Preliminary Results - Part 2
Vodafone Group PLC
29 May 2001
PART 2
OTHER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS
Business Reorganisation
On 1 April 2001 the Group implemented the planned reorganisation of its
overall management structure and governance process in response to the
rapid expansion of the Group. Under the overall supervision of the Main
Board, the Group now has three Management Committees to oversee the
execution of the Board's strategy and policy and to ensure that Vodafone
remains at the forefront of its industry.
Following these changes Chris Gent continues to chair the Group
Executive Committee and is also chairman of the newly formed Group
Policy Committee. Julian Horn-Smith, previously Chief Executive of the
Europe region, is the newly appointed Group Chief Operating Officer and
chairs the Group Operational Review Committee.
The Group's European operations have also been split into three new
regions from 1 April 2001: Northern Europe, Central Europe and Southern
Europe. Vittorio Colao, previously Chief Executive of Omnitel Vodafone,
was appointed Chief Executive of Southern Europe and Jurgen von
Kuczkowski, previously Chief Executive of D2 Vodafone, was appointed
Chief Executive with responsibility for Central Europe. Both appointees
joined the Executive Committee. Peter Bamford becomes Chief Executive
for Northern Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Project Momentum and Global Brand
On 1 April 2001, Thomas Geitner was appointed Chief Executive Group
Products and Services with new global responsibilities for Product
Management and Innovation, Brand Management, IT and Technology, Supply
Chain Management and Multi-National Account Management.
These five key functions, which are being co-ordinated across the
Group's controlled businesses, supplement the Group's existing regional
structures. The initial focus will be in the three new regions in
Europe with subsequent rollout to the Group's global businesses. Each
of these new initiatives is currently projected to contribute towards
the achievement of after tax cash savings for the Group of £600 million
in 2004 and to lead to the introduction of 3G services and customer
experience of seamless services across the Group's global footprint.
Product management and innovation: Vodafone has begun to offer its
customers Group-wide product offerings, with services such as EuroCall,
short code access, and assisted roaming being successfully launched on
Vodafone networks in Europe. Short code access allows voice products to
'travel' with the customer, with short code dialling and utilisation of
the mailbox being identical in each of the visited networks. With
EuroCall, the Group has introduced a flat-rate single tariff in Europe,
a service already being used by more than 1.6 million customers.
The enhanced data capabilities of GPRS and UMTS, together with the
deployment of new handsets, will allow a new set of innovative products
to be delivered to customers. New products such as location based
services, mobile payment facilities (with micro-payment and e-Wallet
functionality), prepay and GPRS roaming, unified messaging and instant
messaging have target launch dates for 2001/2002. Further programmes to
enable access to the Internet and specific applications for business
customers will follow.
Brand management: New seamless products demand a single ubiquitous
Vodafone brand in all markets and its adoption will maximise the return
from the Group's investment in marketing and application development and
will increase customer loyalty. The objective is to rollout a common
Vodafone brand without eroding existing brand equity. In January 2001
brand migration started in Europe with new dual brand logos (for
example, 'D2 Vodafone') replacing existing logos. This marks the
beginning of a transition phase, which will lead to a consistent
identity and brand positioning for all of the Group's subsidiaries by
early 2002. In parallel, the brand campaign will support the launch of
Group-wide services, such as EuroCall. It is intended that Vodafone
will be one of the world's top brands.
IT and Technology: The next generation of mobile services is expected to
be accompanied by the development and implementation of standardised
platforms across the Group's networks. GPRS is expected to allow mobile
data access speeds that match today's fixed desktop computer with
substantial reductions in call set-up times through an 'always on'
capability for the customer, improving the customer friendliness of
mobile data applications. The Group's initial focus will be to offer the
benefits of GPRS technology by the launch of an expanded data services
portfolio, with harmonised technologies and common billing systems. The
launch of 3G services will provide even more capacity, bandwidth and
speed and is expected to provide the platform for more sophisticated
products such as video streaming and picture messaging. 3G technology
is expected to enable mobile to substitute for fixed telephone services
in the provision of voice and narrow-band data services, as well as for
some broadband applications.
Supply chain management: Global procurement initiatives, initially
concentrating on handsets, interconnect agreements, IT and network
infrastructure, will enable the Group to leverage its purchasing
strength, to improve supply chain processes across Group companies and
to develop strategic partnerships with selected suppliers in order to
harmonise product and technology planning.
