Preliminary Results

Wetherspoon (JD) PLC 7 September 2001 J D WETHERSPOON PLC PRESS RELEASE J D Wetherspoon plc announces preliminary results for the year ended 29 July 2001. Highlights * Turnover up 31% to £484.0m * Profits before tax up 23% to £44.3m * Earnings per share up 18% to 19.9p (before adoption of FRS19 deferred taxation) * Earnings per share up 20% to 14.2p (after adoption of FRS19 deferred taxation) * Free cash flow per share up 20% to 29.1p * Dividend per share increased by 10% to 2.93p * Like for like sales increased by 7.5% * 94 pubs opened Commenting on the results, Tim Martin, the chairman of J D Wetherspoon plc, said: 'I am pleased to report another year of good progress for Wetherspoon. Sales increased by £114.3 million to £484.0 million, a rise of 31%. Free cash flow after payments of tax, interest and capital investment in existing pubs increased by 24% to £61.2 million, resulting in a free cash flow per share of 29.1p before investment in new pubs, loan repayments and payment of dividends. We opened 94 pubs during the year, compared with 91 in the previous year, excluding the 10 Lloyds pubs purchased from Wolverhampton and Dudley brewery in the previous year. The total number of pubs operated by us is now 530 including 8 opened since the year end. As a result of another good trading performance, I remain confident of our future prospects.' Enquiries: Tim Martin Chairman 01923 477777 John Hutson Managing Director 01923 477777 Jim Clarke Finance Director 01923 477777 Eddie Gershon Press Office 07956 392234 Photographs are available at: www.newscast.co.uk CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT I am pleased to report another year of good progress for Wetherspoon. Sales increased by £114.3 million to £484.0 million, a rise of 31%. Operating profit, excluding sale and leaseback rentals, increased by 22% to £66.1 million, and profit before tax rose by 23% to £44.3 million. Earnings per share, before the adoption of a full provision for deferred taxation under the new accounting standard FRS19, increased by 18% to 19.9p. Allowing for the adoption of FRS19, restated earnings per share increased by 20% to 14.2p. The company currently has a low rate of tax of 5% as a result of tax relief available on capital investment. The effect of FRS19 is to provide in the profit and loss account for the full tax charge even though it is not paid out in cash. This has the effect of reducing the stated earnings per share but has no effect on our cashflow. The other main effect is to reduce our net assets in the balance sheet by the amount of deferred tax on past profits, resulting in a rise in gearing as indicated below. Capital investment was £150.6 million, and net gearing at the year end, after accounting for the effect of FRS19, was 88% (2000: 69% as restated for FRS19). Interest was covered 4.2 times (2000: 4.5 times) by operating profit. Operating margins before depreciation, interest, sale & leaseback rentals and tax were 19.8%, compared with 20.3% last year. This reduction principally reflects higher labour costs and slightly lower gross margins, partly offset by proportionately lower head office costs. Cash profits per pub on this basis increased marginally from the previous year to £206,000. Free cash flow after payments of tax, interest and capital investment of £15.8 million in existing pubs increased by 24% to £61.2 million, resulting in a cash flow per share of 29.1p before investment in new pubs, loan repayments and dividends paid. Economic profit calculated by adding depreciation to profit before tax and subtracting capital expenditure on existing pubs, increased by 37% to £58.2 million, with capital investment in existing pubs at 3.3% of turnover, compared with 3.9% of turnover in the previous period. Economic profit margins increased from 11.5% to 12.0%. Dividends The board proposes, subject to shareholders' consent, to pay a final dividend of 1.93p net on 30 November 2001 to those shareholders on the register at 28 September 2001, bringing the total dividend for the year to 2.93p, a 10% increase on the previous year. At this level, dividends will be covered 4.8 times by earnings, compared with 4.4 times in 2000. A scrip alternative will again be offered to shareholders. Finance The company had £74.8 million of unutilised banking facilities and cash balances at the balance sheet date. Subsequent to the year end, £40 million of new banking facilities have been agreed with repayments over a period between 5 and 10 years. These new facilities, coupled with our strong organic cash flow, underpin the company's expansion plans for the foreseeable future. Further progress We opened 94 pubs during the year, compared with 91 in the previous year, excluding the 10 Lloyds pubs purchased from Wolverhampton and Dudley brewery in the previous year. The total number of pubs operated by us is now 530, including 8 opened since the year end. As in recent years the pubs are located in a variety of locations in large and small towns and cities. Sales at the new pubs have been