Interim Results

Sainsbury(J) PLC 19 November 2003 19 November 2003 J Sainsbury plc - New Group Chief Executive Appointed and Interim Results for 28 weeks ended 11 October 2003 • Justin King appointed as new Group Chief Executive from 29 March 2004 Group Results • Sales up 1.0 per cent to £9,840m (2002: £9,744m).* At constant currencies up 2.1 per cent • Underlying profit before tax up 7 per cent to £366m (2002: £342m)** • Sixth half year of continuous profit growth • Interim dividend up 2.5 per cent to 4.33 pence per share (2002: 4.22 pence) • Capex peaked and now reducing. Expect to be cash-flow positive by 2005/06 Sainsbury's Supermarkets (UK) • Total sales up 1.8 per cent to £8,192m (2002: £8,048m)* and like-for-like sales growth of 0.1 per cent++ • Underlying operating profit up 9.4 per cent to £313m (2002: £286m)+ • Successful launch of general merchandise ranges • Third year of Business Transformation Programme delivering major operational change • Improved levels of customer service • Delivered £110m of cost savings. Confident of achieving cumulative savings of £710m by March 2004 and £960m by March 2005 • Sainsbury to You sales increased by 35 per cent.* Losses substantially reduced to £10m in first half (2002: £19m). Expect to break even by March 2004 • Underlying operating margins increased from 3.6 per cent to 3.8 per cent (including Sainsburys to You)*+ Shaw's Supermarkets (US) • Total sales up 2.7 per cent to $2,473m (2002: $2,409m)* • Strong profit performance and underlying operating margins up from 4.6 per cent to 4.9 per cent*+ • Underlying operating profit up 9.1 per cent to $120m (2002: $110m)+ • Significant store development activity. Expect 12 per cent increase in selling space in 2003/04 Sainsbury's Bank • Net Income up 39 per cent • Excellent growth potential Sir George Bull, Non-Executive Chairman, said: 'I am delighted to announce the appointment of Justin King as the new Group Chief Executive from 29 March 2004. His appointment follows a thorough search and the Non-Executive Directors were unanimous in selecting Justin as the ideal candidate. His talent and food retailing experience give him a very sound base from which to drive this business forward.' ____________________________ * Including VAT (UK- £568 million) and sales tax (US - £12 million) ** Before exceptional items of £36 million and amortisation of goodwill of £7 million ++ Easter adjusted, including petrol + Before exceptional Business Transformation operating costs of £29 million and Safeway bid costs of £8 million in Sainsbury's Supermarkets and amortisation of goodwill of £7 million in Shaws Supermarkets ____________________________ Sir Peter Davis, Group Chief Executive, said: 'We are reporting Group underlying profit before tax** up 7 per cent to £366 million and an increase of 2.5 per cent in the interim dividend to 4.33 pence per share. This has been achieved during the peak third year of our ambitious transformation programme for Sainsbury's Supermarkets, a period of immense change, when we will have completed the majority of our systems changes, substantially modernised our supply chain and upgraded 80 per cent of our store portfolio. We have also relaunched general merchandise, the largest product launch in our history, and we are reducing our cost base in line with our target of £710 million by March 2004. 'During this year our priority has been on improving our operational capability so that we are in a position to leverage benefits in 2004/05. Implementing any one element of our transformation programme would have been significant but doing them all at the same time has been an enormous exercise. Simultaneously we have also been simplifying our organisational structure and have reduced headcount by more than 20 per cent this year at our Holborn Business Centre. We are not satisfied with the impact these activities have had on our sales performance, but the marketplace has been moving fast and we needed to rebuild the infrastructure of our business quickly and to restore long-term growth. 