Multi-national account management: Multinational account management fits
well with Vodafone's strong and increasing presence in the corporate
sector. The Group has begun to serve multinational accounts across
markets with competitive price plans and unique pan-European services.
Major contracts signed so far are with business customers in the
accountancy and the FMCG segments. Vodafone expects demand for
multinational services to grow in the coming years.
Internet and Mobile Data
During the year Vodafone continued to implement its strategy to develop
a global Internet platform. The development of the platform is the
responsibility of the Vodafone Global Internet and Platform Services
organisation located in California.
Important milestones were reached during the year, including completion
of the long-term platform road map and architecture, building the
development and deployment team and identifying key technology partners.
The first version of the platform has been deployed in Vodafone New
Zealand, where customers are currently using mobile Internet services
with the Vizzavi brand.
The current version of the platform offers an attractive user interface
including quick and easy navigation, integration of services across
multiple access devices: desktop, mobile phones and PDAs, personal
information management (calendar, email), user personalisation for web
and WAP pages, local content integration, alerts on content and
information and location-based services for users with WAP phones.
During 2001, we intend to add increased functionality including unified
and instant messaging, mobile commerce, voice navigation, mobile-PIM
synchronisation, personal account consolidations, enhanced m-commerce
and fully integrated shopping and location-based services. The next full
release of the platform will be available commercially by the end of the
calendar year 2001.
During 2001 the platform will also be deployed for Vodafone operators in
Australia, Egypt, and Romania. The Group is in discussions with
affiliates in Japan, the United States, China and Europe for their use
of the entire platform or key elements of it.
Vizzavi, which is already available in The Netherlands, the UK and
France as a PC and mobile portal, is expected to roll out its services
to Germany, Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal by the end of 2001.
Vizzavi will be well placed to take advantage of the growth in wireless
services expected with the roll out of GPRS in 2002. At 31 March 2001
Vizzavi Europe had more than 700,000 customers. Headquartered in London,
the company currently has more than 800 employees in six countries.
In addition to its core offering, Vizzavi has launched services such as
WAP games, e-mail, picture mail, music streaming, news and finance
content and location-based services. Later this year, functionality
such as unified messaging, instant messaging and e-commerce capabilities
will be added to the portal. With the advent of GPRS's 'always on'
capability and the introduction of new devices and technology, Vizzavi
customers will see continuous enhancements to the portal.
Vodafone recognises the benefits of creating a strong portal offering
which will serve to increase airtime usage, reduce churn and create
additional value. Vizzavi forms a core part of achieving the data ARPU
targets that the Group has set itself.
Sales of Businesses
Following the Mannesmann transaction, the Group has agreed the sale of a
number of businesses for an aggregate value of approximately £33.3
billion. Cash proceeds during the year totalled approximately £27.9
billion, including loan repayments to the Group of approximately £1.9
billion, the remaining proceeds of approximately £5.4 billion being
subject to the exercise of certain put options and the delivery of
France Telecom shares by Vodafone.
