1st Quarter Results

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC 09 May 2007 9 May 2007 InterContinental Hotels Group PLC First Quarter Results to 31 March 2007 Headlines • Continuing revenue up 10% from £177m to £194m, up 20% at constant exchange rates. • Continuing operating profit up 5% from £42m to £44m, up 19% at constant exchange rates. • Total gross revenue* from all hotels in IHG's system up 13% at constant exchange rates to $3.9bn. • Global constant currency RevPAR growth of 7.6%; strongest growth in EMEA, up 13.0%, driven mainly by rate increases. • Franchised operating profit of £55m, up 11% at constant exchange rates. • Managed operating profit of £19m, up 5% at constant exchange rates. • Adjusted continuing earnings per share ("EPS") up 9% to 7.6p. Adjusted total EPS of 8.2p. Basic EPS of 13.3p. • Room count up by 1,907 rooms to 558,153 (3,763 hotels). • Signings up 25% to 22,631 rooms (161 hotels). • Development pipeline of 169,699 rooms (1,321 hotels), equivalent to 30% of IHG existing hotel system. *Total gross revenue is defined as total room revenue from franchised hotels and total hotel revenue from managed, owned and leased hotels. It is not revenue attributable to IHG as it is derived mainly from hotels owned by third parties. The metric is highlighted as an indicator of the scale and reach of IHG's brands. All figures and movements unless otherwise noted are at actual exchange rates and before exceptionals. See appendix 3 for analysis of operating profit before exceptional items. Constant exchange rate comparatives shown in appendix 4. Commenting on the results and trading, Andrew Cosslett, Chief Executive of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC said: "The business had a good first quarter. The pace of signings of new hotels continued to be strong with almost 23,000 rooms signed in the quarter, 25% up over 2006. We now have over 1,300 hotels in our forward development pipeline. Trading is healthy around the world and once again we outperformed in our major markets in the quarter. Our outlook for 2007 remains positive." Increase in development pipeline and rooms open • 22,631 rooms were signed; 13,311 in the Americas, 2,968 in EMEA and 6,352 in Asia Pacific. • 169,699 rooms are now in the pipeline, up 11,708 (+7%) since the start of the year, at 1,321 hotels. • IHG's development activity in Asia Pacific continues to be successful. In Greater China 15 hotels, 4,895 rooms, were signed in the quarter comprising 1 InterContinental, 6 Crowne Plazas, 3 Holiday Inns and 5 Holiday Inn Expresses. • The strengthening of the InterContinental brand continued with 6 hotel signings in the quarter. • The pipeline of Crowne Plaza hotels grew by 4,237 rooms (14 hotels) in the quarter, with 5,245 rooms (18 hotels) signed including 1,915 rooms (8 hotels) in North America and 3,044 rooms (9 hotels) in Asia Pacific. • The pipeline of Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels grew by 4,788 rooms (43 hotels) in the quarter, Candlewood Suites added 1,489 rooms (19 hotels) and Hotel Indigo added 373 rooms (3 hotels). IHG maintains its focus on enhancing the quality of its portfolio, in conjunction with growth. In the quarter: • 8,197 rooms opened; 6,296 in the Americas, 1,121 in EMEA and 780 in Asia Pacific. • 6,290 rooms exited; 4,033 in the Americas, 1,911 in EMEA and 346 in Asia Pacific. • The room count at the end of the period increased by 1,907 rooms to 558,153. Americas: strong performance Revenue performance RevPAR increased 5.3% with rate generating all of the increase. InterContinental, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express each outperformed their market segments, with RevPAR up 8.7%, 3.0%, and 7.8% respectively. US RevPAR growth was impacted by the prior year comparable including increased occupancy levels arising from Hurricane Katrina displacement. Operating profit performance Operating profit from continuing operations increased 7% from $85m to $91m. Continuing owned and leased hotel operating profit of $2m includes, as expected, a $2m loss from the InterContinental Boston as trading continues to ramp up post its November 2006 opening. The underlying improvement was primarily driven by increased occupancy and rate at InterContinental New York. Managed hotels profit was flat at $11m after increased investment in development. Franchised hotels profit increased 9% to $93m reflecting RevPAR growth of 5.4% and net room count growth of 5%. EMEA: RevPAR growth accelerating Revenue performance RevPAR increased 13.0%, driven by increased occupancy and 9.5% rate growth. The Middle East continued to perform strongly, growing RevPAR by 14.4%. Continental Europe delivered a RevPAR increase of 