Interim Results - Part 2

Cookson Group PLC 27 July 2000 Part 2 Group Profit and Loss Account for the six months ended 30 June 2000 Half Half Full Year Year year 2000 1999 1999 note £m £m £m Turnover Ongoing operations 1,136.4 702.8 1,614.9 Operations to be disposed 52.9 46.7 95.8 Continuing operations 1,189.3 749.5 1,710.7 Discontinued operations 45.3 101.8 199.4 Total turnover, including jvs 1 1,234.6 851.3 1,910.1 Share of joint ventures - ongoing (40.6) (6.7) (20.5) - disc - (16.3) (27.2) (40.6) (23.0) (47.7) Turnover of Group subsidiaries 1,194.0 828.3 1,862.4 Operating profit Ongoing operations 109.7 57.8 144.1 Operations to be disposed 4.5 5.7 11.0 Continuing operations, incl jvs 114.2 63.5 155.1 Discontinued operations, incl jvs 4.6 10.0 17.4 Operating profit ** 118.8 73.5 172.5 Goodwill amortisation 1,6 (15.9) (2.6) (12.9) Exceptional costs 1,2 (15.5) (10.1) (45.6) Total operating profit 1,4 87.4 60.8 114.0 Comprising: Continuing operations 79.8 50.3 95.1 Discontinued operations 4.6 8.0 14.5 Group operating profit 84.4 58.3 109.6 Share of joint ventures: ongoing 3.0 0.5 1.5 Share of joint ventures: discontinued - 2.0 2.9 3.0 2.5 4.4 87.4 60.8 114.0 Net loss on sale of discontinued operations 3 - - (17.5) Net loss on disposal of fixed assets - - (0.9) Profit on ordinary activities before interest 87.4 60.8 95.6 Interest 4 (26.8) (9.0) (24.0) Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 60.6 51.8 71.6 Taxation on profit on ordinary activities (22.0) (15.7) (33.3) Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 38.6 36.1 38.3 Minority interests (1.1) (0.6) (1.6) Profit for the financial period 37.5 35.5 36.7 Dividends (32.4) (29.5) (68.4) Net profit/(loss) transferred to reserves 5.1 6.0 (31.7) Basic EPS ** 5 9.3p 6.9p 15.5p Basic and diluted EPS 5 5.2p 5.2p 5.2p Interim dividend declared 4.5p 4.3p 4.3p ** Before all exceptional items and goodwill amortisation Group Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2000 At 30 At 31 At 30 June Dec June note 2000 1999 1999 £m £m £m Fixed assets Goodwill 6 632.0 600.6 105.5 Tangible assets 7 473.0 483.5 439.3 Investments 8 102.4 95.5 48.2 Total fixed assets 1,207.4 1,179.6 593.0 Current assets Stocks 318.5 282.2 234.6 Debtors 551.4 527.0 414.7 Cash at bank 62.9 50.1 50.3 Total current assets 932.8 859.3 699.6 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Borrowings (22.1) (45.5) (15.2) Enthone purchase consideration payable - (284.3) - Other creditors (507.8) (496.3) (369.3) (529.9) (496.3) (384.5) Total current liabilities (529.9) (826.1) (384.5) Net current assets 402.9 33.2 315.1 Total assets less current liabilities 1,610.3 1,212.8 908.1 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Convertible bond (80.0) (80.0) (76.3) Other borrowings (715.3) (386.0) (162.0) Other creditors (55.7) (60.5) (33.9) Provisions for liabilities and charges (106.8) (103.9) (78.5) 652.5 582.4 557.4 Equity capital and reserves Called up share capital 362.6 362.6 345.9 Share premium account 375.3 375.3 331.2 Reserves 6 (91.1) (160.4) (126.4) Total shareholders' funds 646.8 577.5 550.7 Minority interests 5.7 4.9 6.7 652.5 582.4 557.4 Statement of Group Cash Flows for the six months ended 30 June 2000 Half Half Full Year Year Year 2000 1999 1999 £m £m £m Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities Group operating profit before exceptional items (note 4) 99.9 68.4 155.2 Depreciation and amortisation 47.4 28.9 66.1 Increase in stocks (30.9) (10.0) (5.2) Increase in debtors (34.6) (38.2) (46.7) Increase in creditors 3.3 19.4 25.7 Increase in working capital (62.2) (28.8) (26.2) Decrease in provisions (2.5) (0.9) (3.1) Cash payments in respect of exceptional rationalisation costs (note 2) (14.4) (9.6) (21.1) Net cash inflow from operating activities 68.2 58.0 170.9 Cash flow statement Net cash inflow from operating activities 68.2 58.0 170.9 Dividends from joint ventures 1.0 - 2.4 Returns on investment and servicing of finance Interest paid, net (note 4) (23.3) (9.0) (19.9) Taxation (31.7) (13.2) (14.8) Capital expenditure and financial investment Payments to acquire fixed assets (34.5) (30.7) (80.6) Receipts from disposal of fixed assets 0.9 0.5 13.7 (33.6) (30.2) (66.9) Acquisitions and disposals Net proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries and joint