Half year report

National Grid PLC 15 November 2007 15 November 2007 National Grid plc Half year report for the six months ended 30 September 2007 (unaudited) HIGHLIGHTS â€¢ Very strong first half performance â€¢ Operating profit, excluding US stranded cost recoveries, up 19% â€¢ Earnings per share, excluding US stranded cost recoveries, up 23% â€¢ Interim dividend 11.7p, dividend policy update early 2008 â€¢ Outlook for the full year remains in line with our expectations â€¢ Delivering on strategy â€¢ Acquisition of KeySpan and disposals of Wireless and Basslink completed â€¢ Â£1,042m returned to shareholders via buy-back programme to date â€¢ Capital investment up 39% on prior period, strong investment pipeline for organic growth FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR CONTINUING OPERATIONS (Â£m, at actual exchange rate) Six months ended 30 September 2007 2006 % change ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Business performance(1) (excluding US stranded cost recoveries) Operating profit 1,039 876 19 Pre-tax profit 757 625 21 Earnings 528 437 21 Earnings per share 19.8 16.1 23 Earnings per share (including 24.1 20.5 18 US stranded cost recoveries) ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Statutory results Operating profit 1,187 1,110 7 Pre-tax profit 917 781 17 Earnings 783 561 40 Earnings per share 29.4 20.6 43 ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Dividend per share 11.7 10.9 7 ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Steve Holliday, Chief Executive, said: 'National Grid continues to make significant progress. We are delivering on all fronts of our strategy and have produced an excellent financial performance in this period. We have in place a strong management team that is developing a unique global operating model. 'Our growth prospects are positive, given the diversity of our regulatory settlements and our plans for investment in our current business. I believe we have a great platform to deliver further improvements in customer service, reliability, safety and environmental performance and continue to deliver value for our shareholders.' CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REVIEW National Grid has continued to deliver its strategy on all fronts. We have again delivered a very strong financial performance, growing operating profit - particularly in our Transmission and Gas Distribution businesses - growing earnings per share, and increasing the interim dividend. During the period we completed the planned disposals of non-core businesses. In April, we announced that we had sold our UK Wireless business and we completed the sale of our US Wireless business in August. Also in August, we completed the sale of Basslink, our interconnector in Australia. Together these disposals have generated total proceeds of Â£3.1bn, almost double our invested capital. On 24 August, we completed the acquisition of KeySpan, significantly growing our footprint in North America and positioning National Grid as the second largest energy delivery company in the US (by customer numbers). We are making good progress with the implementation of our global operating model and the integration of KeySpan. We believe that around 75% of our activities can be managed on either a global or lines of business basis, while only 25% need to be tailored to meet specific local requirements. To achieve this aim, we are developing and deploying standardised procedures and processes for customer service, asset management, and work delivery. In support of these 'front-line' activities, we have established UK and US Shared Services, Global IS and Global Finance organisations. We believe that this approach to running our business will yield significant savings in our regulated controllable cost base, which is around Â£2bn annually. This framework provides an excellent platform for improving customer service, reliability, safety and environmental performance, and is, over time, expected to create significant shareholder value. As part of our continuing focus on electricity and gas operations we are currently assessing a potential sale of our National Grid UK Property business. In September, we issued an information memorandum to potential buyers, and expect to take a decision on a sale option later this year. In October, we announced our intention to pursue the sale of Ravenswood, our generating station in New York City. Sale of the plant is a condition of the New York Public Service Commission (NYPSC) order approving the acquisition of KeySpan. Our timetable is well in advance of the three year period allowed by the NYPSC and we expect to announce an agreed sale by the end of the first quarter of 2008. Investment We have a strong investment pipeline for organic growth and plan to invest a total of around Â£16bn in our priority markets over the six years to March 2012. This is expected to be financed from internal cashflow and borrowings. Our plans are on track and since April 2006, we have invested Â£3.8bn. In the UK electricity and gas markets, investment is being driven by changes in sources of gas supply, the development of the UK Government's energy policy and the need for asset replacement. In Transmission, our UK investment for the five years to 2012 has been agreed with Ofgem and will be remunerated under the regulatory price control that came into effect on 1 April 2007. In Gas Distribution, we are currently discussing with Ofgem our UK investment requirements for the five years to 2013 as part of the regulatory price control beginning 1 April 2008, and we project capital investment of Â£3.6bn (including replacement expenditure of Â£2.4bn) over the five-year period. By March 2012 we project that the value of our total UK regulatory asset base will have grown by over 35% from its March 2007 level. In the US electricity and gas markets, investment is being driven by demand growth, customer additions, reliability, and the need for asset replacement. On 22 October, as agreed with the NYPSC, we filed a detailed five-year capital investment plan for electricity transmission and distribution in upstate New York. This plan calls for a minimum investment of $1.47bn and the potential to invest up to around $2.4bn. We will be filing with the NYPSC shortly to recover a portion of this investment under our existing rate plan and expect to recover the balance as part of our next rate plan from 1 January 2012. These investments are largely targeted at enhancing customer service by improving the reliability of our electricity system. Our enlarged US gas networks offer a significant opportunity for growth through new gas connections - we aim to connect around 60,000 new customers to our networks each year - and together with asset replacement, we expect this will drive annual investment of around $600m on average. By March 2012, we project that the value of our US rate base will have grown by over 25% from its March 2007 level. Regulation National Grid operates under 20 main regulatory controls and we believe that this regulatory portfolio leads to greater stability in our operating profit. While rate plans are currently in place for the majority of our activities, in the UK, we are in discussion with Ofgem on the regulatory price control for our gas distribution networks for the five years to March 2013. In September, we received Ofgem's updated proposals and although progress has been made in some areas since Ofgem published its initial proposals in May, we believe that Ofgem's proposed operating cost allowances will only deliver 'bare-minimum' networks. Overall, we believe that National Grid is the most efficient UK gas network manager, offering the lowest cash cost per customer. We continue to work closely with Ofgem ahead of the publication of its final proposals, expected on 3 December 2007, to ensure that this business earns acceptable returns. In the US, we are currently preparing three gas rate plan filings for our upstate New York gas network, our Rhode Island gas network, and our New Hampshire gas network (together representing around 20% of our US gas rate base). These networks are not currently earning their allowed returns and we expect to make filings with the relevant state regulators within the next six to nine months. Financing We are committed to financing our business in a manner consistent with maintaining an efficient balance sheet and optimising our cost of capital. Today, we are providing an interest cover metric that gives greater transparency on this commitment and we will report it annually at our full year results. This metric is based on adjusted funds from operations divided by adjusted interest expense: detailed definitions and worked examples will be available at www.nationalgrid.com. Taking into account the KeySpan acquisition, the sale of Wireless and Basslink, the return of Â£1.8bn to shareholders, and our future capital investment requirements, we expect to reduce interest cover and we aim to manage the long-term trend within a range of around 3.0 - 3.5 times. DIVIDEND AND SHARE BUY-BACK The Board has approved an interim dividend of 11.7p per ordinary share ($1.2153 per American Depository share (ADS)), representing a 7% increase in the half-year dividend, in sterling. The interim dividend is to be paid on 23 January 2008 to shareholders on the register as at 30 November 2007. Under our US rate plans, cash flows from stranded assets in our Electricity Distribution business are scheduled to end in 2011 and do not form part of our core on-going business. We are returning these cashflows to shareholders and therefore exclude them from our dividend policy. In May 2007, we extended this programme to return Â£1.8bn of proceeds from the sale of our Wireless businesses. To date we have repurchased 140.8m shares at a cost of Â£1,042m (as at 30 September 2007 110.6m shares had been repurchased, at a cost of Â£805m). This completes the return of the US stranded asset post-tax cash flows for 2007/08. We are on track to return around a further Â£900m over the next six to twelve months, completing the return of Â£1.8bn following the sale of our Wireless businesses. The balance of stranded asset post-tax cash flows for 2008 to 2011 is estimated at around $1.4bn and will be returned via the buy-back programme in future years, as they arise. In future we intend to hold repurchased shares as treasury shares, up to a limit of 5% of issued share capital. We maintain our aim to increase dividends per ordinary share expressed in sterling by 7% in each financial year through to 31 March 2008. We will be announcing our updated dividend policy later in the financial year, which will reflect the strong outlook for the earnings of the enlarged business. OUTLOOK National Grid's outlook for the full year remains in line with our expectations. In Transmission, we expect that the increase in UK regulated revenue will continue to be a major driver of performance; however, this benefit will be partially offset by timing of the collection of income resulting in a lower proportion of UK gas transmission allowed revenue falling in the second-half of this year, compared to the same period last year. We also expect US