Interim Results
Whitbread PLC
28 October 2003
28th October 2003
Whitbread interim results
for the 26 weeks to August 30, 2003
Fifth successive period of double-digit earnings growth
* Profit before tax and exceptional items up 11% to £134.7m
* Divisional sales (excluding business disposals) up 4.1% to £923m
* Like-for-like sales up 2.8%
* MAT return on capital up from 8.9% to 9.6%
* Cash flow from operations up 13%
* Adjusted earnings per share up 11% to 31.99p
* Dividend per share up from 5.57p to 6.15p
* Net assets per share up 4.2% to £6.98
Sir John Banham, chairman, said: 'Double-digit earnings growth for the fifth
time in a row demonstrates both the strength of Whitbread's brands and
management's continuing commitment to generating value for our shareholders.
'Market conditions have not been easy, particularly in hotels, but Marriott
achieved a yield premium to the market both in London and the provinces while
Travel Inn was one of very few UK hotel brands to achieve like-for-like sales
and operating profit growth.
'Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, and David Lloyd Leisure also continued their progress
with growth in sales, like-for-like sales, margins, operating profit and return
on capital.
'The disposals of the Swallow hotels which did not meet Marriott brand standards
as well as the underperforming Beefeater pub restaurants were at just below book
value. These not only improve the cash position but protect shareholders'
longer-term interests by raising the quality of the retained assets.
'The board has confidence in the growth prospects for the group and this is
reflected in the interim dividend of 6.15p per share, an increase of 10%. This
will be paid on 6 January 2004 to shareholders on the register at the close of
business on 7 November 2003.'
Copies of the interim report and accounts will be sent to shareholders on 7
November 2003 and will be available to the public on the Whitbread website
www.whitbread.co.uk or from Simon Barratt, company secretary, Whitbread PLC,
CityPoint, One Ropemaker Street, London EC2Y 9HX.
For further information please contact:-
David Reed Whitbread 020 7806 5436
Dan Waugh Whitbread 020 7806 5442
Julie Weldon Whitbread 020 7806 5443
Eric Dodd Whitbread 020 7806 5429
Andrew Grant Tulchan Communications 020 7353 4200
(Pictures available to press at www.newscast.co.uk - 020 7608 1000)
(A presentation for analysts will be held today at Deutsche Bank, Winchester
House, 1 Great Winchester Street, London EC2N 2DB. Registration from 9.00am,
presentation at 9.30am. The presentation also will be available on the website
at www.whitbread.co.uk. Alternatively, you can listen to the presentation by
dialling - 0800 901 2160 (or +44(0)207 019 9509 outside the UK) and using the
password 'Whitbread'. It is recommended that you dial in 5 or 10 minutes prior
to the conference. The conference call will be available as a replay for a
period of two weeks. To listen dial +44(0) 207 784 1024 and use the passcode
329616.
Chief executive's review
David Thomas said: 'These results demonstrate that the Whitbread brands are
trading very successfully. Whether the measure is profit per room in Marriott,
margin growth in pub restaurants or retention rates at David Lloyd Leisure,
there is clear evidence that our brands are outperforming.
'But there is still a long way to go before the full potential of our brands is
delivered and a great deal of work is taking place to achieve Whitbread's
longer-term growth.
'This management action includes a development plan for the Beefeater brand
which has already improved return on capital by almost 2% points and is on track
to deliver more in subsequent years. Similarly, David Lloyd Leisure achieved a
0.4% point return on capital growth from its clubs through its maturing club
profile and through membership growth.
'New site capital expenditure is directed towards the brands which are producing
the strongest returns. Over the last year, Travel Inn has added 1449 rooms to
reach 17,910, which makes it the UK's largest hotel brand while Brewers Fayre
and Brewsters grew by 14 units to 393. In addition, David Lloyd Leisure opened
two new clubs and generated a pipeline of eight contracted sites
Current trading
'Trading since the half year has been encouraging. After 33 weeks, Marriott had
continued to improve its like-for-like sales and was only slightly negative at
(0.5%). Travel Inn was ahead 3.7%, Beefeater 4.0%, Brewers Fayre 2.2% and David
Lloyd Leisure 6.5%.'