ventures 109.4 96.4 158.2 Consideration for acquisition of subsidiaries and joint ventures (313.3) (43.8) (394.0) Other, including additional costs for prior year disposals (3.7) (2.3) (10.8) (207.6) 50.3 (246.6) Dividends paid (37.5) (35.0) (66.0) Net cash (outflow)/inflow before financing (264.5) 20.9 (240.9) Financing Issue of shares - 0.5 0.4 Increase/(decrease) in debt 279.2 (55.4) 199.5 Increase/(decrease) in cash during the period 14.7 (34.0) (41.0) Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt Increase/(decrease) in cash during the period 14.7 (34.0) (41.0) Cash flow from movement in debt and lease financing (279.2) 55.4 (199.5) Change in net debt resulting from cash flows (264.5) 21.4 (240.5) Issue costs amortised - (0.2) (0.5) Exchange adjustments (28.6) (5.7) (1.7) Movement in net debt during the period (293.1) 15.5 (242.7) Net debt at 1 January (461.4) (218.7) (218.7) Net debt at end of period (754.5) (203.2) (461.4) Statement of Total Group Recognised Gains and Losses for the six months ended 30 June 2000 Half Half Full Year Year Year 2000 1999 1999 £m £m £m Profit for the period 37.5 35.5 36.7 Exchange adjustments 32.6 5.9 (3.9) FRS15 adjustment (note 7) - - (6.0) Total net recognised gains relating to the period 70.1 41.4 26.8 Reconciliation of Movements in Group Shareholders' Funds for the six months ended 30 June 2000 Half Half Full Year Year Year 2000 1999 1999 £m £m £m Shareholders' funds as at 1 January 577.5 538.3 538.3 Total net recognised gains for the period (see above) 70.1 41.4 26.8 Dividends (32.4) (29.5) (68.4) New share capital subscribed - 0.5 61.3 Goodwill in respect of disc operations 31.6 - 19.5 Net addition to shareholders' funds 69.3 12.4 39.2 Shareholders' funds at end of period 646.8 550.7 577.5 Note of Group Historical Cost Profits and Losses for the six months ended 30 June 2000 There were no material differences between the Group profit for the period and the historical cost equivalent. Notes to the accounts 1 Segmental analyses The results reported as Operations to be disposed represent those of the Group's Plastic Mouldings businesses. The businesses reported as Discontinued operations in 2000 comprise the Telecommunication Products Sector. In addition to these businesses, Discontinued operations in 1999 comprise Cookson Fibers, Inc., the Group's 45% interest in Zimco, its 35% interest in Entek Holdings LLC, TAM Ceramics, Inc., and Polyflex Circuits, Inc. Half Half Full Year Year Year 2000 1999 1999 Oper'g Op Op Turnover profit Turnover profit Turnover profit BY DIVISION £m £m £m £m £m £m Electronics 617.5 61.5 364.9 27.2 790.1 64.6 Ceramics 371.7 34.3 203.8 18.4 541.6 49.5 Precious Metals 147.2 13.9 134.1 12.2 283.2 30.0 Ongoing 1,136.4 109.7 702.8 57.8 1,614.9 144.1 operations Goodwill amortisation - (15.9) - (2.6) - (12.9) Exceptional items - (15.5) - (10.1) - (45.6) Operations to be disposed 52.9 4.5 46.7 5.7 95.8 11.0 Discontinued 45.3 4.6 101.8 10.0 199.4 17.4 operations Total Group 1,234.6 87.4 851.3 60.8 1,910.1 114.0 Of the exceptional charge of £15.5m in 2000 (1999: half year £10.1m; full year £45.6m), £13.7m related to Ceramics (1999: half year £6.1m; full year £30.6m); £1.8m to Electronics (1999: half year £3.1m; full year £9.6m); £nil to Precious Metals (1999: half year £0.6m; full year £0.6m); £nil to the Group's central functions (1999: half year £nil; full year £3.2m) and £nil to discontinued operations (1999: half year £0.3m; full year £1.6m). Of the goodwill amortisation charge of £15.9m in 2000 (1999: half year £2.6m; full year £12.9m), £8.3m related to Electronics (1999: half year £0.8m; full year £4.6m), £6.7m to Ceramics (1999: half year £1.1m, full year £7.2m) and £0.9m to Precious Metals (1999: half year £0.7m; full year £1.1m). Half GEOGRAPHICAL Year 2000 By location By of Group customer oper'tns location Oper'g Turnover profit Turnover £m £m £m United Kingdom 142.7 1.8 113.1 Continental Europe 226.3 18.5 229.0 USA 563.6 53.5 543.1 Asia-Pacific 140.0 26.5 144.6 Rest of the World 63.8 9.4 106.6 Ongoing operations 1,136.4 109.7 1,136.4 Goodwill amortisation - (15.9) - Exceptional items - (15.5) - Operations to be disposed 52.9 4.5 52.9 Discontinued operations 45.3 4.6 45.3 Total Group 1,234.6 87.4 1,234.6 Half Full GEOGRAPHICAL contd / Year Year 1999 1999 By By location