IFRS

Smith WH PLC 29 November 2005 WH SMITH PLC RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION UNDER INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (IFRS) 1. INTRODUCTION WH Smith PLC and its subsidiaries ('the Group') currently prepares its consolidated financial statements under UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (UK GAAP). Under a European Union Regulation issued in 2002 all EU listed companies are required to report their consolidated financial statements under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)(1) for all reporting periods commencing after 1 January 2005. IFRS will apply for the first time to the Group's consolidated financial statements for the year ending 31 August 2006. The first results to be published under IFRS will be the interim results for the six months ending 28 February 2006. The purpose of this report is to explain how the Group's financial performance for the year ended 31 August 2005, and its financial position as at that date, presented under IFRS, differs to that reported under UK GAAP. The information has been prepared on the basis of the Group's current interpretation of how the IFRSs in issue should be applied. The standards in issue are subject to ongoing review and endorsement by the EU, whilst the application of the standards continues to be subject to interpretation by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC). As a consequence further adjustments may be required on adoption of IFRS and the Group's first IFRS financial statements may therefore be prepared in accordance with different accounting policies and treatments than those presented here. 2. SUMMARY OF IFRS ADOPTION CHANGES The adoption of IFRS represents an accounting change only, and does not affect the operations or cash flows of the Group. The effect of the adoption of IFRS on the results of the Group for the year ended 31 August 2005 is to decrease profit before tax for continuing operations by £1m. Year ended 31 August 2005 UK GAAP IFRS Change Turnover (£m)(2) 2,508 2,497 (11) Profit before tax - continuing operations (£m) 72 71 (1) Profit for the year (£m) 46 47 1 Basic earnings per share (pence) 26.0 26.6 0.6 Headline earnings per share (pence)(3) 31.6 31.6 - Net assets as at 31 August 2005 42 52 10 (1)References to IFRS in this document refer to the application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), International Accounting Standards (IAS) and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and its relevant committees. (2)Under IFRS Turnover represents that derived from continuing operations only; the discontinued operation relates to the sale of the Publishing business. (3)Headline earnings per share has been calculated using profit after tax but before exceptional items and net interest charges on the defined benefit pension scheme as defined under IAS 19. The accounting policy changes that have the most significant impact on the financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 August 2005 are: • Recognition of a fair value charge for share based payments • Spreading of lease incentives over the term of the lease • Timing of the recognition of dividends • Goodwill subject to an annual impairment review rather than annual amortisation • Valuation method used in assessing the defined benefit pension scheme • Related deferred tax adjustments These changes are further explained in Section 4 and detailed reconciliations are shown in the Appendices to this report. 3. BASIS OF PREPARATION The financial information presented in this document has been prepared using the accounting policies detailed in section 5. These accounting policies are based on all International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) interpretations that are expected to be applicable to the financial reporting for the year ending 31 August 2006. These are subject to changes resulting from ongoing reviews and endorsements by the European Commission, possible amendments by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and issuance of further standards or interpretations that may affect the 2005/06 reporting period. The financial information in this document may therefore require modification up until the period that the Group prepares its first complete set of IFRS financial statements for the year ending 31 August 2006. In preparing this financial information, the Group has assumed that the European Commission will endorse the amendment to IAS 19 Employee Benefits 'Actuarial Gains and Losses, Group Plans and Disclosures'. On 19 November 2004, the European Commission endorsed an amended version of IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement rather than the full version previously published by the IASB. In accordance with guidance issued by the UK Accounting Standards Board, the full version of IAS 39, as issued by the IASB, will be adopted with effect from 1 September 2005. The financial information contained in this document does not constitute full accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. Full accounts for the year ended 31 August 2005, prepared under UK GAAP, will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies. These accounts contain an unqualified report from the Group's auditors which do not contain a statement under S237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. IFRS 1 First-time adoption IFRS 1 First-time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards details the procedures a company must follow when adopting IFRS for the first time. It also gives companies the option of taking a number of exemptions to the full requirements of IFRS in the year of transition. The Group's date of transition to IFRS is 1 September 2004, with the transitional year being the year ended 31 August 2005. The Group has elected to take the following key exemptions on transition to IFRS: a) IFRS 3 Business combinations The Group has chosen not to restate historic business combinations to comply with IFRS 3 Business combinations. The goodwill carrying value has not therefore been adjusted between the UK GAAP balance sheet at 31 August 2004 and the IFRS opening balance sheet. b) IAS 19 Employee benefits: Actuarial gains and losses Under UK GAAP FRS 17, the Group recognised all cumulative actuarial gains and losses in equity. These gains and losses have continued to be recognised in equity at the date of transition. c) IAS 21 The effects of changes in foreign exchange rates IAS 21 states that cumulative foreign exchange movements created on the translation of foreign entities should be disclosed