Marriott
Sales £194m ( 1.2%)
Like-for-like sales ( 1.3%)
Operating profit £32.2m (12% )
In common with all upscale hotel brands, Marriott faced difficult market
conditions - particularly in London but there was further evidence of the
brand's relative outperformance against its peers.
Total revenue per available room was ahead of the market by some 16% and profit
per available room was above the average of the three leading competitors.
Return on capital was 3.0% for the half year and 6.5% on a MAT basis.
Total network occupancy was sustained at 72% although achieved room rate fell by
5% as tourist and conference guests replaced business travellers - particularly
American visitors to London. Like-for-like sales which were 4.1% negative at
the beginning of the year improved throughout the period and have been
marginally positive since the end of the half year.
Travel Inn
Sales £114m + 9.9%
Like-for-like sales + 3.5%
Operating profit £38.3m + 7.9%
The strength of the Travel Inn brand was demonstrated by its ability to achieve
a 3.7% improvement in achieved room rate to £41.38p.
Over the last year, Travel Inn opened 1449 new rooms - 1171 of them in the large
Metro and Capital units that take longer to reach mature operating levels. As a
result, headline occupancy declined slightly to 82.5%. Return on capital was 7%
for the half year and 12.8% on a MAT basis.
Travel Inn's successful sales strategies continued to deliver significant
results. Transactions through the brand's own business card averaged £1.2m per
month compared with £0.85m last year. The on-line room inventory enabled £1.3m
per month in referred sales to be achieved - up 26% on the previous year.
Internet bookings reached a new peak of 21.6% in August.
Pub restaurants
Sales £307m + 1.7%
Like-for-like sales + 3.3%
Operating profit £53.4m + 14%
The pub restaurant brands traded strongly with Beefeater improving its operating
margin by 3% points to 13.4% and Brewers Fayre / Brewsters ahead 1% point at
19.7%. Return on capital also improved for the half-year at 5.6% in Beefeater
(up 1.8% points) and 7.9% in Brewers Fayre / Brewsters (up 0.2% points). MAT
return on capital for pub restaurants was 11%. Profit per pub restaurant was up
by 17%.
Following the successful trial of six rejuvenated Beefeater units, a further
eight are being converted prior to Christmas. Sales uplifts following
conversion are averaging over 30% providing a healthy return on the incremental
investment and on the overall invested capital.
High Street restaurants
Sales £208m + 6.1%
Like-for-like sales + 2.7%
Operating profit £8.0m + 31%
The high street brands achieved further solid progress with operating profit up
by 31%. Operating margin improved by 0.8% points and half year return on
capital improved by 1.6% points. MAT return on capital was 19.4%. Profit per
managed outlet was ahead by 30%.
David Lloyd Leisure
Sales £100m + 12.7%
Like-for-like sales + 6.6%
Operating profit £23.0m + 11.7%
David Lloyd Leisure once again demonstrated that it is the leading brand in its
industry. The strong focus on service to members resulted in a retention rate
of 75% (MAT) compared with the industry average of 60%.
The mature club performance was extremely robust with like-for-like sales growth
of 5.3%. Mature club membership was up 4% and return on capital for the
half-year improved by 0.4% points to 7.5%. Overall return on capital for the
David Lloyd clubs improved by 0.4% points to 4.7% for the half year. It was
9.2% on a MAT basis.
Total membership grew by more than 10% over the same period last year to reach a
total of 321,302. Revenue per member was maintained at £295 for the period
despite the sale of more off-peak and children's memberships in mature clubs.
This was achieved by improved sales of food and beverage and the early benefits
of the brand's initiative on personal training.
Developing business
The figures for developing business reflect the initial setting up costs for our
spas project.
FINANCE REVIEW
These financial statements show clearly the underlying financial position of the
group now that reported figures no longer include the demerged Pubs & Bars
division or the major business disposals of recent years. In particular, the
financial statements show the benefits of the group's focus on: achieving profit
growth from existing businesses; improving margins and return on capital; and
cash generation.
Turnover
Turnover grew by 2.8% on a like for like basis. Comparable divisional turnover
grew by 4.1%. The decline in headline reported turnover reflects the disposal
of the Pelican high street business in May 2002 and the cessation of the
remaining beer production activity in April 2003.
