Interim Results

Informa Group PLC 3 September 2001 Informa Group PLC Interim Results 2001 Operating highlights * 10% increase in pre-tax profits to £22.6m** * Profit growth in all six of our markets * Two major acquisitions in Finance and Insurance and Life Sciences * Record breaking events in Telecoms, Energy and Maritime * Continued strong growth in electronic subscriptions ** excluding amortisation of goodwill Informa Group's Chairman Peter Rigby commented: 'The results for the first six months are satisfactory and have been achieved despite the challenging economic environment. We remain positive about the strengths of the business which provides business information to six diverse markets over a number of geographical areas.' Enquiries: Peter Rigby/David Gilbertson/Jim Wilkinson - 020 7453 2222 Informa Group plc Lydia Pretzlik/Fiona Piper - 020 7379 5151 The Maitland Consultancy Results We are pleased to report the results for Informa Group for the six months ended 30 June 2001. Turnover at £179million was 21% up on the comparable period last year (£147.5m) while pre-tax profits before goodwill amortisation were 10% ahead at £22.6million. Operating profits (before interest, goodwill and tax) were 14% higher at £26.6million (2000 £23.4m) and 2% higher on a like for like basis. Adjusted earnings per share were 12.77pence (2000 11.80pence) and we will be paying an interim dividend of 2.66pence per share, up 5%, on 12 November 2001 to members on the register on 12 October 2001. Trading These results demonstrate the strength of Informa's market leading brands and the benefits of our spread of operations across six international business market places. All six of our market sectors increased profits for the half year despite difficult market conditions. We have reduced staff numbers by 5% and the related costs of £1.2million have been fully absorbed within the first half results. This restructuring will produce savings of £4million in a full year. Finance and Insurance Our Finance and Insurance division profits grew by 43% to £5.5million helped by electronic subscription growth and the acquisition of MCM. MCM provides electronic services on corporate and government bonds and foreign exchange and is now fully on board and trading well. Life Sciences Life Sciences profits rose by 156% to £1.6million assisted by the successful integration of the newly acquired BioTechniques publishing business, which is trading above our expectations. We are also seeing strong organic growth in this fast developing market. Our flagship Drug Discovery Technologies conference and exhibition, which falls in the second half of the year, enjoyed record success in Boston last month, attracting 1300 delegates and more than 330 exhibitors, showing growth of 20% on last year. Life Sciences is now becoming a significant part of Informa's business and is expected to be an important growth engine for the future. Maritime, Trade and Transport Maritime, Trade and Transport profits grew by 5% year on year to £3.4million and benefited from a record Cruise + Ferry exhibition held in London in May. The division had good revenue growth in events and electronic subscription services and showed a welcome recovery in advertising sales. Law and Tax This division saw an 8% improvement in profit to £3.9million deriving mainly from strong professional publishing results and a successful event programme in continental Europe generally and Germany in particular. Commodities and Energy Commodities and Energy performed well, seeing 17% growth in profits to £ 2.2million, with energy-related information services and events showing particular strength. Commodities benefited from highly profitable events in coffee, commercial fishing and nickel. Telecoms and Media Despite the well-publicised slowdown in external market conditions in the period, our Telecoms and Media division delivered profits of £10.3million just ahead of the same period last year. This was largely due to the successful 3GSM World Congress held in Cannes in February. Despite the difficulties faced by the sector our sponsorship and exhibition revenues continue to grow. Exhibition stands at the 3GSM Congress, to be held in Cannes in 2002, are already sold out (with a 15% increase over 2001) and we have an increase of 49% in exhibition bookings for our 2002 Bluetooth event compared to the event held in May 2001. Although we have seen lower delegate attendances at our conferences compared with last year more companies are being represented and we are continuing to grow market share. Subscription numbers on our electronic and hard copy periodicals and information services are holding up well. Our business model has considerable flexibility and we have reduced costs and dropped conference products which were likely to become marginal in the second half. We have left creative