Restatement for IFRS

Cookson Group PLC 22 July 2005 22 July 2005 COOKSON RELEASES 2004 FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION RESTATED UNDER IFRS Cookson Group plc, a leading materials science company, today provides an unaudited summary of the restatement of its 2004 financial statements under International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS'). This summary is being provided in advance of the announcement on 26 July of Cookson's interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2005. As set out in the 18 January 2005 strategy presentation, the main changes from UK GAAP to IFRS that affect Group profit before tax are: - discontinuation of the amortisation of goodwill; - accounting for the costs of employee share options; - reversal of deferred income on the close-out of interest rate swaps in prior periods; - accounting for profits from joint ventures on the net equity basis. The only significant Group balance sheet impacts, apart from re-classifications, are the accounting for defined benefit pension and other post-retirement schemes and for amortisation of goodwill and the consequent impact on shareholders' equity. Cookson Group plc will continue to produce its company-only accounts under UK GAAP and therefore none of the IFRS adjustments in this announcement impact on its distributable reserves at 31 December 2004, which were £97.1m. There are no IFRS adjustments to Group cash flows, only re-classifications of items within the cash flow statement. As noted in the trading update announced on 6 May 2005, Cookson considered the early-adoption of IAS 39 and IAS 32, which relate to the accounting and disclosure of financial instruments, but subsequently elected not to do so. These standards are therefore, adopted as from their effective date of 1 January 2005. The Group's results for the first half of 2004 and for the full year on an IFRS and a comparative UK GAAP basis are summarised in the table below. Reconciliations for each item in the table are provided in the notes attached. Detailed reconciliations are provided in the appendix attached. Year - 2004 First Half - 2004 Notes IFRS UK GAAP IFRS UK GAAP Revenue (£m) 1. 1,652.5 1,698.2 816.7 841.5 Trading profit (£m) 2. 114.9 119.6 51.9 55.1 Profit before tax (£m) - Headline 3. 85.0 93.1 37.2 42.0 - Reported 4. 12.6 (18.7) 24.1 8.0 Earnings per share (pence) - Headline 5. 30.1 33.4 12.4 14.3 - Reported 6. (11.2) (26.6) 4.4 (3.7) Free cash flow (£m) - 51.6 51.6 (21.2) (21.2) Net debt (£m) 7. 321.8 306.9 402.0 385.8 Employee Benefits 8. 189.9 29.8 188.8 37.6 Liability (£m) Shareholders' Equity (£m) 9. 431.4 559.4 458.4 591.6 Trading profit is defined in note 1 of the attached appendix Under IFRS, companies are required to reflect the profits of each reporting segment before Group corporate costs. The table below sets out the relevant information in respect of trading profit, as defined, and takes into account the above IFRS adjustments. Year - 2004 First Half - 2004 IFRS UK GAAP IFRS UK GAAP Trading profit (£m) - Ceramics 60.0 56.8 27.7 26.0 - Electronics 52.8 49.5 24.5 23.2 Assembly Materials 24.2 22.2 11.0 10.5 Chemistry 27.8 27.2 12.8 12.1 Laminates 0.8 0.1 0.7 0.6 - Precious Metals 11.0 9.3 3.8 3.3 - Joint Ventures - 4.0 - 2.6 - Group corporate costs (8.9) n/a (4.1) n/a Group 114.9 119.6 51.9 55.1 Shareholder / analyst enquiries: Cookson Group plc Dennis Millard, Group Finance Director Tel: 020 7061 6500 Isabel Vilela, Investor Relations Manager About Cookson Group Cookson Group is a leading materials science company which provides materials, processes and services to customers worldwide. The Group's operations are formed into three divisions - Ceramics, Electronics and Precious Metals. The Ceramics division is the world leader in the supply of advanced flow control and refractory products and systems to the iron and steel industry and is also a leading supplier of refractory lining materials for iron and steelmaking and other industrial processes. The Electronics division is a leading manufacturer and supplier of materials and services to the electronics industry, primarily serving fabricators and assemblers of printed circuit boards, assemblers of semiconductor packaging and the electrical and industrial markets. The Precious Metals division is a leading supplier to the jewellery industry of fabricated precious metals products. Headquartered in London, Cookson employs some 16,000 people in more than 35 countries and sells its products in over 100 countries. Cookson Group plc, 265 Strand, London WC2R 1DB Tel: 020 7061 6500 Fax: 020 7061 6600 www.cooksongroup.co.uk Notes to IFRS Restatement Announcement 2004 2004 Year First-half £m £m (1) Revenue Turnover as reported under UK GAAP 1,698.2 841.5 - Revenue of Joint Ventures (45.2) (24.4) - Adjustment of sales to prior period (0.5) (0.4) Revenue, under IFRS 1,652.5 816.7 (2) Trading Profit Operating profit before goodwill amortisation 119.6 55.1 and exceptional items as reported under UK GAAP - Profit of JVs before interest and tax (4.0) (2.6) - Pension costs, holiday pay accruals, share option costs, other (0.7) (0.6) Trading