Interim Results

National Grid PLC 16 November 2006 Embargoed until 7:00am 16 November 2006 National Grid plc Results for the six months ended 30 September 2006 HIGHLIGHTS â€¢ Good first half performance â€¢ Profit before tax and earnings both up 12% â€¢ Interim dividend up 7% â€¢ Well positioned for growth â€¢ Capital investment in existing businesses up 30% â€¢ Acquisition of Rhode Island gas distribution assets completed â€¢ Significant progress towards completion of the agreed acquisition of KeySpan â€¢ Comprehensive strategic review completed â€¢ Focus on electricity and gas markets in the UK and US â€¢ Exit from Wireless infrastructure and Basslink â€¢ Share buy-back utilising $1.9bn US stranded asset cash flow FINANCIAL RESULTS Six months ended 30 September (Â£million except where indicated) 2006 2005 % change -------------------------------- ---------- --------- --------- Business performance Note A Operating profit - actual exchange rate 1,125 1,091 3 Operating profit - constant currency basis Note B 1,125 1,088 3 Pre-tax profit 872 776 12 Earnings 591 528 12 Earnings per share 21.7p 17.9p 21 -------------------------------- ---------- --------- --------- Statutory results Operating profit from continuing operations 1,157 1,044 11 Pre-tax profit from continuing operations 826 736 12 Earnings from continuing operations 594 499 19 Earnings per share from continuing operations 21.8p 16.9p 29 -------------------------------- ---------- --------- --------- Dividend per share 10.9p 10.2p 7 -------------------------------- ---------- --------- --------- Sir John Parker, Chairman, said: 'Over the last five years National Grid has consistently delivered good results and today's announcement is no exception - this performance is to the credit of our employees, our management and the leadership of Roger Urwin. Roger has an outstanding track record, having led National Grid through transformational change, and leaves our business in very good shape. 'National Grid is now entering the next stage of its development. We continue to invest heavily in our businesses. We have made significant progress towards completion of the KeySpan acquisition. We have reviewed and refocused our strategy. These developments reinforce our confidence in delivering continued good results and sustained growth.' -------------------------- Note A: Business performance results are the primary financial performance measure used by National Grid, being the results for continuing operations before exceptional items and remeasurements. Remeasurements are non-cash movements in the carrying value of financial instruments and of certain commodity contracts that arise from changes in mark-to-market values or in exchange rates and are reflected in the income statement to the extent that hedge accounting is not achieved or is not fully effective. Further details are provided in Note 3. A reconciliation of Business performance to Statutory results is provided in the Condensed Group Income Statement. Note B: 'Constant currency basis' refers to the reporting of the actual results against the prior period results which, in respect of any US$ currency denominated activity, have been translated using the average US$ exchange rate for the six months ended 30 September 2006, which was $1.86 to Â£1.00. The average rate for the six months ended 30 September 2005 was $1.85 to Â£1.00. OPERATING REVIEW Over the last six months we have delivered a good performance driven by our UK transmission and US electricity and gas distribution businesses. We have also made significant progress in positioning National Grid for continued growth. Organic investment has increased by 30% this period to Â£1.1bn and we continue to project organic investment of around Â£2.5bn per year over the medium term. In August, we announced the completion of our $575m acquisition of the Rhode Island assets of New England Gas. This has added 245,000 natural gas customers to our business and is expected to make a positive contribution to earnings this year. We have made significant progress towards completion of the agreed acquisition of KeySpan. We have achieved several important milestones: clearances from the Federal Trade Commission in respect of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, approval from the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the FERC) and approvals from both National Grid and KeySpan shareholders. We have also made filings with the state public utility regulatory commissions in New York and New Hampshire. The process of reviewing these filings is underway and we are on track to complete the transaction in mid 2007. In the UK we are currently in discussion with Ofgem on regulatory price controls for our gas and electricity businesses; in particular, in September we received Ofgem's updated proposals for the Transmission Price Control Review for the five years to March 2012. Progress has been made in some key areas since Ofgem published its initial proposals in June, but, as we have previously stated, we need to make further progress if the outcome is to be acceptable. We continue to work closely with Ofgem ahead of the publication of its final proposals in early December 2006. OUR STRATEGY National Grid is now entering the next stage of its development. The completion of the KeySpan acquisition will take us a further step by virtually doubling the size of our US business. To take full advantage of both the changes in the scale and profile of National Grid's operations and the opportunities ahead, we have conducted a thorough strategic review of our business and the external environment in which we operate. We will continue to drive shareholder value with a simple and highly focused strategy. We will â€¢ Focus on the electricity and gas sector â€¢ Focus on our priority markets in the UK and US â€¢ Continue to focus on ownership and operation of large scale asset-intensive businesses We will drive performance and value by fully integrating our operations, deploying best practice and common processes across the organisation and strengthening our financial discipline. We will continue to focus on the provision of a safe, reliable, efficient and responsible service to our customers. LOOKING AHEAD In the UK electricity and gas market we see significant opportunities for growth. The decline of North Sea gas production, the UK Government's renewable energy policy and the need for asset replacement are driving investment in this area. As a result, we are increasing our capital expenditure substantially and over the five years to March 2011 expect to invest around Â£9bn in this market. Over this period, our UK regulatory asset base is projected to grow by almost 40%. We believe that the US electricity and gas market has significant growth potential for National Grid through continuing consolidation and major investment requirements, driven by demand growth, population moves and the need for increased reliability. In the northeast we see opportunities for organic growth through gas customer additions and network extensions, and asset replacement for both electricity and gas networks, and over the five years to March 2011 we are projecting capital investment of around Â£2bn in our existing businesses in the northeast US. In addition to growth through investment, we continue to target growth through improving operational performance in our existing electricity and gas businesses. Earlier this year we reached our target of reducing controllable costs in UK gas distribution by 35% in real terms since March 2002, and last year we announced that we had reduced controllable costs in US distribution by 20% in real terms since March 2002. There is more to do and we will continue to seek further opportunities to operate our businesses more efficiently. To unlock further value, we are reorganising our activities around global lines of business for Transmission, Gas Distribution, Electricity Distribution and Generation, and Non-regulated businesses. The management team for this new operating model is substantially in place and we will begin reporting along these business lines from 1 April 2007. Within each line of business we will deploy proven processes, common systems and best practices, while at a global level we will rigorously apply common operating principles, safety and environmental standards, and support processes and systems across all our businesses. Given our focus on UK and US electricity and gas markets, today we are announcing our plans to demerge our Wireless infrastructure business and to sell Basslink, our electricity interconnector in Australia. Following completion of the acquisition of KeySpan, National Grid will have a more efficient capital structure. Going forward the financing of our businesses will be consistent with maintaining an efficient balance sheet. We will not hold surplus cash, either through surplus assets or an under-geared balance sheet, but will return this to shareholders. We believe that these plans will further enhance value and position the business to continue to deliver strong growth for shareholders. DIVIDEND AND SHARE BUY-BACK The Board has approved an interim dividend of 10.9p per ordinary share ($1.0279 per American Depository Share (ADS)), representing a 7% increase in sterling in the half-year