oonavale and Warendi were owned by the Lendu Holdings PLC group which was an associated company of Rowe Evans Investments PLC (now M. P. Evans Group PLC). Accordingly, up to the date of the merger, the results of Lendu Holdings PLC were equity accounted and the comparative figures in this report reflect that. The cotton farms, Gubbagunyah, Oonavale and Warendi, were sold in September 2004. As a result of all of the above, the Group gross profit for the first half of 2005 amounted to £2,409,000, compared with £3,229,000 for the same period in 2004. Other administrative expenses Administrative expenses for the period were higher than for the same period in 2004, as restated for the merger. This related primarily to the legal costs associated with the continuing court case in Indonesia, the provision for potential national insurance on unexercised share options and the inclusion for the first time of administrative costs from the Australian operations. However, this higher cost was offset by the amortisation of negative goodwill which has arisen from both the merger with Lendu Holdings PLC and the acquisition of shares in The North Australian Pastoral Company Pty Limited. In both of these cases, the Group's acquisition cost was exceeded by the fair value of the net assets on the balance sheets of the companies being acquired, thus giving rise to negative goodwill. Associated companies Indonesia The Group's share of its Indonesian associated companies' results for the period, compared with the first half of 2004 and the whole of 2004, are set out below:- 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2005 2004 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 PT Agro Muko (31.53%) 743 1,341 2,622 PT Kerasaan Indonesia (36%) 306 349 714 ------ ------ ------ 1,049 1,690 3,336 ------ ------ ------ PT Agro Muko suffered an unexpected downturn in its f.f.b. crop in the first half although the crop in the second half is expected to improve significantly. As a result of this, combined with the weaker palm oil price, referred to above, the Group's share of PT Agro Muko's profit before tax was lower than in the first half of 2004. The rubber crop was in line with expectations and, as a result of robust prices, increased its contribution to profit. PT Kerasaan Indonesia improved its f.f.b. crop over the previous year. As a result of the palm oil price, as referred to above, the Group's share of its profit before tax was some 12% lower than in the same period last year. Malaysia The Group's share of its Malaysian associated companies' results for the period, compared with the first half of 2004 and the whole of 2004 (both as restated for the merger), are set out below:- 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2005 2004, 2004, as restated as restated £'000 £'000 £'000 Bertam Properties Sdn. Berhad (40%) 84 124 1,211 Kennedy Burkill & Co. Berhad (20%) 79 37 212 Asia Green Environmental Sdn. Berhad (30%) (23) 4 25 ------ ------ ------ 140 165 1,448 ------ ------ ------ Bertam Properties Sdn. Berhad's results reflect the continuing relatively lacklustre nature of the Malaysian property sector as a whole. However, the value of raw land remains strong as evidenced by the recent sale of a 9-hectare parcel of land in the prime part of the project area for a total price of RM7.5 million, equivalent to RM7.50 per square foot. Kennedy, Burkill & Co. Berhad's results were lifted by a one-off profitable disposal of investments. Asia Green Environmental Sdn. Berhad incurred a small loss for the period but a number of sales of its compost-processing equipment are expected to be concluded in the second half. The board has agreed to sell the Group's 30% share of the company as, in the light of the new strategy, this is not regarded as a core part of the Group's future activities. Australia The Group's share of its Australian associated companies' results for the period, compared with the first half of 2004 and the whole of 2004 (both as restated for the merger), are set out below:- 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2005 2004, 2004, as restated as restated £'000 £'000 £'000 The North Australian Pastoral Company Pty Limited ("NAPCo") (27.92%) 843 - - Lendu Holdings PLC (38.74%) - (40) (182) ------ ------ ------ 843 (40) (182) ------ ------ ------ The inclusion of Lendu Holdings PLC after the merger was on the basis of acquisition accounting so that its results and those of its associated company, NAPCo, are only brought into account in the current period. In prior periods, Lendu Holdings PLC was treated as an associated company and equity accounted. NAPCo The Group's share of NAPCo's profit before taxation, amounting to £843,000, was directly influenced by the unseasonal weather pattern described under "The beef-cattle market" above. The drought in the first part of the year caused an unusually high number of cattle - some 12,000 - to be sold prematurely. This naturally had a positive short- term influence on cash-flow generation but will, correspondingly, reduce cash flows in the second half of 2005 and in 