Final Results

Fuller,Smith&Turner PLC 30 May 2003 STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 7AM FRIDAY 30 MAY 2003 PRESS RELEASE FULLER SMITH & TURNER P.L.C. Preliminary results for the year ended 29 March 2003 Financial Highlights • Turnover up 4% to £137.6 million (2002: £132.4 million) • Normalised profit before tax** up 10% to £16.4 million (2002: £14.9 million) • EBITDA up 7% to £27.0 million (2002: £25.1m) • Normalised earnings per share* up 14% to 45.59p (2002: 40.07p) • Basic earnings per share* up 110% to 48.04p (2002: 22.90p) • Final dividend per share* increased 6% to 11.37p (2002: 10.70p) • Net assets per share* up 8% to £6.52 (2002: £6.04) • Gearing broadly unchanged at 14.5% (2002: 12.7%) Corporate Progress • Reassuringly good results in a difficult year for the Industry • Increased gross margins in Managed Pubs and Bars by focusing on quality and service • Difficult trading conditions, particularly in the City, continued to affect Managed Pubs and Bars • Good results from the Tenanted Division: average profit per house up 7% reflecting the improving quality of the estate • Hotels turnover up 31% in a challenging market: RevPar up 11% and like for like profits up 4% • Strong performance by the Beer Company: profits up 18%; own beer volumes up 6% • Share buy-back programme added 2.12p to 2003 earnings per share * Calculated on the £1 'A' ordinary share ** Profits after interest before exceptional operating and non-operating costs/ profits Commenting on the results, Anthony Fuller, Chairman, said: "In these difficult times for the Industry, Fuller's is reporting a healthy increase in profits and a commitment to invest across all areas of the business. The good results are a testament to our financial prudence, our balanced business portfolio and our determination to establish a premium position with a reputation for quality and excellence in everything we do. Our focus is on growing underlying earnings and delivering the best returns for shareholders over the long term. In line with that strategy, we have continued to invest in buying our own shares. We believe that this has represented a significantly more attractive investment proposition for shareholders, especially when compared to the present substantial under-valuation of our own assets and what we consider to be an overpriced market for new freehold and leasehold properties. We have simultaneously maintained the strength of our balance sheet and the high quality of our 90% freehold property portfolio. At a time when many companies are cutting back on investment, we have started an extensive refurbishment programme across our estate. This will leave us in a strong position to benefit when economic conditions improve. Trading in the early weeks of the current financial year has been satisfactory taking into account the impact of a late Easter. The hotel market is challenging at the moment, and it is still too early to tell how long the present downturn in the City will last. However, we are confident that our long-term investments in these areas, and indeed across the business as a whole, are well placed to produce in the future the excellent results they have delivered in the past. The Beer Company and Tenanted Division are continuing to make good progress, with a healthy start to the new financial year. The underlying strength of the Company's premium brands and the quality of the predominantly freehold retail estate continue to stand us in good stead for driving future growth." - Ends - For further information, please contact: Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Press Office 020 8996 2175/2198/2048 Mobile 07748 657854 E-mail: pr@fullers.co.uk Michael Turner - Press 020 8996 2048 Paul Clarke - Analysts 020 8996 2048 Merlin Financial 020 7606 1244 Paul Downes 07900 244 888 (mobile) Vanessa Maydon 07802 961 902 (mobile) Notes to Editors Photographs for the media are available at NewsCast Online - www.newscast.co.uk Tel. 020 7608 1000 Copies of this statement, the Annual Report and results presentation will be available on the Company's web site, www.fullers.co.uk. Attached: Chairman's Statement Financial Highlights Unaudited Group Profit and Loss Account Unaudited Group Balance Sheet Unaudited Group Cash Flow Statement Other Unaudited Group Primary Statements Notes to the Financial Statements FULLER SMITH & TURNER P.L.C. PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 MARCH 2003 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Whatever You Do, Take Pride I am delighted to present reassuringly good results from Fuller's in what has been a difficult time for the Industry. Our strategy continues to be one of focusing on quality and service. We have been looking to grow the business, but not at the expense of margins and gearing. Normalised profits of £16.4 million are 10% up on last year (2002: £14.9 million) on a 4% increase in turnover to £137.6 million (2002: £132.4 million). Normalised earnings per share increased 14% to 45.59p (2002: 40.07p), which reflects in part the impact of a 4% reduction in the weighted average number of shares