dividend. The interim dividend is to be paid on 24 January 2007 to shareholders on the register as at 1 December 2006. We maintain our aim to increase dividends per ordinary share expressed in sterling by 7% in each financial year through to 31 March 2008. Under our US rate plans, cash flows from stranded assets are scheduled to end in 2011 and so do not form part of our dividend policy. We are today announcing a share buy-back programme that will return this cash - currently estimated to be around $1.9bn - to shareholders as it arises. FINANCIAL RESULTS PRESENTATION Unless otherwise stated, all financial commentaries are given on a business performance basis. Business performance represents the results for continuing operations before exceptional items and certain non-cash mark-to-market remeasurements of commodity contracts and financial instruments that are held for economic hedging purposes but did not achieve hedge accounting. Commentary provided in respect of results after exceptional items and certain non-cash mark-to-market remeasurements is described as 'statutory'. REVIEW OF RESULTS Revenue from continuing activities for the period was Â£4.2bn, up Â£0.3bn. Operating profit was higher than the prior period at Â£1,125m, up Â£37m on a constant currency basis. This was primarily driven by strong results in our UK transmission and US electricity and gas distribution segments, which were partially offset by lower operating profit in UK gas distribution and the expected decline in US stranded cost recoveries. Net finance costs decreased 20% from Â£317m to Â£255m, mainly as a result of favourable short-term cash investments and an increased pension credit. The effective interest rate for the period was 5.5%. Profit before tax was up 12% to Â£872m from Â£776m. The tax charge on profit for the period was Â£279m, Â£33m higher than the prior period due to increased profit before tax. The effective tax rate for the period was 32%. Earnings increased 12% on the prior period to Â£591m from Â£528m. Earnings per share increased 21% from 17.9p last year to 21.7p, reflecting the period-on-period impact of share consolidation following the return of Â£2bn to shareholders in August 2005. Exceptional items and remeasurements for continuing operations increased earnings by Â£3m after tax. These comprised restructuring costs of Â£16m (Â£11m after tax), commodity remeasurement gains of Â£36m (Â£22m after tax) and a net financial instrument remeasurement impact of Â£66m (Â£8m after tax). After these items and minority interests, statutory earnings for continuing operations attributable to shareholders were Â£594m. Statutory basic earnings per share from continuing operations increased 29% to 21.8p, up from 16.9p in the prior period. National Grid's operating cash flows from continuing operations were Â£70m higher than the prior period, at Â£1,382m. Organic investment increased by 30% to Â£1.1bn, primarily due to increased capital expenditure on new UK gas transmission infrastructure. Our net debt rose to Â£11.7bn at 30 September 2006 compared with Â£10.9bn at 31 March 2006, mainly due to the increased level of capital spend and the acquisition of the Rhode Island assets of New England Gas. REVIEW OF OPERATIONS TRANSMISSION Six months ended 30 September Operating profit (Â£m) 2006 2005 % change ---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- UK electricity transmission 298 275 8 UK gas transmission 77 86 (10) Other * 52 36 44 UK electricity and gas transmission 427 397 8 ---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- US electricity transmission - actual exchange rate 67 68 (1) - constant currency basis 67 68 (1) ---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- * Other includes LNG storage and the French interconnector in both periods. UK electricity and gas transmission operating profit was up 8% at Â£427m compared with Â£397m in the prior period. This was primarily driven by a 9% increase in UK electricity transmission allowed revenue following the one-year price control extension, which came into effect on 1 April. In addition, market demand for French interconnector capacity remained strong, delivering increased auction income. These benefits were partially offset by an under-recovery of gas transmission owner formula income and a rise in operating costs during the period, principally driven by higher workload, including operating expenditure associated with the increased capital investment programme. For the full year, the increase in UK electricity transmission allowed revenue will be a significant driver and we expect a lower level of accelerated depreciation charges than seen in the second half last year. These benefits are expected to be partially offset by higher operating costs driven by continuing increases in workload and a projected under recovery of allowed revenue compared to last year. US electricity transmission operating profit was in line with the prior period at Â£67m. At the full year we expect operating profit to be slightly lower than the prior year. In October, the FERC approved increases in allowed returns on equity to incentivise transmission investment in New England that will be reflected in future financial performance. We are currently in discussion with Ofgem on a five-year UK transmission price control to March 2012 and in September we received Ofgem's updated proposals. Since the initial proposals in June, progress has been made in some areas, but as we have previously stated, further progress is needed if the outcome is to be acceptable. The four key issues that were outstanding when we received the updated proposals were the allowed rate of return, capital expenditure, incentives and adjustments, and operating costs. We continue to work closely with Ofgem ahead of the release of its final proposals in early December 2006. Investment in UK transmission increased by 63% to Â£534m. Capital expenditure in the period included: â€¢ Â£144m on Milford Haven and associated projects to deliver new gas transmission entry capacity in South Wales â€¢ Â£78m on projects in support of new UK gas transmission entry capacity at Easington â€¢ Â£115m on UK electricity asset replacement â€¢ Â£94m on UK electricity demand connections and other load related infrastructure Other smaller projects together accounted for a further Â£103m of investment. In October, we announced the preferred partners for new five-year contracts that will be a significant part of the overall projected capital investment in our electricity transmission network. Contracts have been awarded to fourteen construction firms, split into six geographic alliances. We believe that this development will improve system access planning and support the safe, reliable and efficient delivery of our investment programme. UK GAS DISTRIBUTION Six months ended 30 September Operating profit (Â£m) 2006 2005 % change ---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- UK gas distribution 71 94 (24) ---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Operating profit from UK gas distribution was down to Â£71m compared with Â£94m in the prior period. Formula income increased as a result of price rises in October 2005, but this was more than offset by volumes being 10% lower than in the same period last year, reflecting both the impact of warmer weather and higher gas prices in the market. In addition, non-controllable costs were higher than the prior period, principally due to an increase in business rates and higher pension and shrinkage gas costs. Looking to the full-year results, in October 2006 we implemented an average price increase of around 9% and through this we will begin to recover increases in pass-through costs, including higher business rates. This is expected to be more than offset by higher operating costs, driven principally by an increase in workload in the second half. These costs, together with the continued impact of record warm weather into October, are expected to lead to lower full-year results for this segment than the prior year. During the period, our gas distribution alliances have continued to deliver our mains replacement programme, with over 900km of mains laid, some 130km more than the first half of last year, resulting in total replacement expenditure of Â£159m. We have continued to invest in network infrastructure projects, resulting in total capital expenditure (including replacement expenditure) of Â£218m. We are currently in discussion with Ofgem on a one-year extension of the UK gas distribution price control to March 2008 and in September we received its initial proposals. We view these proposals as disappointing, particularly in relation to the scale of disallowance of efficiently incurred customer driven investment and the impact of a move to a post-tax allowed return which will reduce the cash return on our asset base significantly without providing any compensating factors elsewhere. We are working closely with Ofgem and hope to make further progress towards an acceptable outcome between now and when Ofgem makes its final proposals in December. Following this one-year review we will work with Ofgem on a five-year price control for UK gas distribution. US DISTRIBUTION Six months ended 30 September Operating profit (Â£m) 2006 2005 % change ---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- - actual exchange rate US electricity and gas distribution 251 170 48 US stranded cost recoveries 202 251 (20) US distribution 453 421 8 ---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- - constant currency basis US electricity and gas distribution 251 169 49 US stranded cost recoveries 202 249 (19) US distribution 453 418 8 ---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Operating profit from US gas and electricity distribution was Â£251m, up 49% at constant currency. This strong result was principally driven by the recovery of costs incurred in previous periods from our New York deferral account. We will recover $150m during the current financial year, of which Â£37m is included in these results. The timing on recovery of certain pass-through costs, primarily commodity costs, has also led to a period-on-period benefit of Â£56m, due to the combination of a Â£31m over-recovery this period and a Â£25m under-recovery in the same period last year. These benefits have more than offset the impact of other factors including increased reliability and maintenance spending and lower delivery volumes primarily due to cooler summer weather and higher commodity prices. Recoveries from the New York deferral account will continue in the second half of the year, as noted above. A regulatory audit of the deferral account is on-going. The majority of the over-recovery of pass-through costs in this period is expected to unwind in the second half of this year. In August we completed our acquisition of gas distribution assets in Rhode Island and in the second half we expect to report a positive contribution from this business. We expect to see an increase in storm costs in the second half, following a snow storm in the Buffalo area in October estimated to have cost around $70m. Under our New York rate plan, incremental operating costs associated with major storms are recovered through the deferral account in future periods. In the second half we also expect to increase maintenance spending in our reliability enhancement programme. Capital expenditure in the period increased by Â£25m to Â£131m compared with the prior period. We are also expecting higher capital expenditure for the full year, compared with the prior year, mainly due to increased investment under our reliability enhancement programme. US stranded cost recoveries delivered Â£202m of operating profit. This comprised the ongoing recovery of and return on the stranded asset base amounting to Â£143m and Â£59m primarily related to the recovery of contract settlements made under certain long-term purchased power arrangements. As expected, this operating profit is lower than the prior period, which included the settlement benefit received from USGen New England Inc. following its bankruptcy filing. WIRELESS INFRASTRUCTURE Six months ended 30 September Operating profit (Â£m) 2006 2005 % change ---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Wireless infrastructure 42 36 17 ---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Operating profit from Wireless infrastructure was up 17% at Â£42m compared with Â£36m in the prior period. This performance was principally driven by additional broadcast channel revenues following sales of capacity to ITV and Channel 4 in the second half of last year. There was also continued growth in our mobile tenancies. The business remains well positioned for double digit profit growth. Investment in this segment was unchanged against the prior period, at Â£15m. OTHER ACTIVITIES Six months ended 30 September Operating profit (Â£m) 2006 2005 % change ---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Metering 54 52 4 Isle of Grain LNG 5 1 * Property 32 31 3 Other (26) (9) (189) Other activities 65 75 (13) ---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- * Not meaningful - Isle of Grain LNG Phase 1 became operational on 15 July 2005. Operating profit from our other activities was down 13% at Â£65m compared with Â£75m in the prior period. National Grid Metering performance was slightly better than the same period last year, with growth in our competitive metering business more than offsetting a decline in regulated metering revenue. In this period we saw full first-half contributions from Phase I of the Isle of Grain, which commenced operations in July 2005, and our Basslink interconnector which commenced operations in April 2006. Both of these investments are underpinned by long-term take or pay contracts. Sales of land and property surplus to our operational requirements were in line with the prior period. At the full year we expect profits from this segment to remain in line with the prior year, although by their nature these sales can vary from period to period depending on the mix of properties sold. These favourable items were more than offset by higher net insurance charges and loss of income from connections services. Investment in our other activities was in line with the prior period at Â£130m. Increased capital expenditure in both regulated and non-regulated meters was Â£27m ahead of the prior period. This was mainly offset by significantly lower investment in Australia following the completion of our Basslink interconnector. Investment in our Isle of Grain LNG terminal was broadly similar period-on-period at Â£45m. BOARD CHANGES In January, we announced that Roger Urwin will retire as Chief Executive Officer at the end of 2006 and that Steve Holliday will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer upon Roger's retirement on 31 December 2006. In October we announced three further Board changes. Mark Fairbairn, currently Chief Operating Officer of UK Gas Distribution has been appointed to the Board from 1 January 2007 and will be responsible for Gas Distribution. Linda Adamany joined the Board as a non-executive director on 1 November 2006. Linda is a Group Vice President of BP Refining and Marketing and has over 25 years experience in the energy sector. Mike Jesanis, currently Group Director responsible for US Distribution, will be leaving the Board on 31 December 2006. STATUTORY EARNINGS AND BUSINESS PERFORMANCE Six months ended 30 September (Â£m) 2006 2005 % change ---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Business performance earnings 591 528 12 Exceptional items (after tax) (11) (45) 76 Remeasurements (after tax) 14 16 (13) Statutory earnings from continuing operations 594 499 19 ---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Discontinued operations profit (after tax) - 29 * Discontinued operations profit on disposal - 2,534 * Statutory earnings 594 3,062 * ---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- * Not meaningful Exceptional items in the period comprised restructuring costs of Â£16m (Â£11m after tax). In the prior period, exceptional items comprised restructuring costs of Â£25m (Â£18m after tax) and finance charges of Â£35m (Â£27m after tax). Remeasurements in the period comprised commodity remeasurement gains of Â£36m (Â£22m after tax) reflecting changes in the carrying value of certain commodity contract obligations, primarily index-linked swap contracts in the US, and a net financial instrument remeasurement impact of Â£66m (Â£8m after tax) reflecting movements in the carrying value of financial instruments, primarily derivatives, that arise from changes in mark-to-market values or in exchange rates and are reflected in the income statement to the extent that hedge accounting is not achieved or is not fully effective. In the prior period, remeasurements comprised commodity remeasurement gains of Â£22m (Â£13m after tax) and financial instrument remeasurement losses of Â£42m (Â£29m after tax). After including exceptional items and remeasurements, statutory earnings from continuing operations in the period were Â£594m, compared with Â£499m for the same period last year, giving a statutory earnings per share from continuing operations of 21.8p (2005: 16.9p). Further details of exceptional items and remeasurements are given in Note 3 on page 18. A reconciliation of business performance to statutory results is provided in the Condensed Group Income Statement, and the impact of exceptional items and remeasurements on operating profit by business segment is provided in Note 2. Discontinued operations in the six months ended 30 September 2005 represented the results up to and profit on disposal of the four UK gas distribution networks sold on 1 June 2005. After including these, statutory earnings for the six months ended 30 September 2005 were Â£3,062m and earnings per share were 103.7p. Further details of discontinued operations are given in Note 6. CONTACT DETAILS National Grid: Investors David Rees +44 (0)20 7004 3170 +44 (0)7901 511322(m) Richard Smith +44 (0)20 7004 3172 +44 (0)7747 006321(m) James Waite +44 (0)20 7004 3171 +44 (0)7977 440902(m) Media Clive Hawkins +44 (0)20 7004 3147 +44 (0)7836 357173(m) Citigate Dewe Rogerson +44 (0)20 7638 9571 Anthony Carlisle +44 (0)7973 611888(m) An analyst presentation will be held at Deutsche Bank AG, 75 London Wall, London EC2N 2DB at 9:00am (UK time) today. Live telephone coverage of the analyst presentation - password National Grid Dial in number +44 (0)20 7081 9429 US dial in number +1 866 432 7186 Telephone replay of the analyst