very encouraging, including the first five which have opened in Northern Ireland. The original 10 Lloyds pubs have now been operated by Wetherspoon for just over a year and sales have approximately doubled. If this improvement is sustained in the next few months, this will confirm our belief that there is the potential for a considerable number of Lloyds sites in the country, in addition to our plans for new Wetherspoon pubs, since Lloyds seem to complement trade at existing Wetherspoon outlets. After like-for-like sales growth of 8.6% in 1998/99 and a further 12.4% in 1999/2000, like-for-like sales increased by an additional 7.5% in the current year and like-for-like profits increased by 7.0%. We believe that the strategy that we have pursued in recent years of improving the real wages of our staff, combined with competitive bar and food prices, is the right one for the company. This has resulted in strong increases over this period in cash profits per pub in spite of a slight decline in margins, combined with a reduction in the percentage of pub managers, and other staff, leaving the company; this percentage is now at its lowest level ever. Bonuses paid to people working in our pubs amounted to £10.2 million compared with £ 8.5 million in the previous year. We continue to try to upgrade every area of the business, endeavouring, for example, to improve our buying terms as we grow; to upgrade our IT and management systems; to enhance training courses for our people and to modify and improve the design of our pubs. We also continue to review our product range and, in association with Cask Marque, the quality control system developed by a number of brewers, we are offering a try before you buy scheme to encourage customers to try guest ales from micro and regional brewers. We believe that sales of these beers, neglected by many managed pub companies, will be a key area of growth for the future. The economy An important issue facing all businesses is whether Britain should support the euro. As indicated in previous years I strongly believe that each major currency in the world is backed by a single government and that this is a pre-requisite for economic success. For this reason, I feel that the euro is likely to fail and that it would be extremely unwise for Britain to join. The non-political 'No' group, which advocates retention of the pound, is launching a campaign in our pubs today urging the public to vote against the euro in the event of a referendum. Other legislation The Government has recently indicated that it intends to transfer responsibility for liquor licensing from magistrates courts to local authorities. This move is opposed by 80% of individual licensees in the trade, according to market research carried out by us. Where local authorities, which are heavily burdened with many tasks, currently control aspects of licensing, it is more expensive and slower than the areas operated by magistrates. Given the Government's commitment to a reduction in bureaucracy and red tape there is no rational reason for this transfer of authority. The Government has argued that allowing local authorities control of licensing is more 'democratic'. The absurdity of this argument is underlined by the fact that appeals under the new system will be to magistrates who will, therefore, still be the ultimate authority for licensing, although only after the delay and expense of an appeal. If local authority control of licensing is introduced, it will result in higher costs and a slower licensing process but I do not believe that it will affect our overall prospects. It will, however, inevitably increase the price of beer in pubs, restaurants and off-licences. Given the disparity in alcohol duty between Britain and France, the proposed changes risk further eroding the competitiveness of a very important industry. People Once again, I would like to thank sincerely all our employees, partners and suppliers in helping to ensure yet another year of record profits for Wetherspoon. Prospects Like-for-like sales increased by 7% in August (following growth of 5% in August 2000) and total company sales increased by 29% over the same period last year. The encouraging sales growth in recently opened pubs has also continued, with a promising start from the 8 pubs opened since the period end. We have 25 sites in the course of construction, 61 with the necessary permissions for development, a further 65 on which terms have been agreed and 170 currently in negotiation. The high levels of competition for sites from pub competitors continue to reduce and this makes prospects in this area of the business particularly encouraging. As a result of another good trading performance, I remain confident of our future prospects. Tim Martin Chairman 7 September 2001 Profit and loss account for the year ended 29 July 2001 Notes 2001 2000 £000 £000 (Restated) Turnover 483,968 369,628 Operating profit 2 58,380 46,278 Net interest payable 3 (14,063) (10,226) Profit on ordinary activities before 44,317 36,052 taxation Tax on profit on