10.0%, driven by France up 13.4% and Germany up 8.5%. In the UK, Holiday Inn and Express by Holiday Inn performed in-line with the market segment, recording RevPAR growth of 9.2%. Operating profit performance Operating profit from continuing operations more than doubled to £7m. Continuing owned and leased hotel operations reduced their losses by £3m to £2m. InterContinental Le Grand Paris continued to rebuild its business post refurbishment, delivering a 15.7% RevPAR increase. The refurbishment of InterContinental London Park Lane, which made a £3m loss in the quarter, is largely complete and the hotel is expected to be fully operational by early June 2007. Managed hotels profit was flat at £8m after increased investment in the InterContinental development team. Franchised hotels profit increased from £5m to £6m reflecting RevPAR growth of 14.3% and net room count growth of 15%. Asia Pacific: strong growth from all brands Revenue performance RevPAR increased 12.5%, mainly driven by rate. All brands performed strongly, InterContinental RevPAR increased 17.8%, Crowne Plaza 11.6%, Holiday Inn 9.2% and Express 17.1%. Greater China RevPAR increased 8.3%, outperforming the market, driven by rate increases as strong demand for IHG's brands continues. Operating profit performance Operating profit from continuing operations was $13m. Owned and leased hotel operating profit was flat at $8m. Managed hotels profit increased 13% to $9m, driven by the increasing number of hotels under IHG management. Thirteen of these additional hotels (4,937 rooms) relate to IHG's agreement with ANA. As previously disclosed, these hotels are not expected to be earnings enhancing for IHG until their third year of operation, after marketing investments and integration costs. Overheads and Tax In the first quarter aggregated regional overheads were flat at £16m, up 6% in constant currency. Regional overheads in the Americas increased 7% to $15m and in Asia Pacific by $2m to $6m due to continued investment in infrastructure. Overheads in EMEA were flat. Central overheads were flat at £17m. As previously disclosed, IHG expects that in 2007 central overheads will increase in line with inflation and will be weighted towards the second half of the year. Based on the position at the end of the quarter, the tax charge on profit from continuing and discontinued operations, excluding the impact of exceptional items, has been calculated using an estimated effective annual tax rate of 28% (Q1 2006: 28%). Disposals and returns of funds IHG's net debt at the period end was £192m, including the $195m (£99m) finance lease on the InterContinental Boston. 2.1m shares were repurchased under IHG's buyback programme during the first quarter, at a cost of £25.2m, leaving £156m of the buyback programme to be completed. £700m is proposed to be returned to shareholders on 15 June 2007 via a special dividend with a share consolidation. On completion of the buyback programme and special dividend, IHG will have returned £3.6bn to shareholders since March 2004. Appendix 1: Asset disposal programme detail Number of hotels Proceeds Net book value Disposed since April 2003 175 £3.0bn £2.9bn Remaining hotels 24 £1.0bn For a full list please visit www.ihg.com/Investors Appendix 2: Return of funds programme as at 31 March 2007 Timing Total return Returned Still to be returned £501m special dividend Paid December 2004 £501m £501m Nil First share buyback - Completed in 2004 £250m £250m Nil £250m £996m capital return Paid 8 July 2005 £996m £996m Nil Second share buyback - Completed in 2006 £250m £250m Nil £250m £497m special dividend Paid 22 June 2006 £497m £497m Nil Third share buyback - Underway £250m £244m £6m £250m £700m special dividend To be paid 15 June 2007 £700m Nil £700m Fourth share buyback - Yet to commence £150m Nil £150m £150m Total £3.59bn £2.74bn £0.85bn Appendix 3: Analysis of operating profit before exceptional items Three months to 31 Mar £m Total Americas EMEA Asia Pacific Central 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 Franchised operating profit 55 55 48 49 6 5 1 1 Managed operating profit 19 19 6 6 8 8 5 5 Continuing owned and leased 3 1 1 2 (2) (5) 4 4 operating profit Regional overheads (16) (16) (8) (8) (5) (5) (3) (3) Continuing operating profit pre 61 59 47 49 7 3 7 7 central overheads Central overheads (17) (17) - - - - - - (17) (17) Continuing operating profit 44 42 47 49 7 3 7 7 (17) (17) Discontinued owned and leased 2 4 2 1 0 3 - - operating profit Total operating profit 46 46 49 50 7 6 7 7 (17) (17) Appendix 4: Constant currency continuing operating profits before exceptional items Americas EMEA Asia Pacific Total*** Actual Constant Actual Constant Actual Constant Actual Constant