In April 2000, Mannesmann reached an agreement with Siemens AG and
Robert Bosch GmbH for the sale of a controlling interest in Atecs
Mannesmann, its engineering and automotive business. The transaction
valued Atecs at approximately Eur 9.6 billion, including pension and non-
trading financial liabilities to be assumed on closing. On 29 September
2000, a payment of approximately Eur 3.1 billion (£1.9 billion) plus
interest was made to Mannesmann in exchange for the pending transfer of
a 50% plus two shares stake in Atecs Mannesmann, which completed on 17
April 2001 following approval from the relevant European Union and US
regulatory authorities. Atecs Mannesmann also repaid Group loans of Eur
1.55 billion (£1.0 billion) in March 2001. Further proceeds of between
Eur 3.7 billion and Eur 3.8 billion may be realised upon the exercise of
certain put options over the remaining stake between 17 April 2001 and
31 December 2003.
The sale of Orange to France Telecom was completed on 22 August 2000,
following the receipt of conditional approval by the European Commission
and approval by the shareholders of France Telecom. The consideration
comprised a cash payment of approximately Eur 21.4 billion (£13.2
billion), a Eur 2.2 billion France Telecom loan note and 113,846,211
France Telecom shares, representing 9.87% of the outstanding share
capital of France Telecom. In addition, France Telecom assumed Orange's
existing debts, and its financial obligation regarding its UK 3G
licence, totalling £4.1 billion. The loan note was redeemed in March
2001 and realised proceeds of £1.4 billion. The Group also renegotiated
and exercised its put options over France Telecom shares for a total
value of approximately Eur 11.6 billion, of which Eur 6.7 billion (£4.2
billion) was received in March 2001 with the balance being receivable in
March 2002. The balancing payment of approximately Eur 4.9 billion (£3.1
billion) is subject to an upward adjustment dependent upon movements in
France Telecom's share price and currency fluctuations.
On 9 October 2000, Mannesmann completed the sale of its tubes business
to Salzgitter for a nominal consideration. In the period prior to the
completion of sale, Mannesmann made capital contributions to the tubes
business totalling Eur 271 million. Mannesmann also completed the sale
of Les Manufactures Horlogeres, its luxury watches business, to
Richemont S.A. in December 2000, for a cash consideration of
approximately Eur 1.8 billion (£1.1 billion).
On 29 March 2001 the Group completed the sale of Infostrada to Enel
S.p.A. Total proceeds received at completion for the entire issued
share capital of Infostrada were Eur 7.4 billion (approximately £4.7
billion) and Enel assumed Infostrada's net debt, including Eur 0.8
billion (£0.5 billion) of debt owed to the Group.
On 8 May 2001 the Group announced that agreement had been reached to
sell its 100% equity stake in the Austrian telecommunications company,
tele.ring Telekom Service GmbH. The transaction is subject to
regulatory approval.
The formation of Verizon Wireless in April 2000 resulted in net proceeds
to the Group of approximately £2.5 billion from a debt push-down
arrangement agreed with the other parties. Further proceeds of £1.8
billion have been realised following the disposal of conflicted
properties in the US, such disposals being a condition of the regulatory
approval of the transaction.
Recent Transactions
On 29 December 2000, the Group completed its acquisition of a total of
4,061,948 shares in Airtel Movil S.A., representing approximately 52.1%
of the issued share capital of Airtel. The acquisition increased the
Group's stake in Airtel to 73.8%. In consideration for their
shareholdings Vodafone issued 3,097,446,624 new listed ordinary shares
to the transferring Airtel shareholders, representing a transaction
value of approximately £7.9 billion for the acquired shares.
Following receipt of regulatory approvals and the agreement of Swisscom
AG's shareholders, a 25% equity interest in Swisscom Mobile was acquired
for CHF4.5 billion (£1.8 billion) during the first quarter of 2001. The
consideration for the 25% stake represents an enterprise value of
approximately £7.3 billion for Swisscom Mobile, including net debt of
£0.2 billion. Vodafone satisfied the first £0.85 billion tranche of
consideration by the issue of 422,869,008 new Vodafone shares and the
payment of CHF25 million in cash. The second tranche of £0.98 billion
will be satisfied in cash or Vodafone Group Plc shares, or a combination
of both, at Vodafone's discretion and is payable by March 2002.
On 4 April 2001 the Group completed its acquisition of a 34.5% stake in
Grupo Iusacell, S.A. de C.V., the second largest mobile operator in
Mexico with over 1.7 million customers, for a cash consideration of $973
million. Verizon Communications Inc., Vodafone's existing partner in
Verizon Wireless in the US, owns approximately 37% of Iusacell.
On 12 April 2001, following the second payment of Yen 125.1 billion
(£0.7 billion), the acquisition of a 15% stake in Japan Telecom from
West Japan Railway Company and Central Japan Railway Company was
completed. The initial payment of Yen 124.6 billion (£0.7 billion) was
made on 31 January 2001. On 26 April 2001, the Group completed the
acquisition of a further 10% stake in Japan Telecom from AT&T for a cash
consideration of $1.35 billion (£0.9 billion).
On 2 May 2001, Vodafone announced that it had agreed to acquire BT's
ownership interests in Japan Telecom and the J-Phone Group for a cash
consideration of £3.7 billion, assuming the exercise by BT of its option
over shares in the operating subsidiaries of the J-Phone Group, and the
acquisition of BT's 17.8% shareholding in Airtel Movil S.A. for a cash
consideration of £1.1 billion. The acquisition of BT's interests in
Japan Telecom and the J-Phone Group are expected to be completed by
August 2001, conditional upon regulatory approvals and procedural
requirements under agreements to which BT is a party and the exercise of
certain options by BT. The Airtel transaction is expected to close by
the end of June 2001 and is conditional upon EU regulatory approval.