Profit, under IFRS 114.9 51.9 (3) Profit before tax - Headline Profit before tax before goodwill amortisation and exceptional 93.1 42.0 items as reported under UK GAAP - Pension costs, holiday pay accruals, share option costs, other (0.7) (0.6) - Share of JVs tax charge (1.7) (1.3) - Reversal of deferred income release from swap closeout (5.4) (2.7) - Interest on reclassified finance leases (0.3) (0.2) Headline profit before tax, under IFRS 85.0 37.2 (4) Profit / (loss) before tax - Reported Profit / (loss) before tax, as reported (18.7) 8.0 - Pension costs, holiday pay accruals, share option costs, other (0.7) (0.6) - Share of JVs tax charge (1.7) (1.3) - Goodwill amortisation reversed 31.7 15.9 - Goodwill on business disposals 2.3 2.3 - Interest on reclassified finance leases (0.3) (0.2) Profit before tax, under IFRS 12.6 24.1 2004 2004 Year First-half pence pence (5) Earnings per share - Headline Earnings per share before amortisation of goodwill and 33.4 14.3 intangibles under UK GAAP; restated for 1 for 10 share consolidation in May 2005 After tax effect of: - Deferred income on swap close-out (2.9) (1.5) - All other items (0.4) (0.4) Headline earnings per share, under IFRS 30.1 12.4 (6) Earnings per share - Reported Earnings per share under UK GAAP; restated for 1 for 10 share (26.7) (3.7) consolidation in May 2005 - Goodwill amortisation written-back 18.0 9.6 - All other items (2.5) (1.5) Earnings per share, under IFRS (11.2) 4.4 2004 2004 Year First-half £m £m (7) Net debt Per UK GAAP, as reported 306.9 385.8 - Reclassification of asset securitisation financing 10.7 11.7 - Additional finance leases recognised 4.2 4.5 As restated under IFRS 321.8 402.0 (8) Employee benefits liability Net accruals per UK GAAP, as reported 29.8 37.6 - Reclassification of pension asset 6.4 6.8 - Reversal of UK GAAP net accruals (36.2) (44.4) - Defined benefit pension scheme and other post- retirement 189.9 188.8 benefit arrangement deficits As restated under IFRS 189.9 188.8 (9) Shareholders' equity Per UK GAAP, as reported 559.4 591.6 - Pension and other post-retirement benefits (153.7) (144.4) - Goodwill amortisation 31.7 15.9 - Others, including tax on IFRS adjustments (6.0) (4.7) As restated under IFRS 431.4 458.4 Appendix: Summary reconciliation of the Group's UK GAAP 2004 Financial Statements to IFRS 1 Basis of preparation Cookson Group plc ('Cookson' or 'the Company') will report its annual consolidated financial statements for 2005 in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS'). This appendix presents and explains, notably in section 2.8, the unaudited conversion of the consolidated results of Cookson from UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice ('UK GAAP') onto an IFRS basis for the six months ended 30 June 2004 and the year ended 31 December 2004 and similarly the Group's financial position as at that date and also 30 June 2004 and at the date of the transition of the Company's consolidated financial statements to IFRS, being 1 January 2004. The financial information in this appendix has been prepared on the assumption that all IFRSs, including interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee and by the International Accounting Standards Board effective for year end 2005 reporting, will be endorsed by the European Commission, notably the amendments made to IAS 19, 'Employee Benefits'. Endorsement of all such pronouncements has not occurred as at the date of the publication of this announcement. The failure of the European Commission to endorse all of these standards in time for Cookson's year-end financial reporting in 2005 could result in the need to change the basis of accounting or the presentation of certain financial information from that presented in this appendix. It is possible, therefore, that further changes will be required to this information before it is published as comparative information for the full year 2005. The financial information, in the form of the primary statements contained in this appendix, is presented in accordance with International Accounting Standard ('IAS') 1, 'Presentation of Financial Statements'. Where no definitive guidance exists in IAS 1, a UK GAAP approach has been adopted in order to maintain consistency with prior years. This format and presentation may require modification in the event that further guidance is issued, but otherwise the Company believes that the basis on which this financial information has been prepared will be sufficient to enable it to comply fully with IFRS in its annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2005 without further significant modification to either the format and presentation or the comparative financial information contained in the primary financial statements herein. The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 December 2004 are not the Company's statutory accounts for that financial year. Those accounts, which were prepared under UK GAAP, 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. At the Company's Annual General Meeting held on 26 May 2005, shareholders approved a share consolidation. The share consolidation