following a series of share buybacks. There were no exceptional operating charges this year compared to an exceptional operating charge of £1.4 million for property impairments last year. A few minor property disposals this year resulted in an exceptional non-operating profit of £0.6 million compared to £3.8 million exceptional loss on disposals last year. As a result, post-exceptional profits before tax of £17.0 million are 74% higher than last year's £9.8 million. Tax has been provided for at an effective rate for the year of 32.5% (2002: 32.0%). This comprises 28.3% current tax and 4.2% deferred tax. EBITDA increased by 7% to £27.0 million compared to £25.1 million last year. Fuller's accounting policies remain prudent, the average annual depreciation rate across the estate as a whole was 3.6% (on cost), for an estate that is 90% freehold. Total capital expenditure for the year was £12.0 million (2002: £26.2 million), over two thirds of which related to enhancing the existing business. Most of last year's total capital expenditure related to the hotel and brewery expansion programmes, which are both now generating good returns for the Company. Following the initial purchase of 100,000 'A' ordinary shares in December 2001, the Company has bought back a further 2,474,000 shares at a total cost this year of £11.5 million. Together, this represents over 10% of the Company's ordinary share capital. The average price paid during the year was £4.62, which is a considerable discount to our net assets per share . We believe strongly that purchasing our own shares in the market represents sound sense at times when they are undervalued, particularly against the assets they represent. The current buyback programme has already increased this year's normalised earnings per share and net assets per share by 5% and 3% respectively. In spite of the large investment in buybacks, gearing is broadly unchanged at a prudent 14.5% (2002: 12.7%) and we retain the financial ability to make significant acquisitions where appropriate. We will be seeking to renew the current authority to buy back 'A' ordinary shares at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. We will also be seeking shareholder approval to buy back up to 10% of the issued unquoted 'B' ordinary shares. The Company considers it appropriate to make a tender offer to shareholders who may wish to dispose of some of their 'B' shares. The off-market purchase procedure is complex, and full details will be provided to shareholders today. The Directors will be recommending an increase in the final dividend of 6% to 11.37p per 'A' and 'C' £1 ordinary share, and 1.137p per 'B' 10p ordinary share. The final dividend will be paid on Tuesday 22 July 2003 to shareholders on the Share Register as at Friday 20 June 2003. Fuller's Inns Fuller's Inns' turnover increased by 3% to £97.0 million. This is a result of increases in turnover from the Tenanted and Hotels Divisions with a small reduction from Managed Pubs and Bars. Normalised profit (excluding the impact of exceptional charges last year) was up 5% to £16.0 million. Cash generation remains significant with EBITDA of £22.7 million up 5% on last year. Managed Pubs and Bars It has been a challenging year for many pub retail businesses, especially those with a significant London base. A number of our competitors have sought to compete aggressively on price, at the expense of margins. Our strategy is to avoid short term discounting and concentrate on the quality of our business using food, wine and excellent cask ale as key levers for longer-term growth. As a result, although like for like sales are down by 1.7% (unchanged from the half-year), gross margins have improved. Our like for like numbers are based on properties that have been trading for the whole of the current and previous year and have had less than £50,000 invested in either period. As reported at the half-year, the overall decline in like for like sales is due to continuing difficult conditions in the City. Elsewhere, trading has been broadly in line with last year with a particularly good performance from the destination food business, English Inns, where total like for like sales are up 4%. During the year we opened two new pubs, Grove Lock on the Grand Union Canal near Leighton Buzzard and The Bishop on the Bridge in Winchester, both of which are trading very well. Since the year-end, we have opened a further English Inn, The Mill at Elstead, near Godalming. This food-orientated freehold pub is in a wonderful location next to water with several acres of land. The current total number of sites is 115, one higher than in March 2002. There were eight major refurbishments in the year. Sales in these pubs have increased 22% since reopening and continue to grow. The success of these redevelopments will be followed in 2004 by a further 19 projects which will improve our offering and broaden the customer appeal of our pubs. In addition, we believe it is important to maintain standards across the managed estate as a whole with repairs and maintenance costs increasing by over 11% this year. One