Neither transaction is conditional upon the other.
On 21 December 2000 eircom plc announced the proposed demerger of eircom
plc's mobile communications business, Eircell, to a new company, called
Eircell 2000, and Vodafone announced a separate offer for the entire
share capital of Eircell 2000. Eircell is the leading provider of
mobile communications in Ireland, with over 1.5 million customers at 31
March 2001. At the date it was launched, the offer valued Eircell at
approximately Eur 3.6 billion, including the assumption of Eur 250
million of net debt. The offer was declared unconditional on 14 May 2001
following the receipt of valid acceptances representing approximately
79.6% of the total shareholding in Eircell. The offer remained open for
acceptance until 27 May 2001 and, in accordance with the Articles of
Association of Eircell, all shareholders were deemed to have accepted
the offer at that date.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Profit and loss account
The Group has completed a number of significant transactions in the
year.
The results and net assets of Mannesmann have been consolidated in the
Group's financial statements with effect from 12 April 2000, the date
the acquisition was completed. Non-core businesses sold following the
acquisition of Mannesmann, including Atecs Mannesmann, Orange,
Mannesmann's watches and tubes businesses, Ipulsys, Infostrada and
tele.ring, have not been consolidated in the results for the year.
The results and net assets of Airtel have been fully consolidated with
effect from 29 December 2000. Prior to the acquisition of a controlling
interest, the Group's 21.7% interest in Airtel was accounted for as an
associated undertaking within continuing operations under the equity
accounting method.
The Group's interest in Verizon Wireless, which was formed on 3 April
2000, has been accounted for using equity accounting in the current year
and the Group's share of results is disclosed within continuing
operations. In the year ended 31 March 2000, turnover of £2,585m and
operating losses of £100m (after goodwill amortisation) in respect of
the Group's US businesses were fully consolidated.
Group turnover and total Group operating (loss)/profit
Group turnover increased to £15,004m from £7,873m last year. This
reflects growth in continuing operations from £5,288m to £6,637m, after
adjusting for the results of US operations in prior year turnover, and
includes £8,367m in respect of acquired businesses. Turnover from
continuing operations, including the Group's share of joint ventures and
associated undertakings, increased from £11,521m to £15,155m, reflecting
the strong growth of these businesses.
Total Group operating loss of £6,998m for the year (31 March 2000:
profit of £796m) is after charging exceptional operating costs of £320m
(31 March 2000: £30m) and goodwill amortisation of £11,882m (31 March
2000: £1,712m). Total Group operating profit, before exceptional
operating costs and amortisation of goodwill, increased to £5,204m,
compared with £2,538m last year. Acquisitions represented £2,087m of
the increase with a further increase of £579m to £3,117m from continuing
operations.
Exceptional operating items of £320m primarily comprise impairment
charges of £91m in relation to the carrying value of certain assets
within the Group's Globalstar service provider businesses, exceptional
reorganisation costs of £85m relating to the restructuring of the
Group's operations in Germany and the US, and £141m in relation to the
Group's share of the restructuring costs incurred by Verizon Wireless.
The increase in the goodwill amortisation charge from £1,712m to
£11,882m is primarily due to amortisation of the goodwill arising from
the acquisition of Mannesmann, provisionally calculated to be £83
billion, goodwill on formation of the Verizon Wireless joint venture
partnership and a full year's amortisation charge for goodwill relating
to the acquired AirTouch operations (excluding US businesses contributed
to Verizon Wireless). These charges for goodwill amortisation do not
affect the cash flows of the Group or the ability of the Group to make
dividend payments.
Exceptional non-operating items
The net profit of £80m from exceptional non-operating items primarily
comprises a profit of £261m relating to the settlement of a hedging
transaction, offset by impairment charges of £193m against the Group's
investments in Globalstar and Shinsegi Telecom, Inc. The profit of
£954m in the prior year arose mainly on disposal of the Group's interest
in E-Plus Mobilfunk GmbH as a condition of EU approval of the
acquisition of Mannesmann.