presentation (available until 30 November 2006) Dial in number +44 (0)20 8196 1998 US dial in number +1 866 583 1035 Account number 682949 A live web cast of the presentation will also be available at www.nationalgrid.com Photographs are available on www.newscast.co.uk Cautionary statement This announcement contains certain statements that are neither reported financial results nor other historical information. These statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include information with respect to National Grid's financial condition, National Grid's results of operations and businesses, strategy, plans and objectives. Words such as 'anticipates', 'expects', 'intends', 'plans', 'believes', 'seeks', 'estimates', 'may', 'will', 'continue', 'project' and similar expressions, as well as statements in the future tense, identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of National Grid's future performance and are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Many of these assumptions, risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond National Grid's ability to control or estimate precisely, such as delays in obtaining, or adverse conditions contained in, regulatory approvals and contractual consents, including those required to complete the proposed acquisition of KeySpan when or as planned, unseasonable weather affecting the demand for electricity and gas, competition and industry restructuring, changes in economic conditions, currency fluctuations, changes in interest and tax rates, changes in energy market prices, changes in historical weather patterns, changes in laws, regulations or regulatory policies, developments in legal or public policy doctrines, the impact of changes to accounting standards and technological developments. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in this announcement include the ability to integrate the businesses relating to announced acquisitions with our existing business and realise the expected synergies from such integration, the availability of new acquisition opportunities and the timing and success of future acquisition opportunities, the impact of the sales of businesses by National Grid, the failure for any reason to achieve reductions in costs or to achieve operational efficiencies, the failure to retain key management, the behaviour of UK electricity market participants on system balancing, the timing of amendments in prices to shippers in the UK gas market, the performance of National Grid's pension schemes and the regulatory treatment of pension costs, and any adverse consequences arising from outages on or otherwise affecting energy networks, including gas pipelines, owned or operated by National Grid. For a more detailed description of some of these assumptions, risks and uncertainties, together with any other risk factors, please see National Grid's filings with and submissions to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') (and in particular the 'Risk Factors' and 'Operating and Financial Review' sections in its most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and the 'Risk Factors' section in its Registration Statement on Form F-3 filed with the SEC on 28 June 2006). Except as may be required by law or regulation, National Grid undertakes no obligation to update any of its forward-looking statements. The effects of these factors are difficult to predict. New factors emerge from time to time and National Grid cannot assess the potential impact of any such factor on its activities or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. CONDENSED GROUP INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2006 2005 Year ended 31 March 2006 Notes Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Group revenue 2a 4,164 3,891 9,193 Other operating income 27 23 80 Operating costs (3,034) (2,870) (6,834) --------------- --------------- --------------- Operating profit - Before exceptional items and remeasurements 2b 1,125 1,091 2,527 - Exceptional items and remeasurements 3 32 (47) (88) Total operating profit 2c 1,157 1,044 2,439 Interest income and similar income 4 570 490 1,038 Interest expense and other finance costs - Before exceptional items and remeasurements (825) (807) (1,644) - Exceptional items and remeasurements 3 (78) 7 (57) 4 (903) (800) (1,701) Share of post-tax results of joint ventures 2 2 3 --------------- --------------- --------------- Profit before taxation - Before exceptional items and remeasurements 872 776 1,924 - Exceptional items and remeasurements (46) (40) (145) 826 736 1,779 Taxation - Before exceptional items and remeasurements 5 (279) (246) (597) - Exceptional items and remeasurements 3 49 11 35 (230) (235) (562) --------------- --------------- --------------- Profit from continuing operations after taxation - Before exceptional items and remeasurements 593 530 1,327 - Exceptional items and remeasurements 3 (29) (110) Profit for the period from continuing operations 596 501 1,217 Profit for the period from discontinued operations - Before exceptional items 6 - 44 43 - Exceptional items 6 - 2,519 2,590 - 2,563 2,633 --------------- --------------- --------------- Profit for the period 596 3,064 3,850 =========== =========== =========== Attributable to: - Equity shareholders 594 3,062 3,848 - Minority interests 2 2 2 --------------- --------------- --------------- 596 3,064 3,850 =========== =========== =========== Earnings per share - Basic 7a 21.8p 103.7p 135.6p - Diluted 7b 21.7p 103.1p 135.0p Earnings per share from continuing operations - Basic 7a 21.8p 16.9p 42.8p - Diluted 7b 21.7p 16.8p 42.6p =========== =========== =========== Dividends per ordinary share: paid during the period 8 15.9p 15.2p 25.4p Dividends per ordinary share:approved or proposed to be paid 10.9p 10.2p 26.1p =========== =========== =========== CONDENSED GROUP BALANCE SHEET AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2006 2005 At 31 March 2006 Note Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Non-current assets Goodwill 2,170 2,140 2,142 Other intangible assets 319 357 321 Property, plant and equipment 19,308 18,175 18,935 Investments in joint ventures 9 18 12 Deferred tax assets 56 280 159 Other receivables 51 32 38 Investments 137 147 148 Derivative financial assets 333 405 351 --------------- --------------- --------------- Total non-current assets 22,383 21,554 22,106 --------------- --------------- --------------- Current assets Other intangible assets 24 - 41 Inventories 165 164 108 Trade and other receivables 1,186 1,252 1,519 Financial investments 806 2,158 384 Derivative financial assets 301 359 314 Cash and cash equivalents 2,320 547 1,452 --------------- --------------- --------------- Total current assets 4,802 4,480 3,818 --------------- --------------- --------------- Total assets 27,185 26,034 25,924 --------------- --------------- --------------- Current liabilities Bank overdrafts (11) (23) (3) Borrowings (1,479) (3,858) (2,839) Derivative financial liabilities (328) (167) (92) Trade and other payables (1,709) (1,660) (2,095) Current tax liabilities (303) (97) (419) Provisions (202) (201) (235) --------------- --------------- --------------- Total current liabilities (4,032) (6,006) (5,683) --------------- --------------- --------------- Non-current liabilities Borrowings (13,415) (10,358) (10,287) Derivative financial liabilities (177) (118) (130) Other non-current liabilities (1,630) (1,833) (1,719) Deferred tax liabilities (2,042) (2,170) (2,161) Pensions and other post-retirement benefit obligations (2,076) (2,283) (1,915) Provisions (511) (551) (536) --------------- --------------- --------------- Total non-current liabilities (19,851) (17,313) (16,748) --------------- --------------- --------------- Total liabilities (23,883) (23,319) (22,431) --------------- --------------- --------------- Net assets employed 3,302 2,715 3,493 =========== =========== =========== Capital and reserves Called up share capital 310 309 310 Share premium account 1,324 1,293 1,316 Retained earnings 6,753 6,085 6,817 Other reserves (5,097) (4,984) (4,961) --------------- --------------- --------------- Total shareholders' equity 3,290 2,703 3,482 Minority interests 12 12 11 --------------- --------------- --------------- Total equity 10 3,302 2,715 3,493 =========== =========== =========== Net debt (net of related derivative financial instruments) included above 12 11,650 11,055 10,850 --------------- --------------- --------------- CONDENSED GROUP STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE Year ended FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 31 March SEPTEMBER 2006 2005 2006 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Exchange adjustments (130) 100 141 Actuarial (losses)/gains (350) (146) 181 Net gains/(losses) taken to equity in respect of cash flow hedges 3 44 (12) Transferred to profit or loss on cash flow hedges (10) (10) (20) Net(losses)/gains taken to equity on available-for-sale investments (3) 5 4 Transferred to profit or loss on sale of available-for- sale investments (1) - (1) Tax on items taken directly to or transferred from equity 118 29 (43) --------------- --------------- --------------- Net (expense)/income recognised directly in equity (373) 22 250 Profit for the period 596 3,064 3,850 --------------- --------------- --------------- Total recognised income and expense for the period 223 3,086 4,100 =========== =========== =========== Attributable to: - Equity shareholders 222 3,084 4,097 - Minority interests 1 2 3 --------------- --------------- --------------- 223 3,086 4,100 =========== =========== =========== Effect of change in accounting policy - IAS 39 (i) - (43) (43) =========== =========== =========== i) The Group adopted IAS 32 'Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation' and IAS 39 'Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement' prospectively with effect from 1 April 2005. CONDENSED GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT Year ended FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 31 March SEPTEMBER 2006 2005 2006 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Cash flows from operating activities Operating profit 1,157 1,044 2,439 Adjustments for: Exceptional items and remeasurements (32) 47 88 Depreciation and amortisation 460 439 952 Share based payment charge 7 6 15 Changes in working capital (56) (105) (212) Changes in provisions (20) (22) 9 Changes in post -retirement benefit obligations (98) (34) (42) Cash flows relating to exceptional items (36) (63) (118) --------------- --------------- --------------- Cash flows generated from continuing operations 1,382 1,312 3,131 Cash flows relating to discontinued operations - (1) (20) --------------- --------------- --------------- Cash generated from operations 1,382 1,311 3,111 Tax paid - continuing operations (198) (83) (103) Tax paid - discontinued operations - (41) (37) --------------- --------------- --------------- Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,184 1,187 2,971 --------------- --------------- --------------- Cash flows from investing activities Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired (269) - - Sale of investments in joint ventures - - 8 Purchases of intangible assets (5) (6) (16) Purchases of property, plant and equipment (1,179) (804) (1,750) Disposals of property, plant and equipment 6 5 18 Net movements in financial investments (432) (1,758) 25 Dividends received from joint ventures - 2 2 --------------- --------------- --------------- Cash flows used in continuing operations investing activities (1,879) (2,561) (1,713) Cash flows relating to discontinued operations - disposal proceeds 42 5,754 5,750 Cash flows relating to discontinued operations - other investing activities - (115) (115) --------------- --------------- --------------- Net cash (used in)/from investing activities (1,837) 3,078 3,922 --------------- --------------- --------------- Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from issue of share capital 8 17 54 Increase/(decrease) in borrowings and related derivatives 2,264 (1,197) (2,304) Net interest paid (291) (368) (704) Exceptional finance costs on the repayment of debt - (35) (49) Dividends paid to shareholders (433) (469) (745) Cash paid to shareholders under B share scheme (26) (1,957) (1,957) Purchase of treasury shares - - (7) --------------- --------------- --------------- Net cash from/(used in) financing activities 1,522 (4,009) (5,712) --------------- --------------- --------------- Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 869 256 1,181 Exchange movements (9) 14 14 Cash and cash equivalents at start of period (i) 1,449 254 254 --------------- --------------- --------------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period (i) 2,309 524 1,449 =========== =========== =========== i) Net of bank overdrafts. NOTES TO THE INTERIM ANNOUNCEMENT 1. Basis of preparation The financial information contained in this announcement does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2006 were prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as endorsed by the European Union and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on those statutory accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information in respect of the six months ended 30 September 2006 included in this interim announcement has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' and is unaudited but has been reviewed by the auditors and their report is attached to this document. It has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies applicable for the year ending 31 March 2007 as set out in the Group's most recent Annual Report and Accounts as amended to reflect new accounting standards and interpretations applicable to this period. The standards and interpretations which have been adopted by the Group for the year ending 31 March 2007 are as follows: â€¢ International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) 4 - Determining whether an arrangement contains a lease â€¢ IFRIC 5 - Rights to Interests arising from Decommissioning, Restoration and Environmental Rehabilitation Funds â€¢ Amendment to IAS 39 - Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement: The Fair Value Option â€¢ Amendment to IAS 39 - Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, and IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts: Financial Guarantee Contracts â€¢ Amendment to IAS 21 - The Effect of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates â€¢ IFRIC 6 - Liabilities Arising from Participating in a Specific Market - Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment â€¢ IFRIC 7 - Applying the Restatement Approach under IAS 29 'Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies' The adoption of new accounting standards and interpretations did not have a material impact on the financial results or position of the Group in the six months ended 30 September 2006 or in the year ended 31 March 2006. The following interpretations have not been adopted for the year ended 31 March 2007: â€¢ IFRIC 8 - Scope of IFRS 2 â€¢ IFRIC 9 - Reassessment of Embedded Derivatives â€¢ IFRIC 10 - Interim Financial Reporting and Impairment â€¢ IFRIC 11 - Group and Treasury Share Transactions This announcement was approved by the Board of Directors on 16 November 2006. 2. Segmental analysis Segmental information is presented in accordance with the management responsibilities and economic characteristics, including consideration of risks and returns, of the Group's business activities. The following table describes the main activities for each business segment: ---------------- --------------------------------------- UK electricity and High-voltage electricity transmission networks, the gas gas transmission National Transmission System in the UK, UK liquefied natural gas storage activities and the Scottish and French electricity interconnectors US electricity High-voltage electricity transmission networks and management transmission of electricity transmission operations for other utilities in the US UK gas Four of the eight regional networks of Britain's gas distribution distribution system US electricity and Electricity and gas distribution in New York and New England gas distribution US stranded cost The recovery of stranded costs from US customers as permitted recoveries by regulatory agreements Wireless Broadcast and mobile telephony infrastructure in the UK and infrastructure US ---------------- --------------------------------------- Other activities primarily relate to UK based gas metering activities, UK property services and the Group's energy technology and systems solutions business. Discontinued operations comprised the operations of the four gas distribution networks that the Group sold on 1 June 2005. Certain of our businesses are affected by seasonality. Revenues from our gas distribution networks in the UK and the US and our gas transmission network in the UK are weighted towards the end of the financial year, as gas demand is typically higher during the winter months. Otherwise, seasonality does not have a significant impact on revenues. With the exception of commodity costs passed through to customers, our operating costs are generally not seasonal. The Group assesses the performance of its businesses principally on the basis of operating profit before exceptional items and remeasurements. The Group's primary reporting format is by business and the secondary reporting format is by geographical area. a) Group revenue Six months ended 30 September 2006 2005 Year ended 31 March 2006 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Continuing operations - business segments UK electricity and gas transmission 1,323 1,154 2,710 US electricity transmission 151 152 310 UK gas distribution 447 439 1,222 US electricity and gas distribution 1,770 1,539 3,711 US stranded cost recoveries 205 244 511 Wireless infrastructure 171 155 325 Other activities 303 359 701 Sales between businesses (206) (151) (297) --------------- --------------- --------------- Group revenue 4,164 3,891 9,193 =========== =========== =========== Continuing operations - geographical segments UK 2,116 1,960 4,671 US 2,037 1,931 4,522 Rest of the World 11 - - --------------- --------------- --------------- Group revenue 4,164 3,891 9,193 =========== =========== =========== b) Operating profit - before exceptional items and remeasurements Six months ended 30 September 2006 2005 Year ended 31 March 2006 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Continuing operations - business segments UK