Interim Results

RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC 18 August 1999 INTERIM STATEMENT - SIX MONTHS TO 30TH JUNE 1999 Half year Turnover increased by 2.5% to £1,474 million results Profits increased by 10.2% to £253 million Earnings per share increased by 10.5% to 6.22p Dividend increased by 12.2% to 1.20p These results, with a profits growth of 10.2% and earnings per share up 10.5%, were in line with the forecast made at the Annual General Meeting in May. At constant exchange rates, turnover would have increased by 1.9%, profits by 10.7% and earnings per share by 11.0%. Turnover growth was good in many businesses, particularly in such higher margin businesses as European textile services and healthcare, European security and UK education and training. However, overall turnover growth was held back by contract losses in some specific low margin activities, resulting in a profit decline in these businesses. Reductions in turnover and profit were therefore seen in UK catering, UK hospital services, UK management services and UK cleaning as well as in US personnel. In Asia, turnover and profit are still down on a year on year basis because of the low business base in comparison with the start of the previous year. Overall the turnover of these businesses reduced by 11.6% and profit by 24.6%. Excluding these low margin activities and the Asian businesses, turnover would have risen by 5.6% and profits by 15.9% (at constant exchange rates). Trading - By geographic area * United Kingdom turnover was down 2.3% to £659m which would have been up by 1.2% excluding the above UK low margin activities. Margins also improved to give profits of £135m, up by 5.1% which would have been an increase of 9.5% excluding the above UK low margin activities. There was strong growth in textile services and healthcare, as well as in education and training and personnel services. There was good growth in security and in distribution with continuing growth in our parcels delivery business; pest control was disappointing although net contract additions improved. * Europe showed an excellent turnover growth of 15.7% at actual exchange rates to £365m, which would have been up 12.7% at constant rates. Margins also improved to give a 29.0% increase in profits to £67.4m (an increase of 25.9% at constant rates). Particularly strong growth was seen in textile services and healthcare as well as in tropical plants and pest control with good growth in security and distribution. * North America showed an increase in turnover of 1.6% at actual rates to £380m (which would have been a fall of 0.4% at constant rates). The turnover would have increased by 3.7% without the reduction in turnover in the low margin US personnel services. Profits were down by 6.6% at actual rates to £33.4m reflecting the poor performance of US personnel services and US distribution. There was good growth in plant services with profits held back by a regional strike and in tropical plants investment held back profits. * Asia Pacific and Africa showed an increase in turnover of 5.8% (at constant rates) which was adversely impacted by exchange rates to give a reduction of 5.2% in sterling terms. Margins were held to give a reduction in profits of 5.4% at actual rates to £22.7m, which would have been an increase of 6.7% at constant rates. These results continue to be held back by Asia where, although the economies generally started to show improvement, turnover and profits were still below last year as a result of the sharp reduction in the business base over the last year. Without Asia, this region would have shown an increase in turnover of 12.6% (at constant rates) and an increase of 13.9% in profits reflecting good performance in Africa with sound development in Australia and a good performance in Japan. - By business stream * Hygiene Services showed a good increase in turnover of 6.8% to £468m, which would have been an increase of 5.5% at constant rates and an increase of 9.6% excluding the turnover reduction in the low margin UK cleaning activities and in Asia. Margins also improved and profit grew by 13.8% at actual rates to £111m which would have been a 13.2% increase at constant rates and a 20.0% increase excluding UK cleaning and Asia. Good growth was produced in textile services and healthcare, particularly in Europe. * Personnel Services turnover fell by 4.0% at actual rates to £161m which would have been a fall of 5.3% at constant rates. However this fall was a result of the large fall in the US personnel business and, excluding this, turnover would have grown by 6.5%. Margins improved well and profits grew by 6.1% (5.5% at constant rates) to £17.6m, which were reduced by the poor performance in the US business, with UK education and training and UK personnel both producing excellent growth. * Pest Control Services showed turnover increasing by 2.6% at actual