2006. However, the Company will benefit from the buoyant prices experienced since the welcome June rainfall. As a result of all of the foregoing the Group's share of operating profits in associates before tax amounted to £2,032,000, compared with £1,815,000 in the same period in 2004 and £4,602,000 for the whole of 2004. STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS Implementation of the Group's new strategy continues in line with expectation. The relevant local Malaysian approvals with regard to the sale of both Sungei Reyla and Lendu Estates for a total price of approximately £8.4 million at the current rate of exchange are still expected to be received by the year end. Perhentian Tinggi Estate is now being actively marketed for sale and this has generated some significant interest, although so far no firm offers have been received. Encouraging progress has been achieved on the new 12,000-hectare oil palm project on Bangka Island, Indonesia. The investment vehicle for this project, PT Gunung Pelawan Lestari (90% owned), has now been granted the relevant foreign-status (PMA) approval by BKPM (the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board). The intention remains to plant 4,000 hectares per annum, commencing with the first planting in 2006. There are now some 540,000 established seedlings in the nursery out of the 800,000 total required for the 2006 planting. Clearing work has been started on the project site. The search continues for a further 30,000 to 40,000 hectares of land suitable for oil-palm development in Indonesia, with the most likely area in question being Kalimantan. In addition, suitable further investments in the Australian beef-cattle sector continue to be sought. SENNAH ESTATE LAWSUIT Following the successful appeal by the Group in the Medan High Court in early 2005, DR H Rahmat Shah has lodged an appeal in the Supreme Court in Jakarta. The Group continues to contest this appeal vigorously. AHAMAD MOHAMAD Shareholders will no doubt wish to join the board in paying tribute to Ahamad Mohamad who has recently stepped down from the board following the sale of the remaining shares owned by Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad ("Kulim"). Johor Corporation, of which Kulim is a subsidiary, has held a significant shareholding in the M. P. Evans grouping of companies (as the pre-merger, crossholding structure used to be known) since the late 1970's and has ever since been represented on the respective boards. Ahamad Mohamad has represented Johor Corporation's interests as a director since 1998. We are grateful to him for all his wise counsel in matters pertaining not only to Malaysian plantations and property development but also to new investment in the Indonesian plantation sector. We wish him well in the future. PROSPECTS AND DIVIDEND Whilst f.f.b. crops are anticipated to be similar to, if not higher than, last year, the contribution to profits for 2005 from the plantation activities is expected to be lower than 2004 in view of the lower average palm oil price now likely to be achieved for the whole year. However, the overall Group results will also be affected by other factors including, most importantly, the Australian beef-cattle market and the question of whether conditions relating to the Malaysian estate sales are satisfied before the end of the year. The board continues to be optimistic about the prospects for palm oil and beef cattle in both the short and longer term. As foreshadowed in the merger documentation, it is the board's intention at least to maintain last year's 6p per share dividend. Barring unforeseen circumstances, it is therefore the intention to pay, in addition to the 2p interim dividend referred to above, a final dividend of at least 4p per share. CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT For the six months ended 30 June 2005 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2005 2004, 2004, as restated as restated £'000 £'000 £'000 Turnover* 5,842 6,622 12,911 Cost of sales (3,433) (3,393) (6,602) ------ ------ ------ Gross profit 2,409 3,229 6,309 ------ ------ ------ Foreign-exchange (losses)/gains (16) 214 177 Other administrative expenses (527) (593) (1,464) ------ ------ ------ Total administrative expenses (543) (379) (1,287) ------ ------ ------ Profit on sale of property - 84 202 ------ ------ ------ Group operating profit * 1,866 2,934 5,224 Share of operating profit in associates 2,032 1,815 4,602 ------ ------ ------ Total operating profit 3,898 4,749 9,826 Exceptional items (note 3) (625) 248 513 ------ ------ ------ Profit on ordinary activities before interest 3,273 4,997 10,339 Interest receivable and similar income 200 217 530 Interest payable (141) - (7) ------ ------ ------ Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 3,332 5,214 10,862 Tax on profit on ordinary activities (1,228) (1,638) (3,714) ------ ------ ------ Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 2,104 3,576 7,148 Equity minority interests (208) (400) (724) ------ ------ ------ Profit on ordinary activities attributable to the members of M.P. Evans Group PLC 1,896 3,176 6,424 Equity dividend (4) - (3,030) ------ ------ ------ Profit retained for the financial period 1,892 3,176 3,394 ------ ------ ------ Basic earnings per 10p share 3.75p 6.67p 13.49p ------ ------ ------ Diluted earnings per 10p share 3.63p 6.44p 13.03p ------ ------ ------ * All operations are classed as continuing. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET At 30 June 2005 30 June 30 June 31 December 2005 2004, 2004, as restated as restated £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Intangible assets- negative goodwill (8,547) - - Tangible assets 36,604 31,164 31,565 Investments 36,582 16,509 19,646 ------ ------ ------ 64,639 47,673 51,211 ------ ------ ------ Current assets Stocks 1,052 509 666 Debtors 3,285 6,707 3,866 Investments 6,568 2,148 4,633 Cash at bank and in hand 1,546 5,967 6,752 ------ ------ ------ 12,451 15,331 15,917 ------ ------ ------ Creditors - amounts falling due within one year Bank loans and overdrafts 2,379 - 518 Trade creditors 1,444 724 801 Amounts owed to associated undertakings 124 75 93 Other creditors including taxation and social security 2,379 1,041 1,127 Equity dividend proposed - - 3,030 ------ ------ ------ 6,326 1,840 5,569 ------ ------ ------ Net current assets 6,125 13,491 10,348 ------ ------ ------ Total assets less current liabilities 70,764 61,164 61,559 Creditors - amounts falling due after one year (833) (155) (1,183) Provision for liabilities and charges (727) (676) (729) Equity minority interests (2,998) (2,867) (2,843) ------ ------ ------ 66,206 57,466 56,804 ------ ------ ------ Capital and reserves Called-up share capital 5,060 4,762 4,762 Share premium account 10,920 5,851 5,851 Revaluation reserve 19,852 18,838 17,646 Capital redemption reserve 2,139 2,139 2,139 Merger reserve (4,834) (5,265) (5,265) Share of associated companies' reserves 2,857 4,209 5,823 Profit and loss account 30,212 26,932 25,848 ------ ------ ------ Total equity shareholders' funds 66,206 57,466 56,804 ------ ------ ------ CONSOLIDATED CASH-FLOW STATEMENT For the six months ended 30 June 2005 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2005 2004, 2004, as restated as restated £'000 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 3,901 3,219 8,618 Dividends from associated undertakings 361 704 2,268 Returns on investments and servicing of finance (note 6) (68) 12 125 Taxation (note 6) (1,225) (1,140) (2,226) Capital expenditure and financial investment (note 6) (1,026) (1,008) (4,593) Acquisitions (note 6) (4,102) - - Equity dividend paid (3,034) (2,194) (2,168) ------ ------ ------ Net cash (outflow)/inflow before management of liquid resources and financing (5,193) (407) 2,024 Management of liquid resources (Increase)/decrease in short-term deposits (1,727) 711 1,019 Financing (note 6) (205) - 1,555 ------ ------ ------ (Decrease)/increase in cash (7,125) 304 4,598 ------ ------ ------ Reconciliation of total operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities Total operating profit 3,898 4,749 9,826 Exchange differences 328 (736) (205) Depreciation and amortisation of negative goodwill (150) 206 389 Gain on sale of tangible fixed assets - property - (84) (202) Share of associated undertakings' operating profits (2,032) (1,815) (4,602) (Increase)/decrease in stocks (139) 475 239 Decrease in debtors 883 324 2,675 Increase in creditors 1,113 100 498 ------ ------ ------ Net cash inflow from operating activities 3,901 3,219 8,618 ------ ------ ------ NOTES 1. Statutory information The financial information for the six-month periods ended 30 June 2005 and 2004 has been neither audited nor reviewed by the Group's auditors and does not constitute accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2004 is abridged from the statutory accounts and restated in accordance with the requirements of merger accounting. The 31 December 2004 statutory accounts have been reported on by the Group's auditors, Deloitte & Touche LLP, and have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors thereon was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. 2. Accounting policies These interim accounts have been prepared on the basis of accounting policies as set out in the annual financial statements at 31 December 2004 other than as noted below. Merger accounting Merger-accounting principles have been applied to the merger of M. P. Evans Group PLC with Bertam Holdings PLC. Under these principles, the results and cash flows of these groups are combined from the beginning of the comparative period. Profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash- flow comparatives have been restated on the combined basis. Acquisition of Lendu Holdings PLC In accordance with FRS2, goodwill arising on the acquisition of Lendu Holdings PLC has been calculated on a piecemeal basis. The Companies Act 1985 requires that the calculation of goodwill is performed once, at the date that control passes. The directors consider that, as the one- stage process would result in reclassifying the Group's share of Lendu Holdings PLC's