currency* currency** currency* currency** currency* currency* currency** currency** Growth (4)% 6% 133% 133% 0% 14% 5% 19% Exchange rates USD:GBP EUR:GBP 2007 1.95 1.49 2006 1.75 1.46 * Sterling actual currency. ** Translated at constant 2006 exchange rates. *** After Central Overheads. For further information, please contact: Investor Relations (Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson; Heather Ward): +44 (0) 1753 410 176 Media Affairs (Leslie McGibbon): +44 (0) 1753 410 425 +44 (0) 7808 094 471 High resolution images to accompany this announcement are available for the media to download free of charge from www.vismedia.co.uk . This includes profile shots of the key executives. Q&A Conference call for Analysts and Shareholders A conference call with Andrew Cosslett (Chief Executive) and Richard Solomons (Finance Director) will commence at 9.00 am (London time) on 9 May. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. International dial-in +44 (0)1452 562 716 UK Free Call 0800 073 8967 Conference ID: 6750110 A recording of the conference call will also be available for 7 days. To access this please dial the relevant number below and use the access number 6750110# International dial-in +44 (0)1452 55 00 00 UK Free Call 0800 953 1533 US Q&A conference call There will also be a conference call, primarily for US investors and analysts, at 9.00am (Eastern Standard Time) on 9 May with Andrew Cosslett (Chief Executive) and Richard Solomons (Finance Director). There will be an opportunity to ask questions. International dial-in +44 (0)1452 562 716 US Toll Free 1866 832 0717 Conference ID: 6754795 A recording of the conference call will also be available for 7 days. To access this please dial the relevant number below and use the access number 6754795# International dial-in +44 (0)1452 55 00 00 US Toll Free 1866 247 4222 Website The full release and supplementary data will be available on our website from 7.00 am (London time) on Wednesday 9 May. The web address is www.ihg.com/Q1 Note to Editors: InterContinental Hotels Group PLC of the United Kingdom (LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)) is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. InterContinental Hotels Group owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 3,700 hotels and 558,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental(R) Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza(R) Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn(R) Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express(R), Staybridge Suites(R), Candlewood Suites(R) and Hotel IndigoTM, and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club(R) Rewards. InterContinental Hotels Group offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards programme at www.priorityclub.com. For the latest news from InterContinental Hotels Group, visit our online Press Office at www.ihg.com/media INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP PLC GROUP INCOME STATEMENT For the three months ended 31 March 2007 3 months ended 31 March 2007 3 months ended 31 March 2006 Before Exceptional Before Exceptional exceptional exceptional items items items items (note 8) Total (note 8) Total £m £m £m £m £m £m Continuing operations Revenue (note 3) 194 - 194 177 - 177 Cost of sales (96) - (96) (82) - (82) Administrative expenses (40) - (40) (39) - (39) ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ 58 - 58 56 - 56 Depreciation and amortisation (14) - (14) (14) - (14) Other operating income and expenses (note 8) - 16 16 - 25 25 _____ _____ ____ ____ ____ ____ Operating profit (note 4) 44 16 60 42 25 67 Financial income 3 - 3 9 - 9 Financial expenses (8) - (8) (10) - (10) ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ Profit before tax 39 16 55 41 25 66 Tax (note 9) (12) 2 (10) (11) (7) (18) ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ Profit for the period from continuing operations 27 18 45 30 18 48 Profit for the period from discontinued operations (note 11) 2 - 2 3 2 5 ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ Profit for the period 29 18 47 33 20 53 ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== Attributable to: Equity holders of the parent 47 53 Minority equity interest - - ____ ____ Profit for the period 47 53 ==== ==== Earnings per ordinary share (note 10): Basic - continuing operations 12.7p 11.1p Adjusted - continuing operations 7.6p 7.0p Diluted - continuing operations 12.3p 10.9p Basic - total operations 13.3p 12.3p Adjusted - total operations 8.2p 7.7p Diluted - total operations 12.9p 12.0p ==== ==== ==== ==== INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP PLC GROUP STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE For the three months ended 31 March 2007 2007 2006 3 months 3 months ended 31 March ended 31 March £m £m Income and expense recognised directly in equity Losses on valuation of available-for-sale assets (4) (1) Actuarial gains on defined benefit pension plans 11 - Exchange differences on retranslation of foreign operations 1 (3) ____ ____ 8 (4) ____ ____ Transfers to the income statement On disposal of available-for-sale assets (4) (15) ____ ____ (4) (15) ____ ____ Tax Tax on items above taken directly to or transferred from equity - 6 Tax related to share schemes recognised directly in equity 3 2 ____ ____ 3 8 ____ ____ Net income/(expense) recognised directly in equity 7 (11) Profit for the period 47 53 ____ ____ Total recognised income and expense for the period 54 42 ==== ==== Attributable to: Equity holders of the parent 54 42 Minority equity interest - - ____ ____ 54 42 ==== ==== INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP PLC GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the three months ended 31 March 2007 2007 2006 3 months 3 months ended 31 March ended 31 March £m £m Profit for the period 47 53 Adjustments for: Net financial expenses 5 1 Income tax charge 10 19 Gain on disposal of assets, net of tax - (2) Other operating income and expenses (16) (25) Depreciation and amortisation 15 18 Equity settled share-based cost, net of payments (1) 1 _____ _____ Operating cash flow before movements in working capital 60 65 Increase in net working capital (25) (38) Retirement benefit contributions, net of cost (10) - _____ _____ Cash flow from operations 25 27 Interest paid (6) (10) Interest received 4 7 Tax paid (2) (8) _____ _____ Net cash from operating activities 21 16 _____ _____ Cash flow from investing activities Purchases of property, plant and equipment (18) (13) Purchase of intangible assets (3) (7) Purchases of associates and other financial assets (9) (2) Disposal of assets, net of costs and cash disposed of (5) 26 Proceeds from associates and other financial assets 22 110 _____ _____ Net cash from investing activities (13) 114 _____ _____ Cash flow from financing activities Proceeds from the issue of share capital 3 2 Purchase of own shares (25) (27) Net movement in shares in employee share trusts (42) (8) Increase/(decrease) in borrowings 55 (124) _____ _____ Net cash from financing activities (9) (157) _____ _____ Net movement in cash and cash equivalents in the period (1) (27) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period 179 324 Exchange rate effects - (1) _____ _____ Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period 178 296 ===== ===== INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP PLC GROUP BALANCE SHEET 31 March 2007 2007 2006 31 March 31 December £m £m ASSETS Property, plant and equipment 950 997 Goodwill 110 109 Intangible assets 161 154 Investment in associates 32 32 Other financial assets 100 96 _____ _____ Total non-current assets 1,353 1,388 _____ _____ Inventories 3 3 Trade and other receivables 248 237 Current tax receivable 12 23 Cash and cash equivalents 178 179 Other financial assets 7 13 _____ _____ Total current assets 448 455 Non-current assets classified as held for sale 92 50 ______ ______ Total assets 1,893 1,893 ===== ===== LIABILITIES Loans and other borrowings (5) (10) Trade and other payables (381) (402) Current tax payable (224) (231) _____ _____ Total current liabilities (610) (643) _____ _____ Loans and other borrowings (365) (303) Retirement benefit obligations (50) (71) Provisions and other payables (111) (109) Deferred tax payable (77) (79) _____ _____ Total non-current liabilities (603) (562) Liabilities classified as held for sale (5) (2) _____ _____ Total liabilities (1,218) (1,207) ===== ===== Net assets (note 14) 675 686 ===== ===== EQUITY Equity share capital 69 66 Capital redemption reserve 4 4 Shares held by employee share trusts (40) (17) Other reserves (1,528) (1,528) Unrealised gains and losses reserve 19 27 Currency translation reserve (3) (3) Retained earnings 2,146 2,129 ______ ______ IHG shareholders' equity (note 15) 667 678 Minority equity interest 8 8 ______ ______ Total equity 675 686 ===== ===== INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP PLC NOTES TO THE INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. Basis of preparation These interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' using, on a consistent basis, the accounting policies set out in the 2006 InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (the Group or IHG) Annual Report and Financial Statements. In the current year, the Group will adopt International Financial Reporting Standard 7 'Financial instruments: Disclosures' (IFRS 7) for the first