Interim Results
Tate & Lyle PLC
Tate & Lyle PLC - 1 November 2006
ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTERIM RESULTS
For the six months ended 30 September 2006
-0-
*T
INTERIM RESULTS TO 30 SEPTEMBER (UNAUDITED) 2006 2005
------------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -------------
Operating profit before exceptional items and £193m £153m
amortisation(1)
Operating profit £189m £152m
Profit before tax, exceptional items and amortisation(1) £173m £136m
Profit before taxation £169m £135m
Diluted earnings per share before exceptional items and
amortisation 24.3p 19.5p
Diluted earnings per share 23.5p 19.5p
Interim dividend per share 6.2p 5.9p
*T
(1)Before amortisation of acquired intangible assets ('amortisation') of £4
million (2005 - £2 million) and, in the prior year, an exceptional credit of
£1 million.
-- Operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation up 26% at
£193 million
-- Profit before tax, exceptional items and amortisation up 27% at £173
million
-- Food & Industrial Ingredients, Americas operating profit before
amortisation up 58% at £87 million
-- Since 31 March 2006, net debt reduced by £95 million to £771 million
-- Strong balance sheet and financial ratios
-- Interim dividend increased by 5.1% (0.3p) to 6.2p per share
'We have started the year strongly, mainly due to an excellent performance from
Food & Industrial Ingredients, Americas which saw profit growth of 58%.
The increase in our SPLENDA(R) Sucralose capacity is proceeding to plan. We
expect to achieve further margin improvement in the US sweetener pricing round
for the 2007 calendar year. Overall, we continue to expect further year-on-year
progress in the second half, albeit that the intensifying impact of EU sugar
reform together with higher cereal prices in Europe mean that profit growth is
likely to be lower than in the first half. '
-0-
*T
Sir David Lees Iain Ferguson CBE
Chairman Chief Executive
*T
An interim statement for the six months ended 30 September 2006 will be posted
to shareholders shortly, and will be obtainable from The Company Secretary, Tate
& Lyle PLC, Sugar Quay, Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6DQ.
SPLENDA(R) is a trademark of McNeil Nutritionals, LLC
Webcast and Conference Call
A presentation of the results by Chief Executive, Iain Ferguson and Group
Finance Director, John Nicholas will be audio webcast live at 10.00 (GMT) today.
To view the presentation slides and/or listen to a live audio webcast of the
presentation, visit
http://w.on24.com/r.htm?e=30575&s=1&k=55EE5F7D0B1CBFBED6940959C8C71D07 (link via
www.tateandlyle.com or www.hemscott.com). A webcast replay of the presentation
will be available for six months, at the links above. A dial-in facility is also
available for this presentation.
-0-
*T
Dial In (US): +1 334 323 6203
Dial In (UK): +44 (0)20 7162 0125
A replay is scheduled to run from 1 November to 8 November, 2006
Replay (US): +1 954 334 0342
Replay (UK): +44 (0) 0207 031 4064
Passcode: 724765
*T
-0-
*T
In addition a conference call for analysts and investors will be held today at 15.00 (GMT), 10.00 (Eastern).
Dial In (US/Canada): (800) 967 7143
Dial In (International): +1 719 457 2631
A replay is scheduled to run from 1 November to 8 November, 2006
Replay (US/Canada): (888) 203 1112
Replay (International): +1 719 457 0820
Passcode: 5300245
*T
STATEMENT OF INTERIM RESULTS for the six months to 30 September 2006
Overview
Sales were up 9% at £2,039 million (£1,868 million), mainly due to a very strong
first half in Food & Industrial Ingredients, Americas and a good performance
within Sugars, Europe from sugar trading. Exchange translation decreased sales
by £20 million.
Operating profit was up 26% at £193 million (£153 million) before a £4 million
(£2 million) charge for amortisation and, in the prior year, an exceptional
credit of £1 million. Food & Industrial Ingredients, Americas, which saw a
strong performance from almost all of its product range, contributed £32 million
of this £40 million profit growth. The result also benefited from a £12 million
reduction in depreciation following the impairment recognised at 31 March 2006.
Good progress was made across the Group in growing the profit contribution from
core value added products.
We remain committed to our target for the profit contribution from total value
added products to increase by 30% in the year to March 2007.
The net finance expense increased to £20 million (£17 million) due mainly to
higher average net debt as we invest for growth, partially offset by a reduced
charge relating to the Group's retirement benefit provisions. Interest cover was
9.7 times (9.0 times).
Profit before tax, exceptional items and amortisation for the six months to
30 September 2006 was 27% higher at £173 million (£136 million). Profit before
tax was £169 million (£135 million). The effective rate of tax on profit before
exceptional items and amortisation was 30.2% (year to 31 March 2006 - 30.2%).