Operating profit
Operating profit grew by 6.6%. All divisions, apart from Marriott, contributed
profit increases. Marriott's results were adversely affected by the depressed
four star hotel market.
Profit margin increased from 15.2% to 16.4%. Return on capital for the half
year increased from 5.2% to 5.4% and, on an MAT basis, from 8.9% to 9.6%.
Earnings before exceptional items, interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation
('EBITDA')
EBITDA is a good measure of the cash generated by each division (see note 2 to
the accounts). EBITDA for the group grew by 3.8% to £223.3 million.
Non-operating items
The net loss on disposal of fixed assets of £8.9 million relates primarily to
book losses on the sales of pub restaurants and the Swallow hotels.
Interest
£3.3m of the interest charge for the period relates to financing costs
associated with the realisation of tax losses not previously recognised in the
accounts. These costs have been treated as exceptional, in line with the
treatment of the associated tax credit. The net interest charge before the
exceptional cost declined as a result of a lower level of net debt and
marginally lower interest rates.
Net interest, before the exceptional cost, was covered 6.1 times by operating
profit.
At the end of the period, 57% of net sterling debt was fixed for a weighted
average of 7.3 years. The weighted average rate of interest on the fixed rate
sterling debt was 6.6%.
Profit before exceptional items
Profit before exceptional items and tax increased by 11%, reflecting the
increased operating profit and lower net interest cost.
Tax
As explained in note 1 to the accounts, the tax charge on profit before
exceptional items for the interim period has been calculated by applying the
forecast effective tax rate for the current year. The charge against profit
before exceptional items of £44.4 million represents an effective rate of 33.0%.
The charge includes deferred tax as detailed in note 5.
The exceptional tax credit in the period of £23.5 million represents the
realisation of tax losses not previously recognised in the accounts.
Earnings per share
Adjusted earnings per share, which excludes exceptional items and goodwill
amortisation, increased by 11% to 31.99 pence.
Dividend
An interim dividend of 6.15p per share, an increase of 10% over last year, will
be paid on 6 January 2004 to all shareholders on the register at the close of
business on 7 November 2003.
Cash flow
Net cash inflow before use of liquid resources and financing was £36 million
compared with £11 million in the corresponding period. This outcome was arrived
at after accounting for capital expenditure of £108 million. £36m of capital
expenditure was spent acquiring and developing new outlets. Our forecast for
capital expenditure for the full year is about £250m. Property and plant sold
(of £44 million) comprises mainly the net proceeds from the sale of pub
restaurants.
Contracts for the sale of the Swallow hotels were exchanged by the period end.
Consequently the book loss on sale has been accounted for in these accounts (see
'Non-operating items' above). The sales of 11 of these hotels were completed,
and net proceeds of £43 million were received, at the beginning of September.
This amount was included in other debtors (see note 7 to the accounts) at the
period end.
Financing
Net debt at the end of the half year amounted to £901 million, a reduction of
£40m over the period. This resulted in a period end balance sheet gearing ratio
of 43%.
Net asset value
Net asset value per share increased over the period from £6.70 to £6.98.
Pensions
In view of the extension granted by the Accounting Standards Board to the
transitional arrangements for FRS 17 ('Retirement Benefits'), we have continued
to account for pensions in accordance with SSAP24.
During the transition period for FRS 17, we will continue to report the
financial position of the pension fund as measured on that basis. At the end of
our 2002/3 financial year, there was a pension fund deficit of £420 million on
an FRS 17 basis. The net deficit after tax was £294 million. The estimated
deficits at the half year end had reduced to £307 million before tax and £215
million after tax. It should be noted that the FRS 17 calculations are very
susceptible to short-term movements in equity values and interest rates.
Financial year end
Work is continuing on the implementation of a group-wide E.R.P. system. This
project encompasses the implementation of integrated I.T. systems and the
harmonisation of policies and procedures across the group. As a result of this
harmonisation, which will bring operational benefits to our businesses, it is
intended to move our accounting period-end day to a Thursday. Consequently our
2003/4 financial year will now end on 4 March 2004.