in a separate reserve within shareholders' funds. On disposal of a foreign entity, the cumulative exchange gains or losses associated with that entity should be recycled through the income statement as part of the gain or loss on disposal. The Group has taken the exemption under FRS 1 whereby cumulative exchange differences are deemed to be zero at the date of transition to IFRS. The gain or loss on any subsequent disposals will therefore exclude any translation gains or losses prior to the date of transition. d) IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation and IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement The Group has taken the option to defer the implementation of IAS 32 and IAS 39 to the financial year ending 31 August 2006. Therefore, financial instruments continue to be accounted for and presented in accordance with UK GAAP for the year ended 31 August 2005. e) IAS 16 - Valuation of properties The Group has elected not to use fair value as deemed cost for any items of property, plant and equipment at the date of transition. f) IFRS 2 Share-based payments IFRS 1 provides an exemption which allows companies to only apply IFRS 2 to share-based payment awards granted after 7 November 2002. The Group has not taken this exemption, but elected to apply IFRS 2 to all share options which have not fully vested by the date of transition. 4. REVIEW OF MAIN CHANGES ARISING FROM IFRS ADOPTION The most significant areas of change to the Group on adoption of IFRS are summarised below. 4.1 Share-based payments (IFRS 2) The Group operates a range of share-based incentive schemes. Further detail on these schemes can be found in the Group's Annual Report. IFRS 2 requires the charge recognised in the income statement for share options, long-term incentive plans and other share based payments (including Save-As-You-Earn) to be based on the 'fair value' at grant date, using an appropriate option pricing model. The fair value of the shares / options is charged against profits over the period from grant date to vesting (the vesting period). This differs from UK GAAP UITF 17, which requires that the charge to the profit and loss account should be based on the difference between the market value of shares at the date of grant and the exercise price (i.e. an intrinsic value basis) and spread over the performance period. In addition, as permitted under UK GAAP, UITF 17 has never been applied to Save-As-You-Earn share options. For improved comparability purposes, the Group will apply IFRS 2 retrospectively to all options granted but not fully vested as at the date of transition, rather than only those granted after 7 November 2002. The fair values of awards granted on or before 7 November 2002 were published on 29 November 2005. The fair valuation of the share based incentive schemes operated by the Group has led to an additional charge to profit before tax for the year ended 31 August 2005 of £2m, which is offset by a deferred tax credit of £2m. There is no significant impact on the net assets at 1 September 2004. 4.2 Leasing (IAS 17) 4.2.1 Lease Incentives Under UK GAAP, the Group has recognised operating lease incentives (rent free periods and capital contributions) in the profit and loss account over the period to the first rent review. In accordance with IAS 17 as interpreted by SIC 15, lease incentives will be recognised in the income statement over the full lease term. The adjustment made on IFRS adoption is therefore a timing difference, which will reverse over the lease terms. The adoption of IAS 17 will lead to a £6m reduction to net assets at the date of transition. The impact on profit before tax for the year ended 31 August 2005 is not significant. The net assets at 31 August 2005 have been reduced by £5m. 4.2.2 Finance leases The Group currently recognises finance leases under the recognition criteria detailed in UK GAAP SSAP 21 'Accounting for leases and hire purchase contracts'. IAS 17 introduces new tests in determining the classification of leases between operating and finance leases. Under these new tests, a number of computer leases will be reclassified as finance leases on IFRS adoption. The change in accounting policy has no impact on the net assets of the Group, however, at 1 September 2004 plant, property and equipment will increase by £11m and trade and other payables will increase by a similar amount. 4.3 Recognition of dividends (IAS 10 - Events after the balance sheet date) Dividends declared after the balance sheet date will not be recognised under IAS 10 as a liability at that balance sheet date. The final dividends for the financial year ended 31 August 2004 (£14m) and 31 August 2005 (£16m) have not been recognised in the Group's IFRS restated balance sheets at 1 September 2004 and 31 August 2005 respectively. The dividend for the year ended 31 August 2004 has been charged directly to equity in the Group's IFRS balance sheet as at 31 August 2005, following its approval by shareholders on 27 January 2005. 4.4 Goodwill arising on business combinations (IFRS 3) Under IFRS 3, goodwill is no longer amortised, but is subject to an annual impairment assessment. The Group has reviewed the goodwill balances for impairment as at 1 September 2004 and 31 August 2005, and no impairment was identified at either date. During the year ended 31 August 2005, a £1m amortisation charge was made to the profit and loss account under UK GAAP. This charge will be reversed out of the income statement to comply with IFRS 3, which results in an increase in the Group's profit before tax for £1m for the year ended 31 August 2005. There is no significant associated tax impact. 