profits and reserve movements to goodwill, the one-stage process would not give a true and fair view, and that it is necessary to adopt the FRS2 approach to give a true and fair view. If this departure from the Act had not been made, the negative goodwill arising on the acquisition of Lendu Holdings PLC would have been increased by £431,000. Intangible assets - goodwill Goodwill arising on the acquisition of a business, representing the excess of the fair value of the consideration given over the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, is capitalised and written off on a straight line basis over its useful economic life. Provision is made for any impairment. Negative goodwill is similarly included in the balance sheet and is credited to the profit and loss account in the periods in which the acquired non-monetary assets are recovered through usage or sale. 3. Exceptional items 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2005 2004, 2004, as restated as restated £'000 £'000 £'000 Profit on sale of tangible fixed assets - 241 394 Re-organisation expenses (625) - - Share of associated undertakings' exceptional items Gain on sale of tangible fixed assets - 7 119 ------ ------ ------ (625) 248 513 ------ ------ ------ 4. Equity dividends 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2005 2004, 2004, as restated as restated £'000 £'000 £'000 Final dividend paid - 6p per 10p share - - (3,030) 2004 final dividend not declared but paid (4) - - ------ ------ ------ (4) - (3,030) ------ ------ ------ Subsequent to 30 June 2005, the board has declared an interim dividend of 2p per 10p share. The dividend will be paid on or after 4 November 2005 to those shareholders on the register at the close of business on 7 October 2005. 5. Reconciliation of movements in shareholders' funds 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2005 2004, 2004, as restated as restated £'000 £'000 £'000 Profit attributable to members of the Company 1,896 3,176 6,424 Equity dividend (4) - (3,030) ------ ------ ------ 1,892 3,176 3,394 Other recognised gains and losses relating to the period 2,143 (1,657) (2,537) Issue of shares 5,367 - - ------ ------ ------ Net addition to equity shareholders' funds 9,402 1,519 857 Opening equity shareholders' funds 56,804 55,947 55,947 ------ ------ ------ Closing equity shareholders' funds 66,206 57,466 56,804 ------ ------ ------ 6. Analysis of movements in cash flow 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2005 2004, 2004, as restated as restated £'000 £'000 £'000 Returns on investments and servicing of finance Other dividends received - - 72 Interest received 200 217 459 Interest paid (141) - (7) Dividends paid to minorities (127) (205) (399) ------ ------ ------ Net cash (outflows)/inflows from returns on investments and servicing of finance (68) 12 125 ------ ------ ------ Taxation Corporation tax paid (1,225) (1,140) (2,226) ------ ------ ------ Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (1,085) (1,371) (3,091) Sale of tangible fixed assets 59 64 591 Purchase of fixed-asset investments - (16) (2,152) Sale of fixed-asset investments - 315 59 ------ ------ ------ Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and financial investment (1,026) (1,008) (4,593) ------ ------ ------ Acquisitions Re-organisation expenses (625) - - Net overdraft acquired with subsidiary undertaking (1,722) - - Investment in associated undertaking (1,755) - - ------ ------ ------ (4,102) - - ------ ------ ------ Financing New loan - - 1,555 Repayment of loan (205) - - ------ ------ ------ (205) - 1,555 ------ ------ ------ 7. Reconciliation of net cash flow and movement in net funds 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2005 2004, 2004, as restated as restated £'000 £'000 £'000 (Decrease)/increase in cash in the period (7,125) 304 4,598 Increase/(decrease) in liquid resources 1,727 (711) (1,019) Movements in loans 205 - (1,555) Exchange differences 265 (32) (749) ------ ------ ------ Movements in net funds (4,928) (439) 1,275 Net funds at 1 January 9,830 8,555 8,555 ------ ------ ------ Net funds at 30 June/31 December 4,902 8,116 9,830 ------ ------ ------ 8. Exchange rates 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2005 2004, 2004, as restated as restated £'000 £'000 £'000 £1 = Indonesian Rupiah - average 17,640 15,922 16,385 - period end 17,494 17,053 17,925 US$1 = Indonesian Rupiah - average 9,420 8,748 8,953 - period end 9,760 9,420 9,336 £1 = US$ - average 1.87 1.82 1.83 - period end 1.79 1.81 1.92 £1 = Malaysian Ringgit - average 7.12 6.92 6.96 - period end 6.81 6.89 7.30 £1 = Australian Dollar - average 2.47 2.47 2.49 - period end 2.35 2.60 2.47 9. Distribution The interim report for the six-month period ended 30 June 2005 will be despatched to shareholders on 26 September 2005 and copies thereof will be available from the Company, 3 Clanricarde Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1HQ on and after 26 September 2005. By order of the board J F Elliott Secretary 26 September 2005
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