rates to £94.1m and 2.0% at constant rates with profits falling by 0.8% to £32.9m (a 1.1% fall at constant rates). This was a result of a flat performance in the UK and the reduction in Asia but there was good growth in Europe. * Property Services turnover fell by 12.2% at actual rates to £144m (which was a 12.4% fall at constant rates) but margins were improved to give profits of £22.1m, a reduction of 2.6% at actual rates (3.0% at constant rates). This sector was impacted by the loss of low margin business in UK catering and UK management services and, without these activities (and at constant rates), the fall in turnover would have been 4.7% but profits would have grown by 3.6%. There was sound progress in tropical plants with good growth in Europe offsetting investment in the US business. * Security Services produced a 7.7% growth in turnover at actual rates to £223m (up 6.6% at constant rates) with a sound growth of 7.9% in profits to £22.9m (up 7.4% at constant rates). UK, Europe and North America are primary areas for further development. * Transport Services turnover grew by 3.9% (up 4.5% at constant rates) to £384m and profits grew by 5.7% to £52.6m (up 9.0% at constant rates). UK parcels showed continuing growth and there was also good growth in other distribution activities in the UK, Europe and Asia Pacific but results in US distribution were very disappointing. USA plant services turnover growth was good although profits were held back by a regional strike. Cash flow Cash flow in the half year was £134m (after capital investment but before acquisitions, dividends and purchase of own shares) which was down on the exceptional £153m in last year's first half but ahead of the £99m cash flow in the first half of 1997. Year 2000 - IT Our programme to ensure that our IT software and hardware will function through the year end 1999 into the year 2000 is now almost totally complete and all testing should be completed during the third quarter. We believe that all critical systems are or will be fully compliant. Acquisitions During the first half of 1999 we spent £5.8m on acquisitions (including deferred payments) and to date in 1999 we have spent £12.6m on twelve acquisitions. These acquisitions included our entry into pest control in Taiwan and bolt on acquisitions to our security alarm businesses in France and UK and to our tropical plants businesses in Australia, France and Denmark as well as to the manned guarding business in USA. Dividend An interim net dividend of 1.20p per share (1998: 1.07p) will be paid on 5th November 1999 to shareholders on the register on 1st October 1999. Objective Given lower levels of inflation and growth, our 20% objective has now been reviewed and whilst such increases may be achieved in the future, the company has revised its objective:- 'To substantially outperform the support services sector (as measured by total shareholder return) over the next five years - through a constant focus on our core activities and a continual drive to improve the quality of service delivery, the quality of technical leadership, the quality of culture, the quality of management and the quality of earnings.' Strategy We have also reviewed and revised our strategy to achieve this objective:- 'To develop a global business services company with a focused range of high growth and high quality services which ideally should be cash generative and in non-cyclical markets. These are marketed in the major developed economies of the world, using the combined strength of the 'Rentokil' and 'Initial' brands.' Our core activities are: - Hygiene - Healthcare and Textile Services, Cleaning - Personnel - Education and Training - Pest Control - Property Services - Tropical Plants - Security - Electronic Security and Manned Guarding - Transport - Parcels Delivery These will be our focus both for organic and acquisition growth. In implementing this strategy, we are adopting a more flexible approach to the pricing of large contract/low margin business in specific activities in order to reduce the adverse impact which has been experienced in 1999. In spite of our continual evaluation of acquisition opportunities, cash flow continues to exceed the investment into new acquisitions. Now that we have improved the returns and values of some of our non-core activities we are reviewing the opportunity to produce value for shareholders from their disposal. We are also reviewing the strategy and timing of returning cash to shareholders. In order to improve organic growth we are focussing on the opportunities of our extensive customer base. In the UK alone Rentokil Initial has over 400,000 client addresses and on average our clients purchase fewer than two services. The client lists of individual businesses in the UK have been merged to provide a databank which provides a marketing opportunity to offer further services to existing