Group Profit and Loss Account
Six months to 30 August 2003 Notes 6 months to 30 August 2003
Before exceptional Exceptional items Total
items (note 3)
£m £m £m
Turnover, continuing operations
Group and share of joint ventures 981.6 - 981.6
Less share of joint ventures' turnover (83.7) - (83.7)
---------- ---------- ----------
Group turnover 2 897.9 - 897.9
========== ========== ==========
Group operating profit, continuing
operations 138.1 - 138.1
Share of operating profit in:
- Joint ventures 7.1 - 7.1
- Associates 15.8 - 15.8
---------- ---------- ----------
Operating profit of the group, joint
ventures and associates 2 161.0 - 161.0
Non-operating items
Net profit/(loss) on disposal of fixed
assets 3 - (8.9) (8.9)
Net loss on the disposal of businesses - - -
---------- ---------- ----------
Profit before interest 161.0 (8.9) 152.1
Interest 4 (26.3) (3.3) (29.6)
---------- ---------- ----------
Profit before tax 134.7 (12.2) 122.5
Tax 5 (44.4) 23.5 (20.9)
---------- ---------- ----------
Profit after tax 90.3 11.3 101.6
Equity minority interests (0.1) - (0.1)
Non-equity minority interests (0.1) - (0.1)
---------- ---------- ----------
Profit earned for ordinary shareholders 90.1 11.3 101.4
Ordinary dividend (17.7) - (17.7)
---------- ---------- ----------
Retained profit for the period 72.4 11.3 83.7
========== ========== ==========
Dividends per share (pence)
Interim 6.15
Final
Earnings per share (pence) 6
Basic 34.40
Adjusted basic 31.99
Diluted 34.21
Adjusted diluted 31.82
Group Profit and Loss Account (Continued)
Six months to 30 August 2003 Notes 6 months to 31 August 2002 Year to 1 Mar 2003
Before exceptional After After
items exceptional exceptional
£m items items
£m £m
Turnover, continuing operations
Group and share of joint ventures 990.9 990.9 1,965.1
Less share of joint ventures' turnover (77.3) (77.3) (171.0)
---------- ---------- ----------
Group turnover 2 913.6 913.6 1,794.1
========== ========== ==========
Group operating profit, continuing
operations 131.2 131.2 237.1
Share of operating profit in:
- Joint ventures 6.6 6.6 15.1
- Associates 13.3 13.3 17.8
---------- ---------- ----------
Operating profit of the group, joint
ventures and associates 2 151.1 151.1 270.0
Non-operating items
Net profit/(loss) on disposal of fixed
assets 3 - 4.9 1.6
Net loss on the disposal of businesses - (7.8) (7.8)
---------- ---------- ----------
Profit before interest 151.1 148.2 263.8
Interest 4 (29.8) (29.8) (61.0)
---------- ---------- ----------
Profit before tax 121.3 118.4 202.8
Tax 5 (40.2) (40.2) (50.0)
---------- ---------- ----------
Profit after tax 81.1 78.2 152.8
Equity minority interests - - (0.2)
Non-equity minority interests (0.2) (0.2) (0.2)
---------- ---------- ----------
Profit earned for ordinary shareholders 80.9 78.0 152.4
Ordinary dividend (16.5) (16.5) (58.7)
---------- ---------- ----------
Retained profit for the period 64.4 61.5 93.7
========== ========== ==========
Dividends per share (pence)
Interim 5.57 5.57
Final 14.30
Earnings per share (pence) 6
Basic 26.49 51.77
Adjusted basic 28.91 52.85
Diluted 26.39 51.59
Adjusted diluted 28.79 52.67
Statement of total recognised gains and losses
Six months to 30 August 2003 6 months 6 months Year to
to 30 Aug 2003 to 31 Aug 2002 1 Mar 2003
£m £m £m
Profit earned for ordinary shareholders
Group excluding joint ventures and associates 85.1 64.7 139.4
Joint ventures 5.2 4.1 6.6
Associates 11.1 9.2 6.4
---------- ---------- ----------
Group including joint ventures and associates 101.4 78.0 152.4
Currency translation differences on net foreign
investment 0.2 0.5 0.2
---------- ---------- ----------
Total gains and losses recognised since previous
year end 101.6 78.5 152.6
========== ========== ==========
Cash flow statement
Six months to 30 August 2003 Notes 6 months to 6 months to Year to
30 Aug 2003 31 Aug 2002 1 Mar 2003
£m £m £m