Exchange translation reduced both operating profit and profit before tax by £2
million.
Diluted earnings per share before exceptional items and amortisation were 24.3p
(19.5p), and after exceptional items and amortisation were 23.5p (19.5p).
Free cash flow (representing cash generated from operations after interest,
taxation and capital expenditure) was £139 million (outflow £14 million), mainly
due to a reversal of the working capital cash outflow in the second half of the
prior year, which had been due to sugar trading. Capital expenditure in the
first half of £128 million was, as expected, similar to expenditure in the prior
year of £111 million. Depreciation of £50 million was reduced by £12 million due
to the impairment charge taken in the year to 31 March 2006. The net cash flow
for the six months was £95 million (outflow £83 million) leading to net debt at
30 September 2006 of £771 million (31 March 2006 - £866 million).
The net debt to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and total
amortisation ('EBITDA') multiple was 1.6 times (1.4 times).
All major capital expansion projects are on schedule: construction of the
Bio-PDO(TM) plant in Loudon, Tennessee is complete and commercial production has
been achieved; good progress is being made at the corn wet mills in Loudon and
Sagamore, where expansion of the value added facilities is taking place, and the
building of a new SPLENDA(R) Sucralose plant in Singapore is on schedule for
mechanical completion in January 2007. A ground breaking ceremony has been held
at the site of the new corn wet mill facility in Fort Dodge, Iowa and the
project has begun satisfactorily.
The Board has declared an interim dividend of 6.2p per share, an increase of
0.3p (5.1%). This will be paid on 9 January 2007 to shareholders on the register
on 8 December 2006.
Segmental Analysis of Operating Profit before Exceptional Items and Amortisation
Food & Industrial Ingredients, Americas
The division performed very strongly across most product categories and profits
of £87 million were £32 million higher.
Profitability from value added food and industrial ingredients, commodity
sweeteners and ethanol continued to grow with both higher volumes and margin
gains.
In the latter part of the period, ethanol prices softened across the industry on
increased production and the announcement of further investment in ethanol
facilities. With most of our current financial year production sold forward, we
do not expect this to have a material impact on our full year results.
The cost of corn, less by-product revenues, was higher and corn futures prices
are firming on higher demand estimates.
Our UK fermentation business in Selby has been adversely affected by changes to
the EU sugar regime (which became effective from 1 July 2006), which have
increased substrate costs for both our citric acid and astaxanthin facilities.
Profits in citric acid overall were lower than in the corresponding period.
Almex, our Mexican joint venture, continues to perform well and remains
profitable. Tate & Lyle Custom Ingredients (acquired in January 2006) made
profits in line with our expectations.
The Bio-PDO(TM) joint venture in Loudon, Tennessee successfully completed
commissioning in October 2006. As expected, start-up losses of £2 million (£2
million) have been incurred. All other major capital expansion projects are on
schedule.
The resolution of the trade dispute over sweeteners with Mexico, which will lead
to free trade for US high fructose corn syrup into Mexico from 1 January 2008,
is good for industry fundamentals as we approach the sweetener pricing round for
the 2007 calendar year. Our expectation in these negotiations is to achieve
further margin improvement.
Food & Industrial Ingredients, Europe
Profits of £40 million were £12 million higher than in the corresponding period
of the prior year. Profits benefited from a £12 million reduction in
depreciation as a result of the impairment charge taken in the year to 31 March
2006.
Higher selling prices for both main products and co-products were offset by the
impact of higher cereal prices and energy costs. Good growth was achieved in all
product sectors but in particular in value added food and industrial
ingredients.
Profits in the Eaststarch joint venture business in Central Europe were above
those in the comparative period.
Cesalpinia Foods Srl. (acquired in December 2005) made a profit in line with our
expectations.
In response to the oversupply in the European sugar market, the EU has
declassified 2.5 million tonnes (approximately 14%) of quota, reducing product
for sale on domestic markets. This is intended to balance supply and demand in
the total European sweetener market and should be a positive influence on
pricing in the 2007 calendar year.
As advised in the preliminary announcement of results on 25 May 2006, the
current oversupply of sugar in the market and changes to the EU sugar regime
(which became effective from 1 July 2006), mean that profits in Food &
Industrial Ingredients, Europe for the second half of the financial year ending
31 March 2007 are expected to be significantly lower than in the corresponding
period of the prior year. Higher cereal and energy costs are also expected to
impact the second half.
Cereal prices, and in particular those for wheat, have risen sharply due to much
lower global production (including a lower crop in the EU) combined with
increased demand. We shall seek to mitigate these and other cost increases
through higher selling prices in the 2007 calendar year pricing round.