Interest
Total Group interest, including the Group's share of the net interest
expense of joint ventures and associated undertakings, increased by £776m
to £1,177m. Net interest costs in respect of the Group's net borrowings
increased by £517m to £850m, compared with £333m (before exceptional
finance costs of £17m) in the year to 31 March 2000. The increase
includes interest on Mannesmann's debt of £12,551m, which was assumed at
acquisition on 12 April 2000. Group interest, excluding the Group's share
of the net interest expense in joint ventures and associated
undertakings, is covered 6.2 times by Group EBITDA (before exceptional
operating costs) plus dividends received from joint ventures and
associated undertakings.
Taxation
The effective rate of taxation for the year, before goodwill and
exceptional non-operating items, increased to 33.9% from 32.5% in the
year ended 31 March 2000. The 1.4% increase in the effective tax rate
is primarily the result of the integration of the Mannesmann businesses
into the Group's result. The results of the Mannesmann businesses have
been consolidated since acquisition on 12 April 2000.
Pro forma proportionate financial information
Due to the significance of the acquisition of Mannesmann and the merger
with AirTouch on the results for each of the years ended 31 March 2001
and 31 March 2000, unaudited pro forma proportionate financial
information has been presented on the basis that these transactions took
place on 1 April in each financial year. The following discussion of pro
forma proportionate Group turnover and EBITDA, before exceptional items,
provides a more direct comparison of year-on-year operating performance.
Mobile operations
Pro forma proportionate turnover for the Group's mobile businesses
increased by over 29% to £21,428m and pro forma proportionate EBITDA,
before exceptional items, increased by 28% from £5,504m to £7,043m,
reflecting the strong progress of the business following the Mannesmann
transaction and formation of Verizon Wireless.
After making adjustments for acquisitions completed in the year,
primarily the increased stakes in Airtel in Spain, the J-Phone Group in
Japan and the acquisition of shareholdings in Swisscom Mobile and China
Mobile, underlying growth in both mobile pro forma proportionate
turnover and EBITDA, at constant exchange rates, was 25%.
In Continental Europe pro forma proportionate turnover grew by almost
21% to £9,743m. This increase comprised strong organic growth,
reflecting the rapid growth in customer numbers in all major markets,
the Group's increased shareholding in Airtel and the acquisition of an
equity interest in Swisscom Mobile.
Pro forma proportionate EBITDA for Continental Europe increased by
almost 22% to £3,534m. A reduction in EBITDA margin of 6% in Germany
impacted this result, the decrease being due to the high level of
connection costs resulting from record customer growth, particularly in
the first half of the financial year. The increase in pro forma
proportionate EBITDA reflects strong trading throughout the region with
particularly strong margin improvements in the Group's subsidiaries in
Italy, Greece, the Netherlands and Spain.
Proportionate turnover in the UK increased by 17% to £3,458m and
proportionate EBITDA increased by 14% to £1,068m, reflecting further
strong prepay customer growth and the increased usage of data services,
offset by the impact of tariff reductions.
In the United States, proportionate turnover and EBITDA were £5,008m and
£1,627m, respectively, resulting in an EBITDA margin of 32%. This
reflects the profitable trading of Verizon Wireless during the year, as
the business has focused on gaining high value customers through new
customer additions and the migration of existing analogue customers to
digital price plans.
The Asia Pacific region saw an increase in pro forma proportionate
turnover of over 80% to £2,771m and an increase in pro forma
proportionate EBITDA of almost 56% to £587m. This comprised underlying
organic growth of 50% and 28%, respectively, with the balance being
primarily due to the acquisition of increased stakes in the J-Phone
Group and the acquisition of a 2.18% stake in China Mobile during the
year.
The Middle East and Africa region reported an increase in pro forma
proportionate EBITDA of almost 60% to £227m. Strong growth occurred in
both the Group's subsidiary in Egypt and associated undertaking in South
Africa.
Other operations
Pro forma proportionate turnover in the Group's other operations
remained relatively constant at £802m. Pro forma proportionate EBITDA
was an overall loss of £27m primarily as a result of the Group's share
of the losses incurred by Vizzavi Europe.
Exchange rates
The net impact of movements in exchange rates was not significant to the
year on year increases in pro forma proportionate turnover and EBITDA,
with the effect of adverse exchange rate movements against the Euro
being offset by favourable movements against the US dollar and Japanese
yen.
