Final Results

Scottish & Southern Energy PLC 23 May 2002 N E W S R E L E A S E F R O M . . . . Scottish and Southern Energy plc FOR IMMEDIATE USE Ref: NR-2112 23 May 2002 PRELIMINARY RESULTS for the year to 31 March 2002 Strong financial results • Pre-tax profit up 7.4% to £597.2m • Earnings per share up 7.5% to 54.7p • £136.4m reduction in debt Enhanced dividend policy • Dividend up 8% to 32.4p • Dividend target of at least 4% annual real growth extended to March 2004 Cost savings targets exceeded • Further 11% reduction in controllable costs • £145m cost savings now achieved over the last three years • New cost savings target set of at least £160m Successful first year of NETA • £25m contribution to profit Major investment in renewables • £450m investment programme well under way • Refurbishment of six hydro stations in progress (Note: All financial information is stated before goodwill and the impact of FRS 19 on deferred tax.) Dr Bruce Farmer, Chairman of Scottish and Southern Energy said: 'Scottish and Southern Energy has delivered another year of good financial and operational performance. We are focused on running our businesses well and identifying areas where we can create additional shareholder value. Pre-tax profit rose by 7.4% and earnings per share increased by 7.5%. Given our strong financial position and growth prospects, we have extended our dividend target of at least 4% real growth for an additional year, to March 2004.' Overview Scottish and Southern Energy delivered a good financial and operational performance in the year to 31 March 2002, extending its track record of strong, consistent achievement. This performance was achieved against a challenging environment of low wholesale electricity prices, high wholesale gas prices and the introduction of the New Electricity Trading Arrangements (NETA). The Group achieved a 7.4% increase in profit before tax and goodwill, with profit growth in Power Systems, Generation and Supply and in the other businesses including the SSE Contracting Group and SSE Telecom. The foundations for future growth have also been laid, following the achievement of a further £25m of synergy savings, the start of a £450m investment programme in renewable generation and opportunities in the energy supply and other businesses. Appointment of Chief Executive It was announced on 18 March that Jim Forbes had informed the Board that he would like to retire during the year. The process of identifying the right candidate to succeed him as Chief Executive is now well under way and the Board expects to be in a position to make an announcement on the succession by the Annual General Meeting on 25 July. Power Systems Operating profit went up by 2.5% to £304.1m despite the effects of the second year of Ofgem's five-year price controls. In Scotland, the 14.3% reduction in controllable costs, together with a 0.1% increase in units distributed, more than offset the price control impact and profits rose by 5.4%. In England, depreciation arising from the continued network investment and an increase in local authority rates was offset by the 16.6% reduction in controllable costs and a 2.1% increase in units distributed, giving a 0.8% rise in operating profit. This performance, combined with the investment made in the electricity network, has reinforced the Group's position as the most efficient network operator in the UK and means the Power Systems business is continuing to achieve a return in excess of the notional 6.5% allowed by Ofgem on the £2.5 billion Regulated Asset Base. Generation and Supply Operating profit in Generation and Supply increased by 4.0% to £303.5m in a challenging environment of low wholesale electricity prices, high wholesale gas prices and intense competition for supply customers. Within the overall increase of 4%, profits in England and Wales showed a rise of 10.1%, while profits in Scotland declined by 19.6%. Following the introduction of NETA, the generation portfolio is now managed as one entity, with the key objective of maximising the Group's overall profit. In addition, following the successful integration of all the customer databases on to a single IT system, the supply cost base is now also managed as a whole. This means that it is more meaningful to report profits on a GB wide basis. A number of factors have contributed to the overall increase in operating profit for Generation and Supply. These include a good performance from the power stations, principally Barking and Seabank, and success in the NETA balancing market. The management of the Group's generation assets is aligned to the management of the supply business in order to secure the margin between wholesale purchase costs and retail sales price. The Group has performed well under NETA being one of the best in demand and generation forecasting and capable of operating generation plant