On 25 October 2006 we announced that we have concluded that ownership of Food &
Industrial Ingredients, Europe is no longer an essential element of our strategy
to focus on value added ingredients and that we are exploring the possibility of
the full or partial disposal of the business. The timing and outcome of this
process are both uncertain and further announcements will be made when
appropriate. This decision has been taken as a consequence of the adoption by
the EU of a new regulatory regime for the sugar industry, effective from 1 July
2006. Tate & Lyle will continue to develop its value added food ingredients
business in Europe through its Global Food Ingredients Group, which includes
Cesalpinia Foods Srl. As previously advised, we will continue to seek to
supplement our value added business through the further acquisition of bolt-on
ingredient companies that offer an attractive strategic fit.
Sucralose
Profits of £33 million from our SPLENDA(R) Sucralose business were in line with
the comparative period.
Sales totalled £73 million (£74 million). Sales in the first half year have been
affected by two main factors.
Firstly, our supply allocation policy was relaxed at the start of the financial
year and customers took this as a signal to reduce their inventory to normal
industry levels. Secondly, we experienced production disruptions in Alabama as
we brought new equipment on-stream. As a consequence, during the commissioning
period we remained cautious about committing significant capacity to customers
to build sales until we had achieved reliable production ramp-up.
There have been a number of major product launches both in the US and, as we
broaden our customer base, in Latin America and Europe.
Demand continued to outstrip production and we finished the half year with low
inventories. The doubling of SPLENDA(R)Sucralose capacity in Alabama is now
mechanically complete and production ramp-up is ongoing. In Singapore,
construction of the new facility is on schedule for mechanical completion in
January 2007. Start-up costs were £5 million (£2 million) in the first half and
are expected to total £11 million in the full year.
For the second half of the financial year, we expect to see year-on-year demand
growth in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors, especially with our
global key accounts.
Sugars, Americas & Asia
Profits of £7 million were £6 million below those in the comparative period
mainly due to a mark-to-market loss on raw sugar stocks of £6 million (gain £2
million) at Tate & Lyle Canada.
Nghe An Tate & Lyle in Vietnam performed in line with the previous period.
Occidente, our Mexican joint venture, performed well and profits improved on
better sugar pricing.
Sugars, Europe
Profits of £26 million were £2 million higher with reduced earnings from EU
sugar refining operations being more than offset by improved profits from sugar
trading.
As expected, profitability in Sugars, Europe has continued to be affected by
lower domestic sales prices in our EU sugar refining businesses due to an
oversupply of sugar in the market. The declassification of quota (detailed under
Food & Industrial Ingredients, Europe, above) is expected to be a positive
influence on sugar pricing in the 2007 calendar year pricing round. We continue
to believe that our sugar refineries have a long term economic future and as
part of this commitment we intend to undertake specific investments in
efficiency, capacity, raw sugar supply and end-markets for our sugar production.
Sugar prices have fallen from highs in excess of US$18 cents per pound at the
beginning of the year to around US$11 cents per pound, and we do not expect the
level of sugar trading profits in the first half to be repeated in the second
half.
Trading at our Eastern Sugar joint venture sugar beet operations (in which Tate
& Lyle owns 50%) was in line with the previous year. On 10 October 2006, we
announced that Eastern Sugar had begun a consultation process with employees,
beet growers and other stakeholders with a view to renouncing its quotas in
Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia and applying to the restructuring fund for
compensation. This action has been taken following an extensive review of the
impact of the new EU sugar regime on Eastern Sugar. The consultation proposals
envisage that the plants will cease processing beets by the end of February
2007, when all of the current campaigns will have been completed. If the
consultation proceeds satisfactorily, a formal application for restructuring aid
will be lodged towards the end of November 2006, with the final decision on the
grant of restructuring aid expected at the end of February 2007. The final value
of compensation payable to Eastern Sugar cannot be determined with any degree of
accuracy until the consultation process has been completed and the plan for
restructuring aid has been prepared.
Directors
As previously announced, Simon Gifford retired as Group Finance Director and
from the Board of Tate & Lyle at the Annual General Meeting on 19 July 2006, and
from the Company on 1 October 2006. John Nicholas, formerly Group Finance
Director of Kidde PLC, joined Tate & Lyle on 1 June 2006 and was appointed as
Group Finance Director and as a member of the Board from the close of the Annual
General Meeting on 19 July 2006.
Carole Piwnica also retired as a non-executive director at the Annual General
Meeting on 19 July 2006. On 31 October 2006, we announced the appointment of Liz
Airey as a non-executive director from 1 January 2007.
Outlook
We have started the year strongly, mainly due to an excellent performance from
Food & Industrial Ingredients, Americas which saw profit growth of 58%.
The increase in our SPLENDA(R) Sucralose capacity is proceeding to plan. We
expect to achieve further margin improvement in the US sweetener pricing round
for the 2007 calendar year. Overall, we continue to expect further year-on-year
progress in the second half, albeit that the intensifying impact of EU sugar
reform together with higher cereal prices in Europe mean that profit growth is
likely to be lower than in the first half.