took effect following the close of business on 26 May 2005, with shareholders receiving one New Ordinary Share of 10p each for every 10 existing ordinary shares of 1p each held at the close of business on 26 May 2005. Trading in the New Ordinary Shares of 10p commenced on 27 May 2005. The information in this appendix relating to earnings per share has been restated to take into account the impact of this share consolidation. Disclosure of significant items IAS 1 provides no definitive guidance as to the format of the income statement, but states key lines which should be disclosed. It also encourages additional line items to be added and the re-ordering of items presented on the face of the income statement when appropriate for a proper understanding of the entity's financial performance. In keeping with the spirit of this aspect of IAS 1, Cookson has adopted a policy of disclosing separately on the face of its income statement the effect of any components of financial performance considered by management to be significant and/or for which separate disclosure would assist both in a better understanding of the financial performance achieved and in making projections of future results. Materiality and/or the nature and function of the components of income and expense are considered in deciding upon such presentation. Such items may include, inter alia, the financial effect of any profit or loss arising on business disposals, major rationalisation and/or restructuring activity, profits and losses on sale or impairment of fixed assets, amortisation of intangibles and other items, including the taxation impact of the afore-mentioned items, which have a significant impact on the Group's results of operations either due to their size or nature. On the face of the income statement, Cookson separately discloses 'trading profit', being profit from operations before the costs of rationalisation of operations, the profit or loss relating to fixed assets and the amortisation and impairment of intangibles. 2 Restatement of Financial Statement Comparatives from UK GAAP to IFRS 2.1 Income statement, balance sheet and cash flow reclassifications from UK GAAP to IFRS The adoption of IFRS requires certain changes to be made to the format and presentation of income statement, balance sheet and cash flow information previously disclosed under UK GAAP. In the income statement and balance sheet shown in sections 2.3 and 2.4 and in the statement of cash flows, the following principal changes have been made to the statements previously disclosed under UK GAAP prior to presenting them in section 2.3 and 2.4: i. Under UK GAAP, profits and losses arising on the disposal or write-down of fixed assets were shown separately below operating profit. Under IFRS, such profits and losses are shown as a component of profit from operations. ii. Long-term debtors previously included within current assets under UK GAAP of £37.5m at 31 December 2004 (1 January 2004: £28.3m; 30 June 2004: £27.1m) are included within non-current assets under IFRS. iii. Under IFRS, deferred tax assets and liabilities are required to be shown as separate line items on the balance sheet. This has resulted in a reclassification of deferred tax assets previously included within debtors under UK GAAP of £35.3m at 31 December 2004 (1 January 2004: £53.5m; 30 June 2004: £49.5m); and deferred tax liabilities previously included within provisions under UK GAAP of £8.6m at 31 December 2004 (1 January 2004: £11.5m; 30 June 2004: £11.5m). iv. Under IFRS, income taxes recoverable and payable are required to be shown as separate line items on the balance sheet. This has resulted in a reclassification of income tax recoverable previously included within debtors under UK GAAP of £3.1m at 31 December 2004 (1 January 2004: £3.0m; 30 June 2004: £2.2m); and income tax payable previously included within creditors under UK GAAP of £11.6m at 31 December 2004 (1 January 2004: £15.5m; 30 June 2004: £15.9m). v. IFRS requires amounts received under debtor securitisation arrangements to be shown as liabilities and not as a deduction against the associated debtor balances, as under UK GAAP. This has resulted in a reclassification of these receipts at 31 December 2004 of £10.7m (1 January 2004: £11.2m; 30 June 2004: £11.7m) from debtors to 'interest-bearing loans and borrowings'. vi. IFRS requires provisions expected to be settled within one year of the balance sheet date to be shown as current liabilities. This has resulted in a reclassification at 31 December 2004 of £15.1m (1 January 2004: £13.4m; 30 June 2004: £17.5m) from non-current liabilities to current liabilities. vii. Certain US assets held in Rabbi trusts to meet pension obligations are not classified by IAS 19 as pension assets. This has resulted in a reclassification of these assets at 31 December 2004 of £6.4m (1 January 2004: £6.9m; 30 June 2004 £6.8m) from prepayments to 'other investments'. viii. IFRS requires certain overdrafts to be included within the balances disclosed as 'cash and cash equivalents', whereas overdrafts were included within borrowings under UK GAAP. This has resulted in a reclassification at 31 December 2004 of £3.4m (1 January 2004: £4.0m; 30 June 2004: £6.7m) from current liabilities to current assets. ix. In addition to the change in presentation brought about by item viii above, the Group statement of cash flows under IFRS must comply with the format and headings prescribed in IAS 7. With the exception of the reclassification described in viii above, no other IFRS transitional adjustments impacted on the restated net cash flow from operating, investing or financing activities. 