flexibly and reliably in the balancing market. This success has contributed £25m to the overall operating profit for Generation and Supply, helping to offset the impact of higher gas costs and lower retail sales volumes. Within the Scottish market, margins have been under pressure as the wholesale price in Scotland is fixed by direct reference to the price in England and Wales. This has also reduced profits from interconnector exports. In addition, an adverse fuel mix, impacted by higher nuclear output and gas costs, reduced profits further. This was partially offset by improved hydro generation output. In terms of energy supply customers, the Group has been relatively successful in retaining customers and in acquiring new ones. There was a slight downward trend in the overall number of customers in the run-up to the end of 2001. This has been reversed since the start of 2002, with an increase of over 50,000 customers following a variety of initiatives geared to minimising customer losses and acquiring new domestic, industrial and commercial customers. The Group will continue to focus on retention and cost-effective acquisition of customers but will not seek to grow customer numbers in an unprofitable or unsustainable way. Going forward, Scottish and Southern Energy will continue the profitable development of its generation portfolio. The £450m investment programme in renewable generation is now under way. It includes refurbishment of hydro power stations to increase their output and extend their working life and the development of new hydro and wind energy schemes. This investment will help the supply business to meet its own Renewable Obligation target and should deliver earnings growth in the years ahead. In addition, a new 10MW power station to generate electricity from coal mine methane has been developed on the site of the former Wheldale Colliery near Castleford in Yorkshire. Following the Budget statement in April 2002, such electricity is set to be exempt from the Climate Change Levy. SSE Contracting Group, SSE Telecom and other businesses Operating profit from other businesses, including SSE Contracting Group and SSE Telecom, increased by 51.4%, contributing an additional £23.9m to operating profit. Overall, operating profit from other businesses represented 10.4% of the Group's operating profit. The main increases were achieved in SSE Telecom, where operating profit grew in excess of 75%, and the SSE Contracting Group, where operating profit increased by over 20%. Improved margins and a reduction in controllable costs contributed to the increase in operating profit for the SSE Contracting Group. SSE Telecom's increase in operating profit reflected its ability to use the existing electricity network and related engineering skills to provide competitive products to a wide variety of organisations. The Group's new connections business also continues to be successful. Cost Savings The Group has secured an additional £25m of cost savings, representing a further 11% reduction in controllable costs in 2001/02. This takes the post-merger cost savings to £145m, significantly exceeding the original target of £90m. Cost savings in excess of £160m are now being targeted. Group Capital Expenditure Group capital expenditure and investment totalled £278.3m during the year, a reduction of £26.0m compared with the previous year, reflecting the completion of the Peterhead repowering and the Seabank 2 projects. During 2001/02, capital expenditure was focused on further upgrading the electricity network and completing the telecoms network. Over the next few years, capital expenditure will continue to be targeted on the electricity network and developing renewable generation. Work has started on the refurbishment of six hydro power stations and plans have been announced for a £60m, 100MW windfarm in South Ayrshire. Interest Charge The net interest charge was £106.7m. The increase of £4.9m from the previous year reflects the full year impact of the acquisition of SWALEC, offset by strong improvement in cash flow. The average interest rate for the Group was 6.4%, down from 6.5% in the previous year. Underlying interest cover for the year was 6.9 times, the same as last year. Tax The current effective tax rate has remained broadly unchanged at 22.0%. FRS 19 has now been adopted on deferred tax liabilities. As these liabilities are only a potential exposure, discounting has been applied to reflect the long-term nature of assets and this impacts on both the profit and loss account and the balance sheet. The tax charge is now 26.4%, (26.1% in 2000/01) and an additional discounted liability of £377.2m at 31 March 2002 has been recognised on the balance sheet. Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 17 FRS 17 involves a significant change to the measurement and presentation of pension scheme assets, liabilities and costs. In order to maintain and enhance accounting transparency, FRS 17 has been adopted in full for 2001/02, with last year's results re-stated as required. In the profit and loss account there is a charge against operating profit of £19.0m (£21.0m in 2000/01), reflecting current service costs, but this is more than offset by a credit in other finance income of £24.3m (£21.0m in 2000/01) representing the expected return on the pension scheme assets. The balance sheet reflects a pensions asset, after deferred tax, of £64.4m (£175.0m in 2000/01). Earnings per Share The Group continues to focus on earnings per share before goodwill and the impact of FRS19. On this basis, earnings per share increased by 7.5% to 54.7p. In the three years since SSE was created earnings per share have grown by 33%, a compound annual growth rate of 10.0%. Dividend The Board has recommended a full-year dividend of 32.4p, up 8% on last year. This is significantly ahead of the target of 4% real growth for 2001/02 and represents the second successive year in which this target has been beaten. Given the continued strength of the business and its growth prospects, the dividend target has been revised. From the higher base of 32.4p, the target dividend will now be at least 4% above inflation for each of the two years until March 2004. The Group is also committed to continued real dividend growth in the year to March 2005. Cash Flow and Balance Sheet During the year to 31 March 2002, the Group reduced net debt by £136.4m to £1,207.3m. This resulted from an improvement in the net cash flow from operations of £166.4m to £816.6m. The balance sheet remains one of the strongest in the global utility sector and this was recently recognised by rating agency Standard & Poor's when it increased the Group's long-term credit rating to AA-. During the year, a £250m, 30-year bond was issued at a coupon of 5.5%, at the time the lowest in the UK and a £500m revolving credit facility was put in place. The market share buy-back programme also continued, with the purchase of 850,000 shares at a cost of £5.1m. Shareholders' funds stood at £1,706.1m as at 31 March 2002, compared with £1,656.2m the year before. The comparison of net debt with shareholders' funds gives headline gearing for the Group of 70.8%, compared with 81.1% in the year before. Strategy and Outlook The Group has built its reputation through the sound management of its business and a clear focus on the importance of managing core activities well. The development of other businesses such as the SSE Contracting Group and SSE Telecom will also yield further opportunities for earnings growth. The energy sector remains subject to significant change, and merger and acquisition opportunities continue to arise. The Group continues to pursue those that will deliver value for shareholders. At the same time, it will maintain its disciplined approach and developments in this area will continue to be measured against the benefits of returning value to shareholders. Following events in the energy sector in the US during the second half of 2001, opportunities in the short term are more likely to arise in the UK. The future growth of the Group will be based on its core strengths and its ability to adapt to and capitalise on the many changes which the energy sector will face in the years ahead. The Board's confidence is reflected in a further improvement in the dividend policy, and the Group will continue to focus on delivering real and sustained dividend growth. ENDS - For further information please contact: Scottish and Southern Energy Alan Young - Director of Corporate Communications 0870 900 0410 Denis Kerby - Investor Relations Manager 0870 900 0410 Financial Dynamics Andrew Dowler 020 7831 3113 Fiona Meiklejohn 020 7831 3113 There will be an analysts presentation starting at 10am at the offices of Financial Dynamics, Holborn Gate, 26 Southampton Buildings, London. Webcast facility: www.scottish-southern.co.uk In addition there is a dial-in facility provided: Date of call: 23 May 2002 Time of call: 10am (BST) Dial in number: +44 (0) 208 781 0571 Password: scottish and southern A replay facility will be available for 48 hours after the presentation: Dial in number: +44 (0) 208 288 4459 Freephone: 0500 637880 Password: 684832 Group Profit and Loss Account for the year ended 31 March 2002 Total Total 2001 2002 (Restated) Note £m £m Turnover Group and share of joint ventures 4,056.5 3,706.7 Less: share of joint ventures 50.9 121.1 _______ _______ Group turnover 4 4,005.6 3,585.6 Cost of sales (2,989.2) (2,611.1) _______ _______ Gross profit 1,016.4 974.5 Distribution costs (225.8) (223.8) Administrative costs (188.6) (184.5) ______ ______ Operating profit Group 602.0 566.2 Share of joint ventures 28.8 25.4 Share of associates 35.7 37.5 ______ ______ Total operating profit 4 666.5 