electricity and gas transmission 427 397 844 US electricity transmission 67 68 127 UK gas distribution 71 94 483 US electricity and gas distribution 251 170 364 US stranded cost recoveries 202 251 489 Wireless infrastructure 42 36 75 Other activities 65 75 145 --------------- --------------- --------------- Operating profit before exceptional items and remeasurements 1,125 1,091 2,527 =========== =========== =========== Continuing operations - geographical segments UK 599 600 1,549 US 521 491 983 Rest of the World 5 - (5) --------------- --------------- --------------- Operating profit before exceptional items and remeasurements 1,125 1,091 2,527 =========== =========== =========== c) Operating profit - after exceptional items and remeasurements Six months ended 30 September 2006 2005 Year ended 31 March 2006 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Continuing operations - business segments UK electricity and gas transmission 420 396 843 US electricity transmission 67 68 127 UK gas distribution 66 69 432 US electricity and gas distribution 248 170 364 US stranded cost recoveries 250 229 440 Wireless infrastructure 42 35 70 Other activities 64 77 163 --------------- --------------- --------------- Operating profit after exceptional items and remeasurements 1,157 1,044 2,439 =========== =========== =========== Continuing operations - geographical segments UK 586 575 1,489 US 566 469 934 Rest of the World 5 - 16 --------------- --------------- --------------- Operating profit after exceptional items and remeasurements 1,157 1,044 2,439 =========== =========== =========== 3. Exceptional items and remeasurements The Group separately discloses items of income and expenditure relating to transactions that are material, either by their nature or size, that are relevant to an understanding of the Group's financial performance. These include non-recurring exceptional income or charges that do not relate to the underlying financial performance of the Group. Remeasurements are non-cash movements in the carrying value of financial instruments and of certain commodity contracts that arise from changes in mark-to-market values or in exchange rates, that are reflected in the income statement to the extent hedge accounting is not achieved or is not effective. Six months ended 30 September 2006 2005 Year ended 31 March 2006 Â£m Â£m Â£m ============ ============ ============ Continuing operations Exceptional items - restructuring costs (i) 16 25 60 Exceptional items - profit on sale and reversal of impairment (ii) - - (21) Remeasurements - commodity contracts(iii) (48) 22 49 Total exceptional items and remeasurements included within operating profit (32) 47 88 Exceptional finance costs (iv) - 35 49 Remeasurements - commodity contracts(iii) 12 - 14 Remeasurements - net losses/(gains) on derivative financial instruments (v) 66 (42) (6) Total exceptional items and remeasurements included within net finance costs 78 (7) 57 --------------- --------------- --------------- Total exceptional items and remeasurements before taxation 46 40 145 ============ ============ ============ Tax on restructuring costs (i) (5) (7) (12) Tax on commodity contract remeasurements (iii) 14 (9) (25) Tax on exceptional finance costs (iv) - (8) (15) Tax on derivative financial instrument remeasurements (v) (58) 13 17 --------------- --------------- --------------- Tax on exceptional items and remeasurements (49) (11) (35) ============ ============ ============ Total exceptional items after taxation 11 45 61 Total commodity contract remeasurements after taxation (22) 13 38 Total derivative financial instrument remeasurements after taxation 8 (29) 11 --------------- --------------- --------------- Total exceptional items and remeasurements after taxation (3) 29 110 ============ ============ ============ i) Restructuring costs relate to planned cost reduction programmes in the UK and US businesses. For the six months ended 30 September 2006, restructuring costs included pension costs of Â£5m arising as a result of redundancies (six months ended 30 September 2005: Â£19m; year ended 31 March 2006: Â£25m). ii) Reversal of prior period impairment of Â£13m related to National Grid's investment in Copperbelt Energy Corporation and gain on disposal of an investment in Energis Polska of Â£8m. iii) Commodity contract remeasurements represent mark-to-market movements on certain commodity contract obligations, primarily indexed-linked swap contracts, in the US. Under the Group's existing rate plans in the US, commodity costs are fully recovered from customers, although the pattern of recovery may differ from the pattern of costs incurred. These movements are comprised of those impacting operating profit which is based on the change in the commodity contract liability and those impacting finance costs as a result of discounting. iv) Exceptional finance costs in 2005 represent costs incurred on the early redemption of debt following the disposal of the four gas distribution networks, together with issue costs associated with the B share scheme. v) Remeasurement (gains)/losses on derivative financial instruments comprise non-cash gains and losses arising on derivative financial instruments reported in the income statement, net of related exchange gains or losses on related financial instruments. These exclude gains and losses for which hedge accounting has been effective, which are recognised directly in equity or offset by adjustments to the carrying value of debt. 4. Finance income and costs Six months ended 30 September 2006 2005 Year ended 31 March 2006 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Expected return on pension scheme assets 466 458 903 Interest and similar income on financial assets 104 32 135 --------------- --------------- --------------- Interest income and similar income 570 490 1,038 =========== =========== =========== Interest on pension scheme liabilities (436) (451) (891) Interest payable on borrowings (net of related derivatives) (408) (383) (795) Unwinding of discount on provisions (11) (6) (18) Less: interest capitalised 30 33 60 --------------- --------------- --------------- (825) (807) (1,644) Finance charges on the early redemption of debt and B share scheme - (35) (49) Net (losses)/gains on derivative financial instruments and commodity contracts (78) 42 (8) --------------- --------------- --------------- Interest expense and other finance costs (903) (800) (1,701) =========== =========== =========== Net finance costs (333) (310) (663) =========== =========== =========== Comprising: Net finance costs excluding exceptional finance costs and remeasurements (255) (317) (606) Exceptional finance costs and remeasurements (note 3) (78) 7 (57) --------------- --------------- --------------- (333) (310) (663) =========== =========== =========== 5. Taxation Six months ended 30 September 2006 2005 Year ended 31 March 2006 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Taxation - excluding exceptional items and remeasurements 279 246 597 Taxation - exceptional items and remeasurements (note 3) (49) (11) (35) --------------- --------------- --------------- Taxation 230 235 562 =========== =========== =========== The tax charge, excluding tax on exceptional items and remeasurements, for the six months ended 30 September 2006, is based on the estimated effective tax rate for the year ending 31 March 2007 of 32.0% (30 September 2005: 31.7%). 6. Discontinued operations On 1 June 2005, the Group disposed of its holding in four of the eight regional gas distribution networks. The results of these operations were previously included within the UK gas distribution segment. Results of discontinued operations Six months ended 30 September 2006 2005 Year ended 31 March 2006 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Revenue - 168 168 Operating costs - (120) (122) --------------- --------------- --------------- Operating profit before exceptional item - 63 61 Exceptional item (i) - (15) (15) Total operating profit from discontinued operations - 48 46 Taxation - (19) (18) --------------- --------------- --------------- Profit from discontinued operations - 29 28 --------------- --------------- --------------- Gain on disposal of discontinued operations before taxation - 2,557 2,636 Taxation - (23) (31) --------------- --------------- --------------- Gain on disposal of discontinued operations - 2,534 2,605 --------------- --------------- --------------- Total profit for the period - Before exceptional items - 44 43 - Exceptional items including gain on disposal - 2,519 2,590 Total profit for the period from discontinued operations - 2,563 2,633 =========== =========== =========== i) The operating exceptional item in the comparative period related to a fine incurred in respect of a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act. 7. Earnings per share a) Basic earnings per share Year ended Year ended 31 March 31 March Six months ended 30 September 2006 2006 2005 2005 2006 2006 Â£m pence Â£m pence Â£m pence ========= ========== ========== ========= ========== ========== Adjusted earnings per share - continuing operations 591 21.7p 528 17.9p 1,325 46.7p Exceptional operating items (16) (0.6)p (25) (0.9)p (39) (1.4)p Exceptional finance costs - - (35) (1.2)p (49) (1.7)p Remeasurements (30) (1.1)p 20 