clients. Early trials have indicated that this represents a significant opportunity to increase sales of new contracts. Prospects for Continued growth in the higher margin businesses will 1999 and 2000 continue to improve overall turnover, margins and profits but, in 1999, this growth will still be held back by the low margin activities. Our businesses in South East Asia are expected to improve from a much reduced base as the economies recover. The databank marketing programme will be launched in the UK in October 1999 and trials in European countries will follow during the first half of 2000 with launches in the major European countries during the second half of 2000. Sales should show a significant benefit from this programme in 2000. The Board expects growth in profit and earnings for the full year to be in line with that in the half year. We expect the results for 2000 and beyond to be positively impacted by the revised strategy. Issued for Rentokil Initial plc, Felcourt, East Grinstead, West Sussex Press Sir Clive Thompson, Chief Executive ) (01342) 833022 enquiries C T Pearce, Finance Director ) GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 December 1998 £m £m £m TURNOVER United Kingdom 659.1 674.9 1,348.2 Continental Europe 365.4 315.9 659.6 North America 380.3 374.3 754.8 Asia Pacific and Africa 69.4 73.2 136.7 1,474.2 1,438.3 2,899.3 PROFIT BEFORE TAX United Kingdom 135.4 128.8 266.4 Continental Europe 67.4 52.3 113.3 North America 33.4 35.8 86.6 Asia Pacific and Africa 22.7 23.9 43.1 Net Interest (5.9) (11.3) (18.8) 253.0 229.5 490.6 BUSINESS ANALYSIS 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 December 1998 £m £m £m TURNOVER Hygiene Services 468.0 438.1 887.6 Personnel Services 161.1 167.8 337.0 Pest Control Services 94.1 91.6 186.8 Property Services 143.6 163.6 315.7 Security Services 223.4 207.5 426.9 Transport Services 384.0 369.7 745.3 1,474.2 1,438.3 2,899.3 PROFIT BEFORE TAX Hygiene Services 110.8 97.4 200.2 Personnel Services 17.6 16.6 38.3 Pest Control Services 32.9 33.1 66.6 Property Services 22.1 22.7 45.0 Security Services 22.9 21.2 47.4 Transport Services 52.6 49.8 111.9 Net Interest (5.9) (11.3) (18.8) 253.0 229.5 490.6 CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 December 1998 £m £m £m Turnover (including share of associates) Continuing operations 1,472.2 1,438.3 2,899.3 Acquisitions 2.0 - - 1,474.2 1,438.3 2,899.3 Less share of turnover of associates (9.4) (13.2) (20.9) Turnover 1,464.8 1,425.1 2,878.4 Operating expenses (1,207.9) (1,186.4) (2,373.7) Operating Profit Continuing Operations 256.7 238.7 504.7 Acquisitions 0.2 - - 256.9 238.7 504.7 Share of profit of associates 2.0 2.1 4.7 Profit on ordinary activities before interest 258.9 240.8 509.4 Interest payable (net) (5.9) (11.3) (18.8) Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 253.0 229.5 490.6 Tax on profit on ordinary activities (74.4) (67.7) (139.8) Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 178.6 161.8 350.8 Minority interests (0.8) (0.9) (1.2) Profit attributable to shareholders 177.8 160.9 349.6 Dividends (34.3) (30.6) (105.9) Profit retained 143.5 130.3 243.7 Earnings per share 6.22p 5.63p 12.22p Diluted earnings per share 6.19p 5.60p 12.17p Dividends per share 1.20p 1.07p 3.70p CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 December 1998 £m £m £m Fixed assets Intangible assets 47.2 18.1 46.8 Tangible assets 901.1 830.9 871.9 Investments 33.1 14.2 26.2 981.4 863.2 944.9 Current assets Stocks 66.8 59.8 60.4 Debtors 593.8 557.8 576.5 Taxation recoverable - 23.2 - Short term deposits and cash 224.2 129.3 180.3 884.8 770.1 817.2 Liabilities due within one year Creditors (742.6) (762.7) (773.5) Bank and other borrowings (210.8) (60.6) (132.4) (953.4) (823.3) (905.9) Net current liabilities (68.6) (53.2) (88.7) Total assets less current liabilities 912.8 810.0 856.2 Liabilities due after one year Creditors (58.3) (58.0) (57.8) Bank and other borrowings (256.8) (410.1) (342.1) Provisions for liabilities and charges (255.9) (250.1) (262.6) Net assets 341.8 91.8 193.7 Equity capital & reserves Called up share capital 28.7 28.6 28.7 Share premium account 34.3 30.0 32.6 Revaluation reserve 5.4 4.3 5.1 Other reserves 7.8 7.8 5.8 Profit and loss account 260.8 16.7 116.9 Equity shareholders' funds 337.0 87.4 189.1 Equity minority interests 4.8 4.4 4.6 Capital employed 341.8 91.8 193.7 SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS MOVEMENTS 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 December 1998 £m £m £m Profit attributable to shareholders 177.8 160.9 349.6 Dividends (34.3) (30.6) (105.9) New share capital issued 1.7 4.1 6.8 Goodwill written-off (net) - - (18.6) Exchange translation adjustments 2.7 (11.4) (7.2) Net movements in shareholders' funds 147.9 123.0 224.7 Opening shareholders' funds 189.1 (35.6) (35.6) Closing shareholders' funds 337.0 87.4 189.1 CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 December 1998 £m £m £m Operating activities Operating profit 256.9 238.7 504.7 Depreciation charge 92.9 85.9 168.4 Net movement in working capital (44.4) (33.4) (83.2) 305.4 291.2 589.9 Associates' dividends Dividends received from associates - - 1.6 Interest/Dividends Interest received 10.0 15.1 28.6 Interest paid (20.8) (21.4) (49.0) Dividends paid to minority interests (0.6) (0.2) (0.4) (11.4) (6.5) (20.8) Tax paid (35.0) (19.2) (81.3) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (153.3) (131.1) (249.1) Less: financed by leases 7.8 6.7 14.2 (145.5) (124.4) (234.9) Sale of tangible fixed assets 20.6 13.7 38.2 (124.9) (110.7) (196.7) Purchase of own shares for employee share option scheme (6.0) - (17.1) Acquisitions Purchase of companies and businesses (5.8) (23.2) (51.7) Less: net cash acquired - 2.9 0.6 (5.8) (20.3) (51.1) Equity dividends paid Dividends paid to shareholders (75.4) (62.0) (92.7) NET CASH INFLOW BEFORE USE OF LIQUID RESOURCES AND FINANCING 46.9 72.5 131.8 Management of liquid resources Movement in short term deposits 5.0 5.4 (3.6) Financing Issue of ordinary share capital 1.7 4.1 6.8 Net loan movement 25.2 (150.6) (164.3) Finance lease movements (6.1) (4.6) (9.7) Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing 20.8 (151.1) (167.2) Net cash Increase/(decrease) in net cash 72.7 (73.2) (39.0) Reconciliation to net debt Net debt at 1st January (294.2) (410.5) (410.5) Cash flows 72.7 (73.2) (39.0) Acquired with subsidiaries - - (0.6) Movement in loans (25.2) 150.6 164.3 Movement in deposits (5.0) (5.4) 3.6 Movements in finance leases (1.7) (2.1) (4.5) Exchange adjustments 10.0 (0.8) (7.5) Closing net debt (243.4) (341.4) (294.2) Notes 1. The profit and loss account and cash flow statement for the half years to 30th June 1998 and 1999 and for the year to 31st December 1998 have been translated at average rates of exchange for the relevant periods. Balance sheets have been translated at period end rates. 2. The turnover and profit before tax for the half year to 30th June 1999, if translated at average exchange rates for the half year to 30th June 1998, would have been £9.0m lower and £1.1m higher respectively. 3. From the dates of acquisition to 30th June 1999, acquisitions contributed £2.0m to turnover, £0.2m to profit before interest and £0.2m to profit after interest. 4. Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of the consideration paid over the aggregate of the fair values of the net tangible assets acquired. Goodwill in respect of acquisitions made since 1st January 1998 is shown as an asset and (in accordance with FRS 10) each acquisition is assessed to determine the useful economic life of the business and the goodwill. Normally, it is considered that the goodwill relating to the acquisitions made by the company is an inseparable part of the total value of the relevant business and that such businesses, if properly managed, should grow in value over the years and hence neither the value of the business nor the goodwill have a measurable economic life. Where it is considered that the value of the business or its goodwill do have a measurable economic life, the goodwill will be amortised through the profit and loss account by equal annual instalments over such useful economic life. The potential economic lives of businesses and goodwill are reviewed annually and revised where appropriate. Where the useful economic life does not exceed 20 years, goodwill will be subject to an impairment review at the end of the year of acquisition and at any other time if the directors believe that an impairment may have occurred. Where the goodwill is assigned a useful economic life which is in excess of 20 years or is indefinite, the value of the businesses and goodwill are assessed for impairment against carrying values on an annual basis in accordance with FRS 11. Any impairment will be charged to the profit and loss account in the period in which it arises. The Directors have reviewed the acquisitions made in the six months to 30th June 1999 and determined that these businesses have indefinite useful lives and hence the goodwill is not being amortised. 5. Full year 1998 figures are taken from the accounts filed with the Registrar of Companies. The results for the six months to 30th June 1999 and 30th June 1998 have not been audited but have been reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the company's auditors. 6. Turnover for the period includes £9.4m (1998: £13.2m) and profit £2.0m (1998: £2.1m) in respect of the group's share of associates (Nippon Calmic Limited and Rezayat Sparrow Arabian Crane Hire Co Ltd - 1998 associates' figures included BTMF SA which has subsequently become a full subsidiary undertaking). 7. Tax comprises UK Corporation Tax (less double taxation relief) £41.1m (1998: £38.0m) and overseas tax £33.3m (1998: £29.7m). 