Interim Results
XP Power PLC
03 August 2004
Embargoed until 0700 3 August 2004
XP Power plc
('XP' or 'the Group')
Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2004
XP, one of the world's leading providers of power supply solutions to the
mid-tier of the electronics industry, today announces its interim results for
the six-month period ended 30 June 2004.
Highlights
Six months ended Six months ended
30 June 2004 30 June 2003
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Profit and loss (refer to page 5)
Turnover £33.2M £29.1M +14%
Gross profit £11.7M £9.7M +21%
Gross margin 35.2% 33.3%
Profit before tax £2.3M £0.9M +156%
Profit before tax and goodwill
amortisation £3.0M £1.7M +76%
Basic earnings per share 7.0p 2.0p +250%
Diluted earnings per share 6.9p 2.0p +245%
Diluted earnings per share adjusted
for goodwill amortisation 10.3p 5.9p +75%
Interim dividend per share 6.0p 5.0p +20%
• All industry sectors and geographies show growth producing an overall
revenue increase of 14%
• Profit before tax and amortisation of goodwill up 76% to £3.0 million
• Acquisition of XP Electronics expands design engineering capability
• Fifth successive half year period of earnings per share improvement
• Eighth successive half year period of improvement in gross margin
percentage due to further development of our own product range
• XP product now represents over 50% of Group revenues
• Free cash flow (cash flow before acquisitions and disposals, dividend
payments and financing) of £3.2 million (2003 - £3.0 million) generated in
the period (refer to page 7)
• Interim dividend raised to 6p per share
Larry Tracey, Executive Chairman commented: 'With conditions in our key North
American market showing sustained improvement for the first time in four years
XP has reported a strong set of first half results, despite the well documented
depreciation of the US Dollar. We expect our strategy of developing our own XP
brand, in combination with an increasing focus on our core customers and
industry sectors to continue to drive our performance in the remainder of the
second half and beyond.'
Enquiries:
XP Power plc 0118 984 5515
James Peters, Deputy Chairman
Duncan Penny, Chief Executive Officer
Weber Shandwick Square Mile 020 7067 0700
Kevin Smith or Christian Taylor-Wilkinson
Notes to editors:
XP Power plc provides power supply solutions to the mid-tier market of the
electronics industry.
All electronic equipment needs a power supply. Power supplies convert the
incoming AC supply into various levels of DC voltages to drive electronic
components and sub-assemblies within the end user's equipment. By servicing this
market XP Power provides investors with access to technology and industrial
markets through its 8,000 strong customers in the profitable, high margin,
mid-tier sector of the North American and European markets.
The mid-tier of the market is highly fragmented and made up of a large number of
small to medium sized Original Equipment Manufacturers who source standard and
modified standard power supplies from several hundred power supply companies.
For further information, please visit www.xppower.com
Embargoed until 0700 3 August 2004
XP Power plc
('XP' or 'the Group')
Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2004
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
Trading conditions in the first half have improved significantly over those of
2003. I am pleased to report that XP has continued to grow its revenue, improve
both its profitability and gross margin and generate significant free cash flow
(cash flow before acquisitions and disposals, dividend payments and financing)
in the period.
Financial Performance
We experienced a broad return of confidence across much of our customer base
during the first half. General economic conditions, particularly in North
America, are better than those our industry has experienced in recent years and
this improvement is reflected in our financial performance for the period.
Our response to the depressed market conditions prevailing from 2001 through to
2003 was to seek out new geographic markets in both Europe and North America and
to focus on gross margin enhancement through the development of products suited
to our customer base and containing an ever increasing proportion of our own
intellectual property. This strategy is beginning to manifest itself in our
results as the design wins secured during this period filter through into our
bookings and revenues.
Overall revenue growth of 14.1% for the six months ended 30 June 2004 compared
to the same period a year ago has been achieved despite the significant
weakening of the US dollar. The average US dollar to sterling exchange rate in
the first half of 2004 has been approximately 1.80 which is 13% weaker than the
same period a year ago.