time. As IFRS 7 is a disclosure standard only, there is no impact from the adoption of this standard on these interim financial statements. These financial statements are unaudited and do not constitute statutory accounts of the Group within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The auditors have carried out a review of the financial information in accordance with the guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4 'Review of interim financial information' issued by the Auditing Practices Board. The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2006 has been extracted from the Group's published financial statements for that year which contain an unqualified audit report and which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. Amounts that have previously been disclosed as special items have now been called exceptional items in accordance with market practice. There has been no change to the Group's accounting policy for identifying these items. 2. Exchange rates The results of overseas operations have been translated into sterling at the weighted average rates of exchange for the period. In the case of the US dollar, the translation rate for the three months ended 31 March is £1= $1.95 (2006 3 months, £1 = $1.75). In the case of the euro, the translation rate for the three months ended 31 March is £1 = €1.49 (2006 3 months, £1 = €1.46). Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities have been translated into sterling at the rates of exchange on the last day of the period. In the case of the US dollar, the translation rate is £1=$1.96 (2006 31 March £1 = $1.73; 31 December £1 = $1.96). In the case of the euro, the translation rate is £1 = €1.47 (2006 31 March £1 = €1.43; 31 December £1= €1.49). 3. Revenue 2007 2006 3 months 3 months ended 31 March ended 31 March £m £m Continuing operations Americas (note 5) 99 97 EMEA (note 6) 50 41 Asia Pacific (note 7) 32 27 Central 13 12 ____ ____ 194 177 Discontinued operations (note 11) 12 62 ____ _____ 206 239 ==== ==== 4. Operating profit 2007 2006 3 months 3 months ended 31 March ended 31 March £m £m Continuing operations Americas (note 5) 47 49 EMEA (note 6) 7 3 Asia Pacific (note 7) 7 7 Central (17) (17) ____ ____ 44 42 Other operating income and expenses (note 8) 16 25 ____ ____ 60 67 Discontinued operations (note 11) 2 4 ____ ____ 62 71 ==== ==== 5. Americas 2007 2006 3 months 3 months ended 31 March ended 31 March $m $m Revenue Owned & leased 50 38 Managed 38 36 Franchised 106 96 ____ ____ Continuing operations 194 170 Discontinued operations - Owned & leased 24 22 ____ ____ Total $m 218 192 ==== ==== Sterling equivalent £m Continuing operations 99 97 Discontinued operations 12 12 ____ ____ 111 109 ==== ==== Operating profit Owned & leased 2 3 Managed 11 11 Franchised 93 85 Regional overheads (15) (14) ____ ____ Continuing operations 91 85 Discontinued operations - Owned & leased 4 2 ____ ____ Total $m 95 87 ==== ==== Sterling equivalent £m Continuing operations 47 49 Discontinued operations 2 1 ____ ____ 49 50 ==== ==== 6. EMEA 2007 2006 3 months 3 months ended 31 March ended 31 March £m £m Revenue Owned & leased 26 20 Managed 16 14 Franchised 8 7 ____ ____ Continuing operations 50 41 Discontinued operations - Owned & leased - 50 ____ ____ Total 50 91 ==== ==== Operating profit Owned & leased (2) (5) Managed 8 8 Franchised 6 5 Regional overheads (5) (5) ____ ____ Continuing operations 7 3 Discontinued operations - Owned & leased - 3 ____ ____ Total 7 6 ==== ==== 7. Asia Pacific 2007 2006 3 months 3 months ended 31 March ended 31 March $m $m Revenue Owned & leased 36 32 Managed 22 13 Franchised 4 2 ____ ____ Total $m 62 47 ==== ==== Sterling equivalent £m 32 27 ==== ==== Operating profit Owned & leased 8 8 Managed 9 8 Franchised 2 1 Regional overheads (6) (4) ____ ____ Total $m 13 13 ==== ==== Sterling equivalent £m 7 7 ==== ==== All results relate to continuing operations. 8. Exceptional items 2007 2006 3 months 3 months ended 31 March ended 31 March £m £m Other operating income and expenses* Gain on sale of associate investment 11 - Gain on sale of investment in FelCor Lodging Trust, - 25 Inc. Gain on sale of other financial assets 5 - ____ ____ 16 25 ==== ==== Tax* Tax on other operating income and expenses 2 (7) ==== ==== Gain on disposal of assets Gain on disposal of assets - 1 Tax credit - 1 ____ ____ - 2 ==== ==== * Relate to continuing operations. 9. Tax The tax charge on the combined profit from continuing and discontinued operations, excluding the impact of exceptional items (note 8), has been calculated using an estimated effective annual tax rate of 28% (2006 28%), analysed as follows. 