By location By of customer of customer Group Group oper'tns location oper'tns location Oper' Oper' g g T'over profit T'over T'over profit T'over £m £m £m £m £m £m United Kingdom 90.2 6.1 61.3 215.7 10.1 169.3 Continental Europe 135.9 5.5 139.9 305.3 19.5 345.9 USA 381.3 36.3 346.4 889.7 86.1 743.4 Asia-Pacific 59.0 7.5 97.6 145.5 24.8 212.6 Rest of the World 36.4 2.4 57.6 58.7 3.6 143.7 Ongoing operations 702.8 57.8 702.8 1,614.9 144.1 1,614.9 Goodwill amortisation - (2.6) - - (12.9) - Exceptional items - (10.1) - - (45.6) - Operations to be disposed 46.7 5.7 46.7 95.8 11.0 95.8 Discontinued operations 101.8 10.0 101.8 199.4 17.4 199.4 Total Group 851.3 60.8 851.3 1,910.1 114.0 1,910.1 Of the exceptional charge of £15.5m in 2000 (1999: half year £10.1m; full year £45.6m), £6.6m was in the United Kingdom (1999: half year £3.6m; full year £21.4m), £0.2m was in Continental Europe (1999: half year £0.5m; full year £3.2m), £8.7m was in the USA (1999: half year £5.6m; full year £20.2m) and £nil in the Rest of the World (1999: half year £0.4m; full year £0.8m). Of the goodwill amortisation charge of £15.9m in 2000 (1999: half year £2.6m; full year £12.9m), £1.2m was in the United Kingdom (1999: half year £0.9m; full year £1.9m), £3.2m was in Continental Europe (1999: half year £0.5m; full year £1.6m), £7.8m was in the USA (1999: half year £1.1m; full year £7.4m), £3.3m was in Asia-Pacific (1999: half year £nil; full year £1.8m) and £0.4m was in the Rest of the World (1999: half year £0.1m; full year £0.2m). 2 Exceptional costs Half Half Full Year Year Year 2000 1999 1999 £m £m £m Group-wide rationalisation programme - 10.1 21.0 Integration of Premier Refractories 13.7 - 22.9 Integration of Enthone-OMI 1.8 - - Other - - 1.7 Total before tax 15.5 10.1 45.6 Taxation attributable (1.9) (1.1) (2.3) Total after tax 13.6 9.0 43.3 The Group-wide rationalisation programme comprised the closure or rationalisation of the activities at 30 of the Group's manufacturing and distribution facilities, the discontinuance of certain product lines and the streamlining of divisional administration functions. Cash spend in 2000 was £5.2m (1999: half year £9.6m; full year £14.2m) leaving £7.3m provided at 30 June 2000 (31 December 1999: £12.1m; 30 June 1999 £8.3m). The charge of £22.9m in 1999 related to costs arising from the integration of Premier Refractories International, Inc., which was acquired in August 1999. Of the 1999 charge, £10.2m related to asset write-downs and £6.9m was spent, leaving £5.8m provided at 31 December 1999. A further £23m of cash costs are expected to be charged in 2000, of which £13.7m has been charged in the first half. Cash spend was £7.4m in the first half of 2000, leaving £12.1m provided at 30 June 2000. The costs involved in the integration of the Enthone-OMI group of businesses are expected to total £13m of which £1.8m was incurred in the first half of the year, with the remaining charge being expected in the second half of the year. 3 Net Loss on sale of discontinued operations The net result on sale of discontinued operations in 2000 comprises a profit on the sale of the Group's Telecommunication Sector businesses of £3.2m after goodwill write-off of £29.6m and a loss on the sale of Polyflex Circuits of £3.2m after goodwill written-off of £2.0m. There were no profits or losses in the 1999 half year. The net loss on sale of discontinued operations in the 1999 full year includes a loss on the sale of the Group's 35% interest in Entek Holdings LLC of £9.0m after goodwill written-off of £12.3m, a profit of £5.4m on the sale of TAM Ceramics, Inc., after goodwill written-off of £7.2m and additional costs relating to prior year disposals of £13.9m. 4 Interest From year end 1999, precious metals consignment fees are included within Group operating profit, whereas in prior years they were included in the net interest charge. Prior period comparatives have been restated accordingly. Consignment fees were £3.0m in 2000 (1999: half year £1.8m; full year £5.2m). 