of our key aims is to improve the contribution from food in our estate. Investments, training and the acquisition of new sites are focused towards driving food sales. In September 2002 we introduced All Day Food across the whole managed estate and food sales have increased by 4% in the year (1.4% like for like). Tenanted Pubs The tenanted estate continues to improve in terms of quality and contribution to the Company. Profits are up 9% in spite of a marginal decrease in the number of pubs. There have been no acquisitions, one transfer from the managed estate and three disposals during the year. Average turnover and profit per house have increased by 4% and 7% respectively, reflecting the gradual churning and improvement of the estate. We are continuing to convert new and existing tenancies to the Fuller's 10-year lease and currently have 36 tenants signed up. We hope to have increased this number to 50 by the end of the current year. The lack of suitable acquisitions has allowed us to devote resources to enhancing the existing estate and during the year we spent over £2.1 million (2002: £1.9 million) on capital projects and repairs, with a similar amount planned again for this year. Fuller's Hotels Fuller's Hotels have done well in a difficult market. Turnover has grown by 31% and profit has doubled, largely as a result of a full year's trade from The Brigstow and The Chamberlain, which opened in the previous year. The new hotels have traded well with increasing occupancy levels. The performance of the existing hotels has been maintained with like for like sales up 3% and like for like profit up 4%, ahead of most competitors. Total revenue per available room (RevPar) has increased by 11% to £44.19. This increase is largely a result of the higher room rates and occupancy being achieved at the new hotels. We have taken a longer-term view and sought to maintain our premium position rather than reducing rates to achieve a short-term benefit. To support the Fuller's Hotels brand, a dedicated website www.fullershotels.com was launched in September. In addition our hotels are featured on over 120 other websites, including some of the market leaders. The hotel investment programme is continuing. We are due to spend £4.5 million on the new 55 bedroom hotel at The Red Lion in Hillingdon. Construction work started this month and the hotel is due to open in mid 2004. We are confident that, given the high quality and longstanding reputation of our hotels, we are in a good position to see increased levels of return from our Hotels Division when economic conditions improve. The Fuller's Beer Company It has been another excellent year of progress for the Beer Company with turnover up 3% to £62.7 million, profits up 18% to £6.8 million and EBITDA up 15% to £8.1 million. Own beer barrelage was up 6% to 191,000 barrels. Sales outside the tied estate now represent over 84% of our own beer sales. Volumes in the key free on-trade area are up 10% to 123,000 barrels and take-home sales are up 5% to 27,000 barrels, demonstrating the ever-increasing popularity of Fuller's beer brands across the UK. These increases have been achieved without deterioration in margins. The continued success of the Beer Company has been driven by London Pride, now over 150,000 barrels, which has consolidated its position as the number two brand in the premium cask ale market. We have also seen good growth in a number of our other brands, especially Organic Honey Dew. All our brands continue to be received well, with an enviable collection of awards and prizes this year. These include unprecedented gold, silver and bronze medals at the Great British Beer Festival, and gold and bronze medals at the International Beer and Cider Awards. Fuller's was also voted Brewer of the Year by the Good Pub Guide 2003. Investment in the Beer Company has continued with the first phase of a major expansion in the brewery's fermentation and maturation tank capacity, which came on line in April 2002. This has helped us increase peak capacity by around 30,000 barrels. The second phase of this expansion is due to be completed by October 2003 at a cost of £1.6 million and will increase capacity by around a further 50,000 barrels to 260,000 barrels. In addition, we are in the process of upgrading and modernising our fleet of drays. These projects, together with other substantial investments in plant at the Brewery, continue to improve both the quality and consistency of product and operational efficiency. The Fuller's Wine Division sources and distributes a varied selection of wines and spirits, some of which are exclusive to Fuller's, to our own tied estate and to a growing free trade customer base, which now represents over a third of our wholesale wine business. Wine in particular has performed very well in this period with volumes up 8%. Overall, profits from the Wine Division are up 15%. Prospects In these difficult times for the Industry, Fuller's is reporting a healthy increase in profits and a commitment to invest across all areas of the business. The good results are a testament to our financial