revenue to be higher at the full year, and together, these benefits will more than offset lower revenues from our French interconnector and LNG storage businesses, and continued higher depreciation charges. Gas Distribution operating profit for the full year is expected to be driven by the increased UK allowed revenue following the one-year regulatory price control which came into effect on 1 April 2007, allowed revenue under recovered in 2006/07, and a full second half contribution from KeySpan's gas businesses. Together, these items are expected to more than offset continued increases in workload related and pass-through costs. In Electricity Distribution and Generation, we expect the timing of rate adjustments for pass through items to result in a negative variance compared to the prior year. This, together with continued increases in operating expenditure under our reliability enhancement plan, and the absence of a one-off pensions related benefit in 2006/07, is expected to more than offset a positive year-on-year variance arising from the absence of costs associated with major snow and ice storms in the Buffalo and Albany areas in 2006/07. Our principal risks over the next six months remain as stated in our 2006/07 Annual Report and Accounts on pages 27, 84 and 85. BASIS OF PRESENTATION Unless otherwise stated, all financial commentaries are given on a business performance basis, at actual exchange rates. Business performance represents the results for continuing operations before exceptional items and mark-to-market remeasurements of commodity contracts and financial instruments that are held for economic hedging purposes but did not achieve hedge accounting. Commentary provided in respect of results after exceptional items and certain mark-to-market remeasurements is described as 'statutory'. REVIEW OF RESULTS AND FINANCIAL POSITION Operating profit, excluding US stranded cost recoveries, was Â£1,039m, up 19% on the prior year (up 22% on a constant currency basis(2)). This was primarily driven by strong results in our Transmission and Gas Distribution businesses. Net finance costs were Â£282m, 11% higher than the prior period, mainly as a result of a higher effective interest rate on net debt for the period and increased average net debt levels compared to the prior period. Profit before tax, excluding US stranded cost recoveries, was up 21% to Â£757m. The tax charge on profit, excluding US stranded cost recoveries, was Â£227m, Â£41m higher than the prior period. The effective tax rate for the period, including US stranded cost recoveries, was 32%. Earnings, excluding US stranded cost recoveries, were up 21% on the prior period at Â£528m. On the same basis, earnings per share increased 23% from 16.1p in the first half of last year to 19.8p, reflecting our strong operating performance and the benefit of our share buy-back programme. US stranded cost recoveries added 4.3p to earnings per share, with an operating profit of Â£190m (Â£114m after tax). Including this contribution, earnings per share for the period were 24.1p. Exceptional items and remeasurements for continuing operations increased earnings by Â£141m after tax. These comprised a Â£169m deferred tax credit arising from a reduction in the UK corporation tax rate, restructuring costs of Â£79m (Â£47m after tax), a gain on disposal of a subsidiary of Â£8m (Â£5m after tax), a commodity remeasurement gain of Â£23m (Â£13m after tax), and a net financial instrument remeasurement gain of Â£18m (Â£1m gain after tax). After these items and minority interests, statutory earnings for continuing operations attributable to shareholders were Â£783m. Statutory basic earnings per share from continuing operations increased 43% to 29.4p, up from 20.6p in the prior period. Profit from discontinued operations was Â£1,613m after exceptional items and remeasurements, leading to statutory basic earnings per share of 90.0p. National Grid's operating cash flows from continuing operations, before exceptional items and taxation, were Â£27m lower than the prior period at Â£1,322m. Organic investment in our continuing businesses increased by 39% to Â£1.5bn, primarily due to increased capital expenditure on new electricity and gas transmission infrastructure in the UK. Our net debt rose to Â£16.3bn at 30 September 2007 compared with Â£11.8bn at 31 March 2007, mainly reflecting the acquisition of KeySpan, the sale of our Wireless and Basslink businesses, the return of Â£805m through our share buy-back programme, and the increased level of capital investment. REVIEW OF TRANSMISSION OPERATIONS Summary results Six months ended 30 September (Â£m) 2007 2006 % change ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Revenue and other operating income 1,545 1,474 5 Operating costs (765) (794) 4 Depreciation and amortisation (206) (186) (11) Operating profit - actual exchange 574 494 16 rate Operating profit - constant 574 489 17 currency ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Operating profit by geographical Six months ended 30 September segment (Â£m, at constant currency) 2007 2006 % change ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- UK 501 427 17 US 73 62 18 Operating profit 574 489 17 ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Capital investment Six months ended 30 September (Â£m, at actual exchange rate) 2007 2006 % change ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- UK 826 534 55 US 44 44 - Capital investment 870 578 51 ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Transmission delivered a very strong performance in this period. Operating profit increased to Â£574m, up 16%. This was primarily driven by a step up in UK regulated revenue following the five-year transmission price controls which came into effect on 1 April. Pricing changes in April resulted in a higher than normal proportion of our UK gas transmission allowed revenue being collected in the first half, and together, these benefits resulted in a Â£108m increase in operating profit compared to the prior period. As expected, demand for French interconnector and LNG storage capacity returned closer to historical normal levels this period, resulting in a Â£36m decrease in revenues from those businesses. Depreciation charges were higher than in the prior period by Â£20m as a result of increasing capital investment. Other items increased operating profit by a net Â£33m compared to the prior period, with lower shrinkage gas costs more than offsetting higher 'quasi-capex'(3) and pass through costs. Movement in exchange rates had a Â£5m period-on-period negative impact on operating profit. Capital investment in Transmission increased by 51% on the prior period to Â£870m, mainly driven by new electricity and gas transmission load-related infrastructure in the UK. On 9 November, we completed commissioning of the 120km Milford Haven to Aberdulais gas transmission pipeline, making it available for commercial operation. The pipeline connects the two LNG terminals under construction at Milford Haven to the UK national gas transmission system and provides around 220GWh/day of capacity, which will rise to around 570GWh/day when the 196km second stage pipeline from Felindre in Wales to Tirley in Gloucestershire is completed. This second stage is on schedule for commercial operation in mid December 2007. Looking ahead to the full year, we expect that the increase in UK regulated revenue will continue to be a major driver of performance; however, this benefit will be partially offset by timing of the collection of income resulting in a lower proportion of UK gas transmission allowed revenue collection in the second half of this year, compared to the same period last year. We also expect US revenue to be higher at the full year, and together, these benefits will more than offset lower revenues from our French interconnector and LNG storage businesses, and continued higher depreciation charges. REVIEW OF GAS DISTRIBUTION OPERATIONS Summary results Six months ended 30 September (Â£m) 2007 2006 % change ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Revenue and other operating income 849 608 40 Operating costs (569) (414) (37) Depreciation and amortisation (114) (94) (21) Operating profit - actual exchange 166 100 66 rate Operating profit - constant 166 98 69 currency ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Operating profit by geographical Six months ended 30 September segment (Â£m, at constant currency) 2007 2006 % change ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- UK 167 71 135 US (1) 27 * Operating profit 166 98 69 ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Capital investment Six months ended 30 September (Â£m, at actual exchange rate) 2007 2006 % change ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- UK 251 218 15 US 48 18 167 Capital investment 299 236 27 ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- * Not meaningful. Operating profit from Gas Distribution was up 66%, at Â£166m. Net formula income in the UK was up Â£121m. Of this, Â£75m related to changes in our pricing formula, which this year is less dependent on delivery volumes, and results in a greater proportion of our allowed revenue being collected in the first half. The remaining Â£46m mainly related to the 9% (average) price increase in October 2006. Revenue in our US gas business is linked to delivery volumes, and this results in a seasonal bias with lower revenue recovery in the first half of the year. This period, we have a full first half of operations in our Rhode Island gas business (following its acquisition in August 2006) and one month of operations from KeySpan's gas businesses, which, with revenue weighted to the second half, resulted in a Â£17m negative impact on operating profit compared to the prior period. Other items, mainly increased pass-through costs and depreciation charges, resulted in a net negative impact of Â£36m on operating profit. Period-on-period movement in exchange rates reduced operating profit by Â£2m. During the period our gas distribution alliance partnerships in the UK have replaced 992km of gas mains, resulting in total replacement expenditure (repex) of Â£177m. We have also continued to invest in network infrastructure projects in the UK and US, resulting in total capital expenditure (including repex) of Â£299m. Operating profit for the full year is expected to be driven by the increased UK allowed revenue following the one-year regulatory price control which came into effect on 1 April 2007, allowed revenue under recovered in 2006/07, and a full second-half contribution from KeySpan's gas businesses. Together, these items are expected to more than offset continued increases in workload related and pass-through costs. In the UK, we are in the final stages of discussion with Ofgem on the regulatory price control for our gas distribution networks for the five years to March 2013. In September, we received Ofgem's updated proposals, and while progress has been made in some areas since Ofgem published its initial proposals in May, we believe that Ofgem's proposed operating cost allowances will only deliver 'bare-minimum' networks. We continue to work closely with Ofgem ahead of the