629.1 Income from fixed asset investments 1.6 2.1 Net interest payable and similar charges 5 Group (74.2) (67.7) Joint ventures (13.2) (11.8) Associates (19.3) (22.3) Other finance Income 24.3 21.0 ______ ______ Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 585.7 550.4 Taxation 6 (154.6) (143.8) ______ ______ Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 431.1 406.6 Equity minority interests in subsidiary undertaking 0.5 0.4 ______ ______ Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders 431.6 407.0 Dividends 7 (278.5) (257.0) ______ ______ Retained profit for the financial year 153.1 150.0 ______ ______ Earnings per share (p) 8 - basic 50.3 47.6 ______ ______ - adjusted basic 54.7 50.9 ______ ______ - diluted 50.2 47.4 ______ ______ Balance Sheets as at 31 March 2002 Group 2001 Company 2001 2002 Restated 2002 Restated Note £m £m £m £m Fixed Assets Intangible assets 211.9 223.4 - - Tangible assets 3,609.2 3,525.9 - 1,698.2 Investments in subsidiaries 832.1 615.2 Investments in joint ventures ______ ______ Share of gross assets 209.7 263.8 - - Share of gross liabilities (19.3) (44.9) - - ______ ______ 190.4 218.9 - 20.0 Investments in associates 45.9 47.2 - 16.6 Other investments 0.2 0.2 - - ______ ______ ______ ______ 236.5 266.3 832.1 651.8 ______ ______ ______ ______ 4,057.6 4,015.6 832.1 2,350.0 ______ ______ ______ ______ Current Assets Stocks 54.6 36.2 - 18.0 Debtors 577.0 672.3 2,987.1 624.5 Investments 23.7 31.3 - 5.3 Cash at bank and in hand 25.0 27.3 1.9 4.3 ______ ______ ______ ______ 680.3 767.1 2,989.0 652.1 ______ ______ ______ ______ Creditors: amounts falling due 1,153.7 1,621.7 1,693.7 1,125.7 within one year Net current (liabilities) / assets (473.4) (854.6) 1,295.3 (473.6) ______ ______ ______ ______ Total assets less current liabilities 3,584.2 3,161.0 2,127.4 1,876.4 ______ ______ ______ ______ Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year 1,392.4 1,134.4 684.0 743.9 Provisions for liabilities and charges Deferred taxation 427.3 401.7 - 170.2 Other provisions 9 122.6 143.0 - 118.3 ______ ______ ______ ______ Net assets excluding pension asset / (liability) 1,641.9 1,481.9 1,443.4 844.0 ______ ______ ______ ______ Pension asset 79.8 175.0 79.8 98.0 Pension liability (15.4) - - - ______ ______ ______ ______ Net assets including pension asset / (liability) 1,706.3 1,656.9 1,523.2 942.0 ______ ______ ______ ______ Capital and reserves Called up share capital 430.1 429.3 430.1 429.3 Share premium account 60.9 48.3 60.9 48.3 Capital redemption reserve 11.3 10.9 11.3 10.9 Profit and loss account 1,203.8 1,167.7 1,020.9 453.5 ______ ______ ______ ______ Total shareholders' funds 1,706.1 1,656.2 1,523.2 942.0 Equity minority interests in subsidiary 0.2 0.7 - - undertaking ______ ______ ______ ______ 1,706.3 1,656.9 1,523.2 942.0 ______ ______ ______ ______ These Accounts were approved by the Board of Directors on 23 May 2002 and signed on their behalf by: Ian Marchant, Finance Director Bruce Farmer CBE, Chairman Group Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31 March 2002 2002 2001 Note £m £m Net cash inflow from operating activities 10 816.6 650.2 Dividends received from joint ventures and associates 16.1 10.1 Returns on investments and servicing of finance (67.7) (67.7) Taxation (127.8) (79.9) ______ ______ Free cash flow 637.2 512.7 Capital expenditure and financial investment (264.8) (278.4) Acquisitions and disposals 20.0 (217.8) Equity dividends paid (263.4) (241.6) ______ ______ Net cash outflow before management of liquid resources 129.0 (225.1) and financing Management of liquid resources 7.6 15.6 Financing (139.6) 227.1 ______ ______ (Decrease) / Increase in cash in the year (3.0) 17.6 ______ ______ Notes to the Group Cash Flow Statement Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt 2002 2001 £m £m (Decrease) / increase in cash in the year (3.0) 17.6 Cash inflow from decrease / (increase) in debt and lease financing 147.0 (230.9) Cash (inflow) from decrease in liquid resources (7.6) (15.6) ______ ______ Movement in net debt in the year 136.4 (228.9) Net debt at 1 April (1,343.7) (1,114.8) ______ ______ Net debt at 31 March (1,207.3) (1,343.7) ______ ______ Analysis of net debt As at Decrease (Increase)/ As at 1 April 2001 in cash decrease 31 March 2002 £m £m in debt £m £m Cash at bank and in hand 27.3 (2.3) - 25.0 Overdrafts - (0.7) - (0.7) Other debt due within one year (600.7) - 416.1 (184.6) ______ ______ ______ ______ Net borrowings due within one year (573.4) (3.0) 416.1 (160.3) Net borrowings due after more than one year (801.6) - (269.1) (1,070.7) Current asset investments 31.3 - (7.6) 23.7 ______ ______ ______ ______ Net debt (1,343.7) (3.0) 139.4 (1,207.3) ______ ______ ______ ______ Group Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses for the year ended 31 March 2002 2001 2002 Restated £m £m Profit for the