'We have come a very long way in the past three years and it is vital that we concentrate on delivering this substantial programme. The Board is committed to completing this by Summer 2004. We have grown our customer base averaging 13.5 million customer transactions a week during the first half of the year, and delivered significant customer benefits. We introduced 10,000 new jobs in April 2003 and our service is now back to market leading levels. We have refocused attention on fresh food and have extended our quality lead. We recently won the coveted Gold Award at our industry's Quality Food and Drink Awards with our organic Somerset Brie, the first time an organic product has won in the Award's 24 year history. We became European Wine and Spirits Retailer of the Year in October and picked up the Corporate Social Responsibility accolade at the National Business Awards. 'Nectar continues to give us more customer contact and greater customer insights. The UK's leading loyalty programme with 13 million active collectors has given our customers the chance to earn 80 per cent more points than with Reward card and redeem them against a wide range of rewards. Information Technology 'In August this year we completed the conversion of our store systems. In just 13 months, this was the fastest such roll-out in Europe. We have also installed major merchandising and trading systems which greatly increase our ranging flexibility. We are pleased with the step change in our IT capability. A major enabler in this process has been our relationship with Accenture and we have decided to extend our contract for a further three years, until 2010. This extension will allow us to build further on the achievements to date and enable Accenture to deliver additional cost reductions to Sainsbury's of around £150 million by 2007. Supply Chain 'We are continuing the ramp-up of our new distribution centres and opened the fourth automated centre at Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire in October. These centres are complex facilities, which take time to become fully operational, but our Stoke depot recently became the first of the new automated centres to issue in excess of one million cases a week with Hams Hall not far behind. As we ramp-up the new centres before closing down existing facilities we have incurred double running costs of £13 million in the first half and expect a total of £25 million for the full year. By Spring 2004 we expect to have around 60 per cent of our volume going through the new network rising to 70 per cent by the autumn. Non Food 'We have launched the first phase of our general merchandise range of 2,500 homeware products which will be in 75 stores by the end of this month and a further 35 by March 2004. The early signs here are very encouraging with the new product categories such as tabletop and soft furnishings proving popular with customers. We are building a long-term general merchandise capability. We have developed a much improved health and beauty offer in-house and have reviewed our clothing strategy with a view to launching a new offer under our own brand for autumn/winter 2004. Sainsbury's to You 'Sainsbury's to You has delivered 35 per cent year-on-year sales growth and order levels are five times those of three years ago. It has become a very strong contender in its market, continuing to grow market share. Losses in the first half have been substantially reduced to £10 million and we expect to break even by March 2004. The service now covers 74 per cent of UK households. Sainsbury's Bank 'Our growth plans for Sainsbury's Bank are producing good results and we have had an excellent half year as we continue to benefit from increased integration of activities with Sainsbury's Supermarkets. We are delivering growth and broadening income streams. We now have 1.7 million customer accounts and net income in the first half is up 39 per cent. The Bank has excellent growth potential. Beyond the Transformation Programme 'We are confident that customers are beginning to see an improved Sainsbury's. By summer 2004 the significant achievements we have accomplished during the Business Transformation Programme will provide the platform for refocusing on accelerating sales growth. 'It is important that we maximise the strength of the Sainsbury's brand. The store format trials we have conducted have provided a clear vision of the opportunity that lies ahead for a company that can differentiate itself from the other main supermarket players. Customers want us to focus on what we do best, quality, choice and value, and our brand is very effective when these principles are the central point of our offer. 