publication of its final proposals, expected on 3 December 2007, to ensure that this business earns acceptable returns. In the US, we are currently preparing three gas rate plan filings for our upstate New York gas network, our Rhode Island gas network, and our New Hampshire gas network. REVIEW OF ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION AND GENERATION OPERATIONS Summary results Six months ended 30 September (Â£m) 2007 2006 % change ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Revenue and other operating income 1,446 1,530 (5) Operating costs (1,182) (1,243) 5 Depreciation and amortisation (68) (65) (5) Operating profit - actual exchange 196 222 (12) rate Operating profit - constant 196 206 (5) currency ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Stranded cost recoveries - 190 187 2 constant currency ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Operating profit by principal Six months ended 30 September activities (Â£m, at constant currency) 2007 2006 % change ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Electricity distribution 189 206 (8) Long Island T&D services 5 - - Long Island Generation 2 - - Operating profit 196 206 (5) ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- ---------------------------------- --------------------- Capital investment Six months ended 30 September (Â£m, at actual exchange rate) 2007 2006 % change ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Electricity distribution 114 113 1 Long Island Generation 1 - - Capital investment 115 113 2 ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Operating profit from Electricity Distribution and Generation decreased by 12% during the period to Â£196m. Electricity distribution revenues, excluding pass-through commodity costs, increased by Â£11m compared to the prior year driven by indexing in our Massachusetts rate plan and increased demand, with weather normalised residential volumes up 0.2% on the prior period. Timing of rate adjustments for pass-through items led to a period-on-period benefit of Â£8m. Other items, including the absence of a one-off benefit in 2006/07, higher storm costs, a rise in bad debts, and increased reliability enhancement expense, more than offset a one-month contribution from KeySpan's Generation and T&D services activities on Long Island, resulting in a net Â£29m decrease in operating profit. Movement in exchange rates had a Â£16m period-on-period negative impact on operating profit. For the full year, we expect the timing of rate adjustments for pass through items to result in a negative variance compared to the prior year. This, together with continued increases in operating expenditure under our reliability enhancement plan, and the absence of a one-off benefit in 2006/07, is expected to more than offset a positive year-on-year variance arising from the non recurrence of costs associated with major snow and ice storms in the Buffalo and Albany areas in 2006/07. In accordance with our New York rate plan we make biannual filings to recover amounts recorded in the 'deferral account', and in August filed a forecast recoverable balance of around $270m as at 31 December 2009. Our US stranded cost recoveries delivered Â£190m of operating profit. This was lower than the prior period, mainly reflecting the impact of the weaker dollar which had a Â£16m year-on-year negative impact. US stranded cost recoveries include certain contract settlements that have no net impact on cashflow. Post tax cashflow for the full year is expected to be around Â£150m - this has already been returned to shareholders as part of our share buy-back programme. Capital expenditure was up slightly on the prior period at Â£115m. On 22 October, as agreed with the NYPSC, we filed a detailed five-year capital investment plan for electricity transmission and distribution in upstate New York. This plan calls for a minimum investment of $1.47bn and the potential to invest up to around $2.4bn. These investments are largely targeted at enhancing customer service by improving the reliability of our electricity system. REVIEW OF NON-REGULATED AND OTHER ACTIVITIES Summary results Six months ended 30 September (Â£m) 2007 2006 % change ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Revenue and other operating income 382 315 21 Operating costs (201) (176) (14) Depreciation and amortisation (78) (79) 1 Operating profit 103 60 72 ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Operating profit by principal Six months ended 30 September activities (Â£m, at actual exchange rate) 2007 2006 % change ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Metering 60 54 11 Grain LNG 6 5 20 Property 62 32 94 Sub-total operating profit 128 91 41 ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Corporate and other activities (25) (31) 19 Operating profit 103 60 72 ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Capital investment Six months ended 30 September (Â£m, at actual exchange rate) 2007 2006 % change ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Metering 72 80 (10) Grain LNG 97 45 116 Property 5 3 67 Other 12 - - Capital investment 186 128 45 ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Operating profit from our Non-regulated and other activities was 72% higher than the prior period at Â£103m, mainly reflecting higher than expected sales of land and property in the first half. Metering operating profit was up 11% at Â£60m, mainly driven by growth in our competitive metering business. During the period, capital investment in this business decreased to Â£72m, with around 400,000 new meters installed, broadly in line with the prior period. In June 2005, Ofgem initiated an investigation under the Competition Act into certain aspects of our domestic gas metering business. In May 2006 and April 2007, Ofgem issued Statements of Objections detailing why it believed our conduct amounted to a breach under the Act. In October 2007, Ofgem issued a third document and their case against us has narrowed considerably - a decision from the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority is expected shortly. We remain confident that we have not infringed competition law. Our Grain LNG business delivered an operating profit of Â£6m in the period. During the period capital investment in this business more than doubled to Â£97m, mainly reflecting construction of our Phase II capacity extension, which remains on track to be operational in late 2008. Phase III construction commenced in July, and will add a further LNG tank and a second unloading jetty, with completion planned in 2010. These investments are underpinned by long-term, take-or-pay contracts. We are currently in discussions with the relevant regulatory bodies for consents for BritNed, a 50/50 joint venture with TenneT, the Dutch electricity transmission owner, to construct an electricity interconnector between the electricity transmission systems in the UK and the Netherlands. We expect to invest around Â£200m, with completion of the link planned in 2010. Looking ahead, we will continue to focus on improving operational efficiency in these businesses, and capital investment in these niche areas within the UK and US electricity and gas markets will continue to be a key profit driver. In total, capital investment in our non-regulated activities is expected to reach around Â£1.9bn over the six years to March 2012. STATUTORY EARNINGS AND BUSINESS PERFORMANCE Â£m, at actual exchange rate) Six months ended 30 September 2007 2006 % change ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Business performance earnings (exc. US 528 437 21 stranded cost recoveries) US stranded cost recoveries (after 114 121 (6) tax) Business performance earnings (inc. US 642 558 15 stranded cost recoveries) ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Exceptional items (after tax) 127 (11) * Remeasurements (after tax) 14 14 * Statutory earnings from continuing 783 561 40 operations ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- Discontinued operations Profit before exceptional items & remeasurements (after tax) 21 33 * Exceptional items & remeasurements 1,592 - * (after tax) Statutory earnings 2,396 594 * ---------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- * Not meaningful Exceptional items in the period comprised a Â£169m deferred tax credit arising from a reduction in the UK corporation tax rate, partially offset by Â£71m (Â£42m after tax) of other items, mainly restructuring costs. In the prior period, exceptional items comprised restructuring costs of Â£16m (Â£11m after tax). Remeasurements in the period comprised commodity remeasurement gains of Â£23m (Â£13m after tax) reflecting changes in the carrying value of certain commodity contract obligations, primarily index-linked swap contracts in the US, and a net financial instrument remeasurement gain of Â£18m (Â£1m after tax) reflecting movements in the carrying value of financial instruments, primarily derivatives, that arise from changes in mark-to-market values or in exchange rates and are reflected in the income statement to the extent that hedge accounting is not achieved or is not fully effective. In the prior period, remeasurements comprised commodity remeasurement gains of Â£36m (Â£22m after tax) and financial instrument remeasurement losses of Â£66m (Â£8m after tax). After including exceptional items and remeasurements, statutory earnings from continuing operations in the period were Â£783m, compared with Â£561m for the same period last year, giving statutory earnings per share from continuing operations of 29.4p (2006: 20.6p). Further details of exceptional items and remeasurements are given in Note 3 on page 19. A reconciliation of business performance (including US stranded cost recoveries of Â£190m, Â£114m after tax) to statutory results is provided in the consolidated income statement on page 12, and the impact of exceptional items and remeasurements on operating profit by business segment is provided in Note 2 on page 17. Discontinued operations in the six months ended 30 September 2007 represented the results of our Ravenswood generating station (held for sale) and the results up to and profit on disposal of our Wireless infrastructure and Basslink businesses. After including these, statutory earnings for the period were Â£2,396m and earnings per share were 90.0p. Further details of discontinued operations are given in Note 6 on page 21. BOARD CHANGES During the period we announced three Board changes. Robert B. Catell joined the Board on 25 September, as Executive Director and Deputy Chairman. Robert was previously Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of KeySpan Corporation. Tom King joined the Board on 13 August as an Executive Director. Tom is based in the US and has responsibility for the Electricity Distribution and Generation business. Paul Joskow, one of our Non-executive Directors, stepped down from the Board on 31 July 2007. CONTACTS National Grid: Investors David Rees +44 (0)20 7004 3170 +44 (0)7901 511322(m) George +1 718 403 2526 +1 917 375 0989(m) Laskaris Richard Smith +44 (0)20 7004 3172 +44 (0)7747 006321(m) James Waite +44 (0)20 7004 3171 +44 (0)7977 440902(m) Media