muscle intact and Informa's leading position in this market will leave us well placed to respond to any upturn. Outlook We provide business information to six diverse markets over a number of geographical areas in each of which we have market-leading positions. Much of our income is steady repeat business and only 11% is advertising related. Electronic publishing subscriptions are a growing part of our business, now accounting for 17% of group profits (2000:12%). We have a strong, flexible and efficient business and we are confident it will continue to do well and produce good results. We remain positive about the strengths of Informa's business and its future prospects. CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT Continuing Continuing Continuing operations operations operations ------------- ------------- ------------- Acquisitions Total ------------- ------------- ------------- 2001 2001 2001 ------------- ------------- ------------- For the period ended 30 June Notes Half year Half year Half year 2001 unaudited unaudited unaudited ------------- ------------- ------------- £'000 £'000 £'000 ------------- ------------- ------------- Turnover 1 164,773 14,123 178,896 Operating profit before 1 24,434 2,124 26,558 goodwill amortisation Goodwill amortisation (3,520) (1,082) (4,602) -------------------------- -------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Operating profit 1 20,914 1,042 21,956 Net interest payable (3,968) -------------------------- -------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Profit on ordinary activities 17,988 before tax Tax on profit on ordinary (7,003) activities -------------------------- -------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Profit on ordinary activities 10,985 after tax Minority interests 142 -------------------------- -------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Profit for the financial 11,127 period Dividends (3,886) -------------------------- -------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Retained profit for the 7,241 financial period -------------------------- -------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Dividends per share 2.66p -------------------------- -------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Earnings per share Earnings per share (basic) 2 9.03p Earnings per share (diluted) 2 8.78p Adjusted basic earnings per 2 12.77p share -------------------------- -------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Continuing Continuing operations operations ----------------- ------------------ Total Total ----------------- ------------------ 2000 2000 ----------------- ------------------ For the period ended 30 June 2001 Notes Half year audited unaudited ----------------- ------------------ £'000 £'000 ----------------- ------------------ Turnover 1 147,529 296,992 Operating profit before goodwill 1 23,419 46,811 amortisation Goodwill amortisation (2,622) (5,900) ---------------------------------- -------- ----------------- ------------------ Operating profit 1 20,797 40,911 Net interest payable (2,839) (7,130) ---------------------------------- -------- ----------------- ------------------ Profit on ordinary activities before 17,958 33,781 tax Tax on profit on ordinary activities (6,780) (12,400) ---------------------------------- -------- ----------------- ------------------ Profit on ordinary activities after 11,178 21,381 tax Minority interests (20) (174) ---------------------------------- -------- ----------------- ------------------ Profit for the financial period 11,158 21,207 Dividends (2,981) (8,922) ---------------------------------- -------- ----------------- ------------------ Retained profit for the financial 8,177 12,285 period ---------------------------------- -------- ----------------- ------------------ Dividends per share 2.53p 7.60p ---------------------------------- -------- ----------------- ------------------ Earnings per share Earnings per share (basic) 2 9.56p 18.13p Earnings per share (diluted) 2 9.42p 17.84p Adjusted basic earnings per share 2 11.80p 23.17p ---------------------------------- -------- ----------------- ------------------ STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES 2001 2000 2000 ------------ ------------ ----------- For the period ended 30 June 2001 Half year Half year Total unaudited unaudited Audited ------------ ------------ ----------- £'000 £'000 £'000 ------------ ------------ ----------- Profit for the financial period 11,127 11,158 21,207 Currency translation differences on 2,597 1,213 1,156 foreign currency net investments ------------ ------------ ----------- Total gains and losses recognised since 13,724 12,371 22,363 last accounts ------------ ------------ ----------- CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 2001 2000 2000 ------------ ------------ ----------- For