'The heart of the Sainsbury's brand is delivering great quality at affordable prices. This is a powerful proposition and appeals to a wide range of customers. We are therefore driving our quality and product innovation even further and have significantly strengthened our team over the past twelve months in order to deliver a re-energised brand. As we complete our transformation programme we will be better placed to both reinvest in our quality and further improve our competitive offer. 'We have significant growth opportunities through extending our products, our services and our channels to serve customers better and need to ensure our estate is aligned to capitalise on our strengths. Only 57 per cent of the population lives within three miles of one of our stores, providing a significant opportunity to grow our business. We will seek to buy and build stores where we trade most successfully and will also be prepared to consider swapping a small number of stores to strengthen our portfolio. 'We know that our Main Plus and convenience formats work very successfully with our brand. The first of our additional 100 Sainsbury's Locals in conjunction with Shell opens today in Battersea. Seven more will be trading by Christmas and a further eight by March 2004. Shaw's Supermarkets 'Shaw's has delivered a strong profit performance in what remains a challenging trading environment. With total sales up 2.7 per cent (in dollars) and like-for-like sales growth up 0.6 per cent (Easter adjusted), performance compares favourably with other US food retailers. Shaw's is driving through a period of significant store development activity, during the first half six new stores, five replacement and six extended stores opened. The first former Ames store opened in September with three more scheduled to open in the second half. We expect to increase selling space by 12 per cent this year providing a key driver for future growth. 'Excellent cost controls and a significant improvement in the contribution from both the Connecticut and ex-Grand Union stores contributed towards a strong increase in underlying operating profit of 9.1 per cent to $120 million and increase in underlying operating margin from 4.6 per cent to 4.9 per cent. Outlook 'I am pleased that we have delivered our sixth half year of continuous Group underlying pre-tax profit growth. We expect the rate of pre-tax profit growth for the rest of this year to continue to reflect the unprecedented level of change we are driving through to ensure our business is competitive longer term. Despite all the challenges this year we expect to deliver another year of progress. We are clear on the opportunities that lie ahead for Sainsbury's. The real benefits of our recovery will come through as we come to the end of our transformation programme in Summer 2004, providing the platform for accelerating sales growth thereafter.' Group financial summary Group sales (including VAT and sales tax) increased by 1.0 per cent to £9,840 million (2002: £9,744 million). Group underlying operating profit, before exceptional operating costs and amortisation of goodwill, was £401 million, an increase of £30 million or 8.1 per cent over the previous year. This growth was achieved despite an adverse dollar exchange movement and, as expected, no profit growth in Sainsbury's Bank resulting from the Board's decision to invest in accelerating customer accounts growth. The US dollar depreciated against sterling in the first half, which resulted in lower operating profit, financing costs and net debt in sterling terms. At constant exchange rates, Group sales increased by 2.1 per cent, Group underlying operating profit by 9.6 per cent and Group underlying profit before tax, exceptional items and amortisation of goodwill, by 8.3 per cent. Group underlying profit before tax, exceptional items and amortisation of goodwill, increased by 7.0 per cent to £366 million (2002: £342 million). Profit before tax in the first half was £323 million (2002: £320 million) as a result of exceptional operating costs being higher than in the first half of last year, but exceptional operating costs are expected to be the same as 2003 for the full year. Sales+ Operating profit 2003 2003 £m % £m % Sainsbury's Supermarkets 8,192 1.8 313 9.4 Shaw's Supermarkets 1,528 (4.1) 74 1.4 Sainsbury's Bank 107 20.2 8 (11.1) JS Developments 13 - 6 100.0 Sales/Underlying operating profit* 9,840 1.0 401 8.1 Exceptional operating costs (37) Amortisation of goodwill (7) Sales/Total operating profit 9,840 1.0 357 0.8 + Including VAT at Sainsbury's Supermarkets of £568 million and sales tax at Shaw's Supermarkets of £12 million. * Underlying operating profit