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share, before goodwill and exceptional items,
decreased by 20% from 4.71p to 3.75p, primarily reflecting the dilution
arising from the issue of new shares in connection with the Mannesmann
acquisition.
Basic earnings per share, after goodwill and exceptional items, fell
from 1.80p last year to a loss per share of 15.89p in the year to 31
March 2001. The loss per share of 15.89p includes a charge of 19.34p
per share (2000: 6.32p per share) in relation to the amortisation of
goodwill.
Dividends
The proposed final dividend of 0.714p produces a total for the year of
1.402p, an increase of 5% over last year, and reflects the continuing
strong trading performance and operating cash flow generation of the
Group's operations. The dividend was covered 2.4 times by Group
earnings, before goodwill amortisation, compared with 3.5 times in the
year ended 31 March 2000.
Employees
The Company and its subsidiary undertakings employed approximately
56,800 people at 31 March 2001, including 29,800 employees in businesses
acquired during the year. This compares with 25,600 employees at 31
March 2000, after excluding 15,100 people employed in the US wireless
businesses transferred to Verizon Wireless. Of the total employees at 31
March 2001, 81% worked outside the United Kingdom.
Measurement of prepay churn and active customers
The Group's global policy for the measurement of prepay customer churn
by subsidiaries is to adopt the local market practice agreed by
operators for the purposes of market share comparisons. If a local
policy is not in place, the Group's policy is to exclude from the
measurement of total registered customers those prepay customers who
have not used their mobile phones for over six months.
Active customers are defined as registered customers who have made or
received a call in the last three months or, where information on
incoming calls is not available, defined as customers who have made a
chargeable call in the last three months.
Balance sheet
Total fixed assets have increased in the year from £150,851m last year
to £154,375m at 31 March 2001.
At 31 March 2000, the Group's interest in Mannesmann AG was included in
fixed asset investments at a cost of £101,246m. Following completion on
12 April 2000, and the consolidation of the acquired net assets,
goodwill has been provisionally calculated to be £83,028m and is
included in intangible assets.
The assets of the US businesses contributed to Verizon Wireless have
been treated as having been disposed, including attributed goodwill of
£19.5 billion arising from the AirTouch transaction that was previously
included in intangible fixed assets. The Group's interest in the new
venture has been equity accounted within investments in associated
undertakings at an initial value of £19,809m.
The remaining increase in intangible assets primarily comprises £13,347m
in respect of 3G licences acquired in the year and goodwill on the
acquisition of a controlling interest in Airtel of approximately
£7,740m. The increase in tangible fixed assets from £6,307m to £10,586m
includes fixed assets from acquisitions of £4,840m. Other fixed asset
investments at 31 March 2001 include the Group's equity interests in
China Mobile (2.18%) and Japan Telecom (7.5%), which were acquired
during the year.
Current asset investments with an aggregate value of £13,211m primarily
comprise the Group's remaining interest in Atecs Mannesmann, a balancing
payment of approximately £3,092m receivable from the exercise of a put
option over France Telecom shares and liquid investments with a value of
£7,593m. The liquid investments arose primarily from the receipt of
sales proceeds following the disposal of Infostrada and receipts in
relation to the France Telecom shares and loan notes received from the
disposal of Orange.
Equity shareholders' funds
Total equity shareholders' funds at 31 March 2001 had increased from
£140,833m at 31 March 2000 to £145,393m. The movement primarily
comprises new share capital and share premium of £9,950m, including
shares issued as consideration for acquisitions completed during the
year, net currency translation gains of £5,197m, offset by a loss for
the year of £9,763m (after goodwill amortisation of £11,882m) and
dividends paid and declared in respect of the year totalling £887m.
Cash flows and funding
Cash generated from operating activities increased by £2,077m from
£2,510m to £4,587m for the year, due primarily to the growth in the
Group's operations and the inclusion of the operating cash flows of
acquired businesses. The principal cash outflows in the period related
to the purchase of intangible assets (£13,163m), primarily 3G licences,
purchases of tangible fixed assets (£3,698m), acquisitions of fixed
asset investments (£3,254m), primarily China Mobile and Japan Telecom
and the payment of taxation (£1,585m) and equity dividends (£773m).