Cash inflow from operating activities 9 181.5 160.2 355.2
Dividends received from joint ventures
and associates 4.1 6.3 13.3
Returns on investments and servicing of
finance
Interest received 1.8 0.5 1.2
Interest paid (28.2) (27.7) (64.0)
Debt issue costs - - (0.6)
---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash outflow from returns on
investments and servicing of finance (26.4) (27.2) (63.4)
Tax (15.0) (23.3) (49.6)
Capital expenditure and financial
investment
Property and plant purchased (107.7) (107.9) (218.3)
Investments purchased and loans advanced (2.4) (0.4) (0.9)
Property and plant sold 44.2 17.5 29.4
Investments sold and loans realised - - 4.1
---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash outflow from capital
expenditure and financial investment (65.9) (90.8) (185.7)
Acquisitions and disposals
Businesses sold - 23.3 23.1
---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash inflow from acquisitions and
disposals
- 23.3 23.1
Equity dividends paid (42.1) (37.5) (53.9)
---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash inflow before use of liquid
resources and financing 36.2 11.0 39.0
Management of liquid resources
Net movement on short term securities
and bank deposits 10 4.2 6.8 3.9
Financing
Minority dividends (0.1) - (0.2)
Issue of shares 3.0 1.1 1.3
Net movement on short term bank
borrowings 10 (3.7) 2.7 (3.3)
Loan capital issued 10 55.0 3.0 78.3
Loan capital repaid 10 (88.5) (16.9) (109.3)
---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash outflow from financing (34.3) (10.1) (33.2)
---------- ---------- ----------
Increase in cash 10 6.1 7.7 9.7
========== ========== ==========
Balance Sheet
30 August 2003 Notes 30 Aug 2003 31 Aug 2002 1 Mar 2003
£m £m £m
Fixed assets
Intangible assets 137.3 145.7 141.5
Tangible assets 2,991.6 3,004.0 3,045.1
Investments
In joint ventures
---------- ---------- ----------
- Share of joint ventures' gross
assets 85.0 75.5 78.1
- Share of joint ventures' gross
liabilities (39.4) (37.6) (37.7)
- Loans to joint ventures 1.8 5.9 1.8
---------- ---------- ----------
47.4 43.8 42.2
In associates 63.9 66.7 56.7
Other investments 9.3 6.8 7.0
---------- ---------- ----------
3,249.5 3,267.0 3,292.5
---------- ---------- ----------
Current assets and liabilities
Stocks 23.9 26.3 23.9
Debtors - amounts falling due within one
year 7 150.6 116.8 95.2
Debtors - amounts falling due after more
than one year 7 45.3 27.0 35.9
Cash at bank and in hand 56.2 101.1 75.4
---------- ---------- ----------
276.0 271.2 230.4
Creditors - amounts falling due within
one year 8 (332.8) (662.9) (474.4)
---------- ---------- ----------
Net current liabilities (56.8) (391.7) (244.0)
---------- ---------- ----------
Total assets less current liabilities 3,192.7 2,875.3 3,048.5
Creditors - amounts falling due after
more than one year
Loan capital (930.8) (747.6) (879.8)
Provisions for liabilities and charges (184.3) (169.4) (178.1)
---------- ---------- ----------
2,077.6 1,958.3 1,990.6
========== ========== ==========
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 148.3 148.0 148.0
Share premium account 10.0 7.1 7.3
Revaluation reserve 118.0 139.4 134.5
Other non-distributable reserves (1,803.4) (1,802.3) (1,815.8)
Profit and loss account 3,597.9 3,459.6 3,509.9
---------- ---------- ----------
Shareholders' funds 11 2,070.8 1,951.8 1,983.9
Equity minority interests 3.7 3.4 3.6
Non-equity minority interests 3.1 3.1 3.1
---------- ---------- ----------
2,077.6 1,958.3 1,990.6
========== ========== ==========
Notes to the accounts
1. Basis of preparation of accounts
The interim accounts were approved by the board on 27 October 2003. They have
been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the 2002/3
group accounts. The tax charge on profit before exceptional items for the
interim period has been calculated by applying the forecast effective tax rate
for the current year.