ordinary activities 4 (14,457) (11,996) Profit on ordinary activities after 29,860 24,056 taxation Dividends 5 (6,185) (5,599) Retained profit for the year 23,675 18,457 Earnings per ordinary share 6 14.2p 11.8p Fully diluted earnings per ordinary share 6 14.0p 11.5p All activities relate to continuing operations. Statement of total recognised gains and losses 2001 2000 £000 £000 (Restated) Profit for the financial year after taxation 29,860 24,056 Prior year adjustment arising from the adoption of (35,688) - FRS19 deferred taxation Total (losses)/ gains recognised since previous (5,828) 24,056 year end Note of historical cost profits 2001 2000 £000 £000 (Restated) Reported profit on ordinary activities before taxation 44,317 36,052 Difference between historical cost depreciation charge 670 672 and actual depreciation charge for the year calculated on the revalued amount Historical cost profit on ordinary activities before 44,987 36,724 taxation Historical cost profit for the year retained after 24,345 19,129 taxation and dividends Refer to note 14 in respect of the restatement of the comparative figures. Cash flow statement for the year ended 29 July 2001 Notes 2001 2000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Net cash inflow from 7 93,005 93,005 76,165 76,165 operating activities Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 976 976 2,412 2,412 Interest paid - existing (15,436) (15,436) (13,710) (13,710) pubs Interest paid and (3,004) (3,921) capitalised into new pubs Net cash outflow from (17,464) (15,219) returns on investment and servicing of finance Taxation Corporation tax paid (1,556) (1,556) (1,100) (1,100) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible (15,792) (15,792) (14,471) (14,471) fixed assets for existing pubs Purchase of own shares (241) - for ESOP trust Proceeds of sale of - 4,277 tangible fixed assets Investment in new pubs (127,574) (136,612) and pub extensions Net cash outflow from (143,607) (146,806) capital expenditure and financial investment Equity dividends paid (4,529) (3,785) Net cash outflow before (74,151) (90,745) financing Financing Issue of ordinary shares 2,057 46,566 Advances under bank loans 40,156 124,353 Advances under US senior 44 86,815 loan notes Repayments of secured - (187,882) bank loans Net cash inflow from 42,257 69,852 financing Decrease in cash 9 (31,894) (20,893) Free cash flow 6 61,197 49,296 Cash flow per ordinary 6 29.1p 24.2p share Balance sheet at 29 July 2001 Notes 2001 2000 £000 £000 (Restated) Fixed assets Tangible assets 10 625,903 504,996 Current assets Stocks 7,503 4,686 Debtors due after more than 6,986 5,588 one year Debtors due within one year 6,764 7,378 Investments 241 100 Cash 9,791 41,685 31,285 59,437 Creditors due within one year 11 (81,965) (67,936) Net current liabilities (50,680) (8,499) Total assets less current 575,223 496,497 liabilities Creditors due after more than 12 (253,581) (213,979) one year Provisions for liabilities and 13 (47,803) (35,688) charges Total net assets 273,839 246,830 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 4,224 4,198 Share premium account 116,389 113,081 Revaluation reserve 23,824 24,494 Profit and loss account 129,402 105,057 Equity shareholders' funds 14 273,839 246,830 Tim Martin Jim Clarke Directors Refer to note 14 in respect of the restatement of the comparative figures. Notes 1 These preliminary statements do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. They have, however, been extracted from the statutory accounts for the periods ending 29 July 2001 and 30 July 2000 (as restated for the adoption of FRS19 deferred taxation: see note 14) on which unqualified reports were made by the company's auditors. The 2000 statutory accounts have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The 2001 statutory accounts will be sent to shareholders on 3 October 2001 and will be filed with the Registrar of Companies following their adoption at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. 2 Analysis of continuing operations 2001 2000 £000 £000 Turnover 483,968 369,628 Cost of sales (401,800) (304,344) Gross profit 82,168 65,284 Administrative expenses (23,788) (19,006) Operating profit 58,380 46,278 Cost of sales includes distribution costs and all pub operating costs. 3 Net interest payable 2001 2000 £000 £000 Interest payable on bank loans and overdraft 11,761 11,767 Interest payable on US senior loan notes 6,528 5,526 Less: Interest capitalised (2,979) (3,846) Interest receivable (1,247) (3,221) Charge to profit and loss account 14,063 10,226 4 Taxation The company has opted to adopt FRS19 deferred taxation in the current year. Accordingly the tax charge for 2000 has been restated to reflect the position had the company accounted for deferred tax on a fully provided basis in that year. The full impact on reserves is detailed in note 14. Analysis of current period tax charge Current tax 2001 2001 2000 2000 £000 £000 £000 £000 (Restated) (Restated) UK corporation tax on profits for the year at 30% 5,906 2,342 Adjustments in respect