2.2 Accounting adjustments made on transition from UK GAAP to IFRS As required by IFRS 1, Cookson has prepared reconciliation statements which present the adjustments made in order to transition the Group's UK GAAP primary statements for 2004 onto an IFRS basis. Reconciliations are provided in respect of the adjustments made to the Group's financial position at the date of transition to IFRS, 1 January 2004, and also at 30 June 2004 and 31 December 2004. With regard to the Group's reported financial performance, reconciliations are provided for the six months ended 30 June 2004 and for the full year ended 31 December 2004. The reconciliations in this appendix are located as follows: • Income Statement reconciliation from UK GAAP to IFRS Section 2.3 • Balance Sheet reconciliation from UK GAAP to IFRS Section 2.4 • Group statement of Recognised Income and Expense reconciliation from UK GAAP to IFRS Section 2.5 • Group reconciliation of Equity from UK GAAP to IFRS Section 2.6 • Details of adjustments made on transition from UK GAAP to IFRS Section 2.7 • Summary description of significant IFRS adjustments Section 2.8 2.3 Income Statement reconciliation from UK GAAP to IFRS Half year Full year 2004 2004 Note As Effect of Reported As Effect of Reported 2.7 reported transition in reported transition in ref under to IFRS compliance under to IFRS compliance UK GAAP £m with IFRS UK GAAP £m with IFRS (note £m (note 2.1) £m 2.1) £m £m Revenue (a) 817.1 (0.4) 816.7 1,653.0 (0.5) 1,652.5 Manufacturing - raw materials (b) (364.6) 0.3 (364.3) (756.2) 0.4 (755.8) costs - other (226.2) - (226.2) (447.1) - (447.1) Administration, selling and (c) (173.8) (0.5) (174.3) (334.1) (0.6) (334.7) distribution costs Trading profit 52.5 (0.6) 51.9 115.6 (0.7) 114.9 Rationalisation of operating (11.0) - (11.0) (22.7) - (22.7) activities Amortisation and impairment (d) (16.3) 15.9 (0.4) (32.5) 31.7 (0.8) of intangibles Profit / (loss) relating to 1.1 - 1.1 (16.8) - (16.8) fixed assets Profit from operations 26.3 15.3 41.6 43.6 31.0 74.6 Finance income Ongoing activities 2.2 - 2.2 0.9 - 0.9 Income from swap 2.7 - 2.7 5.4 - 5.4 close-out Finance costs Ongoing activities (e) (18.0) (0.2) (18.2) (32.8) (0.3) (33.1) Share of post-tax profit from 1.3 - 1.3 2.3 - 2.3 joint ventures Loss on disposal of (f) (7.8) 2.3 (5.5) (39.8) 2.3 (37.5) operations Profit before tax 6.7 17.4 24.1 (20.4) 33.0 12.6 Income tax: Ongoing activities (g) (11.3) - (11.3) (24.5) 0.2 (24.3) Deferred tax charge on (g) - (2.1) (2.1) - (4.1) (4.1) goodwill Other net credits / 0.1 - 0.1 (1.2) - (1.2) (charges) Profit / (loss) for the (4.5) 15.3 10.8 (46.1) 29.1 (17.0) period Profit attributable to (2.5) - (2.5) (4.1) - (4.1) minority interests Profit / (loss) attributable (7.0) 15.3 8.3 (50.2) 29.1 (21.1) to equity holders Basic earnings per share (3.7)p 8.1p 4.4p (26.7)p 15.5p (11.2)p Diluted earnings per share (3.6)p 7.9p 4.3p (26.7)p 15.5p (11.2)p Headline profit before taxation and earnings per share: Trading profit 52.5 (0.6) 51.9 115.6 (0.7) 114.9 Share of post-tax profit from 1.3 - 1.3 2.3 - 2.3 joint ventures Finance costs for ongoing (15.8) (0.2) (16.0) (31.9) (0.3) (32.2) activities, net Headline profit before tax 38.0 (0.8) 37.2 86.0 (1.0) 85.0 Income tax on ongoing (11.3) - (11.3) (24.5) 0.2 (24.3) activities Profit attributable to (2.5) - (2.5) (4.1) - (4.1) minority interests Headline profit attributable 24.2 (0.8) 23.4 57.4 (0.8) 56.6 to equity holders Headline basic earnings per 12.8p (0.4)p 12.4p 30.5p (0.4)p 30.1p share 2.4 Balance Sheet reconciliation from UK GAAP to IFRS 1 January 30 June 31 December 2004 2004 2004 Note As Effect of Reported As Effect of Reported As Effect of Reported 2.7 reported transition in reported transition in reported transition in ref under to IFRS compliance under to IFRS compliance under to IFRS compliance UK £m with IFRS UK GAAP £m with IFRS UK GAAP £m with IFRS GAAP £m (note £m (note (note 2.1) 2.1) £m 2.1) £m £m £m Assets Property, plant (h) 350.7 4.1 354.8 332.0 3.7 335.7 319.6 3.3 322.9 and equipment Intangible assets (i) 514.0 - 514.0 487.6 15.9 503.5 453.5 31.7 485.2 Investments in 18.8 - 18.8 14.5 - 14.5 14.7 - 14.7 joint ventures Other Investments 37.2 - 37.2 36.0 - 36.0 16.7 - 16.7 Income tax - - - 2.2 - 2.2 2.2 - 2.2 recoverable Deferred tax (j) 53.5 (0.6) 52.9 49.5 (2.6) 46.9 35.3 (4.1) 31.2 assets Other assets 8.2 - 8.2 10.1 - 10.1 10.6 - 10.6 Total non-current 982.4 3.5 985.9 931.9 17.0 948.9 852.6 30.9 883.5 assets Cash and cash 52.8 - 52.8 31.5 - 31.5 44.0 - 44.0 equivalents Inventories (k) 172.9 (0.3) 172.6 193.8 0.1 193.9 174.0 0.1 174.1 Trade