The balance sheet as at 1 March 2003 and the profit and loss account and cash
flow statement for the year ended on that date are extracts from the statutory
accounts which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors'
report on the statutory accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement
under section 237 of the Companies Act 1985.
2. Segmental analysis of turnover, profit and net assets
Six months to 30 August 2003 Turnover EBITDA (S) Operating profit # Net assets
£m £m £m £m
By business segment
Hotels - Marriott/Swallow 194.0 54.4 32.2 1,225.1
- Travel Inn 114.1 47.8 38.3 543.4
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
308.1 102.2 70.5 1,768.5
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Restaurants
- Pub Restaurants 307.4 65.5 53.4 753.5
- High Street Restaurants 207.5 15.6 8.0 118.0
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
514.9 81.1 61.4 871.5
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Sports, Health and Fitness
- David Lloyd Leisure 99.6 33.7 23.4 496.0
- Developing business - (0.4) (0.4) (0.1)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
99.6 33.3 23.0 495.9
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Divisional totals 922.6 216.6 154.9 3,135.9
Beer & Other Drinks 10.1 15.6 15.6 55.8
Inter-segment turnover (see note
below) (1.2)
Share of joint ventures'
turnover (83.7)
Central Costs 50.1 (8.9) (9.5) (213.1)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
897.9 223.3 161.0 2,978.6
============ ============ ============ ============
By geographical segment
United Kingdom 861.8 220.9 160.5 2,932.8
Rest of the world 36.1 2.4 0.5 45.8
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
897.9 223.3 161.0 2,978.6
============ ============ ============ ============
2. Segmental analysis of turnover, profit and net assets (continued)
Six months to 31 August 2002 (restated) Turnover EBITDA (S) Operating Net assets
profit #
By business segment £m £m £m £m
Hotels - Marriott/Swallow 196.3 57.7 36.6 1,249.0
- Travel Inn 103.8 43.9 35.5 500.8
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
300.1 101.6 72.1 1,749.8
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Restaurants
- Pub Restaurants 302.2 62.1 46.9 776.4
- High Street Restaurants -
retained 195.6 14.2 6.1 117.7
- High Street Restaurants -
disposed of 23.3 1.4 0.7 -
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
521.1 77.7 53.7 894.1
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Sports, Health and Fitness -
David Lloyd Leisure 88.4 30.3 20.6 478.8
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Divisional totals 909.6 209.6 146.4 3,122.7
Beer & Other Drinks 32.9 12.8 12.8 58.8
Inter-segment turnover (see note
below) (1.3)
Share of joint ventures'
turnover (77.3)
Central Costs 49.7 (7.3) (8.1) (259.0)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
913.6 215.1 151.1 2,922.5
============ ============ ============ ============
By geographical segment
United Kingdom 880.5 212.8 150.5 2,885.7
Rest of the world 33.1 2.3 0.6 36.8
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
913.6 215.1 151.1 2,922.5
============ ============ ============ ============
The figures for the six months to 31 August 2002 have been restated to reflect
the transfer of some non-hotel activities from Marriott to Central Costs.
(S) EBITDA is earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.
# Operating profit is stated after charging the amortisation of goodwill as
follows:
6 months to 6 months to
30 Aug 2003 31 Aug 2002
£m £m
Hotels - Marriott/Swallow 4.0 4.0
Sports, Health and Fitness - David Lloyd
Leisure 0.2 0.2
Following the sale of The Whitbread Beer Company there remained a continuing
activity within the Beer segment. This ceased on 15 April 2003.
Segmental turnover includes the group's share of joint venture turnover as
follows:
6 months to 6 months to
30 Aug 2003 31 Aug 2002
£m £m
Hotels - Travel Inn 1.8 1.3
High Street Restaurants 81.9 76.0
------------ ------------
83.7 77.3
============ ============
Inter-segment turnover was from High Street Restaurants to the other segments.