of (863) (66) prior years Advance corporation tax (2,701) (491) Total current tax 2,342 1,785 Deferred tax Origination and reversal of 12,115 10,211 timing differences Total deferred tax 12,115 10,211 Tax on profit on ordinary 14,457 11,996 activities 5 Dividends 2001 2000 £000 £000 Interim paid of 1.00p per share (2000: 0.91p) 2,109 1,904 Final proposed of 1.93p per share (2000: 1.76p) 4,076 3,695 6,185 5,599 6 Earnings and cash flow per share The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on profits on ordinary activities after taxation for the period of £29,860,000 (2000: £24,056,000) and on 210,542,854 (2000: 204,035,428) ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue and ranking for dividend during the period. Fully diluted earnings per share has been calculated in accordance with FRS14 and is after allowing for the dilutive effect of the conversion into ordinary shares of the weighted average number of options outstanding during the period. The number of shares used for the fully diluted calculation is 213,486,301 (2000: 208,311,375). The calculation of free cash flow per share is based on the net cash generated by business activities and available for investment in new pub developments and extensions to existing pubs, after funding interest on existing pubs, tax and all other reinvestment in pubs open at the start of the period ('free cash flow'). It is calculated before taking account of proceeds from property disposals, inflows and outflows of financing from outside sources and dividend payments and is based on the same number of shares in issue as for the calculation of basic earnings per share. 7 Net cash inflow from operating activities 2001 2000 £000 £000 Operating profit 58,380 46,278 Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 29,674 20,946 Change in stocks (2,817) (841) Change in debtors (409) 779 Change in creditors 8,177 9,003 93,005 76,165 8 Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt 2001 2000 £000 £000 Decrease in cash in the year (31,894) (20,893) Cash inflow from increase in debt financing (40,200) (23,286) Movement in net debt during the period (72,094) (44,179) Opening net debt (169,483) (125,304) Closing net debt (241,577) (169,483) 9 Analysis of net debt 2000 Cash flow 2001 £000 £000 £000 Cash at bank and in hand 41,685 (31,894) 9,791 Debt due after one year (211,168) (40,200) (251,368) Net debt (169,483) (72,094) (241,577) 10 Tangible fixed assets Freehold Short Equipment, Expenditure Total land and leasehold fixtures on unopened buildings land and and properties buildings fittings £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Cost or valuation At 31 July 2000 171,648 231,143 116,788 48,594 568,173 Reclassification 40,429 422 - (40,851) - Additions 68,285 19,739 33,088 29,469 150,581 At 29 July 2001 280,362 251,304 149,876 37,212 718,754 Depreciation At 31 July 2000 3,988 17,856 41,333 - 63,177 Reclassification 617 1,940 (2,557) - - Charge for the 4,150 7,060 18,464 - 29,674 year At 29 July 2001 8,755 26,856 57,240 - 92,851 Net book value At 29 July 2001 271,607 224,448 92,636 37,212 625,903 At 30 July 2000 167,660 213,287 75,455 48,594 504,996 11 Creditors due within one year 2001 2000 £000 £000 Trade creditors 50,418 40,420 Corporation tax 2,437 1,651 Other tax and social security 7,715 4,829 Other creditors 3,881 3,848 Dividend payable 4,076 3,695 Accruals and deferred income 13,438 13,493 81,965 67,936 12 Creditors due after more than one year 2001 2000 £000 £000 Bank loans repayable by instalments 164,509 124,353 US senior loan notes repayable in a single instalment in 2009 86,859 86,815 251,368 211,168 Other creditors 2,213 2,811 253,581 213,979 13 Provisions for liabilities and charges 2001 2000 £000 £000 (Restated) Deferred tax Accelerated capital allowances 44,664 35,150 Other timing differences 3,882 3,982 Advance corporation tax (743) (3,444) Full provision for deferred tax 47,803 35,688 Provision at start of year 35,688 25,477 Deferred tax charge in profit and loss account for 12,115 10,211 period Provision at end of year 47,803 35,688 14 Capital, reserves and shareholders' funds Called-up Share Revaluation Profit and 2001 2000 share premium reserve loss Shareholders'Shareholders' capital account account funds funds £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 (Restated) At start 4,198 113,081 24,494 140,745 282,518 205,996 of year as previously stated Adoption - - - (35,688) (35,688) (25,477) of FRS19 (below) As 4,198 113,081 24,494 105,057 246,830 180,519 restated Allotments 26 3,308 3,334 47,854 Transfer - - (670) 670 - - Profit for - - - 29,860 29,860 24,056 the year Dividends - - - (6,185) (6,185) (5,599) At end of 4,224 116,389 23,824 129,402 273,839 246,830 year The company has adopted FRS19 deferred taxation and, as required under the standard, the previous years' shareholders' funds have been restated. The impact of implementing FRS19 deferred taxation on current years profits is to reduce them by £12,115,000 (2000: £10,211,000).

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