and other (l) 316.9 0.4 317.3 324.9 (0.1) 324.8 303.5 (0.1) 303.4 receivables Income tax 3.0 - 3.0 - - - 0.9 - 0.9 recoverable Total current assets 545.6 0.1 545.7 550.2 - 550.2 522.4 - 522.4 Total assets 1,528.0 3.6 1,531.6 1,482.1 17.0 1,499.1 1,375.0 30.9 1,405.9 Equity Issued capital 375.4 - 375.4 375.4 - 375.4 375.5 - 375.5 Share premium 642.6 - 642.6 643.4 - 643.4 643.4 - 643.4 Retained earnings (m) (608.8) (128.0) (736.8) (633.1) (133.2) (766.3) (665.4) (128.0) (793.4) Other reserves 205.9 - 205.9 205.9 - 205.9 205.9 - 205.9 Total shareholders' 615.1 (128.0) 487.1 591.6 (133.2) 458.4 559.4 (128.0) 431.4 equity Minority interests 11.8 - 11.8 11.7 - 11.7 11.7 - 11.7 Total equity 626.9 (128.0) 498.9 603.3 (133.2) 470.1 571.1 (128.0) 443.1 Liabilities Interest-bearing 320.3 - 320.3 334.0 - 334.0 326.1 - 326.1 loans and borrowings Employee benefits (n) 47.1 126.1 173.2 44.4 144.4 188.8 36.2 153.7 189.9 Trade and other 69.3 - 69.3 97.9 - 97.9 58.3 - 58.3 payables Provisions 20.7 - 20.7 16.8 - 16.8 10.3 - 10.3 Deferred tax 11.5 - 11.5 11.5 - 11.5 8.6 - 8.6 liabilities Total non-current 468.9 126.1 595.0 504.6 144.4 649.0 439.5 153.7 593.2 liabilities Interest-bearing (o) 102.2 4.8 107.0 95.0 4.5 99.5 35.5 4.2 39.7 loans and borrowings Trade and other (p) 301.1 0.8 301.9 245.8 1.4 247.2 302.2 1.0 303.2 payables Income tax (q) 15.5 (0.1) 15.4 15.9 (0.1) 15.8 11.6 - 11.6 payable Provisions 13.4 - 13.4 17.5 - 17.5 15.1 - 15.1 Total current 432.2 5.5 437.7 374.2 5.8 380.0 364.4 5.2 369.6 liabilities Total liabilities 901.1 131.6 1,032.7 878.8 150.2 1,029.0 803.9 158.9 962.8 Total equity and 1,528.0 3.6 1,531.6 1,482.1 17.0 1,499.1 1,375.0 30.9 1,405.9 liabilities 2.5 Group Statement of Recognised Income and Expense reconciliation from UK GAAP to IFRS Half year 2004 Full year 2004 As Effect of Reported As Effect of Reported reported transition in reported transition in under to IFRS compliance under to IFRS compliance UK GAAP £m with IFRS UK GAAP £m with IFRS £m GAAP £m GAAP £m £m Foreign exchange translation (20.1) (3.4) (23.5) (9.8) (2.2) (12.0) differences Actuarial loss on employee benefit - (15.9) (15.9) - (26.8) (26.8) schemes Income and expenses recognised directly (20.1) (19.3) (39.4) (9.8) (29.0) (38.8) in equity Profit/(loss) for the period (4.5) 15.3 10.8 (46.1) 29.1 (17.0) (24.6) (4.0) (28.6) (55.9) 0.1 (55.8) Profit attributable to minority (2.5) - (2.5) (4.1) - (4.1) interests Foreign exchange translation 0.5 - 0.5 1.1 - 1.1 differences attributable to minority interests (2.0) - (2.0) (3.0) - (3.0) Total recognised income and expenses (26.6) (4.0) (30.6) (58.9) 0.1 (58.8) attributable to equity holders 2.6 Group reconciliation of Equity from UK GAAP to IFRS Issued Share Retained Other Total equity Minority Total capital premium earnings reserves attributable interest equity £m £m £m £m to equity £m £m holders £m Total equity as at 1 January 2004 As previously stated under UK GAAP 375.4 642.6 (608.8) 205.9 615.1 11.8 626.9 Effect of transition to IFRS (note - - (128.0) - (128.0) - (128.0) 2.7(m)) Total equity as at 1 January 2004 375.4 642.6 (736.8) 205.9 487.1 11.8 498.9 (as restated under IFRS) Movements for the period as reported under UK GAAP: Total net recognised losses - - (26.6) - (26.6) 2.0 (24.6) relating to the period New share capital issued - 0.8 - - 0.8 - 0.8 Dividends paid to minority - - - - - (2.1) (2.1) interest Goodwill transferred to the income - - 2.3 - 2.3 - 2.3 statement on the sale of operations - 0.8 (24.3) - (23.5) (0.1) (23.6) Movements for the period (effect of transition to IFRS): Total effect of IFRS adoption on - - (4.0) - (4.0) - (4.0) net recognised losses relating to the period Share-based payments (note 2.7(c)) - - 1.1 - 1.1 - 1.1 Reversal of goodwill transferred - - (2.3) - (2.3) - (2.3) to the income statement on the sale of operations (note 2.7(f)) - - (5.2) - (5.2) - (5.2) Total equity as at 30 June 2004 375.4 643.4 (766.3) 205.9 458.4 11.7 470.1 Total equity as at 1 January 2004 375.4 642.6 (736.8) 205.9 487.1 11.8 498.9 (as restated under IFRS) Movements for the period as reported under UK GAAP: Total net recognised losses - - (58.9) - (58.9) 3.0 (55.9) relating to the period New share capital issued 0.1 0.8 - - 0.9 - 0.9 Dividends paid to minority - - - - - (3.1) (3.1) interest Goodwill transferred to the income - - 2.3 - 2.3 - 2.3 statement on the sale of operations 0.1 0.8 (56.6) - (55.7) (0.1) (55.8) Movements for the period (effect of transition to IFRS): Total effect of IFRS adoption on - - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.1 net recognised losses relating to the period Share-based payments (note 2.7(c)) - - 2.2 - 2.2 - 2.2 Reversal of goodwill transferred - - (2.3) - (2.3) - (2.3) to the income statement on the sale of operations (note 2.7(f)) - - - - - - - Total equity as at 31 December 2004 375.5 643.4 (793.4) 205.9 431.4 11.7 443.1 2.7 Details of adjustments made on transition from UK GAAP to IFRS Half year Full year 2004 2004 £m £m (a) Revenue Adjustment of sales to prior period (0.4) (0.5) (b) Manufacturing costs - raw materials Adjustment of sales to prior period 0.3 0.4 (c) Administration, selling and distribution costs Long-term employee benefits (note 2.8(a)) 1.1 1.6 Holiday pay accruals(note 2.8(b)) (0.6) (0.1) Share-based payments (note 2.8(c)) (1.1) (2.2) Reclassify operating leases to finance leases (note 2.8(g)) 0.2 0.3 Depreciation charge on mothballed assets (0.1) (0.2) (0.5) (0.6) (d) Amortisation of intangibles Reversal of goodwill amortisation charged under UK GAAP (note 2.8 (f)) 15.9 31.7 (e) Finance costs Reclassify operating leases to finance leases (note 2.8(g)) (0.2) (0.3) (f) Profit/(loss) on disposal of operations Reversal of goodwill amortisation charged under UK GAAP (note 2.8 (f)) 2.3 2.3 (g) Income tax Deferred tax on IFRS - holiday pay accruals, long-term - 0.2 adjustments for: employee benefits and share- based payments - goodwill (note 2.8(h)) (2.1) (4.1) (2.1) (3.9) 1 January 30 June 31 2004 2004 December £m £m 2004 £m (h) Property, plant and equipment Reclassify operating leases to finance leases (note 2.8 (g)) 4.5 4.2 3.9 Accumulated depreciation charge on mothballed assets (0.4) (0.5) (0.6) 4.1 3.7 3.3 (i) Intangible assets Reversal of goodwill amortisation charged under UK GAAP - 15.9 31.7 (note 2.8(f)) 2.7 Details of adjustments made on transition from UK GAAP to IFRS, continued 1 January 30 June 31 2004 2004 December £m £m 2004 £m (j) Deferred tax assets Deferred tax on IFRS - holiday pay accruals, 1.6 1.6 1.9 adjustments for: long-term employee benefits and share-based payments - goodwill (note 2.8(h)) (2.2) (4.2) (6.0) (0.6) (2.6) (4.1) (k) Inventories Adjustment of sales to prior period (0.3) 0.1 0.1 (l) Trade and other receivables Adjustment of sales to prior period 0.4 (0.1) (0.1) (m) Retained earnings Holiday pay accruals (note 2.8(b)) (0.8) (1.4) (1.0) Reclassify operating leases to finance leases (note 2.8 (g)) (0.3) (0.3) (0.3) Recognition of actuarial gains and losses on defined (126.1) (144.4) (153.7) benefit pension and other post-retirement obligations (note 2.8(a)) Adjustment of sales to prior periods 0.1 - - Reversal of goodwill amortisation charged under UK GAAP - 15.9 31.7 (note 2.8(f)) Accumulated depreciation charge on mothballed assets (0.4) (0.5) (0.6) (127.5) (130.7) (123.9) Tax effect of all IFRS restatement adjustments (0.5) (2.5) (4.1) (128.0) (133.2) (128.0) (n) Employee benefits Recognition of actuarial gains and losses on defined 126.1 144.4 153.7 benefit pension schemes and other post-retirement benefits (note 2.8(a)) (o) Interest-bearing loans and borrowings Reclassify operating leases to finance leases (note 2.8 (g)) 4.8 4.5 4.2 (p) Current trade and other payables Holiday pay accruals (note 2.8(b)) 0.8 1.4 1.0 (q) Income tax payable Income taxes on long-term employee benefit deficit (0.1) (0.1) - 2.8 Summary description of significant IFRS adjustments A summary of the principal adjustments made in order to transition the Group's UK GAAP financial statements to IFRS are noted below. (a) Long-term employee benefits Under UK GAAP, the Group accounted for pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations in accordance with SSAP 24, 'Accounting for Pension Costs'. Additional disclosures were given in compliance with FRS 17, 'Retirement Benefits'. Under IFRS, the Group accounts for pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations in accordance with IAS 19, 'Employee Benefits'(as amended), which is similar to FRS 17 in many respects, particularly in that it requires the net deficit of the Group's defined benefit pension and other post-retirement benefit arrangements to be brought onto the Group balance sheet. As permitted by IFRS 1, all cumulative actuarial gains and losses relating to the Group's pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations have been recognised in equity at the transition date. When valuing pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations under IAS 19, two methods of recognising actuarial gains and losses through Group reserves are acceptable: one whereby all gains and losses are recognised in reserves as they arise, through the Statement of Recognised Income and Expense (the 'SORIE' approach); the other providing a 'smoothing' methodology which would recognise periodic changes in gains and losses only to the extent that they fall outside a 'corridor' represented by 10% of scheme assets or liabilities. Cookson has adopted the SORIE approach, which is intended to provide greater stability in the pension charge made in the income statement from one period to the next. Under IAS 19, the fair value of pension scheme assets is determined using the bid price, as opposed to mid-market price used under UK GAAP. With regard to other post-retirement obligations, adoption of IAS 19 leads to the recognition of certain long-term benefit obligations, including leaving and termination obligations, which were not previously recognised under UK GAAP. Under UK GAAP, the Group recognised net accruals for pension and other post-retirement obligations at 31 December 2004 of £29.8m (1 January 2004: £40.2m; 30 June 2004: £37.6m). Under IFRS, these balances are reversed to reserves and replaced in total with an actuarially-determined value