the period ended 30 June Half year Half year Total 2001 unaudited unaudited Audited ------------ ------------ ----------- Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 ---------------------------- -------- ---------------- ------------ ----------- Net cash in flow from operating 3 15,745 24,166 46,474 activities Return on investments and (3,937) (2,564) (8,563) servicing of finance Taxation (3,728) (3,041) (10,991) Capital expenditure (6,218) (3,164) (6,584) Acquisitions and disposals (58,326) (12,195) (32,226) Equity dividends paid (6,438) (5,465) (8,433) ---------------------------- -------- ---------------- ------------ ----------- Cash outflow/(inflow) before (62,902) (2,263) (20,323) financing Financing 62,526 700 16,044 ---------------------------- -------- ---------------- ------------ ----------- (Decrease)/increase in cash in (376) (1,563) (4,279) the period ---------------------------- -------- ---------------- ------------ ----------- RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT 2001 2000 2000 ------------- ------------- ------------ For the period ended 30 June Half year Half year Total 2001 unaudited unaudited audited ------------- ------------- ------------ Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 ----------------------------- -------- ------------- ------------- ------------ (Decrease)/increase in cash in (376) (1,563) (4,279) the period Cash inflow from increase in (9,774) (1,386) (16,388) debt financing ----------------------------- -------- ------------- ------------- ------------ Change in net debt resulting (10,150) (2,949) (20,667) from cash flows ----------------------------- -------- ------------- ------------- ------------ Translation differences 673 726 626 ----------------------------- -------- ------------- ------------- ------------ Movement in net debt in the (9,477) (2,223) (20,041) period Net debt at the start of the 4 (111,381) (91,340) (91,340) period ----------------------------- -------- ------------- ------------- ------------ Net debt at the end of the 4 (120,858) (93,563) (111,381) period ----------------------------- -------- ------------- ------------- ------------ CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 2001 2000 2000 ----------- ------------- ----------- At 30 June 2001 30 June 31 December 30 June unaudited audited unaudited ----------- ------------- ----------- Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 -------------------------------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- Fixed assets Intangible assets 188,432 131,166 110,964 Tangible assets 22,123 16,095 14,917 Investments 4,770 3,434 3,162 -------------------------------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- 215,325 150,695 129,043 Current assets Stocks 7,212 7,648 5,318 Debtors 71,037 69,743 48,054 Cash at bank and in hand 4 1,853 3,047 4,730 -------------------------------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- 80,102 80,438 58,102 Creditors: amounts falling due (124,536) (134,620) (107,018) within one year -------------------------------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- Net current liabilities (44,434) (54,182) (48,916) -------------------------------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- Total assets less net current 170,891 96,513 80,127 liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due (120,261) (109,565) (96,798) after more than one year Provisions for liabilities and (510) (674) (1,453) charges Minority interests (76) (218) (64) -------------------------------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- Net assets/(liabilities) (50,044) (13,944) (18,188) -------------------------------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- Capital and reserves Called up share capital 12,785 11,800 11,782 Share premium account 120,098 66,933 66,758 Special reserve 2 2 2 Other reserve 37,398 37,398 37,398 Profit and loss account (120,239) (130,077) (134,128) -------------------------------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- Shareholders' funds - equity (50,044) (13,944) (18,188) -------------------------------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- NOTES 1. Segmental analysis Underlying operating profit in the segmental analysis excludes the amortisation of goodwill and exceptional items. Turnover 2001 2000 2000 -------------- -------------- ------------- Half year Half year audited unaudited unaudited -------------- -------------- ------------- £'000 £'000 £'000 ------------------------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- Analysis by market sector Telecoms and Media 50,882 42,380 74,693 Maritime, Trade and Transport 28,609 24,860 55,278 Financial and Insurance 41,202 24,556 53,235 Law and Tax 29,210 30,117 56,526 Commodities and Energy 15,616 15,851 32,064 Life Sciences 12,383 