Gross margins improved to 35.2% in the first half of 2004 compared with 33.3% in
the same period a year ago. This is the eighth successive half-yearly report
where we have demonstrated an improvement in the gross margin percentage, which
is a result of our decision to reposition the business further up the value
chain. In the first half of 2004 over 50% of our bookings and revenues came from
our own XP branded product. The main driver of the Group's gross margin
performance has been its ability to deliver power supply solutions which meet
the specific needs of our customers, either through our own XP branded products
or our value added and design engineering capabilities. We expanded our design
engineering capabilities during the period by the acquisition of XP Electronics
which is discussed in more detail below.
The overall result is that profit before tax and £0.7 million of goodwill
amortisation was £3.0 million from £1.7 million in the same period a year ago
(refer to profit and loss account on page 5). Basic earnings per share were 7.0
pence compared with 2.0 pence in the same period a year ago. Diluted earnings
per share before amortisation of goodwill were 10.3 pence compared with 5.9
pence in the same period a year ago (refer to note 5).
Dividend
Improved profitability has allowed us to increase the dividend payable to
shareholders. The Group has declared an interim dividend of 6.0 pence per share
for the six months ended 30 June 2004 (2003: 5.0 pence per share). The interim
dividend will be paid on 6 October 2004 to shareholders on the register at 3
September 2004.
Geographic Markets
North American revenues for the period were $34.0 million (or £19.1 million)
compared with $28.4 million (or £18.1 million) in the same period a year ago.
Although this is a 20% increase in dollar terms, after translation to sterling
for reporting purposes the increase is only 6% due to the depreciation of the US
dollar. We have seen revenue growth across most industry sectors of North
America.
Revenues from our European business also grew in the period. Revenues for the
six months ending 30 June 2004 were £14.1 million compared with £11.0 million in
the same period a year ago. This is 28% growth and has also been achieved across
all industry sectors we service.
Acquisition of XP Electronics
In February 2004 we acquired the remaining 80% of the issued share capital of XP
Electronics Limited which we did not already own, for £0.9 million.
XP Electronics is a designer and manufacturer of industrial power supplies based
in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, in which we had taken a 20% shareholding in
2001. Since that time the majority of XP Electronics' revenues of £1.5 million
have been derived through XP. Full acquisition of the business has enabled the
Group to expand its proprietary product range, added a new low to medium volume
manufacturing capability to our UK operation and expanded the Group's design
engineering team.
The design team is now an integrated part of XP's product development group and
is focused on providing new standard products that can be manufactured at low
cost in the Far East by XP's existing manufacturing partners for volume
applications. At the same time lower volume production runs and modified
standard product will continue to be manufactured in Sawbridgeworth.
The acquisition is a further step up the value chain that will aid the continued
expansion of our own intellectual property content within the XP product
portfolio.
Customers and Industry Segmentation
As recognition of the XP brand and product portfolio has improved we are finding
more partners who are willing to distribute our product. This is enabling the
Group to free up resources handling the numerous small orders we receive and to
focus our efforts on the larger customers in the market sectors we service.
Increasingly, we are focusing our resources on the higher value customers in our
four market sectors; Communications, Defence, Industrial and Medical. This focus
will ensure that we devote our engineering resources on the right customers and
that our current and future product development is carefully targeted and above
all customer driven.
The split of our business is closely aligned with that achieved in 2003. For the
six months ended 30 June 2004 27% of our revenues came from Communications, 45%
from Industrial, 21% from Medical and 7% from Defence.
New Product Development and Moving up the Value Chain
Over the past two years the Group has placed great emphasis on the release of
new products to expand its XP product line. We consider that the Group now has
the broadest product offering of any company in the industry. Furthermore, these
products have been specifically developed to meet the needs of the customers we
serve in the mid-tier of the market. These new products are gradually making up
an ever-increasing proportion of our revenues and contributing to the consequent
increase in our gross margins.
