Interim Results

Meikles Africa Ld 18 November 2003 MIEKLES AFRICA LIMITED UNAUDITED RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2003 Financial Highlights - Inflation Adjusted Financial Highlights - Historical Cost • Turnover of $183.4 billion, (2002 - $159.0 • Turnover of $126.5 billion, (2002 - $22.2 billion) billion) • Operating profit of $6.7 billion (2002 - • Operating profit of $19.3 billion, (2002 - $2.6 $18.3 billion) billion) • Exchange gains of $82.8 billion, (2002 - • Exchange gains of $59.5 billion, (2002 - $4.4 $31.8 billion) billion) • Attributable profit of $14.1 billion, (2002 • Attributable profit of $68.0 billion, (2002 - - $9.9 billion) $5.9 billion) • Headline loss per share - $77.16 (2002 - • Headline profit per share - $417.16 (2002 - $74.34 profit per share) $38.02) • Interim dividend - $25.00 (2002 - $4.50) • Interim dividend - $25.00 OPERATIONS Group Despite the challenging and rapidly changing economic environment, the Group has produced an impressive result for the first six months of the year. Turnover reflects a rising trend since the first quarter of the year, with year to date showing an increase in sales of 470% over the same period in the previous year, and well ahead of average inflation of 379%. The increase in inflation-adjusted turnover was 15%. Retail Gains have been made in market share. Official inflation reached 456% year on year, but with real interest rates remaining negative, the high consumption/low savings pattern was perpetuated. Retail demand remained strong and volumes held steady where stocks were readily available. A change in the sales mix, as a result of reduced availability of certain basic consumption goods, is reflected in improved margins. Increases in expenses have been contained as a percentage of turnover. Strategic acquisition of stock in most product lines will ensure that the retail operations will meet anticipated demand in the coming months. Hotels A large proportion of the Zimbabwe hotels' revenue is received in foreign currency and because of this, turnover and profits have increased. Meikles and Victoria Falls hotels experienced reduced occupancies against the same period in the previous year. Capital expenditure and overhead costs have been well controlled. The Cape Grace Hotel has had an average Cape 'low season' largely because of the strength of the Rand against the US Dollar and exacerbated by the fall in travel as a result of the Iraq war and the SARS virus scare. These factors have resulted in occupancies lower than those experienced in the exceptional winter season of 2002, although room rates have continued their upward trend. The average revenue per room remains substantially above major competitors and market share has been maintained. Finance The inflation adjusted Income Statement records a net monetary loss of $92.1 billion. This arises primarily from the Group's foreign currency assets, the value of which in Zimbabwe Dollar terms have diminished because the official exchange rate remains unchanged and therefore has not matched inflation. The majority of the foreign funds are deposited with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and are converted at the official rate of exchange. INTERIM DIVIDEND ANNOUNCEMENT On the 13th November 2003, the Board approved an interim dividend Number 68 of $25.00 per share on 163 056 652 shares payable to members registered in the books of the company at the close of business on 5th December 2003. The Transfer Books and Register of Members will be closed from 5th December 2003 to 14th December 2003. Dividend cheques will be mailed to shareholders on or about 15th December 2003. The dividends payable to non-resident shareholders will be paid in accordance with Exchange Control Regulations. Shareholders' withholding tax will be deducted where applicable. By order of the Board A P LANE-MITCHELL Company Secretary 13 November 2003 Enquiries: Meikles Africa Limited Tel: 002634 252 068 Andrew Lane-Mitchell College Hill Tel: 020 7457 2020 Corinna Dorward CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT For the six months ended 30 September 2003 INFLATION ADJUSTED HISTORICAL COST Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited (all amounts in millions of dollars) 6 months to 6 months to 6 months to 6 months to 30 Sept 2003 30 Sept 2002 30 Sept 2003 30 Sept 2002 Turnover 183,437 158,973 126,468 22,158 Cost of sales (142,722) (108,543) (82,938) (15,112) Gross Profit 40,715 50,430 43,530 7,046 Operating expenses (40,781) (36,261) (25,665) (4,627) Other income 1,939 1,443 1,422 191 Net operating monetary gain 4,833 2,734 - - Operating profit 6,706 18,346 19,287 2,610 Net interest (5,183) (3,415) (3,846) (495) Net exchange gain 82,798 31,792 59,541 4,422 Share of result of associate 6,108 1,289 3,260 Net monetary loss (92,130) (27,357) - - Profit/(loss) before taxation (1,701) 20,655 78,242 6,898 Taxation (9,564) (8,754) (8,082) (688) Profit/(loss) after taxation (11,265) 11,901 70,160 6,210 Minority interest (2,794) (2,017) (2,176) (292) Net profit/(loss) attributable to shareholders (14,059) 9,884 67,984 5,918 Basic earnings/(loss) per share ($) (86.37) 62.94 417.66 37.69 IIMR Headline earnings/(loss) per share ($) (77.16) 74.34 417.16 38.02 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES For the six months ended 30 September 2003 Net profit/(loss) for the year attributable to (14,059) 9.884 67,984 5,918 shareholders Net gains not recognised in the income statement - Increase in value of quoted investments 14,721 2,546 19,466 999 - Capital gains deferred tax (3,890) (1,101) (3,890) (198) - Fair value adjustment on associate (1,362) - Total recognised gains and losses (4,590) 11,329 83,560 6,719 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET At 30 September 2003 INFLATION ADJUSTED HISTORICAL COST Unaudited Audited Unaudited Audited at at at at 30 Sept 31 March 30 Sept 31 March 2003 2003 2003 2003 ASSETS Non-current assets 229,918 147,541 139,798 23,879 Current assets 214,406 226,078 192,767 75,754 Total assets 444,324 373,619 332,565 99,633 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Capital and reserves 230,344 227,495 148,919 56,957 Minority interest 6,960 5,650 1,116 486 Non-current liabilities 139,721 93,394 115,233 25,841 Current liabilities 67,299 47,080 67,297 16,349 Total equity and liabilities 444,324 373,619 332,565 99,633 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY For the six months ended 30 September 2003 INFLATION ADJUSTED -Unaudited Share Share Non- Retained Total Capital Premium Distributable Earnings and Reserves Shareholders for dividend Balance at 1 April 2003 1,557 110,638 42,617 72,683 227,495 Net loss attributable to shareholders - - - (14,059) (14,059) Net gains not recognised in income statement: - Increase in valuation of quoted investments - - - 10,831 10,831 - Fair value adjustment on associate - - - (1,362) (1,362) Cape Grace Hotel - - 12,865 - 12,865 Share options exercised - 20 - - 20 Dividend for 2003 - final - - - (5,446) (5,446) Balance at 30 September 2003 1,557 110,658 55,482 62,647 230,344 Balance at 1 April 2002 1,556 98,141 23,474 18,752 141,923 Net profit attributable to shareholders - - - 9,884 9,884 Net gains not recognised in income statement: - Increase in valuation of quoted investments - - - 1,445 1,445 Cape Grace Hotel - - 16,312 - 16,312 Share options exercised - 189 - - 189 Dividend for 2002 - final - - - (4,656) (4,656) Balance at 30 September 2002 1,556 98,330 39,786 25,425 165,097 HISTORICAL COST - Unaudited Share Share Non- Retained Total Capital Premium Distributable Earnings and Reserves Shareholders for dividend Balance at 1 April 2003 16 5,305 505 51,131 56,957 Net profit attributable to shareholders - - - 67,984 67,984 Net gains not recognised in income statement: -Increase in valuation of quoted investments - - - 15,576 15,576 Cape Grace Hotel - - 10,268 - 10,268 Share options exercised - 24 - - 24 Dividend for 2003 - final - - - (1,890) (1,890) 16 5,329 10,773 132,801 148,919 Balance at 30 September 2003 Balance at 1 April 2002 16 991 627 8,796 10,430 Net profit attributable to shareholders - - - 5,918 5,918 Net gains not recognised in income statement: -Increase in valuation of quoted investments - - - 801 801 Cape Grace Hotel - - 2,270 - 2,270 Share options exercised - 27 - - 27 Dividend for 2002 - final - - - (492) (492) Balance at 30 September 2002 16 1,018 2,897 15,023 18,954 CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the six months ended 30 September 2003 INFLATION ADJUSTED HISTORICAL COST Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited 6 months to 6 months to 6 months to 6 months to 30 Sept 30 Sept 30 Sept 30 Sept 2003 2002 2003 2002 Cash flows from operating activities Profit before taxation (1,701) 20,655 78,242 6,898 Adjustment for: Non-operating cash flow (77,458) (28,802) (55,994) (4,035) Non-cash items 11,896 8,138 8,343 1,432 Operating cash flow before working capital changes (67,263) (9) 30,591 4,295 Generated from /(used in) working capital changes (8,819) 12,023 (13,176) (892) Operating cash flow (76,082) 12,014 17,415 3,403 Income tax paid (10,144) (2,743) (2,474) (101) Net cash generated from/( used in) operating (86,226) 9,271 14,941 3,302 activities Net cash used in investing activities (3,464) (1,416) (2,470) (255) Net cash used in financing activities (21,041) (31,474) (1,178) (1,226) Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 82,798 31,792 59,541 4,422 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash (27,933) 8,173 70,834 6,243 equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2003 151,311 64,389 52,544 6,817 Cash and cash equivalents at 30 September 2003 123,378 72,562 123,378 13,060 SEGMENT INFORMATION Turnover Hotel 20,728 17,101 14,425 2,430 Supermarkets 130,072 114,309 89,248 15,897 Retail 32,637 27,563 22,795 3,831 183,437 158,973 126,468 22,158 Operating profit Hotel (1,931) 2,337 684 447 Supermarkets 6,458 12,353 11,620 1,460 Retail 4,189 6,244 7,196 668 Corporate and other (2,010) (2,588) (213) 35 6,706 18,346 19,287 2,610 Total assets Hotel 162,604 108,492 125,768 13,882 Supermarkets 67,407 59,016 43,376 6,624 Retail 78,582 53,338 46,118 6,476 Corporate and other 135,731 69,006 117,303 10,434 444,324 289,852 332,565 37,416 SUPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Capital expenditure 9,062 4,339 5,275 632 Depreciation 3,972 2,439 1,413 232 Accounting policies The accounting policies are the same as those used in preparing the 31st March 2003 annual financial statements. Note to inflation adjusted financial statements The consumer price indices used to restate the financial statements at 30 September 2003 are as follows: 30 September 2002 2,357.7 31 March 2003 4,548.9 30 September 2003 13,099.4 For further information contact either: Zimbabwe Christopher Parvin +263-4-252068-78 Roy Franklin +263-4-252068-78 United Kingdom Corinna Dorward +44-20-7-4572020 Directors: JRT Moxon (Chairman), ACL Parvin (Chief Executive) DE Stephens, MA Masunda, M Wilson Website address http://www.meiklesafrica.co.zw This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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