5 Earnings per share (EPS) Basic EPS are calculated using a weighted average of 721m (1999: half year 687m; full year 700m) ordinary shares in issue during the period. Diluted EPS are calculated assuming conversion of outstanding dilutive share options. These adjustments give rise to an increase in average ordinary shares of 3m (1999: half year 2m; full year 3m). On the face of the Group profit and loss account, EPS are shown both before and after goodwill amortisation and exceptional items. The Directors believe that the calculation of EPS excluding goodwill amortisation and all exceptional items, together with the associated tax charge or credit, gives the most appropriate measure of the underlying earning capacity of the Group. This calculation is based on earnings of £37.5m (1999: half year £35.5m; full year £36.7m), to which goodwill amortisation and exceptional items totalling £31.4m (1999: half year £12.7m; full year £76.9m) are added back and from which the associated tax credit of £1.9m (1999: half year £1.1m; full year £5.2m) is deducted. 6 Goodwill Goodwill arising in 2000 amounted to £17.2m (1999: half year £14.1m; full year £519.6m) and is being amortised over its estimated life of 20 years. Accumulated goodwill arising prior to 1998, which remains written-off directly against Group reserves, amounts to £481.4m. Of this total, £47.8m relates to the businesses reported as operations to be disposed. 7 Tangible Fixed Assets The Company adopted Financial Reporting Standard 15, 'Tangible Fixed Assets' for its 1999 accounts and has changed its policy of carrying certain of the Group's tangible fixed assets at valuation. The effect of this change of policy was that the carrying amount of all tangible fixed assets have been restated to historical cost less accumulated depreciation, necessitating a decrease of £6.0m in the 1999 accounts. 8 Investments Investments include £54.4m (31 December 1999 £50.6m; 30 June 1999 £21.6m) in respect of joint ventures and £48.0m (31 December 1999 £44.9m; 30 June 1999 £26.6m) in respect of other investments, £30.5m of which comprise the Group's investment in a revenue-sharing arrangement with Electric Lightwave, Inc. Investments in joint ventures consist of the Group's share of gross assets of £62.9m (31 December 1999 £58.5m; 30 June 1999 £25.0m) less the Group's share of gross liabilities of £8.5m (31 December 1999 £7.9m; 30 June 1999 £3.4m). Independent Review Report by KPMG Audit Plc to Cookson Group plc Introduction We have been instructed by the Company to review the financial information set out on pages 11 to 16 and 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 they are to be changed in the next annual accounts in which case any changes, and the reasons for them, are to be disclosed. Review work performed We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4: Review of interim financial information issued by the Auditing Practices Board. 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 is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with 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. 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 June 2000. KPMG Audit Plc, Chartered Accountants 26 July 2000, London Financial information For the purpose of these interim financial statements, 'Group' results represent the results of the parent company and its subsidiary companies, whereas 'Total' results represent Group results together with the Group's share of the results of its joint ventures. The interim financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies adopted in the Group's audited statutory accounts for 1999. The interim accounts were approved by the Board of Directors on 26 July 2000. The Financial information set out on pages 11 to 16 for the six month periods ended 30 June 2000 and 30 June 1999 is unaudited but has been reviewed by the Company's auditor. The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 December 1999 are not the Company's statutory accounts for that financial year. Those accounts have been reported on by the Company's auditor and delivered to the registrar of companies. The report of the auditor was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 237 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. These sections address whether proper accounting records have been kept, whether the Company's accounts are in agreement with these records and whether the auditor has obtained all the information and explanations necessary for the purposes of their audit.

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