-0-
*T
Sir David Lees Iain Ferguson CBE
Chairman Chief Executive
*T
TATE & LYLE PLC
INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO TATE & LYLE PLC
Introduction
We have been instructed by the Company to review the financial information for
the six months ended 30 September 2006 which comprises the consolidated interim
income statement, the consolidated interim balance sheet, the consolidated
interim statement of recognised income and expense, the consolidated interim
cash flow statement and the notes to the interim statement. We have read the
other information contained in the interim report and considered whether it
contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the
financial information.
Directors' responsibilities
The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is
the responsibility of, and has been approved by the directors. The Listing Rules
of the Financial Services Authority require that the accounting policies and
presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent with those
applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where any changes, and
the reasons for them, are disclosed.
This interim report has been prepared in accordance with the basis set out in
Note 1.
Review work performed
We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4
issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review
consists principally of making enquiries of Group management and applying
analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data
and, based thereon, assessing whether the disclosed accounting policies have
been applied. A review excludes audit procedures such as tests of controls and
verification of assets, liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less
in scope than an audit and therefore provides a lower level of assurance.
Accordingly we do not express an audit opinion on the financial information.
This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and only for the
Company for the purpose of the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority
and for no other purpose. We do not, in producing this report, accept or assume
responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report
is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our
prior consent in writing.
Review conclusion
On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that
should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months
ended 30 September 2006.
-0-
*T
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants
London
31 October 2006
*T
CONSOLIDATED INTERIM INCOME STATEMENT (UNAUDITED)
-0-
*T
Six months to Six months to Year to
30 September 30 September 31 March
Notes 2006 2005 2006
£m £m £m
---------------------------------------------------
Sales 2 2,039 1,868 3,720
------------- ------------- ----------------
Operating profit 2 189 152 75
Interest income 4 28 23 45
Finance expense 4 (48) (40) (78)
------------- ------------- ----------------
Profit before tax 169 135 42
Income tax expense 5 (52) (39) (69)
------------- ------------- ----------------
Profit/(loss) for the period 117 96 (27)
============= ============= ================
Profit/(loss) for the period attributable to:
Equity holders of the Company 115 94 (30)
Minority interest 2 2 3
------------- ------------- ----------------
Profit/(loss) for the period 117 96 (27)
============= ============= ================
Earnings/(loss) per share attributable to the equity pence pence pence
holders of the Company
- basic 6 23.9 19.8 (6.3)
============= ============= ================
- diluted 6 23.5 19.5 (6.3)
============= ============= ================
Dividends per share pence pence pence
- proposed 7 6.2 5.9 20.0
============= ============= ================
- paid 7 14.1 13.7 19.6
============= ============= ================
All activities relate to continuing operations
Analysis of profit before tax
Profit before tax 169 135 42
Add back:
Exceptional items 3 - (1) 248
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets 3 4 2 5
------------- ------------- ----------------
Profit before tax, exceptional items and amortisation of
acquired intangible assets 173 136 295
============= ============= ================
*T
CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE (UNAUDITED)
-0-
*T
Six months to 30 Six months to 30 Year to
September September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
£m £m
£m
Net exchange differences (52) 31 23
Employee post-employment benefits:
- net actuarial (losses)/gains in post-employment benefit plans (34) (1) 40
- deferred taxation recognised directly in equity 11 - (12)
Net valuation losses on available-for-sale financial assets (1) - (1)
Net profit/(loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax - 4 (3)
---------------- ---------------- ---------------
Net (loss)/profit recognised directly in equity (76) 34 47
Profit/(loss) for the period 117 96 (27)
---------------- ---------------- ---------------
Total recognised income and expense for the period 41 130 20
Adoption of IAS32 and IAS39 - 7 7
---------------- ---------------- ---------------
41 137 27
================ ================ ===============
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the Company 39 135 24
Minority interests 2 2 3
---------------- ---------------- ---------------
41 137 27
================ ================ ===============
*T
CONSOLIDATED INTERIM BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)
-0-
*T
30 September 30 September 31 March
Notes 2006 2005 2006
restated restated
£m £m £m
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 253 193 263
Property, plant and equipment 1,221 1,358 1,217
Investments in associates 4 3 4
Available-for-sale financial assets 17 18 17
Derivative financial instruments 8 39 32 28
Deferred tax assets 8 5 7
Trade and other receivables 19 7 8
------------- ------------- ---------------
1,561 1,616 1,544
------------- ------------- ---------------
Current assets
Inventories 411 378 456