4.5 Employee benefits (IAS 19) 4.5.1 Retirement Obligations Under UK GAAP, the Group applies the measurement and recognition policies of FRS 17 'Retirement benefits'. IAS 19 'Employee benefits' takes a similar approach to accounting for defined benefit pension schemes as FRS 17 with the following principal differences; 1) The assets of the defined benefit pension schemes are measured on a bid-price basis rather than mid-price basis. This has resulted in a downward adjustment to the valuation of the pension schemes at 1 September 2004 and 31 August 2005 of £2m. 2) IAS 19 permits a number of alternative methods of accounting for the actuarial gains and losses of the defined benefit scheme. The Group has elected to recognise in full all actuarial gains and losses to equity when they occur. This approach is consistent with that used under FRS 17. Additionally under IAS 12, the deferred tax asset relating to the defined benefit pension scheme deficit is required to be separately presented on the balance sheet and the defined benefit pension deficit is presented on a gross basis. Under UK GAAP the defined benefit pension scheme deficit is shown net of deferred tax. 4.5.2 Short term benefits IAS 19 requires the expected cost of compensated short-term absences such as holidays to be accrued for when the corresponding services have been received from employees. The impact on the results for the year ended 31 August 2005 and on transition to IFRS is not material. The charge (net of tax) to the income statement for the 6 months to 28 February 2005 was £1m - this was effectively reversed in the second half of that year. 4.6 Deferred and current taxes (IAS 12) IFRS accounting adjustments have been tax effected where appropriate. Under IAS 12, deferred tax is provided on all temporary differences between the carrying value of assets and liabilities and their tax base. This differs from UK GAAP where deferred tax is calculated based on timing differences arising in the income statement. However the effect of this change in the calculation method on the Group's balance sheets is not significant. The impact of IFRS adoption is to reduce the tax charge for the year ended 31 August 2005 by £2m. 4.7 Impairment of assets (IAS 36) Under IAS 36, individual assets should be reviewed for impairment when an impairment indicator exists. Where individual assets do not generate cash flows independently from one another, the impairment review should be carried out at the 'cash generating unit' (CGU) level, which represents the lowest level at which cash flows are independently generated. The IASB has indicated that for retailers this is at the individual store level. An impairment review was performed at the opening balance sheet date, which identified that a small number of stores were impaired, and a provision of £2m was recorded as at 1 September 2004. No significant impairment charges were identified in the year ending 31 August 2005. 4.8 Intangible assets (IAS 38) Under UK GAAP, capitalised software costs are included within tangible fixed assets on the balance sheet. Under IAS 38 such items, where they are not an integral part of the related hardware should be disclosed separately on the face of the balance sheet. This has resulted in a reclassification of £23m in the balance sheet at 1 September 2004 and £18m in the balance sheet at 31 August 2005. There is no related impact on the income statement. 4.9 Financial instruments (IAS 32 and IAS 39) - adopted from 1 September 2005 As the Group has taken the option to defer the implementation of IAS 32 and IAS 39 to the financial year ending 31 August 2006, the comparatives for the year ended 31 August 2005 will be not restated. The effective date of adoption of IAS 32 and 39 will therefore be 1 September 2005. At this date, the effect on the Group balance sheet will be to reduce net assets by £7m in respect of non-equity share capital, derivative and other financial instruments. The Group has designated the majority of its foreign exchange derivatives as cash flow hedges at 1 September 2005. There is expected to be a low level of volatility in the income statement as a result of fair valuing the Group's financial instruments. 5. IFRS ACCOUNTING POLICIES The accounting policies used in the preparation of the restatement of the Group's results from UK GAAP to IFRS are detailed below. These IFRS accounting policies will be adopted by the Group for use in the preparation of all future consolidated financial statements. (a) Basis of preparation This financial information has been prepared in accordance with IFRS accounting policies disclosed in this document. The disclosures required by IFRS 1 concerning the transition from UK GAAP to IFRSs are given in the appendices to this report. The financial information has been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for the revaluation of certain properties and financial instruments. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. (b) Basis of consolidation This financial information consolidates the accounts of the Company, its subsidiary undertakings and its associated undertakings for the 12 months to 31 August each year. The results of subsidiaries and associated undertakings are included in the Group income statement from the date of acquisition, or in the case of disposals, up to the effective date of disposal. The Group's interests in its associated undertakings are accounted for using the equity method. All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation. (c) Revenue Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales related taxes. Sales of goods are recognised when goods are delivered and title has passed. (d) Retirement benefit costs Payments to the Company's defined contribution pension scheme, WHSmith Pensionbuilder, are recognised as an expense in the income statement as they fall due. The cost of providing benefits for the main defined benefit scheme, WHSmith Pension Trust, is determined by the Projected Unit Credit Method, with actuarial calculations being carried out at each balance sheet date. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in full in the period in which they occur. They are recognised outside the income statement in the Consolidated Statement of Recognised Income and Expense. Past service cost is recognised immediately to the extent that the benefits are already vested, and otherwise is amortised on a straight-line basis over the average period until the benefits become vested. The retirement benefit obligation recognised in the balance sheet represents the present value of the defined benefit obligation as adjusted for unrecognised past service cost, and as reduced by the fair value of scheme assets. Any asset resulting from the calculation is limited to past service cost, plus the present value of available refunds and reductions in future contributions to the plan. WH Smith PLC provides medical benefits to certain pensioners. The present value of estimated future benefit payments is included in the balance sheet under pension liabilities. Any differences arising from changes in assumptions in respect of the estimation of this liability are recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Recognised Income and Expense. (e) Leasing Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases. Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets of the Group at their fair value determined at the inception of the lease or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease payments. The corresponding liability to the lessor is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are apportioned between finance charges and a reduction of the lease obligations so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Finance charges are recognised directly in the income statement. Rentals payable and receivable under operating leases are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Benefits received and receivable as an incentive to enter into an operating lease are also spread on a straight-line basis over the lease term. (f) Intangible assets Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the net fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities acquired. Goodwill is recognised as an asset at cost and subsequently measured at cost less accumulated impairment. For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to those cash generating units that have benefited from the acquisition. The carrying value of goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually or where there is an indication that goodwill may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit is less than its carrying amount, then the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of the goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit on a pro rata basis. Any impairment is recognised immediately in the income statement and is not subsequently reversed. On disposal of a subsidiary, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the profit and loss on disposal. Goodwill arising on acquisitions before the date of transition to IFRS has been retained at the previous UK GAAP amounts subject to being tested for impairment at that date. Goodwill written off to reserves under UK GAAP prior to 1 June 1997 has not been reinstated and is not included in determining any subsequent profit or loss on disposal. Other intangible assets The costs of acquiring and developing software that is not integral to the related hardware is capitalised separately as an intangible asset. These intangibles are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses. Amortisation is charged so as to write off the costs of assets over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method. The estimated lives are usually a period of up to 5 years. Assets held under finance leases are depreciated over their expected useful lives on the same basis as owned assets or, where shorter, over the term of the relevant lease. All such intangible assets are reviewed for impairment in accordance with IAS 36 'Impairment of Assets', when there are indications that the carrying value may not be recoverable. (g) Property, plant and equipment Property, plant and equipment assets are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and any recognised impairment in value. The carrying values of tangible fixed assets previously revalued have been retained at their book amount. Depreciation is charged so as to write off the costs of assets, other than land, over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method, with the annual rates applicable to the principal categories being: Freehold and long leasehold properties - over 20 years Short leasehold properties - shorter of the lease period and the estimated remaining economic life Instore fixtures and fittings - 10 years Equipment - 8 to 10 years Computer equipment - up to 5 years Assets held under finance leases are depreciated over their expected useful lives on the same basis as owned assets or, where shorter, over the term of the relevant lease. All tangible fixed assets are reviewed for impairment in accordance with IAS 36 'Impairment of Assets', when there are indications that the carrying value may not be recoverable. (h) Non current assets held for resale Non current assets and disposal groups are classified as held for sale if their carrying amount will be recovered through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. This condition is regarded as met only when the sale is highly probable and the asset (or disposal group) is available for immediate sale in its present condition. Management must be committed to the sale, which should be expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year from the date of classification. Non-current assets (and disposal groups) classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of the assets' previous carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. (i) Inventories Inventories comprise goods held for resale and are stated at the lower of cost or net realisable value. Inventories are valued using a weighted average cost method. (j) Provisions Provisions are recognised in the balance sheet when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. Provisions are measured at the Directors' best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the balance sheet date. Where the effect is material, the provision is determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at the Group's weighted average cost of capital. Onerous contracts - property provisions The Group's property provisions represent the present value of future net lease obligations and related costs of leasehold property (net of estimated sublease income and adjusted for certain risk factors) where the space is vacant or currently not planned to be used for ongoing operations. The periodic unwinding of the discount is treated as an imputed interest charge and is disclosed in the income statement as 'unwinding of discount on provisions'. (k) Foreign currencies Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At each balance sheet date, monetary items denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising on the settlement of monetary items, and on the retranslation of monetary items, are included in the income statement for the period. In order to hedge its exposure to certain foreign exchange risks, the Group enters into forward contracts and options (see below for details of the Group's accounting policies in respect of such derivative financial instruments). On consolidation the assets and liabilities of the Group's overseas operations are translated into Sterling at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated into Sterling at the average exchange rates for the period. Exchange differences arising, if any, are classified as equity and transferred to the Group's translation reserve. (l) Taxation The tax expense included in the income statement comprises current and deferred tax. Current tax is the expected tax payable based on the taxable profit for the period, using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is