is before exceptional operating costs of £29 million in Sainsbury's Supermarkets (2002: £10 million) and £8 million Safeway plc bid costs and amortisation of goodwill of £7 million (2002: £7 million) in Shaw's Supermarkets. ++ All like-for-like sales are Easter adjusted. Sainsbury's Supermarkets' total sales+ grew by 1.8 per cent to £8,192 million (2002: £8,048 million). Like-for-like sales growth++ (including petrol) was 0.1 per cent (2002: 2.5 per cent). Sales growth for the first half was impacted by an unprecedented level of change affecting the in-store delivery of our customer offer. In particular, the trading and merchandising systems were completely replaced, three new fully automated depots were building operational capacity and we launched the new non-food ranges. Cost savings programmes have again contributed significantly to the growth in underlying operating profit* and underlying operating margin.+* Cost savings amounted to £110 million in the first half, just over half relating to structural buying efficiencies and the balance relating to labour and other operating cost efficiencies resulting from modernising processes and systems. Sainsbury's Supermarkets is on track to deliver £250 million of cost savings for the year and cumulative savings of £710 million from the start of the Business Transformation Programme to March 2004. Offsetting the cost savings delivery in the first half has been additional operating costs in implementing the change programme. These include additional labour, training, property and supply chain dual running costs. Dual running costs in the supply chain increased operating costs by £13 million during the first half and are expected to be £25 million for the full year. National insurance and insurance costs increased by £13 million in the first half. Sainsbury's to You sales+ have increased by 34.5 per cent in the half year and losses have reduced significantly to £10 million (2002: £19 million). Sainsbury's to You is targeted to achieve break-even before the year-end. Sainsbury's Supermarkets' underlying operating profit,* for the first half was £313 million (2002: £286 million), an increase of 9.4 per cent over the previous year. The underlying operating margin+* increased from 3.6 per cent to 3.8 per cent (including Sainsbury's to You). Shaw's Supermarkets delivered a strong trading performance during the first half, in what remains a challenging trading environment. Sales+ grew by 2.7 per cent to $2,473 million (2002: $2,409 million). Like-for-like sales growth++ for the first half was 0.6 per cent (2002: 1.3 per cent) and Shaw's maintained its strong No. 2 position in the New England market. Underlying operating profit* increased by 9.1 per cent to $120 million (2002: $110 million) as a result of strict cost control and good performances by the ex-Grand Union and Connecticut stores. Underlying operating margin+* increased from 4.6 per cent to 4.9 per cent. Occupancy costs of the ex-Ames stores prior to opening amounted to $7 million in the first half. Excluding these costs, underlying operating profit* would have increased by 15.5 per cent and the underlying operating margin+* would have increased to 5.1 per cent. An adverse dollar to sterling currency movement depressed Shaw's reported earnings when translated into sterling, with underlying operating profit* increasing by 1.4 per cent to £74 million (2002: £73 million). Sainsbury's Bank achieved net income growth of 39.2 per cent in the first half, but operating profit was, as expected, £1 million lower than last year at £8 million (2002: £9 million), due to further revenue investment in growing the long-term customer base of the business. Since the growth strategy started customer accounts have increased by 37 per cent to 1.7 million and personal loan balances are up 78 per cent to nearly £1 billion. Profit for the full year is expected to be ahead of last year. JS Developments' operating profit in the first half was £6 million (2002: £3 million), with two sites being sold during the period. The main focus, during this period, has been on the sale of this business. Net interest payable increased to £35 million (2002: £30 million), as a result of higher net debt, partially offset by a US dollar exchange rate benefit and lower short-term interest rates. Interest capitalised in the first half amounted to £9 million (2002: £12 million). Exceptional operating costs were £37 million (2002: £10 million). These relate