8. The financial information in this statement does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of s.240 of the Companies Act 1985. 9. Copies of the Interim Report will be despatched to shareholders and will also be available from the Company's registered office at Felcourt, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 2JY. SERVICES Hygiene Services Initial Cleaning Services provides daily cleaning to commerce, industry and leisure together with window and high access cleaning. Specialist services for retailers, airports, food preparation and processing plants are also provided. Initial Hospital Services provides hospitals with non-clinical support services including catering, cleaning and portering. Initial Medical Services collects and safely disposes of used 'sharps' and other medical and clinical waste. Initial Textile Services includes the design, manufacture, supply and rental of work garments. Linen management and floor mats are provided to a wide range of customers together with linen towel systems for washrooms. Rentokil Hygiene Services provides a range of specialist cleaning and disinfection services relating to washrooms, catering, industrial drains, air quality, water and ventilation systems and IT equipment. There is also a specialist service for decontaminating polluted land, cleaning storage tanks and associated environmental remediation services. Rentokil Initial Healthcare provides a specialist range of washroom services including soap dispensers, air fresheners, sanitary towel and tampon dispensing and disposal, roller towels, warm air hand driers and sanitizers. Rentokil Wiper Services specialises in the provision of industrial wiping cloths and an industrial glove reclamation service. Personnel Services Initial Education and Training provides and manages conference and training centres for corporate and public sector clients. Initial Personnel Services provides permanent, contract and temporary staff for a range of business and public sector requirements. In addition, management and staff for messenger services and mailrooms are provided. Pest Control Services Rentokil Pest Control is the largest commercial pest control service in the world and special emphasis is placed on environmental safety. 'Green' pest control systems include bird deterrents, electronic detection techniques and special services which reduce or eliminate the use of toxic materials. Property Services Initial Catering Services provides contract catering services to business and industry, the educational sector and special events. Initial Leisure Services provides resort management in ski and beach locations. Rentokil Facilities Maintenance provides a range of services including the maintenance of engineering services and the testing of electrical appliances and circuits in commercial and industrial buildings. Rentokil Initial Management Services provides facilities management and property services for business and public sector bodies. Rentokil Initial Products include insecticides, rodenticides, household cleaning and decorating materials, speciality industrial products for fire protection and public health and agricultural pesticides for specialist use. Rentokil Office Machine Maintenance leases, rents, sells and services office machines together with the sale of office supplies. Rentokil Property Care provides treatments for woodworm, woodrot, rising damp and wall tie corrosion as well as related insurance protection. Rentokil Roofing replaces and refurbishes industrial roofs. Rentokil Timber Preserving manufactures and markets water-based and solvent- based wood preservatives. Rentokil Tropical Plants is the world's largest provider of interior landscaping services on either a rental and maintenance or purchase and maintenance basis. This ranges from single units to trees and displays for the largest atrium. Security Services Initial Electronic Security Systems is a major provider of electronic security systems which include the supply and monitoring of intruder alarms, access control systems and fire alarms and CCTV surveillance to commercial and industrial customers. Rentokil Initial Security Services is a market leader in manned guarding services, including static guards, mobile patrols, airport security and guards for special events and exhibitions. Transport Services Initial Distribution Services includes road tankers, tank and bulk containers for the petrochemical, gas and food industries together with intermodal container services and 'high cube' transport. An overnight and same day parcel delivery service is also provided. Initial Plant Services supplies and hires a range of equipment including scaffolding, aerial work platforms, cranes and lifting equipment and accommodation units as well as providing specialist offshore crane services.
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