recognised on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the accounts and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither tax profit nor the accounting profit. The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. (m) Financial instruments UK GAAP - to 31 August 2005 The Group uses certain derivative financial instruments to reduce exposure to foreign exchange and interest rate movements. The Group does not hold or use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. The financial instruments used by the Group to manage its currency risks are forward rate contracts and currency options. Interest payments arising from financial instruments are recognised within net interest payable over the period of the contract. Any premiums or discounts arising are amortised over the lives of the instruments. Forward currency contracts entered into with respect to trading transactions are accounted for as hedges, with the instrument's impact on profit deferred until the underlying transaction is recognised in the profit and loss account. IFRS - from 1 September 2005 Trade receivables Trade receivables are measured at initial recognition, do not carry any interest and are stated at their fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised costs using the effective interest rate method. Appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts are recognised in the income statement when there is evidence that the asset is impaired. Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents in the balance sheet comprise cash at bank and in hand and short term deposits with an original maturity of three months or less. Financial liabilities and equity Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Group after deducting all of its liabilities. Bank borrowings Interest bearing bank loans and overdrafts are initially measured at fair value (being proceeds received, net of direct issue costs), and are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method recorded as the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Finance charges, including premiums payable on settlement or redemptions and direct issue costs are accounted for on an accruals basis and taken to the income statement using the effective interest rate method and are added to the carrying value of the instrument to the extent that they are not settled in the period in which they arise. Trade payables Trade payables are initially measured at fair value, and are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. Equity instruments Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issues costs. Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting The Group uses certain derivative financial instruments to reduce its exposure to foreign exchange and interest rate movements. The Group does not hold or use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated and effective as hedges of future cash flows are recognised directly in equity and any ineffective portion is recognised immediately in the income statement. If the cash flow hedge of a firm commitment or forecasted transaction results in the recognition of an asset or liability, then, at the time the asset or liability is recognised, the associated gains or losses on the derivative that had previously been recognised in equity are included in the initial measurement of the asset or liability. For hedges that do not result in the recognition of an asset or a liability, amounts deferred in equity are recognised in the income statement in the same period in which the hedged item affects net income statement. For an effective hedge of an exposure to changes in the fair value, the hedged item is adjusted for changes in fair value attributable to the risk being hedged with the corresponding entry in profit or loss. Gains or losses from re-measuring the derivative, or for non-derivatives the foreign currency component of its carrying amount, are recognised in the income statement. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognised in the income statement as they arise. Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. At that time, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument recognised in equity is retained in equity until the forecasted transaction occurs. If a hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss recognised in equity is transferred to the net profit or loss for the period. Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or other host contracts are treated as separate derivatives when their risks and characteristics are not closely related to those of host contracts and the host contracts are not carried at fair value with unrealised gains or losses reported in the income statement. (n) Share schemes W H Smith Employees' Share Trust 1999 The shares held by the W H Smith Employees' Share Trust 1999 are valued at the historic cost of the shares acquired. They are deducted in arriving at shareholders' funds and are presented as an other reserve in line with IAS 32 'Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation'. Share based payments Employees of the Group receive part of their remuneration in the form of share based payment transactions, whereby employees render services in exchange for shares or rights over shares (equity settled transactions). Equity settled share-based payments are measured at fair value at the date of grant. The fair value is calculated using an appropriate options pricing model. The fair value is expensed to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group's estimate of shares that will eventually vest. -ENDS- Enquiries WH Smith PLC Mark Boyle Investor Relations 020 7851 8820 6. INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF WH SMITH PLC ON THE PRELIMINARY COMPARATIVE IFRS FINANCIAL INFORMATION We have audited the preliminary comparative IFRS financial information of WH Smith PLC for the year ended 31 August 2005, which comprises the consolidated balance sheet, the consolidated income statement, the basis of preparation (section 3), the IFRS accounting policies (section 5) and the appendices 1 and 2. This report is made solely to the Board of Directors, in accordance with our engagement letter dated 2 September 2005 and solely for the purpose of assisting with the transition to IFRS. Our audit work will be undertaken so that we might state to the company's board of directors those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we will not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company for our audit work, for our report, or for the opinions we have formed. Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors The company's directors are responsible for ensuring that the Company and the Group maintains proper accounting records and for the preparation of the preliminary comparative IFRS financial information on the basis set out in section 3, which describes how IFRS will be applied under IFRS 1, including the assumptions the directors have made about the standards and interpretations expected to be effective, and the policies expected to be adopted, when the company prepares its first complete set of IFRS financial statements as at 31 August 2006. Our responsibility is to audit the preliminary comparative financial information in accordance with relevant United Kingdom legal and regulatory requirements and auditing standards and report to you our opinion as to whether the preliminary comparative IFRS financial information is prepared, in all material respects, on the basis set out in section 3. We read the other information contained in the preliminary comparative IFRS financial information for the above year as described in the contents section and consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the preliminary comparative IFRS financial information. Basis of audit opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with United Kingdom auditing standards issued by the Auditing Practices Board. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the preliminary comparative IFRS financial information. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgements made by the directors in the preparation of the preliminary comparative IFRS financial information and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the circumstances of the group, consistently applied and adequately disclosed. We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the preliminary comparative IFRS financial information is free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion, we also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the preliminary comparative IFRS financial information. Without qualifying our opinion, we draw attention to the fact that section 3 explains why there is a possibility that the accompanying preliminary IFRS comparative financial information may require adjustment before constituting the final comparative IFRS financial information. Moreover, we draw attention to the fact that, under IFRSs, only a complete set of financial statements comprising a balance sheet, income statement, statement of changes in equity, cash flow statement, together with comparative financial information and explanatory notes, can provide a fair presentation of the company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with IFRSs. Opinion In our opinion the preliminary comparative IFRS financial information is prepared, in all material respects, on the basis set out in section 3 which describes how IFRS will be applied under IFRS 1, including the assumptions the directors have made about the standards and interpretations expected to be effective, and the policies expected to be adopted, when the company prepares its first complete set of IFRS financial statements as at 31 August 2006. Deloitte & Touche LLP Chartered Accountants London 29 November 2005 7. RESTATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION WH Smith PLC Consolidated Income Statement Year ended 31 August 2005 £m As reported IFRS As restated UK GAAP Adjustments IFRS ------------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Continuing operations Revenue 2,508 (11) 2,497 ------------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Operating profit 80 - 80 Investment income 3 - 3 Finance costs (11) (1) (12) ------------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Profit before tax 72 (1) 71 Income tax expense (18) 2 (16) ------------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Profit after tax from continuing operations 54 1 55 Loss for the period from discontinued operations (8) - (8) ------------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Profit for the period 46 1 47 ------------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Continuing earnings per share Basic earnings per share 30.5p 31.1p Diluted earnings per share 30.2p 30.7p Earnings per share Basic earnings per share 26.0p 26.6p Diluted earnings per share 25.7p 26.3p Headline earnings per share Basic earnings per share 31.6p 31.6p Diluted earnings per share 31.3p 31.3p WH Smith PLC Consolidated Balance Sheet As at 31 August 2005 £m As reported IFRS As restated UK GAAP Adjustments IFRS ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Non-current assets Intangible assets 14 19 33 Property, plant and equipment 231 (12) 219 Deferred tax assets 20 37 57 ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- 265 44 309 ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Current assets Inventories 162 - 162 Trade and other receivables 112 (1) 111 Cash and cash equivalents 46 - 46 ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- 320 (1) 319 ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Total assets 585 43 628 ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Current Liabilities Trade and other payables (319) 16 (303) Current tax liabilities (27) - (27) Obligations under finance leases (3) (3) (6) Bank overdrafts and loans (45) - (45) Short-term provisions - (5) (5) ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- (394) 8 (386) ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Net current assets / (liabilities) (74) 7 (67) ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Non-current liabilities Bank loans (37) - (37) Retirement benefit obligation (71) (32) (103) Deferred tax liabilities - (16) (16) Long-term provisions (31) 19 (12) Obligations under finance leases (9) (5) (14) Other non-current liabilities (1) (7) (8) ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- (149) (41) (190) ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Total liabilities (543) (33) (576) ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Total net assets 42 10 52 ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Shareholders' equity Called up share capital (equity and non equity) 157 - 157 Share premium account 17 - 17 Other reserves 187 - 187 Retained earnings (319) 10 (309) ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Total equity 42 10 52 ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- WH Smith PLC Consolidated Balance Sheet As at 1 September 2004 (date of transition) £m As reported IFRS As restated UK GAAP Adjustments IFRS ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Non-current assets Intangible assets 164 (126) 38 Property, plant and equipment 237 (21) 216 Deferred tax assets - 68 68 ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- 401 (79) 322 ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Current assets Inventories 184 (17) 167 Trade and other receivables 212 (75) 137 Cash and cash equivalents 64 - 64 ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- 460 (92) 368 Assets held for sale - 247 247 ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- 460 155 615 ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Total assets 861 76 937 ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Current Liabilities Trade and other payables (367) 51 (316) Current tax liabilities (30) - (30) Obligations under finance leases - (4) (4) Bank overdrafts and loans (17) - (17) Short-term provisions - (10) (10) ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- (414) 37 (377) ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Net current assets / (liabilities) 46 192 238 ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Non-current liabilities Bank loans (2) - (2) Retirement benefit obligation (149) (65) (214) Deferred tax liabilities - (17) (17) Long-term provisions (38) 25 (13) Obligations under finance leases - (6) (6) Other non-current liabilities (2) (8) (10) ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- (191) (71) (262) Non-current liabilities held for resale - (37) (37) ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Total liabilities (605) (71) (676) ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Total net assets 256 5 261 ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Shareholders' equity Called up share capital (equity and non equity) 141 - 141 Share premium account 93 - 93 Other reserves 132 - 132 Retained earnings (110) 5 (105) ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Total equity 256 5 261 ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Appendix 1 Reconciliation of Profit for the year ended 31 August 2005 Disclosure Effect of Changes to Accounting Policies £m As reported Discontinued Share based Leasing Dividends Other IFRS As restated UK GAAP operations payments Adjustments IFRS ------------- ------- ------ ----- ------ ------ ------ -------- -------- Continuing operations Revenue 2,508 (11) - - - - (11) 2,497 ------------- ------- ------ ----- ------ ------ ------ -------- -------- Operating profit 80 - (2) 1 - 1 - 80 Investment income 3 - - - - - - 3 Finance costs (11) - - (1) - - (1) (12) ------------- ------- ------ ----- ------ ------ ------ -------- -------- Profit before tax 72 - (2) - - 1 (1) 71 Income tax expense (18) - 2 - - - 2 (16) ------------- ------- ------ ----- ------ ------ ------ -------- -------- Profit after tax for continuing operations 54 - - - - 1 1 55 Loss for the period from discontinued operations (8) - - - - - - (8) ------------- ------- ------ ----- ------ ------ ------ -------- -------- Profit for the period 46 - - - - 1 1 47 ------------- ------- ------ ----- ------ ------ ------ -------- -------- Appendix 2 Reconciliation of Net Assets as at 31 August 2005 Disclosure £m As reported Discontinued Pensions Intangible Provisions UK GAAP operations assets ----------------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- Non-current assets Intangible assets 14 - - 18 - Property, plant and equipment 231 - - (18) - Deferred tax assets 20 - 30 - 2 ----------------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- 265 - 30 - 2 ----------------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- Current assets Inventories 162 - - - - Trade and other receivables 112 - - - - Cash and cash equivalents 46 - - - - ----------------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- 320 - - - - ----------------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- Total assets 585 - 30 - 2 ----------------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- Current Liabilities Trade and other payables (319) - - - - Current tax liabilities (27) - - - - Obligations under finance leases (3) - - - - Bank overdrafts and loans (45) - - - - Short-term provisions - - - - (5) ----------------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- (394) - - - (5) ----------------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- Net current assets / (liabilities) (74) - - - (5) ----------------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- Non-current liabilities Bank loans (37) - - - - Retirement benefit obligation (71) - (30) - - Deferred tax liabilities - - - - (16) Long-term provisions (31) - - - 19 Obligations under finance leases (9) - - - - Other non-current liabilities (1) - - - - ----------------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- (149) - (30) - 3 ----------------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- Total liabilities (543) - (30) - (2) ----------------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- Total net assets 42 - - - - ----------------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- Shareholders' equity Called up share capital (equity and non equity) 157 - - - - Share premium account 17 - - - - Other reserves 187 - - - - Retained earnings (319) - - - - ----------------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- Total equity 42 - - - - ----------------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- Effect of Changes in Accounting Policies £m Share Leasing Dividends Other IFRS As restated based payments Adjustments IFRS ------------------------ ------- ------- ------ ----- ---------- -------- Non-current assets Intangible assets - - 1 19 33 Property, plant and equipment - 8 - (2) (12) 219 Deferred tax assets 2 2 - 1 37 57 ------------------------ ------- ------- ------ ----- ---------- -------- 2 10 - - 44 309 ------------------------ ------- ------- ------ ----- ---------- -------- Current assets Inventories - - - - - 162 Trade and other receivables - (1) - - (1) 111 Cash and cash equivalents - - - - - 46 ------------------------ ------- ------- ------ ----- ---------- -------- - (1) - - (1) 319 ------------------------ ------- ------- ------ ----- ---------- -------- Total assets 2 9 - - 43 628 ------------------------ ------- ------- ------ ----- ---------- -------- Current Liabilities - Trade and other payables - - 16 - 16 (303) Current tax liabilities - - - - - (27) Obligations under finance leases - (3) - - (3) (6) Bank overdrafts and loans - - - - - (45) Short-term provisions - - - - (5) (5) ------------------------ ------- ------- ------ ----- ---------- -------- - (3) 