to re-organisation and closure costs arising from the Business Transformation Programme in Sainsbury's Supermarkets of £29 million (2002: £10 million) and £8 million for Safeway plc bid costs. The Board estimates the full year exceptional operating costs arising from the UK Business Transformation Programme will be £55 million, the same level as last year. The Group tax charge was £114 million (2002: £111 million). The underlying effective tax rate, before exceptional items and amortisation of goodwill, in the first half was 32.5 per cent (2002: 33.0 per cent), the same level as in the 2003 full year. Underlying earnings per share, before exceptional items and amortisation of goodwill, was 12.8 pence (2002: 11.8 pence), an increase of 8.5 per cent on the previous year. Basic earnings per share was 10.8 pence (2002: 10.8 pence) as a result of exceptional operating costs being higher than in the first half last year. The Board has declared an interim dividend of 4.33 pence per share which represents an increase of 2.5 per cent over the previous year. The interim dividend will be paid on 9 January 2004 to shareholders on the Register of Members at the close of business on 28 November 2003. Group capital expenditure in the first half was reduced by £245 million to £350 million (2002: £595 million). Sainsbury's Supermarkets' capital expenditure was down by £300 million to £212 million, with substantial reductions in all categories. Nine extensions and two refurbishments were completed during the first half, a reduction of 26 refurbishments against the same period last year. Capital expenditure relating to the supply chain has also reduced significantly with three of the four new depots now operational and the fourth came on stream during October 2003. Shaw's capital expenditure increased by £52 million to £133 million (2002: £81 million), partly due to expenditure on the newly acquired ex-Ames stores of £10 million and a substantial development programme for this year. Shaw's opened six new and five replacement stores in the first half and extended a further six stores. Selling space is forecast to increase by 12 per cent for the full year. Group capital expenditure is forecast to be £1.0 billion for the year, with Sainsbury's Supermarkets' expenditure decreasing by £300 million to below £700 million. Sainsbury's Supermarkets return on capital employed increased by 0.2 per cent to 10.9 per cent (2002: 10.7 per cent), whilst Group return on capital employed was maintained at 11.5 per cent (2002: 11.5 per cent). Underlying EBITDA before exceptional operating costs increased by 5.9 per cent to £610 million (2002: £576 million). Net debt at the half-year increased by £0.3 billion to £1.7 billion (29 March 2003: £1.4 billion) with gearing increasing to 33 per cent (29 March 2003: 28 per cent). For enquiries: Investor Relations: Media: Roger Matthews Jan Shawe Lynda Ashton +44 (0) 20 7695 7162 Pip Wood +44 (0) 20 7695 6127 The preliminary results presentation will begin at 09.45am GMT in our Auditorium at 33 Holborn, London, EC1N 2HT. Breakfast will be available from 09.15am. If you would like to attend please telephone/fax 020 7695 6431 or email rosemarie.fallah@sainsburys.co.uk. Strict security operates throughout the building and all external guests must be notified to us in advance. If you are unable to attend in person, please phone our live-teleconference facilities at 09.35 by dialling +44 (0) 207 784 1004. You will be asked to give your name and company. You will then be placed on hold and music will be heard. To view the slide show go to the Direct Access Link: http://www.placeware.com/cc /premconfeurope/P?id=f589027&pw=824436. Shortly before the presentation begins you will hear an announcement and list of the speakers present. To listen to the presentation for up to 7 days after the event dial +44 (0) 207 784 1024, using the pin number 589027 To view the slides and the web cast of the presentation go to www.j-sainsbury.co.uk from 9.30am GMT onwards and the event will be available to view via the delayed web cast from 3.30pm BST on the day. Group profit and loss account 28 weeks to 28 weeks to 11 October 12 October 2003 2002 (unaudited) (unaudited) Note £m £m Turnover including VAT and sales tax+ 2 9,840 9,744 VAT and sales tax (580) (560) Turnover excluding VAT and sales tax 9,260 9,184 Operating profit before exceptional costs and amortisation of 401 371 goodwill Exceptional operating costs 3 (37) (10) Amortisation