Trade and other receivables 527 501 482
Current tax assets 18 20 32
Derivative financial instruments 8 136 34 282
Cash and cash equivalents 8 546 290 158
------------- ------------- ---------------
1,638 1,223 1,410
------------- ------------- ---------------
TOTAL ASSETS 3,199 2,839 2,954
============= ============= ===============
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Capital and reserves attributable to the
Company's equity holders:
Share capital 122 122 122
Share premium 402 397 400
Other reserves (4) 154 56
Retained earnings 374 357 327
------------- ------------- ---------------
894 1,030 905
Minority interest 34 33 35
------------- ------------- ---------------
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 9 928 1,063 940
============= ============= ===============
LIABILITIES
Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables 2 4 3
Borrowings 8 762 822 543
Derivative financial instruments 8 22 14 28
Deferred tax liabilities 51 45 60
Retirement benefit obligations 183 247 172
Provisions for other liabilities and charges 64 87 71
------------- ------------- ---------------
1,084 1,219 877
------------- ------------- ---------------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 418 377 382
Current tax liabilities 20 29 30
Borrowings and bank overdrafts 8 577 108 493
Derivative financial instruments 8 151 16 202
Provisions for other liabilities and charges 21 27 30
------------- ------------- ---------------
1,187 557 1,137
------------- ------------- ---------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 2,271 1,776 2,014
============= ============= ===============
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 3,199 2,839 2,954
============= ============= ===============
*T
CONSOLIDATED INTERIM CASH FLOW STATEMENT (UNAUDITED)
-0-
*T
Six months to Six months to Year to
30 September 30 September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
Notes £m £m
£m
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before tax 169 135 42
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment 50 63 125
Non - cash exceptional items - - 248
Amortisation of intangible assets 6 3 8
Share based payments 3 2 5
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment - (1) -
Interest income 4 (28) (23) (45)
Interest expense 4 48 40 78
Changes in working capital 74 (53) (211)
-------------- -------------- -------------
Cash generated from operations 322 166 250
Interest paid (28) (29) (65)
Income tax paid (43) (52) (98)
-------------- -------------- -------------
Net cash generated from operating activities 251 85 87
-------------- -------------- -------------
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment 1 1 4
Interest received 16 12 38
Acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired - 3 (69)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (128) (111) (273)
Purchase of intangible assets and other non-current assets (7) - (2)
-------------- -------------- -------------
Net cash flows used in investing activities (118) (95) (302)
-------------- -------------- -------------
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares 12 4 16
Proceeds from/(repayments of) borrowings 319 (30) 78
Dividends paid to the Company's equity holders (68) (65) (93)
-------------- -------------- -------------
Net cash flows from financing activities 263 (91) 1
-------------- -------------- -------------
-------------- -------------- -------------
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 8 396 (101) (214)
============== ============== =============
Cash and cash equivalents:
Balance at beginning of period 158 384 384
Impact of IAS32/39 adoption - (9) (9)
-------------- -------------- -------------
Balance at beginning of period, restated 158 375 375
Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates (8) 16 (3)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 396 (101) (214)
-------------- -------------- -------------
Balance at end of period 546 290 158
============== ============== =============
*T
NOTES TO INTERIM STATEMENT (UNAUDITED)
For the six months to 30 September 2006
1. Presentation of interim financial statements
General information
The principal activities of Tate & Lyle PLC are the development, manufacture and
marketing of food and industrial ingredients that have been made from renewable
resources. The Group operates more than 65 production facilities in 29
countries, and in numerous partnerships and joint ventures, located
predominantly in Europe, the Americas and in South East Asia.
The Company is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in the United
Kingdom. The address of its registered office is Sugar Quay, Lower Thames
Street, London EC3R 6DQ. The Company has its primary listing on the London Stock
Exchange.
Basis of preparation
This financial information has been prepared in accordance with the Listing
rules of the Financial Services Authority.
These consolidated interim statements should be read in conjunction with the
Group's Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2006 and have
been prepared using the accounting policies set out in that report, except for
the restatement for the adoption of IFRIC4 'Determining whether an arrangement
contains a lease'. These policies have been consistently applied to all the
results presented. In accordance with IFRIC4 an additional £8 million of assets
have been recognised in property, plant and equipment at 31 March 2006 (30
September 2005 - £3 million) offset by the recognition of the associated finance
lease creditors of £8 million (30 September 2005 - £3 million) in borrowings.
Net debt at 31 March 2006 has been restated from £858 million to £866 million
(30 September 2005 - £612 million to £615 million). There has been no material
impact on the income statement for the year ended 31 March 2006 or for the
period ended 30 September 2005.
The Group has chosen not to early adopt IAS34 'Interim Financial Statements' in
preparing its interim statement.