Central Costs turnover comprises, primarily, food distribution services provided
to a joint venture. The geographical analysis of turnover and profit is by
source. The analysis of turnover by destination was not materially different.
Sales between geographical segments are not material.
Net assets included above are total net assets excluding net debt.
3. Exceptional items
6 months to 6 months to Year to
30 Aug 2003 31 Aug 2002 1 Mar 2003
£m £m £m
Operating items
Onerous contract on non-trading leasehold property - - (5.0)
------------ ------------ ------------
Charged against operating profit - - (5.0)
Non-operating items
Net profit/(loss) on disposal of fixed assets
- Group excluding joint ventures and associates (9.8) 4.6 0.8
- Joint ventures 0.8 0.2 0.5
- Associates 0.1 0.1 0.3
Net loss on the disposal of businesses - (7.8) (7.8)
Exceptional financing costs (note 4) (3.3) - -
Exceptional tax (note 5) 23.5 - 16.4
------------ ------------ ------------
11.3 (2.9) 5.2
============ ============ ============
The £5.0m onerous contract provision in 2002/3 relates to a site which is not
being developed.
4. Interest
6 months to 6 months to Year to
30 Aug 2003 31 Aug 2002 1 Mar 2003
£m £m £m
Interest payable 27.2 30.7 63.0
Interest receivable (0.8) (0.5) (1.2)
Interest capitalised (1.6) (1.0) (3.7)
------------ ------------ ------------
24.8 29.2 58.1
Interest payable by:
Joint ventures 0.2 0.3 0.7
Associates 0.5 0.3 0.6
------------ ------------ ------------
25.5 29.8 59.4
Interest from unwinding discounts on provisions 0.8 - 1.6
Exceptional financing costs # 3.3 - -
------------ ------------ ------------
29.6 29.8 61.0
============ ============ ============
# The exceptional financing costs are associated with the recognition of tax
losses (note 5).
5. Tax
6 months to 6 months to Year to
30 Aug 2003 31 Aug 2002 1 Mar 2003
£m £m £m
Current tax on profits for the period before
exceptional items
UK Corporation Tax 31.0 26.3 46.5
Adjustments to UK Corporation Tax for earlier
periods 0.3 (0.3) (11.3)
------------ ------------ ------------
31.3 26.0 35.2
Overseas tax 0.2 - 0.7
Adjustments to overseas tax for earlier periods (0.6) - 0.1
Joint ventures 2.2 2.3 4.8
Associates 4.3 3.9 6.1
Exceptional current UK tax adjustment # (23.5) - (16.4)
------------ ------------ ------------
Total current tax 13.9 32.2 30.5
------------ ------------ ------------
Deferred tax on profit before exceptional items
Timing differences - Group 6.7 7.9 11.0
- Joint Ventures 0.3 0.1 3.5
- Associates - - 5.0
------------ ------------ ------------
Total deferred tax 7.0 8.0 19.5
------------ ------------ ------------
Total tax charge 20.9 40.2 50.0
============ ============ ============
# During the period the company realised the value of tax losses previously
unrecognised in the accounts. These have been treated as exceptional. The
exceptional tax in the year to 1 March 2003 arose from the release of specific
provisions from earlier years.
6. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing earnings for ordinary
shareholders of £101.4m (2002 - £78.0m) by the weighted average number of
ordinary shares in issue during the period, 294.8m (2002 - 294.4m). Adjusted
basic earnings per share is calculated as follows:
Earnings (£m)
6 months 6 months Year to
to 30 Aug 2003 to 31 Aug 2002 1 Mar 2003
Earnings and basic earnings per share 101.4 78.0 152.4
Earnings and basic earnings per share
attributable to:
Goodwill amortisation 4.2 4.2 8.4
Exceptional items, net of tax (11.3) 2.9 (5.2)
------------ ------------ ------------
Adjusted earnings and basic earnings
per share 94.3 85.1 155.6
============ ============ ============
Earnings per share (p)
6 months 6 months Year to
to 30 Aug 2003 to 31 Aug 2002 1 Mar 2003
Earnings and basic earnings per share 34.40 26.49 51.77
Earnings and basic earnings per share
attributable to:
Goodwill amortisation 1.42 1.43 2.85
Exceptional items, net of tax (3.83) 0.99 (1.77)
------------ ------------ ------------
Adjusted earnings and basic earnings
per share 31.99 28.91 52.85
============ ============ ============
Earnings includes a number of exceptional items (note 3). In order to
demonstrate the effect of these, together with the impact of goodwill
amortisation, an adjusted earnings per share figure is also presented. Diluted
earnings per share is the basic and adjusted basic earnings per share 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 diluted calculation is 296.4m (2002 - 295.6m).