We continue to partner with other leading power supply providers where we have
strong historic relations and complimentary product offerings so we can give the
customer the best fit solution for their needs. The breath of product required
means that it does not make sense to develop all product lines ourselves but to
partner with other strategic power supply providers.
People
Our value proposition to our customers is a power specialist who can solve their
power supply problems quickly and design a cost-effective solution into their
system. This requires a high level of technical expertise. We continually train
our people to ensure they have the required skills.
In June this year we were pleased to announce the appointment of Mickey Lynch as
Finance Director. Mickey joined XP in April 2001 as Vice President of Finance in
North America. Prior to joining the Group Mickey was Chief Financial Officer of
Atari Games. Additionally, in June Paul Christiansen, who was responsible for
North American Marketing, resigned for personal reasons.
Cash Flow and Share Buy Back
The Group generated £3.2 million of free cash flow in the period. The period
under review is XP's sixth successive half-yearly period of free cash flow
generation (cash flow before acquisitions and disposals, dividend payments and
financing). The net cash outflow for the six months to June 2004 was £2.6
million compared with a net inflow of £0.7 million in the same period a year ago
(refer to cash flow on page 7). This cash outflow is after returning £4.9
million to shareholders by way of the final dividend for 2003 and the share buy
back referred to below.
In June we purchased 910,000 of our own shares in the market at an average price
of 377.2 pence per share. These shares will be held in treasury and will be used
to fund the Company's existing employee share option schemes or for other
appropriate purposes such as small acquisitions.
Net debt was £9.1 million at the end of June 2004 compared to £6.5 million at
the end of December 2003.
Outlook
XP has shown combined revenue and margin growth since the beginning of 2003. The
current economic conditions, particularly in North America appear to be
favourable. In the absence of any external economic shocks, we expect our
revenue growth to continue in the second half of 2004. Furthermore we expect our
gross margins to continue to improve on the back of further penetration of our
own XP products.
We remain committed to our strategy of offering the broadest range of products
to our customers through the largest and best trained sales force in the
industry in order to deliver genuine value to our customers.
Larry Tracey
Executive Chairman
3 August 2004
XP Power plc
Consolidated Profit and Loss Account
For the six months ended 30 June 2004
£ Millions Note Six months Six months
ended ended
30 June 2004 30 June 2003
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Turnover - continuing operations 2 33.2 29.1
Cost of sales (21.5) (19.4)
------------- ------------
Gross profit 11.7 9.7
------------- ------------
Operating expenses (8.3) (7.5)
Amortisation of goodwill (0.7) (0.8)
Depreciation (0.3) (0.3)
------------- ------------
Total operating expenses (9.3) (8.6)
------------- ------------
Group operating profit 2 2.4 1.1
------------- ------------
Share of associates' operating profit 0.2 0.1
------------- ------------
Total operating profit - continuing operations 2.6 1.2
------------- ------------
Interest payable and similar
charges (0.3) (0.3)
------------- ------------
Profit on ordinary activities
before taxation 2 2.3 0.9
------------- ------------
Tax on profit on ordinary
activities 3 (0.9) (0.5)
------------- ------------
Profit for the period
attributable to shareholders 1.4 0.4
------------- ------------
Equity dividends payable 4 (1.1) (1.0)
------------- ------------
Retained profit/(loss) for the
period 0.3 (0.6)
------------- ------------
Basic earnings per share 5 7.0p 2.0p
Diluted earnings per share 5 6.9p 2.0p
Basic earnings per share adjusted
for goodwill 5 10.5p 5.9p
Diluted earnings per share
adjusted for goodwill 5 10.3p 5.9p
Statement of total recognised gains and
losses
Profit attributable to XP Power
shareholders 1.4 0.4
Dividends (1.1) (1.0)
Currency translation differences - (0.5)
------------- ------------
Total recognised losses related
to the period 0.3 (1.1)
------------- ------------
The turnover and results of the acquired operations have not been shown on the
face of the profit and loss account because they are not considered material.