Cash proceeds, including loan repayments, were generated from the
disposal of certain assets as set out below.
£ billion
Orange 18.7
Infostrada 5.2
Atecs Mannesmann 2.9
Mannesmann's watches and clocks businesses 1.1
------
27.9
======
In addition, approximately £4.3 billion was received upon the formation
of Verizon Wireless and the disposal of certain conflicted properties in
the US.
The resulting net cash inflow, before repayment of debt and management
of liquid resources, was £13,744m. This cash inflow was offset by the
consolidation of the net debt of Mannesmann and Airtel, totalling
£13,184m at acquisition, and other non-cash movements of £639m,
primarily relating to exchange movements. These movements resulted in a
small increase in net debt at 31 March 2001 to £6,722m, compared with
£6,643m last year.
Net debt at 31 March 2001 represented 5.4% of the Group's market
capitalisation. This represented a reduction of £6.5 billion from net
debt of £13.2 billion at 30 September 2000, primarily due to proceeds
received in the second half of the year from the disposal of non-core
businesses, offset by payments for 3G licences and other investments.
The Group remains committed to maintaining a strong financial position
as demonstrated by its credit ratings of P-1/F1/A-1 short term and
A2/A/A long term from Moody's, Fitch Ratings and Standard and Poor's,
respectively. The credit ratings reflect the financial strength of the
Group and were re-confirmed by each of the rating agencies on 2 May
2001, following the announcement of the acquisition of further equity
interests in Japan and Spain, which is being financed in part by an
offering of 1.825 billion new Vodafone ordinary shares raising
approximately £3.5 billion.
The Group's preservation of its credit ratings has enabled it to access
a wide range of debt finance including commercial paper, bonds and
committed bank facilities. The Group has dollar and Euro commercial
paper programmes for US$15 billion and £2 billion, respectively, which
it uses to meet its short term liquidity requirements. The commercial
paper facilities are backed by a US$14.55 billion (£10.2 billion)
committed bank facility, which expires in September 2001, with a one
year term-out option. The Group also has £13.5 billion (sterling
equivalent) of capital market debt in issue, with maturities from June
2001 to February 2030.
CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2001
Year ended Year ended
31 March 31 March
2001 2000
£m £m
Turnover: Group and share of joint
ventures
and associated undertakings
- Continuing operations 15,155 11,521
- Acquisitions 8,838 -
-------- --------
23,993 11,521
Less: Share of joint ventures and
associated undertakings (8,989) (3,648)
-------- --------
15,004 7,873
======== ========
Group turnover (Note 2)
- Continuing operations* 6,637 7,873
- Acquisitions 8,367 -
-------- --------
15,004 7,873
======== ========
Operating (loss)/profit
- Continuing operations* 1,044 981
- Acquisitions (7,483) -
-------- --------
(6,439) 981
Share of operating loss in joint
ventures and associated undertakings
- Continuing operations (26) (185)
- Acquisitions (533) -
-------- --------
Total Group operating (loss)/profit (6,998) 796
(Note 2)
Exceptional non-operating items (Note 3) 80 954
-------- --------
(Loss)/profit on ordinary activities (6,918) 1,750
before interest
Net interest payable (1,177) (401)
- Group (850) (350)
- Share of joint ventures and
associated undertakings (327) (51)
-------- --------
(Loss)/profit on ordinary activities
before taxation (8,095) 1,349
Tax on (loss)/profit on ordinary
activities (Note 4) (1,290) (685)
- Group (1,118) (494)
- Share of joint ventures and
associated undertakings (172) (191)
-------- --------
(Loss)/profit on ordinary activities
after taxation (9,385) 664
Minority interests (378) (177)
-------- --------
(Loss)/profit for the financial year (9,763) 487
Equity dividends (Note 5) (887) (620)
-------- --------
Retained loss for the Group and its share
of
joint ventures and associated (10,650) (133)
undertakings
======== ========
Basic (loss)/earnings per share (Note 6) (15.89)p 1.80p
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share (15.90)p 1.78p
Adjusted basic earnings per share (Note 3.75p 4.71p
6)
* The AirTouch US Cellular business is included within continuing
subsidiary operations in prior year comparatives, but not in the current