3 months ended 31 March 2007 3 months ended 31 March 2006 Profit Tax Tax Profit Tax Tax £m £m rate £m £m rate Before exceptional items: Continuing operations 39 (12) 41 (11) Discontinued operations 2 - 4 (1) ____ ____ ____ ____ 41 (12) 28% 45 (12) 28% Exceptional items: Continuing operations 16 2 25 (7) Discontinued operations - - 1 1 ____ ____ ____ ____ 57 (10) 71 (18) ==== ==== ==== ==== Analysed as: UK tax (4) (2) Foreign tax (6) (16) ____ ____ (10) (18) ==== ==== By also excluding the effect of prior year items, the equivalent effective tax rate would be approximately 34% (2006 32%). Prior year items have been treated as relating wholly to continuing operations. 10. Earnings per ordinary share Basic earnings per ordinary share is calculated by dividing the profit for the period available for IHG equity holders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares, excluding investment in own shares, in issue during the period. Diluted earnings per ordinary share is calculated by adjusting basic earnings per ordinary share to reflect the notional exercise of the weighted average number of dilutive ordinary share options outstanding during the period. Adjusted earnings per ordinary share is disclosed in order to show performance undistorted by exceptional items, to give a more meaningful comparison of the Group's performance. 2007 2006 3 months ended 3 months ended 31 March 31 March Continuing Continuing operations Total operations Total Basic earnings per share Profit available for equity holders (£m) 45 47 48 53 Basic weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions) 354 354 430 430 Basic earnings per share (pence) 12.7 13.3 11.1 12.3 ==== ===== ==== ===== Diluted earnings per share Profit available for equity holders (£m) 45 47 48 53 Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions) (see below) 365 365 442 442 Diluted earnings per share (pence) 12.3 12.9 10.9 12.0 ==== ===== ==== ===== 2007 2006 31 March 31 March millions millions Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares is calculated as: Basic weighted average number of ordinary shares 354 430 Dilutive potential ordinary shares - employee share options 11 12 ____ ____ 365 442 ==== ==== 2007 2006 3 months ended 3 months ended 31 March 31 March Continuing Continuing operations Total operations Total Adjusted earnings per share Profit available for equity holders (£m) 45 47 48 53 Less adjusting items (note 8): Other operating income and expenses (£m) (16) (16) (25) (25) Tax (£m) (2) (2) 7 7 Gains on disposal of assets (£m) - - - (2) ____ ____ ____ ____ Adjusted earnings (£m) 27 29 30 33 Basic weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions) 354 354 430 430 Adjusted earnings per share (pence) 7.6 8.2 7.0 7.7 ==== ==== ==== ==== 11. Discontinued operations Discontinued operations are those relating to hotels sold or those classified as held for sale as part of the asset disposal programme that commenced in 2003. These disposals underpin IHG's strategy of growing its managed and franchised business whilst reducing asset ownership. The results of discontinued operations which have been included in the consolidated income statement, are as follows: 2007 2006 3 months 3 months ended 31 March ended 31 March £m £m Revenue 12 62 Cost of sales (9) (54) ____ ____ 3 8 Depreciation and amortisation (1) (4) ____ ____ Operating profit 2 4 Tax - (1) ____ ____ Profit after tax 2 3 Gain on disposal of assets, net of tax credit of £nil (2006 £1m)* - 2 ____ ____ Profit for the period from discontinued operations 2 5 ==== ==== * Exceptional item (note 8) The effect of discontinued operations on segment results is disclosed in notes 5 and 6. Cash flows attributable to discontinued operations: 2007 2006 3 months 3 months ended 31 March ended 31 March £m £m Operating profit before interest, depreciation and amortisation 3 8 Investing activities - (2) Financing activities - (1) ____ ____ 3 5 ==== ==== 12. Net debt 2007 2006 31 March 31 December £m £m Cash and cash equivalents 178 179 Loans and other borrowings - current (5) (10) Loans and other borrowings - non-current (365) (303) ____ ____ Net debt (192) (134) ==== ==== Finance lease liability included above (99) (97) ==== ==== 13. Movement in net debt 2007 2006 3 months ended 12 months ended 31 March 31 December £m £m Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (1) (152) Add back cash flows in respect of other components of net debt: (Increase)/decrease in borrowings (55) 172 ____ ____ (Increase)/decrease in net debt arising from cash flows (56) 20 Non-cash movements: Finance lease liability (2) (103) Exchange and other adjustments - 37 ____ ____ Increase in net debt (58) (46) Net debt at beginning of the period (134) (88) ____ ____ Net debt at end of the period (192) (134) ==== ==== 14. Net