0.7p (57) (2.0)p Tax on exceptional items 5 0.2p 15 0.5p 27 0.9p Tax on remeasurements 44 1.6p (4) (0.1)p 8 0.3p --------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------- Earnings per share - continuing operations 594 21.8p 499 16.9p 1,215 42.8p ========= ========== ========= ========= ========= ========== Adjusted earnings per share - discontinued operations - - 44 1.5p 43 1.5p Gain on disposal of gas distribution networks (net of tax) - - 2,534 85.8p 2,605 91.8p Other exceptional items (net of tax) - - (15) (0.5)p (15) (0.5)p --------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------- Earnings per share - discontinued operations - - 2,563 86.8p 2,633 92.8p ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========== Earnings per share 594 21.8p 3,062 103.7p 3,848 135.6p ========= ========= ========= ========= ========== ========== millions millions millions ========== ========= ========== Weighted average number of shares - basic (i) 2,721 2,953 2,837 ========== ========= ========== i) The Group completed a 43 for 49 share consolidation on 1 August 2005. b) Diluted earnings per share Year ended Year ended 31 March 31 March Six months ended 30 September 2006 2006 2005 2005 2006 2006 Â£m pence Â£m pence Â£m pence ========= ========== ========== ========= ========== ========== Adjusted diluted earnings per share - continuing operations 591 21.6p 528 17.8p 1,325 46.5p Exceptional operating items (16) (0.6)p (25) (0.9)p (39) (1.4)p Exceptional finance costs - - (35) (1.2)p (49) (1.7)p Remeasurements (30) (1.1)p 20 0.7p (57) (2.0)p Tax on exceptional items 5 0.2p 15 0.5p 27 0.9p Tax on remeasurements 44 1.6p (4) (0.1)p 8 0.3p --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- Diluted earnings per share - continuing operations 594 21.7p 499 16.8p 1,215 42.6p ========= ========== ========= ========== ========= ========= Adjusted diluted earnings per share - discontinued operations - - 44 1.5p 43 1.5p Gain on disposal of gas distribution networks (net of tax) - - 2,534 85.3p 2,605 91.4p Other exceptional items (net of tax) - - (15) (0.5)p (15) (0.5)p --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- Diluted earnings per share - discontinued operations - - 2,563 86.3p 2,633 92.4p ========= ========== ========== ========== ========= ========= Diluted earnings per share 594 21.7p 3,062 103.1p 3,848 135.0p ========= ========== ========== ========== ========= ========= millions millions millions ========== ========== ========= Weighted average number of shares - diluted 2,735 2,970 2,851 ========== ========== ========= The difference between the basic and diluted weighted average number of shares is the effect of dilutive potential shares relating to employee share options. 8. Dividends The following table shows the dividends paid to equity shareholders: Six months ended 30 Year ended Year ended September 31 March 31 March 2006 2006 2005 2005 2006 2006 pence Â£m pence Â£m pence Â£m per share per share per share ========== ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= Ordinary dividends Final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2006 15.9p 433 - - - - Interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2006 - - - - 10.2p 276 Final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2005 - - 15.2p 469 15.2p 469 --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- ------ 15.9p 433 15.2p 469 25.4p 745 ========== ========= ========== ======== ========== ========== The Board has approved an interim dividend of 10.9p per share (total dividend distribution of Â£297m) to be paid in respect of the period ended 30 September 2006. 9. Acquisitions On 24 August 2006, the Group acquired New England Gas Company's Rhode Island assets ('New England Gas') for total consideration of Â£269m, including acquisition costs of Â£3m. The goodwill arising on the acquisition was Â£146m. Goodwill principally relates to synergies, cost improvements, market position, the assembled workforce and the potential for future growth. Because the acquisition occurred late in the financial period, fair values and goodwill arising on the acquisition are provisional and may be subject to revision. The acquired business is reported within the US electricity and gas distribution segment. Book value at Provisional acquisition fair value under IFRS Â£m Â£m =========== =========== Intangibles 15 16 Property, plant and equipment 134 135 Inventories 19 19 Trade and other receivables 37 37 Trade and other payables (19) (19) Deferred tax 9 10 Provisions (9) (9) Pensions and other post-retirement benefits (18) (18) Borrowings (42) (48) --------------- --------------- Net assets acquired 126 123 =========== Goodwill 146 --------------- Consideration 269 =========== In the Group's consolidated income statement for the six months to 30 September 2006, Â£2m of operating loss before exceptional items and remeasurements, and Â£3m of operating loss after exceptional items and remeasurements has been included, representing the post-acquisition results of New England Gas. If New England Gas had been acquired on 1 April 2006, the results for the Group would not have been materially different. 10. Reconciliation of movements in total equity Six months ended 30 September Year ended 2006 2005 31 March 2006 Â£m Â£m Â£m ========== ========== ========== Opening total equity 3,493 2,078 2,078 Changes in total equity for the period Net income recognised directly in equity (373) 22 250 Profit for the period 596 3,064 3,850 Equity dividends (433) (469) (745) Return of capital to shareholders through B share scheme - (2,009) (2,009) Issue of ordinary share capital 8 4 28 Other movements in minority interests (1) - (2) Movement in shares held in employee share trusts - 13 19 Employee share option scheme issues 7 7 17 Tax on employee share option scheme issues 5 5 7 --------------- --------------- --------------- Closing total equity 3,302 2,715 3,493 ========== ========== ========== 11. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt Six months ended 30 September Year ended 31 March 2006 2005 2006 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Movement in cash and cash equivalents 869 256 1,181 Increase/(decrease) in financial investments 432 1,758 (25) (Increase)/decrease in borrowings and related derivatives(i) (2,264) 1,197 2,304 Cash paid to shareholders under B share scheme 26 1,957 1,957 Net interest paid 291 368 704 --------------- --------------- --------------- Change in net debt resulting from cash flows (646) 5,536 6,121 Changes in fair value of financial assets and liabilities and exchange movements 194 (254) (299) Issue of B shares - (2,009) (2,009) Net interest charge (304) (351) (660) Other non-cash movements (44) 9 (17) --------------- --------------- --------------- Movement in net debt (net of related derivative financial instruments)in the period (800) 2,931 3,136 Net debt at start of period (10,850) (13,986) (13,986) --------------- --------------- --------------- Net debt (net of related derivative financial instruments) at end of period (11,650) (11,055) (10,850) =========== =========== =========== i) Increase in borrowings and related derivatives for the six months ended 30 September 2006 comprises proceeds from loans received of Â£3.5 billion less payments to repay loans of Â£1.2 billion. 12. Net debt At 30 September 31 March 2006 2005 2006 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Cash and cash equivalents 2,320 547 1,452 Bank overdrafts (11) (23) (3) --------------- --------------- --------------- Net cash and cash equivalents 2,309 524 1,449 Financial investments 806 2,158 384 Borrowings (14,894) (14,216) (13,126) --------------- --------------- --------------- (11,779) (11,534) (11,293) Net debt related derivative financial assets 634 764 665 Net debt related derivative financial liabilities (505) (285) (222) --------------- --------------- --------------- Net debt (net of related derivative financial instruments) (11,650) (11,055) (10,850) =========== =========== =========== 13. Commitments and contingencies At 30 September 2006 2005 31 March 2006 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Future capital expenditure contracted for but not provided 1,343 1,075 1,343 Group commitments under non-cancellable operating leases 800 889 831 Obligations to purchase energy under long-term contracts 4,768 5,677 5,453 Guarantees (i) 188 181 149 Other commitments and contingencies 205 202 185 =========== =========== =========== i) Details of the guarantees entered into by the Group at 30 September 2006 are as follows: a) performance guarantees of Â£21m relating to certain property obligations of Group undertakings. The bulk of these expire by December 2025; b) a guarantee of Â£50m of the obligations of a Group undertaking to make payments in respect of liabilities under a meter operating contract that runs until May 2008; c) a performance guarantee relating to the construction of the Victoria to Tasmania Interconnector of 24m Australian dollars (AU$24m) (Â£10m). This expires at the end of November 2006; d) a guarantee of the payment obligations of a Group undertaking in respect of a Power Connection Agreement amounting to an annual maximum of AU$7m, reducing over the term of the contract. This runs until June 2051, but the maximum potential payout is