financial year Group 410.3 389.5 Share of joint ventures 11.5 9.2 Share of associates 9.8 8.3 ______ ______ Profit for the financial year 431.6 407.0 Actuarial loss recognised in respect of pension fund (110.6) (72.0) ______ ______ Total recognised gains and losses 321.0 335.0 Prior year adjustment for implementation of FRS19 'Deferred tax' (351.7) ______ Prior year adjustment for implementation of FRS17 'Retirement Benefits' 175.0 ______ Total gains and losses recognised since last annual report 144.3 ______ Group Reconciliation of Movement in Shareholders' Funds as at 31 March 2002 2001 2002 Restated £m £m Total recognised gains and losses relating to the financial year 321.0 335.0 Dividends (278.5) (257.0) ______ ______ Retained profit for the year 42.5 78.0 New share capital subscribed 12.6 8.2 Premium on issue of shares to Quest 1.2 8.0 Contribution to Quest (1.3) (8.7) Repurchase of ordinary share capital for cancellation (5.1) (11.3) ______ ______ Net addition to shareholders' funds 49.9 74.2 Opening shareholder's funds 1,656.2 1,582.0 ______ ______ Closing shareholders' funds 1,706.1 1,656.2 ______ ______ Opening Group shareholders' funds at 1 April 2000 were originally £1,663.7m before a prior year reduction of £81.7m through the creation of a pension asset of £247.0m and an increased deferred tax liability of £328.7m (note 3). Notes on the Financial Statements 1. Financial Statements The financial information set out in this announcement does not constitute the Group's Statutory Accounts for the years ended 31 March 2002 or 2001 but is derived from those Accounts. Statutory Accounts for 2000/01 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies, and those for 2001/02 will be delivered following the Company's Annual General Meeting on 25 July 2002. The Auditors have reported on those Accounts and their reports were unqualified and did not contain statements under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. This Preliminary Announcement was approved by the Board on 23 May 2002. 2. Basis of consolidation The Group Accounts consolidate the Accounts of Scottish and Southern Energy plc and its subsidiary undertakings together with the Group's share of the results and net assets of its joint ventures and associates. The results of subsidiary undertakings acquired or sold are consolidated from the date of acquisition, using the acquisition method of accounting. The results of joint ventures and associates are included using the equity method of accounting. 3. Accounting policy changes FRS 17 - Retirement benefits has been applied fully in preparing the accounts and involves a significant change to the measurement and presentation of pension scheme assets, liabilities and costs. FRS 19 - Deferred Tax, including the option to discount, has also been applied. The effect of these changes on the Group's profit and loss account and balance sheet is as follows with comparative figures restated as required: Profit attributable to shareholders 31 March 31 March 2002 2001 £m £m Impact of FRS 17 Increased charge to operating profit (19.0) (21.0) Increased finance income 24.3 21.0 ______ ______ Net increase in profit 5.3 - Impact of FRS 19 Increased tax charge (25.6) (23.0) ______ ______ Total net profit decrease (20.3) (23.0) ______ ______ As previously reported 430.0 ______ As restated 407.0 ______ Net assets as at 31 March 2001 Group Company 31 March 31 March 2001 2001 £m £m Impact of FRS 17 Creation of pension asset 250.0 140.0 Deferred tax thereon (75.0) (42.0) ______ ______ Net pension asset 175.0 98.0 Impact of FRS 19 Increase in provision for deferred tax (351.7) (172.6) ______ ______ Reduction in net assets (176.7) (74.6) As previously reported 1,833.6 1,016.6 ______ ______ As restated 1,656.9 942.0 ______ ______ Notes on the Financial Statements 4. Segmental analysis All turnover and profit before taxation arise from operations within Great Britain and relate to continuing operations. The Group's principal business is the generation, distribution and supply of electricity and sale of gas in Great Britain and the transmission of electricity in the north of Scotland. Analysis of turnover and operating profit by activity is provided below: Turnover Total Internal External turnover turnover turnover 2002 2001 2002 2001 2002 2001 £m £m £m £m £m £m Power Systems Scotland 243.2 225.5 186.4 180.5 56.8 45.0 England 363.8 367.2 190.5 226.7 173.3 140.5 ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ 607.0 592.7 376.9 407.2 230.1 185.5 ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ Generation and Supply 3,430.4 3,080.6 3.5 - 3,426.9 3,080.6 ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ Other Businesses 566.6 387.6 218.0 68.1 348.6 319.5 ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ 4,604.0 4,060.9 598.4 475.3 4,005.6 3,585.6 ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ Operating Profit 2001 2002 Restated £m £m Power Systems Scotland 117.0 111.0 England 187.1 185.7 ______ ______ 304.1 296.7 ______ ______ Generation and Supply 292.1 286.1 ______ ______ ______ ______ Other Businesses 70.3 46.3 ______ ______ ______ ______ 666.5 629.1 ______ ______ The total operating profits relating to joint ventures of £28.8m (2001 - £25.4m) and associates of £35.7m (2001 - £37.5m) are included in Generation and Supply. Income and costs have been allocated specifically to the activity to which they relate wherever possible. Certain costs have been apportioned or recharged between businesses. Notes on the Financial Statements 5. Net interest payable Group Joint Associates Ventures 2002 2001 2002 2001 2002 2001 £m £m £m £m £m £m Interest receivable: Interest from short-term deposits 2.1 0.7 - - - - Other interest receivable 15.2 23.3 0.7 0.6 2.0 2.3 ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ 17.3 24.0 0.7 0.6 2.0 2.3 ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ Interest payable and similar charges: Bank loans and overdrafts 31.3 37.3 - - 19.9 22.0 Other loans 51.5 47.6 13.9 12.4 1.4 2.6 Other financing charges 2.0 3.5 - - - - Amortisation of discount 6.9 9.0 - - - - ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ 91.7 97.4 13.9 12.4 21.3 24.6 ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ Interest capitalised (0.2) (5.7) - - - - ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ 91.5 91.7 13.9 12.4 21.3 24.6 ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ Net interest payable 74.2 67.7 13.2 11.8 19.3 22.3 ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ 6. Taxation Analysis of charge in the year 2001 2002 Restated £m £m Current tax: UK Corporation tax on profits of the year 143.4 116.5 Adjustments in respect of previous years (24.8) (17.0) Joint ventures 4.1 4.4 Associates 6.3 6.9 ______ ______ Total current tax 129.0 110.8 ______ ______ Deferred tax: Origination and reversal of timing differences 28.1 38.9 Increase in discount (2.5) (5.9) ______ ______ Total deferred tax 25.6 33.0 ______ ______ Tax on profit on ordinary activities 154.6 143.8 ______ ______ 7. Dividends 2002 2001 £m £m Dividends on ordinary shares: Interim of 9.7p (2001-9.0p) 83.7 77.3 Proposed final of 22.7p (2001-21.0p) * 194.8 179.7 ______ ______ 278.5 257.0 ______ ______ * Payable on 27 September 2002 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 6 September 2002. Notes on the Financial Statements 8. Earnings per share 2002 2001 2002 2001 Earnings Restated Earnings Restated per Share Earnings £m Earnings pence Per Share £m pence Basic 431.6 407.0 50.3 47.6 ______ ______ ______ ______ Adjusted - amortisation of goodwill 11.5 5.9 1.3 0.7 - deferred tax 25.6 23.0 3.1 2.6 ______ ______ ______ ______ Adjusted basic 468.7 435.9 54.7 50.9 ______ ______ ______ ______ Diluted 431.6 407.0 50.2 47.4 ______ ______ ______ ______ The weighted average number of shares used in each calculation is as follows: 2002 2001 Number of Number of shares shares (millions) (millions) For basic and adjusted earnings per share 857.4 855.9 Effect of exercise of share options 2.2 2.6 ______ ______ For diluted earnings per share 859.6 858.5 ______ ______ 9. Group Provisions for liabilities and charges Onerous Energy Restructure Contracts Other Total £m £m £m £m At 1 April 2001 43.4 85.7 13.9 143.0 Profit and loss account - 6.9 4.5 11.4 Utilised during the year (15.5) (12.6) (3.7) (31.8) ______ ______ ______ ______ At 31 March 2002 27.9 80.0 14.7 122.6 ______ ______ ______ ______ The restructure provision is in relation to expected costs associated with the continuing rationalisation of the business. The costs mainly comprise employee related costs, principally redundancy and early retirement costs. The majority of the expenditure is expected to be incurred in the next two years. The onerous energy contracts provision relates to the present value of out of money purchase contracts and will be utilised over a maximum period to 2011 when the contracts terminate. Other provisions include insurance/warranty claims and the costs of various committed expenditures relating to hydro civil assets. Notes on the Financial Statements 10. Reconciliation of operating profit to operating cash flows 2002 2001 £m £m Operating profit 602.0 566.2 FRS 17 pension charge 19.0 21.0 Depreciation 186.3 173.0 Amortisation of goodwill 11.5 5.9 Customer contributions and capital grants released (15.9) (15.1) (Profit) on disposal of tangible fixed assets (1.6) (2.9) Increase/(decrease) in working capital and provisions 15.3 (97.9) ______ ______ Net cash inflow from operating activities 816.6 650.2 ______ ______ This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange http://www.londonstockexchange.com/rns/mediastream/mediastream.asp?RNSNo=3047W

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