of goodwill (7) (7) Operating profit 357 354 Share of operating profit in joint ventures - 1 Profit/(loss) on sale of properties 3 1 (5) Profit on ordinary activities before interest 358 350 Net interest payable and similar items (35) (30) Underlying profit on ordinary activities before tax* 366 342 Exceptional items (36) (15) Amortisation of goodwill (7) (7) Profit on ordinary activities before tax 323 320 Tax on profit on ordinary activities 4 (114) (111) Profit on ordinary activities after tax 209 209 Equity minority interest (3) (3) Profit for the financial period 206 206 Equity dividends (83) (81) Retained profit for the financial period 123 125 Basic earnings per share 5 10.8p 10.8p Underlying earnings per share* 5 12.8p 11.8p Diluted earnings per share 5 10.8p 10.7p Underlying diluted earnings per share* 5 12.7p 11.7p Dividend per share 4.33p 4.22p + Including VAT at Sainsbury's Supermarkets and sales tax at Shaw's Supermarkets. * Before exceptional items and amortisation of goodwill. Group statement of total recognised gains and losses 28 weeks to 28 weeks to 11 October 2003 12 October 2002 (unaudited) (unaudited) £m £m Profit for the financial period 206 206 Currency translation differences on foreign currency net investments (4) (5) Total recognised gains since last annual report 202 201 There is no material difference between the above profit for the financial period and the historical cost equivalent. Reconciliation of movements in equity shareholders' funds 28 weeks to 28 weeks to 11 October 2003 12 October 2002 (unaudited) (unaudited) £m £m Profit for the financial period 206 206 Equity dividends (83) (81) 123 125 Currency translation differences (4) (5) Proceeds from ordinary shares issued for cash 4 3 Net movement in equity shareholders' funds 123 123 Opening equity shareholders' funds 5,003 4,848 Closing equity shareholders' funds 5,126 4,971 Group balance sheet 11 October 12 October 29 March 2003 2002 2003 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £m £m £m Note Fixed assets Intangible assets 206 235 226 Tangible assets 7,559 7,159 7,540 Investments 110 121 112 7,875 7,515 7,878 Current assets Stock 898 872 800 Debtors 246 310 297 Sainsbury's Bank's current assets 6 2,410 2,279 2,397 Investments 26 15 20 Cash at bank and in hand 352 509 639 3,932 3,985 4,153 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Sainsbury's Bank's current liabilities 6 (2,236) (2,139) (2,237) Other (2,248) (2,247) (2,537) (4,484) (4,386) (4,774) Net current liabilities (552) (401) (621) Total assets less current liabilities 7,323 7,114 7,257 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (1,870) (1,874) (1,885) Provisions for liabilities and charges (255) (205) (300) Total net assets 5,198 5,035 5,072 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 485 484 484 Share premium account 1,427 1,424 1,424 Revaluation reserve 22 39 22 Profit and loss account 3,192 3,024 3,073 Equity shareholders' funds 5,126 4,971 5,003 Equity minority interest 72 64 69 Total capital employed 5,198 5,035 5,072 Group cash flow statement 28 weeks to 28 weeks to 11 October 12 October 2003 2002 (unaudited) (unaudited) £m £m Note Net cash inflow from operating activities 7 444 445 Dividend received from joint venture 1 8 Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 16 44 Interest paid (59) (72) Interest element of finance lease payments (20) (16) Net cash outflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance (63) (44) Taxation (100) (90) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (439) (580) Sale of tangible fixed assets 77 76 Purchase of intangible fixed assets - (2) Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and financial investment (362) (506) Acquisitions and disposals Repayment of loans to joint ventures - 3 (Payments)/receipts relating to disposal of fixed asset investments (23) 75 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from disposals (23) 78 Equity dividends paid to shareholders (217) (207) Net cash outflow before use of liquid resources and financing (320) (316) Financing Issue of ordinary share capital 4 3 Increase/(decrease) in short-term borrowings 87 (236) (Decrease)/increase in long-term borrowings (1) 550 Increase in finance leases - 151 Capital element of finance lease payments (35) (4) Net cash inflow from financing 55 464 (Decrease)/increase in net cash in the period (265) 148 Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt (Decrease)/increase in net cash in the period (265) 148 Increase in debt and lease financing (86) (314) Movement in finance leases (9) (154) Exchange adjustments 53 82 Movement in net debt in the period 8 (307) (238) Net debt at the beginning of the period 8 (1,404) (1,156) Net debt at the end of the period 8 (1,711) (1,394) Notes to the results 1. Accounting policies The financial information has been prepared using the accounting policies set out in the Annual Report and Financial Statements 2003. 