Statutory financial statements
The financial information presented here does not represent statutory accounts
as defined in the Companies Act 1985. The Group's statutory financial statements
for the year to 31 March 2006 were prepared under International Financial
Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union and filed with the
Registrar of Companies. The auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, reported on
those accounts and their report was unqualified and did not contain a statement
under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985.
2. Segment information
The segment results for the six months to 30 September 2006 were as follows:
-0-
*T
Food & Food & Sugars,
Industrial Industrial Americas Sugars,
Ingredients, Ingredients, Sucralose & Asia Europe Group
Americas Europe
£m £m £m £m £m £m
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales
Total sales 617 427 73 151 859 2,127
Inter-segment sales (2) (14) - - (72) (88)
------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
External sales 615 413 73 151 787 2,039
============ ============ =========== =========== =========== ===========
Operating profit
Before exceptional 87 40 33 7 26 193
items and
amortisation of
acquired intangible
assets (note 3)
Amortisation of (1) (1) (2) - - (4)
acquired intangible
assets
------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating profit 86 39 31 7 26 189
============ ============ =========== =========== ===========
Net finance expense (20)
-----------
Profit before tax 169
===========
*T
The segment results for the six months to 30 September 2005 were as follows:
-0-
*T
Food & Food & Sugars,
Industrial Industrial Americas Sugars,
Ingredients, Ingredients, Sucralose & Asia Europe Group
Americas Europe
£m £m £m £m £m £m
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales
Total sales 550 414 74 129 785 1,952
Inter-segment sales (3) (20) - - (61) (84)
------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
External sales 547 394 74 129 724 1,868
============ ============ =========== =========== =========== ==========
Operating profit
Before exceptional 55 28 33 13 24 153
items and
amortisation of
acquired intangible
assets (note 3)
Exceptional items - - - - 1 1
Amortisation of - - (2) - - (2)
acquired intangible
assets
------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
Operating profit 55 28 31 13 25 152
============ ============ =========== =========== ===========
Net finance expense (17)
----------
Profit before tax 135
==========
*T
The segment results for the year to 31 March 2006 were as follows:
-0-
*T
Food & Food &
Industrial Industrial Sugars,
Ingredients, Ingredients, Americas Sugars,
Americas Europe Sucralose & Asia Europe Group
£m £m £m £m £m
£m
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales
Total sales 1,133 759 142 273 1,559 3,866
Inter-segment sales (6) (40) - - (100) (146)
------------------ -------------- --------------- -------------- ------------ -----------
External sales 1,127 719 142 273 1,459 3,720
================== ============== =============== ============== ============ ===========
Operating profit
Before exceptional items and 125 46 68 27 62 328
amortisation of acquired
intangible assets (note 3)
Exceptional items 14 (263) - 1 - (248)
Amortisation of acquired
intangible assets (1) - (4) - - (5)
------------------ -------------- --------------- -------------- ------------ -----------
Operating profit 138 (217) 64 28 62 75
================== ============== =============== ============== ============
Net finance expense (33)
-----------
Profit before tax 42
===========
*T
3. Operating profit
Operating profit for the period is stated after the following (charges)/credits:
-0-
*T
Six months to Six months to Year to
30 September 30 September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
£m £m £m
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exceptional items - 1 (248)
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets (4) (2) (5)
-------------- --------------- ---------------
(4) (1) (253)
============== =============== ===============
*T
-0-
*T
Exceptional items are as follows:
Six months to Six months to Year to
30 September 30 September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
£m £m £m
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit on disposal of property, plant and - 1 -
equipment
Impairment losses (a) - - (272)
US healthcare benefit curtailment (b) - - 24
---------------- ----------------- --------------
- 1 (248)
================ ================= ==============
(a) The prior year impairment losses comprised two items: a £263 million impairment of property,
plant and equipment in Food & Industrial Ingredients, Europe arising from the expected impact of
the new EU sugar regime regulations; and a £9 million impairment of property, plant and
equipment in the UK Citric Acid business, reported as part of the Food & Industrial Ingredients,
Americas division.
(b) The exceptional credit in the prior year arose from a change in benefits provided to certain
members of the Group's US Healthcare Scheme following changes to the US government healthcare
provisions.
*T
4. Interest income and finance expense
-0-
*T
Six months to Six months to Year to
30 September 30 September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
£m £m £m
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest income 28 23 45
------------- --------------- ---------------
Finance expense
Interest expense on bank and other borrowings (49) (36) (73)
Net finance (expense)/income arising on defined benefit retirement
schemes:
-- interest expense (34) (34) (68)
-- expected return on plan assets 35 32 65
Unwinding of discounts in provisions (1) (1) (2)
Fair value gain/(loss) on interest-related derivative instruments 1 (1) -
------------- --------------- ---------------
Finance expense (48) (40) (78)
------------- --------------- ---------------
Net finance expense (20) (17) (33)
============= =============== ===============
*T
5. Income tax expense
-0-
*T
Six months to Six months to Year to
30 September 30 September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
£m £m £m
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UK taxation (6) 9 16
Overseas taxation 58 30 53
--------------- ------------- -------------
Income tax expense 52 39 69
=============== ============= =============
*T
6. Earnings per share
Basic
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to
equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares
in issue during the period, excluding ordinary shares purchased by the Company
and held as treasury shares.