7,940 19,724 Other 994 1,825 5,472 ------------------------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- 178,896 147,529 296,992 ------------------------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- Profit/(loss) before interest 2001 2000 2000 -------------- -------------- ------------- Half year Half year audited unaudited unaudited -------------- -------------- ------------- £'000 £'000 £'000 ------------------------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- Analysis by market sector Telecoms and Media 9,753 9,900 17,136 Maritime, Trade and Transport 2,624 2,602 5,867 Financial and Insurance 3,813 3,036 6,456 Law and Tax 3,314 3,388 6,250 Commodities and Energy 1,763 1,389 3,163 Life Sciences 1,143 563 2,467 Other (454) (81) (428) ------------------------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- 21,956 20,797 40,911 ------------------------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- Underlying profit/(loss) 2001 2000 2000 ------------- -------------- -------------- Half year Half year unaudited unaudited audited ------------- -------------- -------------- £'000 £'000 £'000 -------------------------------- -------------- -------------- ------------ Analysis by market sector Telecoms and Media 10,320 10,218 18,195 Maritime, Trade and Transport 3,447 3,283 7,282 Financial and Insurance 5,478 3,838 8,047 Law and Tax 3,900 3,616 6,905 Commodities and Energy 2,250 1,922 4,190 Life Sciences 1,595 624 2,574 Other (432) (82) (382) -------------------------------- -------------- -------------- ------------ 26,558 23,419 46,811 -------------------------------- -------------- -------------- ------------ 2. Earnings and adjusted earnings per share In order to show results from operating activities on a comparable basis, an adjusted average earnings per share has been calculated which excludes amortisation of goodwill and exceptional items. 2001 2000 2000 ------------- ------------- ------------- Half year Half year audited unaudited unaudited ------------- ------------- ------------- £'000 £'000 £'000 ------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Profit for the financial period 11,127 11,158 21,207 Adjustments: Amortisation of goodwill 4,602 2,622 5,900 ------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Adjusted earnings 15,729 13,780 27,107 ------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Weighted average number of equity shares - for earnings and adjusted earnings 123,212,504 116,773,064 116,996,711 Effect of dilutive share options 3,562,413 1,662,864 1,897,334 Weighted average number of equity shares - for diluted earnings 126,774,917 118,435,928 118,894,045 ------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Earnings per equity share 9.03p 9.56p 18.13p Diluted earnings per equity share 8.78p 9.42p 17.84 Adjusted earnings per equity share 12.77p 11.80p 23.17p ------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- 3. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities 2001 2000 2000 -------------- -------------- -------------- Half year Half year Total unaudited unaudited audited -------------- -------------- -------------- £'000 £'000 £'000 ------------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Operating profit 21,956 20,797 40,911 Depreciation charges 2,916 1,715 4,304 Amortisation of goodwill 4,602 2,622 5,900 Loss on sale of tangible fixed 10 10 27 assets Decrease/(increase) in stocks 507 1,017 (1,356) Decrease/(increase) in debtors 7,079 (2,526) (20,549) (Decrease)/Increase in (21,049) 744 17,274 creditors Other operating items (276) (213) (37) ------------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Net cash inflow from operating 15,745 24,166 46,474 activities ------------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- 4. Analysis of net debt For the period ended 30 June 2001 At 1 Reclassi- Cash flow Exchange At 30 January fications movement June audited unaudited unaudited unaudited unaudited ------------------ -------------- --------------- --------- --------- -------- £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 ------------------ -------------- --------------- --------- --------- -------- Cash at bank and in 3,047 - (1,278) 85 1,854 hand Overdrafts (2,986) - 903 - (2,083 ------------------ -------------- --------------- --------- --------- -------- 61 - (375) 85 (229) Bank loans due in (6,392) - 2,680 - (3,712) less than one year Loan notes due in (75) (429) 64 - (440) less than one year Bank loans due after (104,546) - (12,519) 588 (116,477) one year Loan notes due after (429) 429 - - - one year ------------------ -------------- --------------- --------- --------- -------- Total (111,381) - (10,150) 673 (120,858) ------------------ -------------- --------------- --------- --------- --------

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