year. See Note 1 - Basis of Preparation.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
31 MARCH 2001
31 March 31 March
2001 2000
£m £m
Fixed assets
Intangible assets 108,839 22,206
Tangible assets 10,586 6,307
Investments 34,950 122,338
Investments in joint ventures:
- Share of gross assets - 2,912
- Share of gross liabilities - (241)
- Loans to joint ventures 85 -
-------- --------
85 2,671
Investments in associated undertakings 31,910 17,979
Other investments 2,955 101,688
-------- --------
154,375 150,851
Current assets ======== ========
Stocks 316 190
Debtors 4,095 2,138
Investments 13,211 30
Cash at bank and in hand 68 159
-------- --------
17,690 2,517
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (12,377) (4,441)
-------- --------
Net current assets/(liabilities) 5,313 (1,924)
-------- --------
Total assets less current liabilities 159,688 148,927
Creditors: amounts falling due after
more than one year (11,235) (6,374)
Provisions for liabilities and charges (671) (193)
Investments in joint ventures:
- Share of gross assets 88 -
- Share of gross liabilities (146) -
-------- --------
(58) -
Other provisions (613) (193)
-------- --------
147,782 142,360
======== ========
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 4,054 3,797
Share premium account 48,292 39,577
Merger reserve 96,914 96,914
Other reserve 1,024 1,120
Profit and loss account (5,869) (575)
Shares to be issued 978 -
-------- --------
Total equity shareholders' funds 145,393 140,833
Minority interests 2,389 1,527
-------- --------
147,782 142,360
======== ========
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2001
Year ended Year ended
31 March 31 March
2001 2000
£m £m
Net cash inflow from operating
activities (Note 7) 4,587 2,510
Dividends received from joint
ventures and associated undertakings 353 236
Net cash outflow for returns on
investments and
servicing of finance (47) (406)
Taxation (1,585) (325)
Net cash outflow for capital expenditure
and financial investment (Note 8) (19,011) (756)
Net cash inflow/(outflow) for
acquisitions and disposals (Note 9) 30,653 (4,756)
Equity dividends paid (773) (221)
-------- --------
Cash inflow/(outflow) before
management of liquid
resources and financing 14,177 (3,718)
Management of liquid resources (7,541) (33)
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing:
Issue of ordinary share capital 65 362
Issue of shares to minorities 44 37
(Decrease)/increase in debt due
within one year (4,774) 149
(Decrease)/increase in debt due
after more than one year (2,026) 3,319
-------- --------
(Decrease)/increase in cash in the year (55) 116
======== ========
Reconciliation of net cash flow to
movement in net debt
(Decrease)/increase in cash in the year (55) 116
Cash outflow/(inflow) from
decrease/(increase) in debt 6,800 (3,468)
Cash outflow from management of liquid
resources 7,541 33
-------- --------
Decrease/(increase) in net debt resulting
from cash flows 14,286 (3,319)
Debt acquired on acquisition of (13,726) (2,133)
subsidiaries
Translation difference (629) 316
Other movements (10) 1
-------- --------
Increase in net debt in the year (79) (5,135)
Opening net debt (6,643) (1,508)
-------- --------
Closing net debt (Note 10) (6,722) (6,643)
======== ========
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2001
Year ended Year ended
31 March 31 March
2001 2000
£m £m
(Loss)/profit for the financial year
- Group (8,658) 914
- Share of joint ventures and
associated undertakings (1,105) (427)
-------- --------
(9,763) 487
-------- --------
Currency translation
- Group 2,743 (355)
- Share of joint ventures and
associated undertakings 2,454 (775)
-------- --------
5,197 (1,130)
-------- --------
Total recognised gains and losses for
the year (4,566) (643)
======== ========
MOVEMENTS IN EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2001
(Loss)/profit for the financial year (9,763) 487
Equity dividends (887) (620)
-------- --------
(10,650) (133)
Currency translation 5,197 (1,130)
New share capital subscribed 8,972 140,037
Scrip dividends 67 81
Goodwill transferred to the profit
and loss account in
respect of business disposals 1 18
Unvested option consideration - 1,165
Shares to be issued 978 -
Other (5) (20)
-------- --------
Net movement in equity shareholders' 4,560 140,018
funds
Opening equity shareholders' funds 140,833 815
-------- --------
Closing equity shareholders' funds 145,393 140,833
======== ========
MORE TO FOLLOW