Clive +44 (0)20 7004 3147 +44 (0)7836 357173(m) Hawkins Brunswick: Paul Scott +44 (0)20 7404 5959 An analyst presentation will be held at Deutsche Bank AG, 1 Great Winchester Street, London EC2N 2DB at 9:00am (UK time) today. Live telephone coverage of the analyst presentation - password National Grid Dial in number +44 (0)20 7081 9429 US dial in number +1 866 432 7186 Telephone replay of the analyst presentation (available until 30 November 2007) Dial in number +44 (0)20 8196 1998 US dial in number +1 866 583 1039 Account number 527949 A live web cast of the presentation will also be available at www.nationalgrid.com Photographs are available on www.newscast.co.uk You can view or download copies of our latest Annual Report or the Annual Review from our website at www.nationalgrid.com/corporate/ Investor+Relations/ or request a free printed copy by contacting investor.relations@ngrid.com. (1) Business performance results are the primary financial performance measure used by National Grid, being the results for continuing operations before exceptional items and remeasurements. Remeasurements are movements in the carrying value of financial instruments and of commodity contracts that arise from changes in mark-to-market values or in exchange rates and are reflected in the income statement to the extent that hedge accounting is not achieved or is not fully effective. Further details are provided in Note 3. A reconciliation of Business performance (including US stranded cost recoveries of Â£190m, Â£114m after tax) to Statutory results is provided in the consolidated income statement. (2) 'Constant currency basis' refers to the reporting of the actual results against the prior period results which, in respect of any US$ currency denominated activity, have been translated using the average US$ exchange rate for the six months ended 30 September 2007, which was $2.02 to Â£1.00. The average rate for the six months ended 30 September 2006 was $1.86 to Â£1.00. (3) 'Quasi-capex' is operating expenditure associated with the increased capital investment programme. 'Quasi-capex' is explicitly recognised by Ofgem in the new price control period and it is treated as investment for regulatory purposes and is added to the regulatory asset base. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT This announcement contains certain statements that are neither reported financial results nor other historical information. These statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include information with respect to National Grid's financial condition, National Grid's results of operations and businesses, strategy, plans and objectives. Words such as 'anticipates', 'expects', 'intends', 'plans', 'believes', 'seeks', 'estimates', 'may', 'will', 'continue', 'project' and similar expressions, as well as statements in the future tense, identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of National Grid's future performance and are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Many of these assumptions, risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond National Grid's ability to control or estimate precisely, such as delays in obtaining, or adverse conditions contained in, regulatory approvals and contractual consents, unseasonable weather affecting the demand for electricity and gas, competition and industry restructuring, changes in economic conditions, currency fluctuations, changes in interest and tax rates, changes in energy market prices, changes in historical weather patterns, changes in laws, regulations or regulatory policies, developments in legal or public policy doctrines, the impact of changes to accounting standards and technological developments. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in this announcement include the ability to integrate the businesses relating to announced or recently completed acquisitions with National Grid's existing business to realise the expected synergies from such integration, the availability of new acquisition opportunities and the timing and success of future acquisition opportunities, the timing and success or other impact of the sales of National Grid's non-core businesses, the failure for any reason to achieve reductions in costs or to achieve operational efficiencies, the failure to retain key management, the behaviour of UK electricity market participants on system balancing, the timing of amendments in prices to shippers in the UK gas market, the performance of National Grid's pension schemes and the regulatory treatment of pension costs, and any adverse consequences arising from outages on or otherwise affecting energy networks, including gas pipelines owned or operated by National Grid. For a more detailed description of some of these assumptions, risks and uncertainties, together with any other risk factors, please see National Grid's filings with and submissions to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') (and in particular the 'Risk Factors' and 'Operating and Financial Review' sections in its most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F). Except as may be required by law or regulation, National Grid undertakes no obligation to update any of its forward-looking statements. The effects of these factors are difficult to predict. New factors emerge from time to time and National Grid cannot assess the potential impact of any such factor on its activities or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 2007 2006 * Year ended for the six 31 March months ended 30 September 2007 Notes Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Revenue 2a 4,260 3,982 8,695 Other operating income 52 27 83 Operating costs (3,125) (2,899) (6,265) ----------- ----------- ----------- Operating profit - Before exceptional items and remeasurements 2b 1,229 1,078 2,454 - Exceptional items and remeasurements 3 (42) 32 59 Total operating profit 2c 1,187 1,110 2,513 Interest income and similar income 4 663 569 1,144 Interest expense and other finance costs - Before exceptional items and remeasurements (945) (822) (1,691) - Exceptional items and remeasurements 3 12 (78) (217) 4 (933) (900) (1,908) Share of post-tax results of joint ventures - 2 2 --------- ---------- ----------- Profit before taxation - Before exceptional items and remeasurements 947 827 1,909 - Exceptional items and remeasurements 3 (30) (46) (158) Total profit before taxation 917 781 1,751 Taxation - Before exceptional items and remeasurements 5 (303) (267) (611) - Exceptional items and remeasurements 3 171 49 170 Total taxation (132) (218) (441) ---------- ----------- ----------- Profit from continuing operations after taxation - Before exceptional items and remeasurements 644 560 1,298 - Exceptional items and remeasurements 3 141 3 12 Profit for the period from continuing operations 785 563 1,310 Profit for the period from discontinued operations after taxation - Before exceptional items and remeasurements 6 21 33 104 - Exceptional items and remeasurements 6 1,592 - (18) Profit for the period from discontinued operations 1,613 33 86 ----------- ----------- ----------- Profit for the period 2,398 596 1,396 =========== =========== =========== Attributable to: - Equity shareholders of the parent 2,396 594 1,394 - Minority interests 2 2 2 ----------- ----------- ----------- 2,398 596 1,396 =========== =========== =========== Earnings per share from continuing operations - Basic 7a 29.4p 20.6p 48.1p - Diluted 7b 29.2p 20.5p 47.8p Earnings per share - Basic 7a 90.0p 21.8p 51.3p - Diluted 7b 89.4p 21.7p 50.9p =========== =========== =========== Dividends per ordinary share: paid during the period 8 17.8p 15.9p 26.8p Dividends per ordinary share: approved or proposed to be paid 11.7p 10.9p 28.7p =========== =========== =========== * Comparatives have been adjusted to reclassify amounts relating to discontinued operations. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET at 30 September 2007 2006 At 31 March 2007 Notes Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Non-current assets Goodwill 3,774 2,170 1,480 Other intangible assets 297 319 144 Property, plant and equipment 22,939 19,308 18,895 Investments in joint ventures 7 9 5 Deferred tax assets - 56 - Other receivables 486 51 36 Pension asset 617 - 37 Financial and other investments 249 137 132 Derivative financial assets 630 333 380 ------------ ------------- ------------ Total non-current assets 28,999 22,383 21,109 ------------ ------------- ------------ Current assets Other intangible assets 2 24 2 Inventories 535 165 106 Trade and other receivables 1,600 1,186 1,236 Financial and other investments 1,849 806 2,098 Derivative financial assets 220 301 277 Cash and cash equivalents 355 2,320 1,593 ------------ ------------- ------------- Total current assets 4,561 4,802 5,312 ------------ ------------- ------------- Assets of businesses held for sale 1,017 - 1,968 ------------ ------------- ------------- Total assets 34,577 27,185 28,389 ------------ ------------- ------------- Current liabilities Bank overdrafts (16) (11) (6) Borrowings (2,802) (1,479) (1,025) Derivative financial liabilities (59) (328) (235) Trade and other payables (2,225) (1,709) (1,852) Current tax liabilities (166) (303) (75) Provisions (164) (202) (167) ------------ ------------- -------------- Total current liabilities (5,432) (4,032) (3,360) ------------ -------------- -------------- Non-current liabilities Borrowings (16,242) (13,415) (14,686) Derivative financial liabilities (246) (177) (184) Other non-current liabilities (1,679) (1,630) (1,475) Deferred tax liabilities (3,086) (2,042) (2,389) Pensions and other post-retirement benefit obligations (1,537) (2,076) (1,282) Provisions (746) (511) (427) --------------- --------------- --------------- Total non-current liabilities (23,536) (19,851) (20,443) --------------- --------------- --------------- Liabilities of businesses held for sale (36) - (450) --------------- --------------- --------------- Total liabilities (29,004) (23,883) (24,253) --------------- --------------- --------------- Net assets 5,573 3,302 4,136 =========== =========== =========== Equity Called up share capital 298 310 308 Share premium account 1,371 1,324 1,332 Retained earnings 9,156 6,753 7,635 Other reserves (5,270) (5,097) (5,150) --------------- --------------- --------------- Total parent company shareholders' equity 5,555 3,290 4,125 Minority interests 18 12 11 --------------- --------------- --------------- Total equity 10 5,573 3,302 4,136 =========== =========== =========== Net debt (net of related derivative financial instruments) included above 12 16,311 11,650 11,788 --------------- --------------- --------------- CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE 2007 2006 Year ended for the six months ended 31 March 30 September 2007 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Exchange adjustments (73) (130) (179) Actuarial gains/(losses) 561 (350) 365 Net (losses)/gains taken to equity in respect of cash flow hedges (33) 3 47 Transferred to profit or loss on cash flow hedges (4) (10) (45) Net gains/(losses) taken to equity on available-for- sale investments 2 (3) (3) Transferred to profit or loss on sale of