2. Group turnover and operating profit Set out below are the Group turnover and operating profit. 28 weeks to 28 weeks to Change % 11 October 2003 12 October 2002 (unaudited) (unaudited) £m £m Turnover including VAT and sales tax Food retailing and financial services - UK 8,299 8,137 2.0 Property development - UK 13 13 - Food retailing - US 1,528 1,594 (4.1) Total 9,840 9,744 1.0 Turnover excluding VAT and sales tax Food retailing and financial services - UK 7,731 7,589 1.9 Property development - UK 13 13 - Food retailing - US 1,516 1,582 (4.2) Total 9,260 9,184 0.8 Operating profit Food retailing and financial services - UK 321 295 8.8 Property development - UK 6 3 100.0 Food retailing - US 74 73 1.4 Operating profit before exceptional costs and amortisation of goodwill 401 371 8.1 Exceptional operating costs - Food retailing - UK (37) (10) Food retailing - US - - Amortisation of goodwill - Food retailing - US (7) (7) Total 357 354 0.8 2. Group turnover and operating profit (continued) US sales and operating profit have been translated at an average exchange rate for the period of £1 = $1.6191 (2002: £1 = $1.5113). 28 weeks to 28 weeks to Change % 11 October 2003 12 October 2002 (unaudited) (unaudited) $m $m Shaw's sales and operating profit Sales (including sales tax) 2,473 2,409 2.7 Operating profit 120 110 9.1 3. Exceptional items 3.1 Exceptional operating costs 28 weeks to 28 weeks to 11 October 2003 12 October 2002 (unaudited) (unaudited) £m £m Sainsbury's Supermarkets 29 10 Safeway bid costs 8 - Exceptional operating costs 37 10 The costs in Sainsbury's Supermarkets relate to the Business Transformation Programme which involves upgrading its IT systems, supply chain and store portfolio. 3.2 Exceptional non-operating items Profit/(loss) on sale of properties were as follows: 28 weeks to 28 weeks to 11 October 2003 12 October 2002 (unaudited) (unaudited) £m £m Sainsbury's Supermarkets 1 (2) Shaw's Supermarkets - (3) 1 (5) 4. Taxation The tax charge in the profit and loss account comprises: 28 weeks to 28 weeks to 11 October 12 October 2003 2002 (unaudited) (unaudited) £m £m Current tax 112 107 Deferred tax 7 6 Tax relief on exceptional items (5) (2) 114 111 The above tax charge exceeds the charge based on the statutory rate of UK corporation tax principally due to the higher rate of tax incurred on US profits and the lack of effective tax relief on depreciation of UK retail properties. 5. Earnings per share Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period, excluding those held by the Employee Share Ownership Trusts which are treated as cancelled. For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. These represent share options granted to employees where the exercise price is less than the average market price of the Company's ordinary shares during the period to 11 October 2003. 28 weeks to 28 weeks to 11 October 2003 12 October 2002 (unaudited) (unaudited) million million Weighted average number of shares in issue 1,912.7 1,911.7 Weighted average number of dilutive share options 1.6 13.0 Total number of shares for calculating diluted earnings per share 1,914.3 1,924.7 The alternative measure of earnings per share is provided because it reflects the Group's underlying trading performance by excluding the effect of exceptional items and amortisation of goodwill. 