prudence, our balanced business portfolio and our determination to establish a premium position with a reputation for quality and excellence in everything we do. Our focus is on growing underlying earnings and delivering the best returns for shareholders over the long term. In line with that strategy, we have continued to invest in buying our own shares. We believe that this has represented a significantly more attractive investment proposition for shareholders, especially when compared to the present substantial under-valuation of our own assets and what we consider to be an overpriced market for new freehold and leasehold properties. We have simultaneously maintained the strength of our balance sheet and the high quality of our 90% freehold property portfolio. At a time when many companies are cutting back on investment, we have started an extensive refurbishment programme across our estate. This will leave us in a strong position to benefit when economic conditions improve. Trading in the early weeks of the current financial year has been satisfactory taking into account the impact of a late Easter. The hotel market is challenging at the moment, and it is still too early to tell how long the present downturn in the City will last. However, we are confident that our long-term investments in these areas, and indeed across the business as a whole, are well placed to produce in the future the excellent results they have delivered in the past. The Beer Company and Tenanted Division are continuing to make good progress, with a healthy start to the new financial year. The underlying strength of the Company's premium brands and the quality of the predominantly freehold retail estate continue to stand us in good stead for driving future growth. A.G.F. Fuller CBE Chairman FULLER SMITH & TURNER P.L.C. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE 52 WEEKS ENDED 29 MARCH 2003 52 weeks to 52 weeks to 29 March 30 March Change 2003 2002 2003/2002 £000 £000 _____________________________________________________________ ____________ ____________ ____________ Turnover 137,643 132,395 4.0% Normalised profits(1) 16,420 14,948 9.8% EBITDA(2) 26,950 25,141 7.2% Normalised earnings per share(3) 45.59p 40.07p 13.8% Basic earnings per share(3) 48.04p 22.90p 109.8% Dividend per share(3) 16.12p 15.17p 6.3% Net assets per share(3) £6.52 £6.04 7.9% Gearing ratio 14.5% 12.7% N/A _____________________________________________________________ ____________ ____________ ____________ (1) Profits after interest before exceptional operating and non-operating profits/costs. (2) Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. (3) Calculated on the £1 'A' ordinary share. FULLER SMITH & TURNER P.L.C. UNAUDITED GROUP PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE 52 WEEKS ENDED 29 MARCH 2003 52 weeks to 52 weeks to 29 March 30 March 2003 2002 £000 £000 TURNOVER 137,643 132,395 Operating costs (119,264) (116,969) -------------------- -------------------- OPERATING PROFIT -------------------- -------------------- Before operating exceptional costs 18,379 16,776 Operating exceptional costs - (1,350) -------------------- -------------------- TOTAL OPERATING PROFIT 18,379 15,426 Non-operating exceptional profits/(losses) 584 (3,799) Interest payable (net) (1,959) (1,828) -------------------- -------------------- PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAXATION 17,004 9,799 Taxation (5,326) (3,935) -------------------- -------------------- PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES AFTER TAXATION 11,678 5,864 Preference dividends (120) (120) -------------------- -------------------- ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS 11,558 5,744 Ordinary dividends (3,694) (3,814) -------------------- -------------------- RETAINED PROFIT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 7,864 1,930 ==================== ==================== EARNINGS PER SHARE* Basic 48.04p 22.90p Diluted 47.92p 22.80p Normalised basis 45.59p 40.07p *Calculated on the £1 'A' ordinary share. FULLER SMITH & TURNER P.L.C. UNAUDITED GROUP BALANCE SHEET 29 MARCH 2003 At At 29 March 30 March 2003 2002 £000 £000 FIXED ASSETS Freehold and leasehold properties 148,521 144,488 Plant, machinery and vehicles 8,547 7,577 Containers, fixtures and equipment 31,632 32,978 Capital work in progress 2,007 3,240 -------------------- -------------------- 190,707 188,283 FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS 411 527 -------------------- -------------------- 191,118 188,810 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks 3,840 3,838 Debtors 10,528 11,419 Current asset investments 635 2,050 Cash, at bank and in hand 4,403 5,275 -------------------- -------------------- 19,406 22,582 CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year 27,962 26,156 -------------------- -------------------- NET CURRENT LIABILITIES (8,556) (3,574) -------------------- -------------------- TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 182,562 185,236 CREDITORS: amounts falling due after more than one year Debenture stock 26,985 26,974 PROVISION FOR LIABILITIES