-0-
*T
Six months to Six months to Year to
30 September 30 September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) attributable to equity holders of the Company (£million) 115 94 (30)
============= ============= ==============
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue (millions) 481.3 475.6 476.7
============= ============= ==============
Basic earnings/(loss) per share (pence per share) 23.9p 19.8p (6.3)p
============= ============= ==============
*T
Diluted
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share is calculated adjusting the weighted average
number of ordinary shares outstanding to assume conversion of all dilutive
potential ordinary shares. Dilutive potential ordinary shares arise from share
options. For these, a calculation is done to determine the number of shares that
could have been acquired at fair value (determined as the average annual market
share price of the Company's shares) based on the monetary value of the
subscription rights attached to outstanding share options. The number of shares
calculated as above is compared with the number of shares that would have been
issued assuming the exercise of the share options.
-0-
*T
Six months to Six months to Year to
30 September 30 September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) attributable to equity holders of the Company (£million) 115 94 (30)
================= ============== ==============
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue (millions) 481.3 475.6 476.7
Adjustments for dilutive effect of share options (millions) (note a) 7.8 6.7 -
----------------- -------------- --------------
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for diluted earnings per
share (millions) 489.1 482.3 476.7
================= ============== ==============
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share (pence per share) 23.5p 19.5p (6.3)p
================= ============== ==============
(a) The adjustment for the dilutive effect of share options in the year to 31 March 2006 has not been reflected in the
calculation of the diluted loss per share as the effect would be anti-dilutive.
*T
Adjusted earnings per share
Adjusted earnings per share is stated excluding exceptional items and
amortisation of acquired intangible assets (see note 3), as follows:
-0-
*T
Six months to Six months to Year to
30 September 30 September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
£m £m £m
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) attributable to equity holders of the Company 115 94 (30)
Adjustments for:
-- exceptional items (note 3) - (1) 248
-- exceptional items attributable to minority interests - - (1)
-- amortisation of acquired intangible assets (note 3) 4 2 5
-- tax effect on the above adjustments - (1) (20)
------------------- ------------- ----------
Adjusted profit 119 94 202
=================== ============= ==========
Adjusted basic earnings per share (pence per share) 24.7p 19.8p 42.4p
=================== ============= ==========
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for diluted earnings per
share (millions) 489.1 482.3 484.3
=================== ============= ==========
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (pence per share) 24.3p 19.5p 41.7p
=================== ============= ==========
*T
7. Dividends
The directors have declared an interim dividend of £30 million out of the profit
for the six months to 30 September 2006 (30 September 2005 - £28 million),
representing 6.2p per share (30 September 2005 - 5.9p), payable on 9 January
2007. The final dividend for the year to 31 March 2006 of £68 million,
representing 14.1p per share, was paid during the six months to 30 September
2006.
8. Net debt
The components of the Group's net debt profile are as follows:
-0-
*T
30 September 30 September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
£m £m £m
Non-current borrowings (762) (822) (543)
Current borrowings and overdrafts (1) (577) (108) (493)
Cash and cash equivalents 546 290 158
Debt-related derivative instruments (2) 22 25 12
------------- -------------- ---------------
Net debt (771) (615) (866)
============= ============== ===============
*T
Movements in the Group's net debt profile are as follows:
-0-
*T
Six months to Six months to Year to
30 September 30 September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
£m £m £m
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at the beginning of period (866) (471) (471)
Impact of IAS32/39 adoption - (58) (58)
Impact of IFRIC4 adoption - (3) (3)
-------------- --------------- ----------------
Balance at beginning of period, restated (866) (532) (532)
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the 396 (101) (214)
period
(Proceeds from)/repayments of borrowings (319) 30 (78)
Borrowing arising on acquisitions - - (6)
Inception of finance leases (13) - (5)
Exchange differences 31 (12) (31)
-------------- --------------- ----------------
Decrease/(increase) in net debt in the period 95 (83) (334)
-------------- --------------- ----------------
Balance at end of period (771) (615) (866)
============== =============== ================
(1) Borrowings and overdrafts at 30 September 2006 include £99 million (30 September 2005 - £45 million,