available-for- sale investments - (1) (1) Tax on items taken directly to or transferred from equity (175) 118 (81) --------------- --------------- --------------- Net income/(expense) recognised directly in equity 278 (373) 103 Profit for the period 2,398 596 1,396 --------------- --------------- --------------- Total recognised income and expense for the period 2,676 223 1,499 =========== =========== =========== Attributable to: - Equity shareholders of the parent 2,675 222 1,498 - Minority interests 1 1 1 --------------- --------------- --------------- 2,676 223 1,499 =========== =========== =========== CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 31 March for the six 2007 2006 * Year ended months ended 30 September 2007 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Cash flows from operating activities Total operating profit 1,187 1,110 2,513 Adjustments for: Exceptional items and remeasurements 42 (32) (59) Depreciation and amortisation 461 424 871 Share-based payment charge 9 7 15 Changes in working capital and provisions (182) (62) (39) Changes in pensions and other post-retirement benefit obligations (195) (98) (125) Cash flows relating to exceptional items (66) (36) (86) --------------- --------------- --------------- Cash flows generated from continuing operations 1,256 1,313 3,090 Cash flows relating to discontinued operations 11 69 181 --------------- --------------- --------------- Cash generated from operations 1,267 1,382 3,271 Tax paid - continuing operations (136) (198) (310) Tax paid - discontinued operations - - (3) --------------- --------------- --------------- Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,131 1,184 2,958 --------------- --------------- --------------- Cash flows from investing activities Acquisition of subsidiaries (net of cash acquired) and other investments (3,513) (269) (269) Sale of investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and other investments 18 - 19 Purchases of intangible assets (20) (5) (33) Purchases of property, plant and equipment (1,369) (1,156) (2,185) Disposals of property, plant and equipment 13 6 21 Net movements in financial investments 278 (432) (1,725) --------------- --------------- --------------- Cash flows used in continuing operations - investing activities (4,593) (1,856) (4,172) Cash flows relating to discontinued operations - disposal proceeds 3,065 42 27 - other investing activities and acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired (2) (23) (132) --------------- --------------- --------------- Net cash flow used in investing activities (1,530) (1,837) (4,277) -------------- --------------- --------------- Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from issue of ordinary share capital 13 8 16 Increase in borrowings and related derivatives 647 2,238 3,019 Net interest paid (249) (291) (597) Exceptional finance costs on the repayment of debt - - (45) Dividends paid to shareholders (480) (433) (730) Repurchase of share capital and purchase of treasury shares (796) - (169) --------------- --------------- --------------- Net cash flow (used in)/from financing activities (865) 1,522 1,494 --------------- --------------- --------------- Net movement in cash and cash equivalents (1,264) 869 175 Exchange movements (7) (9) (14) Amounts related to businesses held for sale 23 - (23) Net cash and cash equivalents at start of period (i) 1,587 1,449 1,449 --------------- --------------- --------------- Net cash and cash equivalents at end of period (i) 339 2,309 1,587 ============ =========== =========== * Comparatives have been adjusted to reclassify amounts relating to discontinued operations. i) Net of bank overdrafts. NOTES TO THE 2007/08 HALF YEAR FINANCIAL INFORMATION 1. Basis of preparation The half year financial information covers the six month period ended 30 September 2007 and has been prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') as adopted by the European Union, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority. It is unaudited but has been reviewed by the auditors and their report is attached to this document. The half year financial information does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. It should be read in conjunction with the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2007, which were prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union and have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on these statutory accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. Accounting policies This half year financial information has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies applicable for the year ending 31 March 2008. These accounting policies are consistent with those that applied in the preparation of our accounts for the year ended 31 March 2007, except as set out below: a) Following the acquisition of KeySpan, our activities now include electricity generation and our accounting policies have been expanded to cover these activities. The primary change is to include an accounting policy for revenue from electricity generation, which represents the sales value of energy and related services supplied to customers. b) Interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee ('IFRIC') that have been adopted during the period, are as follows: -- â€¢ IFRIC 8 Scope of IFRS 2 'Share-Based Payment' -- â€¢ IFRIC 9 Reassessment of embedded derivatives -- â€¢ IFRIC 10 Interim financial reporting and impairments -- â€¢ IFRIC 11 Group and treasury share transactions The adoption of these interpretations had no significant impact on the financial results or position of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings for the six months ended 30 September 2007 or for previous periods. The following standards, amendments and interpretations have been issued by the International Accounting Standards Board or by the IFRIC, but have not yet been adopted. Subject to endorsement by the European Union, we expect to adopt them in future periods. -- â€¢ IFRS 8 Operating segments -- â€¢ Amendment to IAS 23 Borrowing costs -- â€¢ Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of financial statements -- â€¢ IFRIC 12 Service concession arrangements -- â€¢ IFRIC 13 Customer loyalty programmes -- â€¢ IFRIC 14 Defined benefit assets and minimum funding requirements Changes in comparative presentation as a consequence of discontinued operations During the second half of the year ended 31 March 2007 our then wireless infrastructure operations in the UK and the US and the Basslink Interconnector in Australia met the necessary criteria to be classified as businesses held for sale and as discontinued operations. As a consequence, the comparative income statement for the six months ended 30 September 2006 has been amended to reflect the classification of these operations as discontinued. Date of approval This announcement was approved by the Board of Directors on 14 November 2007. 2. Segmental analysis Segmental information is presented in accordance with the management responsibilities and economic characteristics, including consideration of risks and returns, of business activities. The Company assesses the performance of its businesses principally on the basis of operating profit before exceptional items and remeasurements. The primary reporting format is by business and the secondary reporting format is by geographical area. The following table describes the main activities for each business segment: Transmission - UK High voltage electricity transmission networks, the gas transmission network in the UK, UK liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage activities and the French electricity interconnector Transmission - US High voltage electricity transmission networks in New York and New England Gas Distribution - Four of the eight regional networks UK of Great Britain's gas distribution system Gas Distribution - Gas distribution in New York and US New England Electricity Electricity distribution in New Distribution and York and New England and Generation - US electricity generation in New York US stranded cost The recovery of stranded costs from recoveries US electricity distribution customers as permitted by regulatory agreements ----------------------------------- Other activities primarily relate to non-regulated businesses and other commercial operations not included within the above segments, including UK-based gas metering activities; UK property management; a UK LNG import terminal; a British-Netherlands electricity interconnector under construction; other LNG operations; unregulated transmission pipelines; engineering and home services; together with corporate activities, including business development. Discontinued operations comprise wireless infrastructure and communications operations in the UK and the US, an electricity interconnector in Australia, and merchant electricity generation operations in New York City. The wireless infrastructure operations in the UK were sold on 3 April 2007; the US wireless operations were sold on 15 August 2007; and the Basslink electricity interconnector in Australia was sold on 31 August 2007. Results of discontinued operations are disclosed in note 6. Our segments are unchanged from those reported in the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2007, except for our US Electricity Distribution segment, which as a consequence of the acquisition of KeySpan on 24 August 2007 has been expanded to incorporate the operations of KeySpan's generation business and is now reported as 'Electricity Distribution and Generation - US'. The comparative segment results for the six month period ended 30 September 2006 have been amended to reflect changes to reportable segments that were made in the second half of the year ended 31 March 2007 resulting from a new organisational and management structure. The main changes were the elimination of the wireless infrastructure segment and the division of our former US electricity and gas distribution segment in two separate segments. Sales between businesses are priced having regard to the regulatory and legal requirements to which the businesses are subject. a) Revenue Six months ended 30 September 2007 2006* Year ended 31 March 2007 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Business segments - continuing operations Transmission - UK 1,392 1,323 2,816 Transmission - US 153 151 270 Gas Distribution - UK 547 447 1,193 Gas Distribution - US 302 157 638 Electricity Distribution and Generation - US 1,446 1,530 3,004 US stranded cost recoveries 195 205 426 Other activities 330 292 567 Sales between (105) (123) (219) businesses --------------- --------------- --------------- Revenue 4,260 3,982 8,695 =========== =========== =========== Total excluding US stranded cost recoveries 4,065 3,777 8,269 US stranded cost recoveries 195 205 426 --------------- --------------- --------------- 4,260 3,982 8,695 =========== =========== =========== Geographical segments UK 2,182 1,962 4,397 US 2,078 2,020 4,298 --------------- --------------- --------------- Revenue 4,260 3,982 8,695 =========== =========== =========== * Comparatives have been adjusted to reclassify amounts relating to discontinued