16 - 8 (386) ------------------------ ------- ------- ------ ----- ---------- -------- Net current assets / (liabilities) - (4) 16 - 7 (67) ------------------------ ------- ------- ------ ----- ---------- -------- Non-current liabilities Bank loans - - - - - (37) Retirement benefit obligation - - - (2) (32) (103) Deferred tax liabilities - - - - (16) (16) Long-term provisions - - - - 19 (12) Obligations under finance leases - (5) - - (5) (14) Other non-current liabilities - (7) - - (7) (8) ------------------------ ------- ------- ------ ----- ---------- -------- - (12) - (2) (41) (190) ------------------------ ------- ------- ------ ----- ---------- -------- Total liabilities - (15) 16 (2) (33) (576) ------------------------ ------- ------- ------ ----- ---------- -------- Total net assets 2 (6) 16 (2) 10 52 ------------------------ ------- ------- ------ ----- ---------- -------- Shareholders' equity Called up share capital (equity and non equity) - - - - - 157 Share premium account - - - - - 17 Other reserves - - - - - 187 Retained earnings 2 (6) 16 (2) 10 (309) ------------------------ ------- ------- ------ ----- ---------- -------- Total equity 2 (6) 16 (2) 10 52 ------------------------ ------- ------- ------ ----- ---------- -------- Appendix 3 Reconciliation of Net Assets as at transition (1 September 2004) Disclosure £m As reported Discontinued Pensions Intangible Provisions UK GAAP operations assets ------------------------ --------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Non-current assets Intangible assets 164 (149) - 23 - Property, plant and equipment 237 (7) - (23) - Deferred tax assets - - 63 - 2 ------------------------ --------- -------- ------- ------- ------- 401 (156) 63 - 2 ------------------------ --------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Current assets Inventories 184 (17) - - - Trade and other receivables 212 (74) - - - Cash and cash equivalents 64 - - - - ------------------------ --------- -------- ------- ------- ------- 460 (91) - - - Assets held for sale - 247 - - - ------------------------ --------- -------- ------- ------- ------- 460 156 - - - ------------------------ --------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Total assets 861 - 63 - 2 ------------------------ --------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Current Liabilities Trade and other payables (367) 37 - - - Current tax liabilities (30) - - - - Obligations under finance - - - - - leases Bank overdrafts and loans (17) - - - - Short-term provisions - - - - (10) ------------------------ --------- -------- ------- ------- ------- (414) 37 - - (10) ------------------------ --------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Net current assets / (liabilities) 46 193 - - (10) ------------------------ --------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Non-current liabilities Bank loans (2) - - - - Retirement benefit obligation (149) - (63) - - Deferred tax liabilities - - - - (17) Long-term provisions (38) - - - 25 Obligations under finance - - - - - leases Other non-current liabilities (2) - - - - ------------------------ --------- -------- ------- ------- ------- (191) - (63) - 8 ------------------------ --------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Non-current liabilities held for sale - (37) - - - Total liabilities (605) - (63) - (2) Total net assets 256 - - - - ------------------------ --------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Shareholders' equity Called up share capital (equity and non equity) 141 - - - - Share premium account 93 - - - - Other reserves 132 - - - - Retained earnings (110) - - - - ------------------------ --------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Total equity 256 - - - - ------------------------ --------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Effect of Changes in Accounting Policies £m Share based Leasing Dividends Other IFRS As payments Adjustments restated IFRS ------------------------ ---------- ------- ------ ----- -------- ------- Non-current assets Intangible assets - - - - (126) 38 Property, plant and equipment - 11 - (2) (21) 216 Deferred tax assets - 2 - 1 68 68 ------------------------ ---------- ------- ------ ----- -------- ------- - 13 - (1) (79) 322 ------------------------ ---------- ------- ------ ----- -------- ------- Current assets Inventories - - - - (17) 167 Trade and other receivables - (1) - - (75) 137 Cash and cash equivalents - - - - - 64 ------------------------ ---------- ------- ------ ----- -------- ------- - (1) - - (92) 368 Assets held for sale - - - - 247 247 ------------------------ ---------- ------- ------ ----- -------- ------- - (1) - - 155 615 ------------------------ ---------- ------- ------ ----- -------- ------- Total assets - 12 - (1) 76 937 ------------------------ ---------- ------- ------ ----- -------- ------- Current Liabilities Trade and other payables - - 14 - 51 (316) Current tax liabilities - - - - - (30) Obligations under finance leases - (4) - - (4) (4) Bank overdrafts and loans - - - - - (17) Short-term provisions - - - - (10) (10) ------------------------ ---------- ------- ------ ----- -------- ------- - (4) 14 - 37 (377) Net current assets / (liabilities) - (5) 14 - 192 238 ------------------------ ---------- ------- ------ ----- -------- ------- Non-current liabilities Bank loans - - - - - (2) Retirement benefit obligation - - - (2) (65) (214) Deferred tax liabilities - - - - (17) (17) Long-term provisions - - - - 25 (13) Obligations under finance leases - (6) - - (6) (6) Other non-current liabilities - (8) - - (8) (10) ------------------------ ---------- ------- ------ ----- -------- ------- - (14) - (2) (71) (262) ------------------------ ---------- ------- ------ ----- -------- ------- Non-current liabilities held for sale - - - - (37) (37) ------------------------ ---------- ------- ------ ----- -------- ------- Total liabilities - (18) 14 (2) (71) (676) ------------------------ ---------- ------- ------ ----- -------- ------- Total net assets - (6) 14 (3) 5 261 ------------------------ ---------- ------- ------ ----- -------- ------- Shareholders' equity Called up share capital (equity and non equity) - - - - - 141 Share premium account - - - - - 93 Other reserves - - - - - 132 Retained earnings - (6) 14 (3) 5 (105) ------------------------ ---------- ------- ------ ----- -------- ------- Total equity - (6) 14 (3) 5 261 ------------------------ ---------- ------- ------ ----- -------- ------- This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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