assets 2007 2006 31 March 31 December £m £m Americas 427 390 EMEA 375 359 Asia Pacific 283 285 Central 71 73 ____ ____ 1,156 1,107 Net debt (192) (134) Unallocated assets and liabilities (289) (287) ____ ____ 675 686 ==== ==== 15. Movement in IHG shareholders' equity 2007 2006 3 months 3 months ended 31 March ended 31 March £m £m At 1 January 678 1,084 Total recognised income and expense for the period 54 42 Issue of ordinary shares 3 3 Purchase of own shares (25) (28) Movement in shares in employee share trusts (42) (8) Equity settled share-based cost, net of payments (1) 1 ____ ____ At 31 March 667 1,094 ==== ==== The proposed final dividend of 13.3 pence per share for the year ended 31 December 2006 is not recognised in these accounts as it remains subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 1 June 2007. If approved, the dividend will be paid on 8 June 2007 to shareholders who were registered on 23 March 2007 at an expected total cost of £47m. 16. Capital commitments and contingencies At 31 March 2007 amounts contracted for but not provided in the financial statements for expenditure on property, plant and equipment was £23m (2006 31 December £24m). At 31 March 2007 the Group had contingent liabilities of £5m (2006 31 December £11m), mainly comprising guarantees given in the ordinary course of business. In limited cases, the Group may provide performance guarantees to third-party owners to secure management contracts. The maximum exposure under such guarantees is £113m (2006 31 December £142m). It is the view of the Directors that, other than to the extent that liabilities have been provided for in these financials statements, such guarantees are not expected to result in financial loss to the Group. The Group has given warranties in respect of the disposal of certain of its former subsidiaries. It is the view of the Directors that, other than to the extent that liabilities have been provided for in these financial statements, such warranties are not expected to result in financial loss to the Group. 17. Pension commitments In March 2007, the Company made the first payment of £10m under the agreement to make special pension contributions of £40m to the UK pension plans. A further £10m will be paid in 2007, £10m in 2008 and £10m in 2009. 18. Post balance sheet event On 4 May 2007, the Board of Directors released a circular setting out the details of its plan to return £700m to shareholders by way of a special dividend. It is proposed that a special dividend of 200 pence per share is accompanied by a 47 for 56 consolidation of the Company's ordinary share capital. The proposed share consolidation is subject to approval at an Extraordinary General Meeting to be held on 1 June 2007. It is planned that the dividend will be paid to shareholders on 15 June 2007. INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP PLC Introduction We have been instructed by the Company to review the financial information for the three months ended 31 March 2007 which comprises the Group Income Statement, Group Statement of Recognised Income and Expense, Group Cash Flow Statement, Group Balance Sheet and the related notes 1 to 18. 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. This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4 'Review of interim financial information' issued by the Auditing Practices Board. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company, for our work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed. Directors' responsibilities The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Directors. The Directors are responsible for preparing the interim report in accordance with the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority which 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. Review work performed We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4 'Review of interim financial information' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review consists principally of making enquiries of management and applying analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data, and based thereon, assessing whether the accounting policies and presentation have been consistently applied, unless otherwise disclosed. 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 performed in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and therefore provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly we do not express an audit opinion on the financial information. 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 three months ended 31 March 2007. Ernst & Young LLP London 8 May 2007 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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