7. Debtors
30 August 2003 31 August 2002 1 March 2003
£m £m £m
Amounts falling due within one year
Trade debtors 33.4 41.3 36.8
Joint ventures 7.5 7.1 8.3
Associates 4.3 5.0 3.9
Other debtors 65.0 19.4 17.8
Prepayments and accrued income 40.4 44.0 28.4
------------ ------------ ------------
150.6 116.8 95.2
Amounts falling due after more than one year
Pension prepayment under SSAP 24 45.3 27.0 35.9
------------ ------------ ------------
195.9 143.8 131.1
============ ============ ============
8. Creditors - amounts falling due within one year
30 August 2003 31 August 2002 1 March 2003
£m £m £m
Loan capital 5.0 235.4 90.1
Bank overdrafts 21.4 82.3 46.1
Trade creditors 125.2 121.2 116.3
Corporation Tax 15.6 57.2 23.1
Other taxes and social security 40.9 38.2 35.4
Accruals and deferred income 50.8 58.6 65.1
Other creditors 55.8 53.2 55.7
Proposed interim dividend on ordinary shares 18.1 16.8 42.6
------------ ------------ ------------
332.8 662.9 474.4
============ ============ ============
9. Net cash inflow from operating activities
6 months 6 months Year to
to 30 Aug 2003 to 31 Aug 2002 1 Mar 2003
£m £m £m
Group operating profit 138.1 131.2 237.1
Depreciation/amortisation 62.3 64.0 126.0
Payments against provisions (1.3) (2.4) (4.9)
Other non-cash items - (2.0) 7.9
(Increase)/decrease in stocks - (0.2) 2.3
Increase in debtors (18.0) (38.1) (24.7)
Increase in creditors 0.4 7.7 11.5
------------ ------------ ------------
Cash flow from operating activities 181.5 160.2 355.2
============ ============ ============
10. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt
6 months 6 months Year to
to 30 Aug 2003 to 31 Aug 2002 1 Mar 2003
£m £m £m
Increase in cash in the period 6.1 7.7 9.7
Cash outflow from movement in loan capital 33.5 13.9 31.0
Cash inflow from movement in liquid resources (4.2) (6.8) (3.9)
Cash (inflow)/outflow from movement in short-term
borrowings 3.7 (2.7) 3.3
------------ ------------ ------------
Changes in net debt resulting from cash flows 39.1 12.1 40.1
Foreign exchange movements (0.9) (1.1) (5.4)
Amortisation of premiums and discounts 1.4 0.8 0.7
------------ ------------ ------------
Movement in net debt in the period 39.6 11.8 35.4
Opening net debt (940.6) (976.0) (976.0)
------------ ------------ ------------
Closing net debt (901.0) (964.2) (940.6)
============ ============ ============
11. Shareholders' funds
6 months 6 months Year to
to 30 Aug 2003 to 31 Aug 2002 1 Mar 2003
£m £m £m
Movements in shareholders' funds
Opening equity shareholders' funds 1,983.9 1,882.0 1,882.0
------------ ------------ ------------
Profit earned for ordinary shareholders 101.4 78.0 152.4
Dividends (17.7) (16.5) (58.7)
------------ ------------ ------------
83.7 61.5 93.7
Other recognised gains and losses relating to
the period 0.2 0.5 0.2
Goodwill on disposal - 4.8 4.8
Share capital issued 3.0 3.0 3.2
------------ ------------ ------------
Closing equity shareholders' funds 2,070.8 1,951.8 1,983.9
============ ============ ============
This information is provided by RNS
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