31 March 2006 - £101 million) in respect of securitised receivables.
(2) Derivative financial instruments presented within assets and liabilities in the balance sheet of £2
million net (30 September 2005 - £36 million net; 31 March 2006 - £80 million net) comprise net debt-
related instruments of £22 million net (30 September 2005 - £25 million net; 31 March 2006 - £12
million net) and non debt-related instruments of £(20) million net (30 September 2005, £11 million net;
31 March 2006 - £68 million net).
*T
9. Consolidated statement of changes in shareholders' equity
-0-
*T
Six months to Six months to Year to
30 September 30 September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
£m £m £m
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at the beginning of period 940 983 983
Impact of IAS32/39 adoption - 7 7
-------------- ------------- -------------
Balance at beginning of period, restated 940 990 990
(Loss)/profit recognised directly in equity (76) 34 47
Profit/(loss) for the period 117 96 (27)
Share-based payments, including tax 3 4 7
Dividends (68) (65) (93)
Ordinary shares issued 12 4 16
-------------- ------------- -------------
Balance at end of period 928 1,063 940
============== ============= =============
*T
10. Post balance sheet events
On 10 October 2006, the Group announced that Eastern Sugar had begun a
consultation process with employees, beet growers, and other stakeholders with a
view to renouncing its quotas in Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia and
applying to the restructuring fund for compensation. This action has been taken
following an extensive review of the impact of the new EU sugar regime on
Eastern Sugar.
On 25 October 2006, the Group announced that it has concluded that ownership of
Food & Industrial Ingredients, Europe is no longer an essential element of the
Group's strategy to focus on value added ingredients and that the Group is
exploring the possibility of the full or partial disposal of the business.
11. Foreign exchange rates
The following exchange rates have been applied in the translation of the
financial statements of the Group's principal overseas operations:
-0-
*T
Six months to Six months to Year to
30 September 30 September 31 March
Average exchange rates 2006 2005 2006
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
US Dollar £1 = $ 1.85 1.82 1.79
Euro £1 = EUR 1.46 1.47 1.47
Canadian Dollar £1 = C$ 2.08 2.23 2.13
*T
:
-0-
*T
30 September 30 September 31 March
Period end exchange rates 2006 2005 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
US Dollar £1 = $ 1.87 1.77 1.74
Euro £1 = EUR 1.48 1.47 1.43
Canadian Dollar £1 = C$ 2.08 2.06 2.03
*T
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
For the six months to 30 September 2006
Net margin analysis
-0-
*T
Six months to Six months to Year to
30 September 2006 30 September 2005 31 March 2006
% % %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food & Industrial Ingredients, Americas 14.1 10.1 11.1
Food & Industrial Ingredients, Europe 9.7 7.1 6.4
Sucralose 45.2 44.6 47.9
Sugars, Americas & Asia 4.6 10.1 9.9
Sugars, Europe 3.3 3.3 4.2
Group 9.5 8.2 8.8
After exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food & Industrial Ingredients, Americas 14.0 10.1 12.2
Food & Industrial Ingredients, Europe 9.4 7.1 (30.2)
Sucralose 42.5 41.9 45.1
Sugars, Americas & Asia 4.6 10.1 10.3
Sugars, Europe 3.3 3.5 4.2
Group 9.3 8.1 2.0
*T
Ratio analysis
-0-
*T
Six months to Six months to Year to
30 September 30 September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net debt to EBITDA
= Net debt 771 615 866
--------- ----- ----- ------
Annualised pre-exceptional EBITDA (2 x 245) (2 x 217) 456
= 1.6 times = 1.4 times = 1.9 times
Gearing
= Net debt 771 615 866
--------- ----- ----- ------
Total net assets 928 1,063 940
= 83% = 58% = 92%
Interest cover
= Operating profit before amortisation of acquired intangibles and exceptional items
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest and finance expense
193 153 328
----- ----- ------
20 17 33
= 9.7 times = 9.0 times = 9.9 times
Return on Net Operating Assets
= Annualised profit before interest, tax and exceptional items
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Average net operating assets
(2 x 189) (2 x 151) 323
---------- -------------- ------
1,801 1,649 1,712
= 21.0% = 18.3% = 18.9%
Net operating assets are calculated as:
Total net assets 928 1,063 940
Add back net borrowings (see note 7) 771 615 866
Add back net tax liabilities 45 49 51
--------------- ------------------- --------------
Net operating assets 1,744 1,727 1,857
--------------- ------------------- --------------
Average net operating assets (i) 1,801 1,649 1,712
=============== =================== ==============
(i) Average Net Operating Assets for the period to 30 September 2005 have been calculated using
opening net assets at 1 April 2005 which, following the adoption of IAS39, were £69 million
higher than at 31 March 2005.
*T
Latest directors dealings
- 1 hour ago Ithaca Energy
- 1 hour ago Oakley Capital Investments Ltd. (DI)
- 15 hours ago Judges Scientific
- 15 hours ago Phoenix Group Holdings
- 15 hours ago NAHL Group