AND CHARGES 4,422 3,745 -------------------- -------------------- 151,155 154,517 ==================== ==================== CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called up share capital: Equity 22,921 25,323 Non equity 1,600 1,600 Share premium account 3,350 3,144 Capital redemption reserve 2,574 100 Revaluation reserve 28,303 28,794 Profit and loss account 92,407 95,556 -------------------- -------------------- TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 151,155 154,517 ==================== ==================== FULLER SMITH & TURNER P.L.C. UNAUDITED GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE 52 WEEKS ENDED 29 MARCH 2003 52 weeks to 52 weeks to 29 March 30 March 2003 2002 £000 £000 NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 28,597 24,642 ------------------- ------------------- RETURNS ON INVESTMENT AND SERVICING OF FINANCE Preference dividends paid (120) (120) Interest received 216 501 Interest paid (2,091) (2,234) ------------------- ------------------- (1,995) (1,853) TAXATION Corporation tax paid (4,354) (4,942) CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND FINANCIAL INVESTMENT Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets (11,973) (26,980) Payments to acquire fixed asset investments - (328) Receipts from sales of tangible fixed assets 1,595 3,684 ------------------- ------------------- (10,378) (23,624) EQUITY DIVIDENDS PAID (3,801) (3,631) ------------------- ------------------- TOTAL NET CASH INFLOW/(OUTFLOW) BEFORE THE USE OF LIQUID RESOURCES 8,069 AND FINANCING (9,408) MANAGEMENT OF LIQUID RESOURCES* 1,415 11,391 FINANCING Issue of equity shares 278 719 Repurchase of equity shares (10,634) (498) ------------------- ------------------- (10,356) 221 ------------------- ------------------- MOVEMENT IN CASH IN THE YEAR (872) 2,204 =================== =================== * Management of liquid resources is the movement in cash on short-term deposit at financial institutions. FULLER SMITH & TURNER P.L.C. UNAUDITED GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT (CONTINUED) FOR THE 52 WEEKS ENDED 29 MARCH 2003 RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO NET 52 weeks to 52 weeks to CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 29 March 30 March 2003 2002 £000 £000 Operating profit 18,379 15,426 Depreciation 8,521 8,287 Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets 50 78 Impairment of fixed assets - 1,350 ------------------- ------------------- EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAX, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTISATION 26,950 25,141 (INCREASE)/DECREASE IN WORKING CAPITAL Stocks (2) 191 Debtors 890 (941) Creditors 759 251 ------------------- ------------------- NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 28,597 24,642 =================== =================== FULLER SMITH & TURNER P.L.C. OTHER UNAUDITED GROUP PRIMARY STATEMENTS FOR THE 52 WEEKS ENDED 29 MARCH 2003 GROUP STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED GAINS 52 weeks to 52 weeks to AND LOSSES 29 March 30 March 2003 2002 £000 £000 Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 11,678 5,864 Prior year adjustment - (3,176) -------------------- --------------------- Total recognised gains since the last annual report 11,678 2,688 ==================== ===================== GROUP HISTORICAL COST PROFITS AND LOSSES Reported profit on ordinary activities before taxation 17,004 9,799 Realisation of property revaluation movements of previous years 491 (181) -------------------- --------------------- Historical cost profit on ordinary activities before taxation 17,495 9,618 -------------------- --------------------- Historical cost profit for the year retained after taxation 8,355 1,749 ==================== ===================== RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT Movement in cash in the year (872) 2,204 Cash inflow from movement in liquid resources (1,415) (11,391) Amortisation of issue costs (11) (11) -------------------- --------------------- Movement in net debt in the year (2,298) (9,198) Net debt at the beginning of the year (19,649) (10,451) -------------------- --------------------- Net debt at the end of the year (21,947) (19,649) ==================== ===================== RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS Shareholders' funds brought forward 154,517 152,366 Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 11,678 5,864 Dividends - preference (120) (120) - ordinary (3,694) (3,814) New share capital subscribed 278 719 Shares repurchased and cancelled (11,504) (498) -------------------- --------------------- Net movement in shareholders' funds (3,362) 2,151 -------------------- --------------------- Shareholders' funds at the end of the year 151,155 154,517 ==================== ===================== Shareholders' funds comprise: Equity interests 149,555 152,917 Non-equity interests 1,600 1,600 -------------------- --------------------- 151,155 154,517 ==================== ===================== Non-equity interests reflect the cost of non-redeemable cumulative preference shares. FULLER SMITH & TURNER P.L.C. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE 52 WEEKS ENDED 29 MARCH 2003 1. PRELIMINARY STATEMENT This statement does not constitute full financial statements as defined by S.240 of the Companies Act 1985. Full financial statements for the year ended 30 March 2002, including an unqualified auditors' report, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The unaudited financial information in this statement has been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards. The accounting policies used have been applied consistently and are described in full in the statutory financial statements for the year ended 29 March 2003, which will be mailed to shareholders on or before Monday 16 June 2003 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The financial statements will also be available from the Company's registered office: Griffin Brewery, Chiswick, London W4 2QB from that date. 2. SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS 52 weeks to 29 March 2003 Fuller's Inns Beer Company Total £000 £000 £000 TOTAL SALES 96,972 62,695 159,667 Inter-segment sales - (22,024) (22,024) ----------- ----------- ----------- Sales to third parties 96,972 40,671 137,643 ----------- ----------- ----------- SEGMENTAL PROFIT 16,010 6,840 22,850 ----------- ----------- Net central costs (4,471) ----------- Operating profit 18,379 Non-operating exceptional profits 584 Interest payable (net) (1,959) ----------- Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 17,004 ----------- ASSETS EMPLOYED ----------- ----------- ----------- Segmental assets 164,197 18,585 182,782 ----------- ----------- Unallocated net liabilities* (31,627) ----------- Total net assets 151,155 ----------- 2. SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS (CONTINUED) 52 weeks to 30 March 2002 Fuller's Inns Beer Company Total £000 £000 £000 TOTAL SALES 94,362 60,764 155,126 Inter-segment sales - (22,731) (22,731) ----------- ----------- ----------- Sales to third parties 94,362 38,033 132,395 ----------- ----------- ----------- Segmental profit before FRS 11 15,178 5,806 20,984 Impairment of properties (FRS 11) (1,350) - (1,350) ----------- ----------- ----------- SEGMENTAL PROFIT 13,828 5,806 19,634 ----------- ----------- Net central costs (4,208) ----------- Operating profit 15,426 Non-operating exceptional losses (3,799) Interest payable (net) (1,828) ----------- Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 9,799 ----------- ASSETS EMPLOYED ----------- ----------- ----------- Segmental assets 162,263 16,993 179,256 ----------- ----------- Unallocated net liabilities* (24,739) ----------- Total net assets 154,517 ----------- * Unallocated net liabilities represent the net of dividends, debentures, corporation tax, cash at bank and assets held under central management. 3. TAXATION Corporation tax and deferred tax has been provided as follows: 2003 2002 Tax on normalised profits £000 £000 Current tax 4,649 3,962 Deferred tax 684 815 ------------------ ------------------ Total tax on normalised profits 5,333 4,777 Tax on exceptional items Deferred tax credit (7) (842) ------------------ ------------------ Total tax charge 5,326 3,935 ------------------ ------------------ Effective rate on normalised profits 32.5% 32.0% Normalised profits are profits after interest before exceptional operating and non-operating costs/profits. There is no tax payable on exceptional items owing to the availability of rollover relief. 4. ORDINARY DIVIDENDS 2003 2002 pence pence Interim 4.75 4.47 Final 11.37 10.70 ------------------- ------------------- 16.12 15.17 ------------------- ------------------- The pence figures above are for the £1 'A' ordinary shares and unquoted £1 'C' ordinary shares. The unquoted 10p 'B' shares carry dividend rights of 1/10 of those applicable to the £1 'A' ordinary shares. 5. EARNINGS PER SHARE 2003 2002 £000 £000 Profit attributable to equity shareholders 11,558 5,744 Non-operating exceptional items net of tax (591) 2,957 Impairment of fixed assets - 1,350 ------------------- ------------------- Normalised earnings attributable to equity shareholders 10,967 10,051 ------------------- ------------------- Weighted average share capital 24,057,000 25,081,000 Dilutive outstanding options 64,000 110,000 ------------------- ------------------- Adjusted weighted average share capital 24,121,000 25,191,000 ------------------- ------------------- Basic earnings per share* 48.04p 22.90p Diluted earnings per share* 47.92p 22.80p Normalised earnings per share * 45.59p 40.07p *Calculated on the £1 'A' ordinary share or unquoted £1 'C ' ordinary share. Earnings on the unquoted 'B' 10p ordinary shares are 1/10 of the figures for the £1 'A' ordinary shares. The calculation is based on earnings (after deducting preference dividends) and on the average weighted ordinary share capital. Normalised earnings exclude all exceptional operating and non-operating costs/profits. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange ND FR NKCKPQBKDNPB
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