28 weeks to 28 weeks to 11 October 12 October 2003 2002 (unaudited) (unaudited) Earnings Per share Earnings Per share £m amount £m amount pence pence Basic earnings 206 10.8 206 10.8 Exceptional items net of tax: Operating profit 32 1.7 8 0.4 (Profit)/loss on sale of properties (1) (0.1) 5 0.2 Amortisation of goodwill 7 0.4 7 0.4 Underlying earnings before exceptional items 244 12.8 226 11.8 and amortisation of goodwill Diluted earnings 206 10.8 206 10.7 Underlying diluted earnings before exceptional 244 12.7 226 11.7 items and amortisation of goodwill 6. Current assets and creditors of Sainsbury's Bank 11 October 12 October 29 March 2003 2002 2003 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £m £m £m Current assets Cash 47 31 40 Treasury bills and other eligible bills 70 74 70 Loans and advances to banks 109 482 298 Loans and advances to customers* 1,777 1,153 1,528 Debt securities 374 522 448 Prepayments and accrued income 33 17 13 2,410 2,279 2,397 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Loan from minority shareholder 20 - 11 Deposits by banks 5 - 12 Customer accounts 2,132 2,063 2,166 Accruals and deferred income 79 76 48 2,236 2,139 2,237 *Loans and advances to customers include £996 million (12 October 2002: £484 million; 29 March 2003: £867 million) of loans and advances repayable in more than one year. In addition to the above assets, Sainsbury's Bank had fixed assets of £16 million at 11 October 2003 (12 October 2002: £8 million; 29 March 2003: £12 million) included in tangible fixed assets and inter company liabilities of £31 million (12 October 2002: £4 million; 29 March 2003: £18 million) included in creditors due within one year. 7. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities 28 weeks to 28 weeks to 11 October 2003 12 October 2002 (unaudited) (unaudited) £m £m Group operating profit 357 354 Depreciation 214 205 Amortisation of intangible assets 8 9 Loss on sale of equipment, fixtures and vehicles 10 5 Increase in stocks (107) (139) Decrease in debtors 34 1 (Decrease)/increase in creditors and provisions (58) 17 Increase in Sainsbury's Bank current assets (13) (86) (Decrease)/increase in Sainsbury's Bank creditors (1) 79 Net cash inflow from operating activities 444 445 8. Analysis of net debt At 29 March Cash Other Exchange At 11 October 2003 flow non-cash movements 2003 (audited) £m movements £m (unaudited) £m £m £m Current asset investments 20 6 - - 26 Cash at bank and in hand 639 (280) - (7) 352 Bank overdrafts (14) 9 - - (5) 645 (265) - (7) 373 Due within one year: Borrowings (162) (87) - 48 (201) Finance leases (37) 35 (39) - (41) Due after one year: Borrowings (1,564) 1 - 2 (1,561) Finance leases (286) - (5) 10 (281) (2,049) (51) (44) 60 (2,084) Total net debt (1,404) (316) (44) 53 (1,711) 9. Financial information The Interim Results are unaudited but have been reviewed by the Auditors. The financial information presented herein does not amount to full accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended). The figures for the 52 weeks to 29 March 2003 have been extracted from the Annual Report and Financial Statements 2003 which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The audit report on the Annual Report and Financial Statements 2003 was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 237 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The Company's results will be published in the Interim Statement which will be posted to shareholders on 20 November 2003. Copies will also be available from J Sainsbury plc, 33 Holborn, London EC1N 2HT and at its paying agents Citibank, N.A., 336 Strand, London WC2R 1HB and Chase Manhattan Bank, Trinity Tower, 9 Thomas More Street, London E1 9YT. Review report by the Auditors to the Board of Directors of J Sainsbury plc Independent review report to J Sainsbury plc Introduction We have been instructed by the Company to review the financial information which comprises a Group profit and loss account, Group statement of total recognised gains and losses, Group balance sheet, Group cash flow statement, comparative figures and associated 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 Directors are responsible for preparing the Interim Report in accordance with the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority which 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. 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 accounting policies and presentation have been consistently applied unless otherwise disclosed. 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 performed in accordance with United Kingdom Auditing Standards and therefore provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. 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 Listings 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 28 weeks ended 11 October 2003. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors 1 Embankment Place London WC2N 6RH 18 November 2003 Notes: (a) The maintenance and integrity of the J Sainsbury 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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