of the net deficit arising on the Group's defined benefit pension schemes and other post-retirement benefit arrangements. The actuarial valuation of the Group's combined defined benefit pension schemes and other post-retirement benefit arrangements at 31 December 2004 produced a combined net deficit of £189.9m (1 January 2004: £173.2m; 30 June 2004: £188.8m), these sums being recognised in the Group balance sheet as 'Employee benefits'. The comparative combined net deficit valuation of the Group's employee benefit obligations under FRS 17 at 31 December 2004 was £175.3m. Under UK GAAP, the regular charge to the profit and loss account in respect of defined benefit pension and other post-retirement obligations was £17.1m in 2004. The equivalent charge to the income statement under IAS 19 for 2004 was £13.7m. As a result of the transition from UK GAAP to IFRS, the net impact on Group reserves in respect of the Group's employee benefit arrangements was a reduction of £153.7m at 31 December 2004 (1 January 2004: £126.1m; 30 June 2004: £144.4m). (b) Short-term employee benefits (holiday pay accruals) Under IAS 19, 'Employee benefits', Cookson accrues for the cost of all short-term accumulating compensated absences, such as holiday entitlement earned but not taken at the balance sheet date. Under UK GAAP, Cookson companies accrued for holiday pay only where this was required under local accounting requirements. The impact of IAS 19 on Cookson's transition to IFRS is to increase the holiday pay accrual by £1.0m as at 31 December 2004 (1 January 2004: £0.8m; 30 June 2004: £1.4m). The incremental charge to the income statement was £0.6m for the half-year to June 2004 and £0.1m for the full year. Due to the timing of employees' holidays, the accruals for holiday pay earned but not taken made in the first half of the year are expected substantially to reverse in the second half as holidays are taken. (c) Share-based payments Cookson has a number of share-based incentive option arrangements. Under IFRS 2, 'Share-based Payments', Cookson has to fair value the cost of all share options at the date of the options being granted and that cost has to be recognised over the relevant vesting periods. Historically, the Cookson shares used to satisfy the exercise of those options granted under the Group's share-based incentive arrangements which are equity-settled have been newly-issued shares, or shares held through the Group's Employee Share Ownership Plan. Accordingly, no profit and loss account charge has needed to be recognised in prior periods under UK GAAP. Cookson has adopted the exemption given by IFRS 1 to apply IFRS 2 only to awards made after 7 November 2002. As a result of the adoption of IFRS 2, an income statement charge of £2.2m was made for the full year 2004 (half year 2004: £1.1m). (d) Joint ventures Under UK GAAP, Cookson included its share of the results of joint ventures in its consolidated financial statements under the net equity method, which resulted in the inclusion of the Group's proportionate share of turnover, operating profit, interest and tax charges of the joint venture entity in the appropriate Group income statement line item. Under IAS 31, 'Interests in Joint Ventures', the results of joint ventures can either be shown using the net equity method or by using proportionate consolidation. Cookson has chosen to retain the net equity method of recognition, but under IFRS this now requires disclosure of the Group's share of the after-tax profit of its joint venture investments on one line within the Group income statement. (e) Discontinued operations Under IFRS 5, 'Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations', the trading results of discontinued operations are presented separate from continuing operations. 'Discontinued operations' comprise all or substantially all of a separate major line of business or geographical area of operation that can be distinguished operationally and for financial reporting purposes. None of the business disposals made in 2004 qualified as 'discontinued operations' in this financial information. (f) Business combinations and Goodwill Under IFRS 3, 'Business combinations', the purchase cost of all business acquisitions is required to be applied against the fair value of all identified tangible, separable intangible assets and liabilities of the acquired business in the determination of any goodwill arising on acquisition. IFRS 3 further requires that any such separable intangible fixed assets are amortised over their useful lives and that goodwill must then be carried at cost with annual impairment reviews. Cookson has taken advantage of the exemption under IFRS 1 not to restate all business combinations prior to 1 January 2004 in line with the requirements of IFRS 3. As a result of the adoption of IFRS 3, goodwill amounting to £317.8m as at 1 January 2004 which had arisen on acquisitions made before 1998 and which had previously been written-off to Group reserves remains so written-off and will no longer be recycled through the income statement on any subsequent disposal of the businesses to which it originally