operations. b) Operating profit - before exceptional items and remeasurements Six months ended 30 September 2007 2006* Year ended 31 March 2007 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Business segments - continuing operations Transmission - UK 501 427 946 Transmission - US 73 67 108 Gas Distribution - UK 167 71 409 Gas Distribution - US (1) 29 71 Electricity Distribution and Generation - US 196 222 364 US stranded cost recoveries 190 202 423 Other activities 103 60 133 --------------- --------------- --------------- Operating profit before exceptional items and remeasurements 1,229 1,078 2,454 =========== =========== =========== Total excluding US stranded cost recoveries 1,039 876 2,031 US stranded cost recoveries 190 202 423 --------------- --------------- --------------- 1,229 1,078 2,454 =========== =========== =========== Geographical segments UK 773 559 1,491 US 456 519 963 --------------- --------------- --------------- Operating profit before exceptional items and remeasurements 1,229 1,078 2,454 =========== =========== =========== c) Operating profit - after exceptional items and remeasurements Six months ended 30 September 2007 2006* Year ended 31 March 2007 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Business segments - continuing operations Transmission - UK 499 420 936 Transmission - US 67 67 107 Gas Distribution - UK 166 66 412 Gas Distribution - US (20) 27 67 Electricity Distribution and Generation - US 155 221 355 US stranded cost recoveries 209 250 504 Other activities 111 59 132 --------------- --------------- --------------- Operating profit after exceptional items and remeasurements 1,187 1,110 2,513 =========== =========== =========== Total excluding US stranded cost recoveries 978 860 2,009 US stranded cost recoveries 209 250 504 --------------- --------------- --------------- 1,187 1,110 2,513 =========== =========== =========== Geographical segments UK 779 546 1,482 US 408 564 1,031 --------------- --------------- --------------- Operating profit after exceptional items and remeasurements 1,187 1,110 2,513 =========== =========== =========== * Comparatives have been adjusted to reclassify amounts relating to discontinued operations. d) Seasonality The gas distribution segment experiences seasonal fluctuations owing to weather conditions and peak delivery volumes occurring in the third and fourth quarters of the year. In the UK an adjustment to our pricing methodology has increased the capacity delivery component in our pricing and has decreased this seasonal bias. This resulted in an increase in revenue and operating profit in the Gas Distribution - UK segment for the six months ended 30 September 2007 compared with 2006. 3. Exceptional items and remeasurements Exceptional items and remeasurements are items of income and expenditure that, in the judgment of management, should be disclosed separately on the basis that they are material, either by their nature or their size, to an understanding of our financial performance and significantly distort the comparability of financial performance between periods. Items of income or expense that are considered by management for designation as exceptional items include such items as significant restructurings, write-downs or impairments of non-current assets, material changes in environmental or decommissioning provisions, integration of acquired businesses and gains or losses on disposals of businesses or investments. Remeasurements comprise gains or losses recorded in the income statement arising from changes in the fair value of commodity contracts and of derivative financial instruments to the extent that hedge accounting is not achieved or is not effective. Six months ended 30 September 2007 2006 Year ended 31 March 2007 Â£m Â£m Â£m ============ ============ ============ Exceptional items - restructuring costs (i) (79) (16) (22) Exceptional items - gain on disposal of subsidiary (ii) 8 - - Remeasurements - commodity contracts (iii) 29 48 81 Total exceptional items and remeasurements included within operating profit (42) 32 59 Exceptional items - debt restructuring costs (iv) - - (45) Remeasurements - commodity contracts (iii) (6) (12) (19) Remeasurements - net gains/(losses) on derivative financial instruments (v) 18 (66) (153) Total exceptional items and remeasurements included within finance costs 12 (78) (217) --------------- --------------- --------------- Total exceptional items and remeasurements before taxation (30) (46) (158) ============ ============ ============ Exceptional item - deferred tax credit arising from reduction in UK tax rate (vi) 169 - - Tax on exceptional items - restructuring costs (i) 32 5 12 Tax on exceptional items - disposal of subsidiary (ii) (3) - - Tax on exceptional items - debt restructuring costs (iv) - - 14 Tax on remeasurements - commodity contract remeasurements (iii) (10) (14) (25) Tax on remeasurements - derivative financial instruments (v) (17) 58 169 --------------- --------------- --------------- Exceptional tax item and tax on exceptional items and remeasurements 171 49 170 ============ ============ ============ Total exceptional items and remeasurements after taxation 141 3 12 ============ ============ ============ Total exceptional items after taxation 127 (11) (41) Total commodity contract remeasurements after taxation 13 22 37 Total derivative financial instrument remeasurements after taxation 1 (8) 16 --------------- --------------- --------------- Total exceptional items and remeasurements after taxation 141 3 12 ============ ============ ============ i) Restructuring costs relate to planned cost reduction programmes in our UK and US operations, including costs with respect to the integration of our existing operations in the US with those of KeySpan. For the six month period ended 30 September 2007, restructuring costs included pension related costs of Â£77m arising as a result of redundancies (six months ended 30 September 2006: Â£5m; year ended 31 March 2007: Â£10m) ii) The gain on disposal of subsidiary relates to the sale of Advantica. iii) Commodity contract remeasurements represent mark-to-market movements on certain commodity contract obligations, primarily indexed-linked swap contracts, in the US. Under the existing rate plans in the US, commodity costs are fully recovered from customers, although the pattern of recovery may differ from the pattern of costs incurred. These movements are comprised of those impacting operating profit which are based on the change in the commodity contract liability and those impacting finance costs as a result of changing discount rates due to market fluctuations. iv) Debt restructuring costs incurred during the year ended 31 March 2007 represented debt redemption costs arising from a restructuring of our debt portfolio. v) Net gains/(losses) on derivative financial instruments comprise losses and gains arising on derivative financial instruments reported in the income statement. These exclude gains and losses for which hedge accounting has been effective, which have been recognised directly in equity or offset by adjustments to the carrying value of debt. These remeasurements include a loss of Â£3m relating to pre-tax losses on investment related derivative financial instruments that offset on a post-tax basis (six months ended 30 September 2006: Â£76m; year ended 31 March 2007: Â£126m). The tax credit in the year ended 31 March 2007 includes a Â£56m adjustment in respect of prior years. vi) The exceptional tax credit in the period of Â£169m arose from a reduction in the UK corporation tax rate from 30% to 28% included in the Finance Act 2007. This resulted in a reduction in deferred tax liabilities. 4. Finance income and costs Six months ended 30 September 2007 2006 Year ended 31 March 2007 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Interest income on financial instruments 152 104 218 Investment return on pension assets (i) 511 465 926 --------------- --------------- --------------- Interest income and similar income 663 569 1,144 =========== =========== =========== Interest expense on financial instruments (510) (406) (871) Exceptional items - debt restructuring costs - - (45) Interest on pension liabilities (i) (473) (435) (869) Unwinding of discounts on provisions (12) (11) (21) Less: interest capitalised 50 30 70 --------------- --------------- --------------- Interest expense (945) (822) (1,736) Net gains/(losses) on derivative financial instruments and commodity contracts 12 (78) (172) --------------- --------------- --------------- Interest expense and other finance costs (933) (900) (1,908) =========== =========== =========== Net finance costs (270) (331) (764) =========== =========== =========== Comprising: Net finance costs excluding exceptional finance costs and remeasurements (282) (253) (547) Exceptional items and remeasurements (note 3) 12 (78) (217) --------------- --------------- --------------- (270) (331) (764) =========== =========== =========== i) The difference between actual and expected investment return on pension assets and interest on pension liabilities is reported as an actuarial gain or loss within the statement of recognised income and expense. 5. Taxation The tax charge, excluding the exceptional tax item and tax on exceptional items and remeasurements, for the six months ended 30 September 2007, is based on an estimated effective rate for the year ending 31 March 2008 of 32.0% (six months ended 30 September 2006: 32.3%). 6. Discontinued operations Discontinued operations comprise our former wireless infrastructure operations in the UK and US, and the Basslink electricity interconnector in Australia, that were classified as businesses held for sale during the year ended 31 March 2007, together with the merchant electricity generation business in New York City and the communications operations that were acquired with KeySpan on 24 August 2007. The wireless infrastructure businesses in the UK and US were sold on 3 April 2007 and 15 August 2007 respectively, while the Basslink electricity interconnector business was sold on 31 August 2007. We anticipate completing the disposals of the merchant electricity generation business and the KeySpan communications operations within a year from the date of the acquisition. Results of discontinued operations Six months ended 30 September 2007 2006 Year ended 31 March 2007 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Revenue 84 182 383 Operating costs (58) (135) (321) --------------- --------------- --------------- - Operating profit before exceptional items 26 47 117 - Exceptional items (i) - - (55) Total operating profit from discontinued operations 26 47 62 Net finance costs before remeasurement finance income - (2) (2) Remeasurement finance income (ii) 8 - 37 --------------- --------------- --------------- Profit before tax from discontinued operations 34 45 97 Taxation (5) (12) (11) --------------- --------------- --------------- Profit after tax from discontinued operations 29 33 86 --------------- --------------- --------------- Gain on disposal of Basslink 80 - - Gains on disposals of UK and US wireless infrastructure operations 1,507 - - --------------- --------------- --------------- Gain on disposal of discontinued operations before tax 1,587 - - Taxation (3) - - --------------- --------------- --------------- Gain on disposal of discontinued operations 1,584 - - --------------- --------------- --------------- Total profit for the year from discontinued operations - Before exceptional items and remeasurements 21 33 104 - Exceptional items and remeasurements 1,592 - (18) =========== =========== =========== 1,613 33 86 =========== =========== =========== i) The operating exceptional item for the year ended 31 March 2007 related to an impairment of goodwill relating to US wireless infrastructure operations. ii) Remeasurement finance income for the six months ended 30 September 2007 comprised Â£8m of mark-to-market gains on financial instruments (31 March 2007: Â£13m) and for the year ended 31 March 2007 an additional Â£24m relating to the recognition of gains on the termination of a hedging arrangement. 