estimated at Â£5m; e) a guarantee of the payment obligations of a Group undertaking in respect of a Nitrogen Supply Agreement amounting to a maximum potential payout of Â£13m subject to a cap of Â£1m per annum. This runs until November 2019; f) a guarantee of the payment obligations of a Group undertaking in respect of a Power Connection Agreement amounting to a maximum potential payout of Â£14m subject to a cap of Â£7m per annum. This runs until December 2024; g) guarantees in respect of a former associate amounting to Â£14m, the bulk of which relates to its obligation to supply telecommunications services. This is open-ended; h) a guarantee in support of the transfer of the French Interconnector to NG Interconnectors as part of the Licence to Assign Lease. This is unlimited and open-ended but the maximum liability is estimated at Â£40m; i) guarantees in support of Group undertakings to enable them to trade on the Amsterdam Power Exchange. These amount to Â£6m and mainly expire by September 2007; and j) other guarantees amounting to Â£15m arising in the normal course of business and entered into on normal commercial terms. These guarantees run for varying lengths of time. 14. Events after the balance sheet date On 2 October 2006, the Group completed the purchase of ClearShot Communications LLC for US$133m. The key operations of ClearShot Communications are the construction and ownership of wireless telecommunications towers across several southern US states. On 16 November 2006, the Group announced its plans to demerge the Wireless infrastructure business, and to sell Basslink, the electricity interconnector in Australia. 15. Exchange rates The Group's results are affected by the exchange rates used to translate the results of its US operations and US dollar transactions. The US dollar to sterling exchange rates used were: 30 September 2006 2005 31 March 2006 =========== =========== =========== Closing rate applied at period end 1.88 1.76 1.74 Average rate applied for the period 1.86 1.85 1.79 =========== =========== =========== 16. Differences between IFRS and US generally accepted accounting principles ('US GAAP') Summarised financial statements on a US GAAP basis and an explanation of the differences between IFRS and US GAAP as applied in preparing the Group accounts are set out in the Annual Report and Accounts. Details of the principal differences between IFRS and US GAAP are shown below. a) Reconciliation of net income to US GAAP The following is a summary of the material adjustments to net income that would have been required if US GAAP had been applied instead of IFRS: Six months ended 30 September 2006 2005 Year ended 31 March 2006 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== ========== =========== Profit for the period attributable to equity shareholders under IFRS 594 3,062 3,848 --------------- ----------------- ------------------- Adjustments to conform with US GAAP Depreciation of property, plant and equipment ('PP&E') (57) (65) (127) US regulatory accounting (266) (145) (269) Pensions and other post-retirement benefits (39) - (56) Financial instruments 124 2 (130) Severance costs 3 (44) (63) Revenue recognition 14 (1) (48) Amortisation of intangibles - (1) (2) Interest on discounted provisions (8) 11 (14) Deferred taxation 138 94 208 Other (1) (8) (3) Discontinued operations - gain on disposal of business - (2,196) (2,196) Discontinued operations - pensions and other post-retirement benefits - (127) (127) Discontinued operations - deferred taxation - 286 286 --------------- ----------------- ------------------- (92) (2,194) (2,541) --------------- ----------------- ------------------- Net income under US GAAP 502 868 1,307 =========== ========== =========== Basic earnings per share - US GAAP 18.5p 32.1p 48.2p Diluted earnings per share - US GAAP 18.4p 32.0p 48.0p =========== ========== =========== b) Reconciliation of shareholders' equity from IFRS to US GAAP The following is a summary of the material adjustments to shareholders' equity that would have been required if US GAAP had been applied instead of IFRS: At 30 September 2006 2005 31 March 2006 Â£m Â£m Â£m ========== ========== ========== Total shareholders' equity under IFRS 3,290 2,703 3,482 --------------- ---------------- ---------------- Adjustments to conform with US GAAP PP&E fair value adjustments 2,105 2,224 2,162 Goodwill 2,652 2,686 2,689 US regulatory accounting 2,291 2,809 2,702 Pensions and other post-retirement benefits 1,103 990 886 Financial instruments 94 205 119 Severance liabilities 5 21 2 Revenue recognition (28) 5 (42) Intangible assets 28 29 28 Provisions (158) (127) (154) Non-reversal of impairments (37) (28) (39) Deferred taxation (1,955) (2,203) (2,090) Other (12) 2 2 --------------- ---------------- ---------------- 6,088 6,613 6,265 --------------- ---------------- ---------------- Shareholders' equity under US GAAP 9,378 9,316 9,747 ========== ========== ========== c) New US accounting standards In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Financial Interpretation No. 48 'Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109' (FIN 48), which specifies how tax benefits for uncertain tax positions are to be recognised, measured and derecognised in financial statements. FIN 48 requires certain disclosures of uncertain tax matters, specifies how reserves for uncertain tax provisions should be classified in the balance sheet and provides transition and interim-period guidance. FIN 48 is effective for years beginning after 15 December 2006. We are currently assessing the impact that the adoption of FIN 48 will have on the Group financial statements. In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 158 'Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB statements No. 87, 106 and 132(R)' (SFAS No. 158). This standard requires recognition of a net liability or asset and an offsetting adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income to report the funded status of defined benefit pension and other post-retirement benefit plans. SFAS No. 158 requires prospective application, recognition and disclosure requirements effective for the year ending 31 March 2007. We intend to adopt SFAS No. 158 on 31 March 2007, which should have the effect of substantially reducing (but not completely eliminating) the difference in shareholders' equity between IFRS and US GAAP. The difference in net income between IFRS and US GAAP is likely to remain substantially unchanged. The Group has adopted SFAS No. 123(R) 'Share-Based Payment '. The adoption of this standard has had no material impact on the results from operations or the Group's financial position. Independent review report to National Grid plc Introduction We have been instructed by the company to review the financial information for the six months ended 30 September 2006 which comprises the consolidated interim balance sheet as at 30 September 2006 and the related consolidated interim statements of income, cash flows and recognised income and expense for the six months then ended and related notes. We have read the other information contained in the interim report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial information. Directors' responsibilities The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by the directors. The Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority require that the accounting policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent with those applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where any changes, and the reasons for them, are disclosed. This interim report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 'Interim Financial Reporting'. Review work performed We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4 issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review consists principally of making enquiries of group management and applying analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data and, based thereon, assessing whether the disclosed accounting policies have been applied. A review excludes audit procedures such as tests of controls and verification of assets, liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less in scope than an audit and therefore provides a lower level of assurance. Accordingly we do not express an audit opinion on the financial information. This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and only for the company for the purpose of the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority and for no other purpose. We do not, in producing this report, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing. Review conclusion On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months ended 30 September 2006. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Chartered Accountants London 16 November 2006 Notes: (a) The maintenance and integrity of the National Grid plc web site is the responsibility of the directors; the work carried out by the auditors does not involve consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the interim report since it was initially presented on the web site. (b) Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial information may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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