related. In addition, goodwill of £505.6m recognised on the Group balance sheet under UK GAAP as at 1 January 2004 is carried unamortised, but is now subject to annual review for impairment. The goodwill amortisation charge for the full year 2004 of £31.7m (half-year 2004: £15.9m) under UK GAAP has been reversed and the loss arising on business disposals has been restated to take account of the impact of IFRS 3 on the goodwill previously associated with these disposals. (g) Leases Under IAS 17, 'Leases', the distinction between finance leases and operating leases is similar to, but not exactly the same as, that under UK GAAP. Following a review of the operating lease arrangements throughout the Group, certain of these leases have been determined to qualify as finance leases under IFRS. Accordingly, the impact of the adoption of IAS 17 is to increase property, plant and equipment by £3.9m as at 31 December 2004 (1 January 2004: £4.5m; 30 June 2004: £4.2m). Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (short- and long-term) are accordingly increased by £4.2m at 31 December 2004 (1 January 2004: £4.8m; 30 June 2004: £4.5m). The impact on the income statement is to increase trading profit by £0.3m for the full year 2004 (half-year 2004: £0.2m) and to increase finance expenses by £0.3m for the full year 2004 (half-year 2004: £0.2m). (h) Deferred tax Under IFRS, deferred tax is recognised on all temporary differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date, with certain exceptions. The principal exceptions relate to temporary differences arising from Group investments where Cookson is able to control the reversal of those temporary differences and those differences are not expected to reverse in the foreseeable future. In addition, deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent it is more likely than not that they will be realised within the foreseeable future. On transition to IFRS, the main areas in which changes to deferred tax assets and liabilities have been identified are in respect of rolled-over taxable gains, pensions, holiday pay accruals, share-based payments and on tax deductible goodwill. In the case of the latter, since goodwill arising on consolidation is now frozen in value under IFRS, subject to any impairment charges required, but goodwill amortisation is still allowed as a deduction for tax purposes in many jurisdictions, this has the effect of generating a deferred tax liability which will continue to grow in future periods until such time as the goodwill amortisation deductions cease or the goodwill asset is written-off on disposal of the underlying businesses or as a result of impairment charges. The net tax impact of the adjustments made on adoption of IFRS by Cookson resulted in a reduction of deferred tax assets of £4.1m at 31 December 2004 (1 January 2004: £0.6m; 30 June 2004: £2.6m), including a liability of £6.0m at 31 December 2004 (1 January 2004: £2.2m; 30 June 2004: £4.2m) associated with the Group's goodwill balance. (i) Financial instruments Cookson has elected to adopt IAS 32, 'Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation', and IAS 39, 'Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement' with effect from 1 January 2005 and has taken the exemption in IFRS 1 not to restate comparatives for IAS 32 and IAS 39. As a consequence of not early adopting IAS 32 and IAS 39, the income statement for 2004 includes finance income which will, under IFRS, not recur in 2005, being £5.4m (half-year: £2.7m) in respect of deferred income relating to interest rate swaps closed-out in prior years. The total profit arising on the close-out of these swaps was, under UK GAAP, being brought into income over the term of the underlying loan arrangements to which the swaps had related. The total deferred income as yet unrecognised through income as at 31 December 2004 was £22.3m. On adoption of IAS 32 and IAS 39 with effect from 1 January 2005, such credit balance will be taken directly to Group reserves, net of a related tax charge. (j) Cumulative currency translation differences Under UK GAAP, translation differences arising on the consolidation of the results of and investment in foreign operations do not have to be separately identified and accounted for in subsequent disposals of those foreign operations. Under IAS 21, 'The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates', such translation differences must be separately reported in equity, net of the result on any related hedging instruments; and on disposal of a foreign operation, any associated cumulative translation differences are transferred to the income statement as part of the gain or loss on disposal. Cookson has adopted the exemption allowed under IFRS 1 not to separately recognise cumulative translation differences arising prior to the transition date. As a result, all cumulative translation differences at 1 January 2004 are deemed to be zero and all subsequent disposals will exclude any translation differences arising prior to the date of transition. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

Companies

Vesuvius (VSVS)
UK 100