7. Earnings per share a) Basic earnings per share Six months ended 30 September Year ended Year ended 31 March 31 March 2007 2007 2006 2006 2007 2007 Earnings Earnings Earnings Earnings per share Earnings per share Earnings per share Â£m pence Â£m pence Â£m pence ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Adjusted - continuing operations 642 24.1 558 20.5 1,296 47.7 Exceptional items after taxation 127 4.8 (11) (0.4) (41) (1.5) Commodity contract remeasurements after taxation 13 0.5 22 0.8 37 1.3 Derivative remeasurements after taxation 1 - (8) (0.3) 16 0.6 --------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ---------- -------- Continuing operations 783 29.4 561 20.6 1,308 48.1 ========= ========= ========== ========== ========== ======== Adjusted - discontinued operations 21 0.8 33 1.2 104 3.8 Gains on disposal of operations after taxation 1,584 59.5 - - - - Other exceptional items after taxation 8 0.3 - - (18) (0.6) ---------- --------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -------- Discontinued operations 1,613 60.6 33 1.2 86 3.2 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========= Basic 2,396 90.0 594 21.8 1,394 51.3 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========= millions millions millions ========== ========== ========= Weighted average number of shares - basic 2,663 2,721 2,719 ========== ========== ========== b) Diluted earnings per share Six months ended 30 September Year ended Year ended 31 March 31 March 2007 2007 2006 2006 2007 2007 Earnings Earnings Earnings Earnings per share Earnings per share Earnings per share Â£m pence Â£m pence Â£m pence ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Adjusted diluted - continuing operations 642 24.0 558 20.4 1,296 47.4 Exceptional items after taxation 127 4.7 (11) (0.4) (41) (1.5) Commodity contract remeasurements after taxation 13 0.5 22 0.8 37 1.3 Derivative remeasurements after taxation 1 - (8) (0.3) 16 0.6 --------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ---------- -------- Diluted - continuing operations 783 29.2 561 20.5 1,308 47.8 ========= ========= ========== ========== ========== ======== Adjusted diluted - discontinued operations 21 0.8 33 1.2 104 3.8 Gains on disposal of operations after taxation 1,584 59.1 - - - - Other exceptional items after taxation 8 0.3 - - (18) (0.7) ---------- --------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -------- Diluted - discontinued operations 1,613 60.2 33 1.2 86 3.1 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========= Diluted 2,396 89.4 594 21.7 1,394 50.9 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========= millions millions millions ========== ========== ========= Weighted average number of shares - diluted 2,697 2,735 2,737 ========== ========== ========== 8. Dividends The following table shows the dividends paid to equity shareholders: Six months ended 30 September Year ended Year ended 31 March 31 March 2007 2007 2006 2006 2007 2007 pence per pence per pence per ordinary ordinary ordinary share Â£m share Â£m share Â£m ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Ordinary dividends Final dividend for the year - - 15.9 433 15.9 433 ended 31 March 2006 Interim dividend for the year - - - - 10.9 297 ended 31 March 2007 Final dividend for the year 17.8 480 - - - - ended 31 March 2007 -------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- 17.8 480 15.9 433 26.8 730 ======== ========== ========== ========== ========= ========== The Directors have approved an interim dividend of 11.7p per share that will absorb Â£299m of shareholders' equity to be paid in respect of the period ended 30 September 2007. 9. Acquisitions On 24 August 2007, the acquisition of KeySpan Corporation ('KeySpan') was completed, with 100% of the shares acquired for total consideration of Â£3.8bn, including acquisition costs of Â£31m. The provisional amount of goodwill that arose on the acquisition was Â£2.4bn, however this is subject to change as the exercise of establishing fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired is not final at this stage. Provisional goodwill principally relates to the market and regulatory position and retail customer relationships of the acquired operations, the opportunity to make future capital investment, expected synergies and opportunities for further cost improvements in the future, to the assembled workforce and to the potential for future growth. The majority of the acquired operations relate to gas distribution and electricity distribution and generation activities and so are presented within the 'Gas Distribution - US' and 'Electricity Distribution and Generation - US' segments. Certain acquired activities, principally the Ravenswood merchant electricity generation business in New York City and KeySpan's communications operations are disclosed as discontinued operations in the income statement as we plan and expect to dispose of these activities within one year of the acquisition date. IFRS Provisional book value at fair value acquisition Â£m Â£m =========== =========== Intangible 44 159 assets Property, plant 3,166 3,160 and equipment Inventories 353 353 Trade and other 998 998 receivables Financial and 34 34 other investments Cash and cash 260 260 equivalents Financial and 129 129 other investments Assets of 440 1,031 businesses held for sale Borrowings - (317) (317) current Trade and other (745) (745) payables Borrowings - (2,057) (2,138) non-current Other (165) (165) non-current liabilities Deferred tax (309) (554) liabilities Pensions and other (438) (440) post-retirement benefit obligations Provisions (340) (340) Liabilities of businesses held (37) (37) for sale Minority (8) (8) interest --------------- --------------- Net assets 1,008 1,380 acquired Goodwill arising 2,388 on acquisition --------------- Total 3,768 consideration =========== As the acquisition occurred close to the end of the half year period the fair values and goodwill presented are provisional. Specifically the fair value assessment of intangible assets; property, plant and equipment; trade and other receivables; financial and other investments; deferred tax liabilities; current liabilities; borrowings; pension obligations; and provisions and contingent liabilities is ongoing and subject to adjustment. In addition, the carrying value of businesses held for sale is based on the anticipated outcome of the sales process and will be updated on completion. An update on the fair values assigned to assets and liabilities acquired and the consequential impact on the amount of goodwill recorded will be reflected in the financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2008. The KeySpan acquired activities contributed revenue of Â£162m to our continuing operations; incurred a loss from continuing operations after taxation of Â£31m; and reported an adjusted loss (before exceptional items and remeasurements) from continuing operations after taxation of Â£14m for the period from 24 August to 30 September 2007. The reported loss for the period was principally due to the seasonality of the gas distribution business. Exceptionals and remeasurements included pre-tax costs of Â£39m relating to voluntary early retirement and other integration costs. Pro forma half-year information The following summary presents the consolidated results as if KeySpan had been acquired on 1 April 2007. The pro forma amounts include the results of KeySpan for the period 1 April to 30 September 2007 as adjusted for the estimated effect of accounting policies adopted by National Grid and the impact of provisional fair value accounting adjustments (e.g. amortisation of intangible assets) together with the recognition of the impact on pro forma net interest expense as a result of the acquisition. All of the pre-tax pro forma adjustments have been taxed (where appropriate) at the rate of tax pertaining to the jurisdiction in which the pro forma adjustment arose. The pro forma information is provided for comparative purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the actual results that would have occurred, nor is it necessarily indicative of future results of operations of the combined companies. 2007 Â£m =========== Revenue 5,399 Profit for the period 2,347 ========== 10. Reconciliation of movements in total equity Six months ended 30 September 2007 2006 Year ended 31 March 2007 Â£m Â£m Â£m ========== ========== ========== Opening total 4,136 3,493 3,493 equity Changes in total equity for the period Net income recognised directly in equity 278 (373) 103 Profit for the 2,398 596 1,396 period Equity (480) (433) (730) dividends Issue of ordinary 13 8 16 share capital B shares converted to 27 - - ordinary shares Repurchase of share capital and purchase of (808) - (169) treasury shares (i) Other movements in minority 6 (1) (1) interests Share-based payment 9 7 15 Tax on share-based payment (6) 5 13 --------------- --------------- --------------- Closing total 5,573 3,302 4,136 equity =========== ========== ========== (i) From 18 May to 28 September 2007, the Company repurchased under its share buy-back programme 110.6 million ordinary shares for aggregate consideration of Â£808m including transaction costs. The shares repurchased have a nominal value of 11 17/43 pence each and represented 4% of the ordinary shares in issue as at 30 September 2007. Included within total equity is a deduction of Â£102m for treasury shares (31 March 2007 and 30 September 2006: Â£nil). 11. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt Six months ended 30 September 2007 2006 Year ended 31 March 2007 Â£m Â£m Â£m ========== ========== ========== Movement in cash and cash (1,264) 869 175 equivalents (Decrease)/ increase in financial (278) 432 1,725 investments Increase in borrowings and related derivatives (647) (2,238) (3,019) (i) Net interest paid 249 291 597 --------------- --------------- --------------- Change in net debt resulting (1,940) (646) (522) from cash flows Changes in fair value of financial assets and liabilities and exchange 209 194 331 movements Net interest charge (358) (304) (655) Acquisition of subsidiary (2,421) - (48) undertaking Amounts related to businesses held for 17 - (42) sale Other non-cash (30) (44) (2) movements --------------- --------------- --------------- Movement in net debt (net of related derivative financial instruments) (4,523) (800) (938) in the period Net debt at start of period (11,788) (10,850) (10,850) --------------- --------------- --------------- Net debt (net of related derivative financial instruments) at end of (16,311) (11,650) (11,788) period =========== =========== =========== i) The increase in borrowings and related derivatives for the six months ended 30 September 2007 comprises proceeds from loans received of Â£0.7bn less payments to repay loans of Â£0.1bn. 12. Net debt At 30 September 2007 2006 31 March 2007 Â£m Â£m Â£m ========== ========== ========== Cash and cash 355 2,320 1,593 equivalents Bank (16) (11) (6) overdrafts --------------- --------------- --------------- Net cash and cash equivalents 339 2,309 1,587 Financial investments 1,849 806 2,098 Borrowings (19,044) (14,894) (15,711) --------------- --------------- --------------- (16,856) (11,779) (12,026) Net debt related derivative financial assets 850 634 657 Net debt related derivative financial liabilities (305) (505) (419) --------------- --------------- --------------- Net debt (net of related derivative financial (16,311) (11,650) (11,788) instruments) =========== =========== =========== 13. Commitments and contingencies At 30 September 2007 2006 31 March 2007 Â£m Â£m Â£m ========== ========== ========== Future capital expenditure 1,160 1,343 1,554 contracted for but not provided Commitments under 758 800 800 non-cancellable operating leases Obligations to purchase energy 4,986 4,768 3,731 under long-term contracts (i) Guarantees (ii) 583 188 229 Other commitments and 333 205 308 contingencies (iii) =========== =========== =========== i) In addition, power commitments under commodity contracts recorded at fair value and incorporated in trade and other payables and other non-current liabilities were Â£94m (31 March 2007: Â£389m). ii) Details of the guarantees entered into by the Company or its subsidiary undertakings at 30 September 2007 are shown below: a) a letter of support of obligations under a shareholders' agreement relating to the interconnector project between Britain and the Netherlands amounting to approximately Â£199m. This expires in 2010; b) guarantees of certain obligations in respect of the UK Grain LNG Import Terminal amounting to Â£107m. These run for varying lengths of time, expiring between 2019 and 2028; c) a guarantee amounting to approximately Â£92m of half of the obligations of the interconnector project between Britain and the Netherlands. This expires in 2010; d) a guarantee of Â£50m in respect of liabilities under a meter operating contract that runs until May 2008; e) an uncapped guarantee, for which the maximum liability is estimated at Â£40m, to The Crown Estates in support of the transfer of the interconnector between France and England to National Grid Interconnectors Limited as part of the Licence to Assign Lease. This is ongoing; f) letters of credit in support of gas balancing obligations amounting to Â£25m, lasting for less than one year; g) guarantees of Â£20m relating to certain property obligations. The bulk of these expire by December 2025; h) indemnities estimated to be up to a maximum of Â£14m given to the trustees of a defined contribution pension scheme. These are open ended; i) guarantees in respect of a former associate amounting to Â£14m, the bulk of which relates to its obligations to supply telecommunications services. These are open-ended; and j) other guarantees amounting to Â£22m arising in the normal course of business and entered into on normal commercial terms. These guarantees run for varying lengths of time. iii) Includes commitments largely relating to gas purchasing of Â£285m (31 March 2007: Â£180m). The Company has entered into an agreement with a stockbroker to repurchase the Company's shares, which is cancellable at any time other than during a close period. The Company entered a close period on 1 October 2007, at which point authority existed for the repurchase of shares up to a maximum value of Â£0.85bn. The close period ends following the half year results announcement on 15 November 2007. During the period between 1 October and 15 November 2007 share repurchases amounted to Â£0.2bn. 14. Exchange rates The consolidated results are affected by the exchange rates used to translate the results of its US operations and US dollar transactions. The US dollar to sterling exchange rates used were: 30 September 2007 2006 31 March 2007 ========== ========== ========== Closing 2.05 1.88 1.97 rate applied at period end Average 2.02 1.86 1.91 rate applied for the period =========== =========== =========== 15. Related party transactions There were no significant changes in the nature and size of related party transactions for the period to those disclosed in the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2007. 16. Differences between IFRS and US generally accepted accounting principles ('US GAAP') Summarised financial statements on a US GAAP basis and an explanation of the differences between IFRS and US GAAP as applied in preparing the consolidated accounts are set out in the Annual Report and Accounts. Details of the principal differences between IFRS and US GAAP are shown below. a) Reconciliation of profit from IFRS to US GAAP The following is a summary of the material adjustments to net income that would have been required if US GAAP had been applied instead of IFRS: Six months ended 30 September 2007 2006 Year ended 31 March 2007 Â£m Â£m Â£m =========== =========== =========== Profit for the period 2,396 594 1,394 attributable to equity shareholders under IFRS ----------- ----------- ----------- Adjustments to conform with US GAAP Purchase (60) (57) (124) accounting US regulatory (241) (266) (474) accounting Pensions and other (33) (39) (94) post-retirement benefits Financial 71 124 160 instruments Severance costs and onerous 62 3 2 lease costs Revenue 34 14 5 recognition Discounting of 8 (8) 3 provisions Sale and (12) - (19) leaseback Current tax - - 15 Deferred 124 138 295 taxation Other (16) (1) (17) ----------- ----------- ----------- (63) (92) (248) ----------- ----------- ----------- Net income 2,333 502 1,146 under US GAAP =========== =========== =========== Basic earnings 87.6p 18.5p 42.2p per share - US GAAP Diluted 87.1p 18.4p 41.9p earnings per share - US GAAP =========== =========== =========== b) Reconciliation of shareholders' equity from IFRS to US GAAP The following is a summary of the material adjustments to shareholders' equity that would have been required if US GAAP had been applied instead of IFRS: At 30 September 2007 2006 31 March 2007 Â£m Â£m Â£m ========== ========== ========== Total 5,555 3,290 4,125 shareholders' equity under IFRS ---------- ---------- ---------- Adjustments to conform with US GAAP Purchase accounting - 1,978 2,105 2,038 property, plant and equipment Purchase 2,330 2,652 2,648 accounting - goodwill US regulatory 2,502 2,291 2,209 accounting Pensions and other 11 1,103 - post-retirement benefits Financial (5) 94 10 instruments Revenue (3) (28) (37) recognition Intangible - 28 26 assets Provisions (228) (158) (142) Non-reversal of (22) (37) (23) impairments Sale and (31) - (19) leaseback Severance 64 4 4 provisions Current tax and interest on tax (53) - - provisions Deferred (1,520) (1,955) (1,477) taxation Other (30) (11) (32) ---------- ---------- ---------- 4,993 6,088 5,205 ---------- ---------- ---------- Shareholders' 10,548 9,378 9,330 equity under US GAAP ========== ========== ========== c) Accounting policies under US GAAP and new US accounting standards and interpretations The accounting policies under US GAAP applied are those applicable for the year ending 31 March 2008. They are consistent with those that were applied in the preparation of the US GAAP financial information for the year ended 31 March 2007, as amended to reflect any new standards or interpretations applicable in the period. With the exception of Financial Interpretation Number 48 ('FIN 48') on tax provisioning, there was no impact on the reported US GAAP financial information. The adoption of FIN 48 on 1 April 2007 resulted in a reduction to shareholders' equity of Â£21m. Further information on new US accounting standards and interpretations applicable to this financial year will be included in the financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2008. Statement of Directors' Responsibilities The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Directors. The Directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority. The Disclosure and Transparency Rules require that the accounting policies and presentation applied to the half-yearly figures must be consistent with those applied in the latest published annual accounts except where the accounting policies and presentation are to be changed in the subsequent annual financial statements, in which case the new accounting policies and presentation should be followed, and the changes and the reasons for the changes should be disclosed in the half-yearly financial report, or the United Kingdom Financial Services Authority otherwise agrees. The Directors confirm that this condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the European Union, and that the interim management report herein includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7 and DTR 4.2.8. The Directors of National Grid plc are listed in the National Grid plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2007, with the exception of the following changes that took place during the six months ended 30 September 2007: Paul Joskow - retired from the Board on 31 July 2007 Tom King - appointed to the Board on 13 August 2007 Robert Catell - appointed to the Board on 25 September 2007 By order of the Board Steve Holliday Steve Lucas 14 November 2007 14 November 2007 Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer Independent review report to National Grid plc Introduction We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2007, which comprises the consolidated income statement, balance sheet, statement of recognised income and expense, cash flow statement and related notes. We have read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements. Directors' responsibilities The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority. As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the group are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted by the European Union. Our responsibility Our responsibility is to express to the company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our review. This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and only for the company for the purpose of the Disclosure and Transparency 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. Scope of review We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion. Conclusion Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2007 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Chartered Accountants London 14 November 2007 -------------------------- This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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