The third party sales and operating profits of acquired operations were £0.1m
and £19,000 for the six months.
XP Power plc
Consolidated Balance Sheet
At 30 June 2004
£ Millions Note At 30 June At 31 December At 30 June
2004 2003 2003
As restated
(refer to
note 10)
(unaudited) (audited) (unaudited)
Fixed assets
Intangible assets 22.7 22.4 22.2
Tangible assets 2.7 2.9 3.2
Investments 0.6 1.1 0.8
---------- ---------- ----------
Total fixed assets 26.0 26.4 26.2
---------- ---------- ----------
Current assets
Stock 7.5 6.6 7.4
Debtors 13.7 11.5 10.6
Cash at bank and in hand 4.0 4.5 5.1
---------- ---------- ----------
Total current assets 25.2 22.6 23.1
---------- ---------- ----------
Creditors: amounts
falling due within
one year (17.6) (12.0) (13.0)
Net current assets 7.6 10.6 10.1
---------- ---------- ----------
Total assets less
current liabilities 33.6 37.0 36.3
---------- ---------- ----------
Creditors: amounts
falling due after
more than one year (10.5) (10.6) (8.6)
---------- ---------- ----------
Net assets 23.1 26.4 27.7
---------- ---------- ----------
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 0.2 0.2 0.2
Share premium account 27.0 27.0 27.0
Merger reserve 0.2 0.2 0.2
Profit and loss account (0.8) (1.1) 0.1
Own shares 9 (3.5) - (0.4)
---------- ---------- ----------
Total equity
shareholders' funds 10 23.1 26.3 27.1
Minority interests - 0.1 0.6
---------- ---------- ----------
Total capital and
reserves 23.1 26.4 27.7
---------- ---------- ----------
These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 2 August
2004.
XP Power plc
Consolidated Cash Flow
For the six months ended 30 June 2004
£ Millions Note Six months Six months
ended ended
30 June 2004 30 June 2003
(unaudited) (unaudited)
Net cash flow from operating
activities 6 3.5 3.5
Dividends received from
associates and joint ventures 0.2 -
Returns on investments and servicing of
finance
Interest paid (0.3) (0.3)
Dividends paid to minority
shareholders of subsidiaries (0.1) -
------------- -------------
Net cash outflow from returns on
investments and servicing of
finance (0.4) (0.3)
Tax paid - (0.1)
Net cash outflow from capital
expenditure and financial
investment (0.1) (0.1)
------------- -------------
Free cash flow 3.2 3.0
------------- -------------
Net cash outflow from
acquisitions and disposals (0.9) -
Equity dividends paid (1.4) (1.4)
------------- -------------
Cash inflow before financing 0.9 1.6
Financing
Share buyback (3.5) (0.5)
New borrowings - 0.5
Repayment of borrowings - (0.9)
------------- -------------
Net cash outflow from financing (3.5) (0.9)
------------- -------------
(Decrease)/increase in cash 7 (2.6) 0.7
------------- -------------
XP Power plc
Notes to the Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2004
1. Basis of preparation
The interim financial information has been prepared on the basis of the
accounting policies set out in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts except that
Urgent Issues Task Force ('UITF') Abstracts 37 and 38 have been adopted. The
interim financial information was approved by the Board of Directors and Audit
Committee on 2 August 2004. The financial information set out above does not
constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of the Companies Act 1985.
Comparative figures in the balance sheet for the year ended 31 December 2003
have been taken from the Group's audited statutory accounts, which have been
delivered to the Registrar of Companies and on which Deloitte & Touche LLP
expressed an unqualified opinion. The results for the 26 weeks to 30 June 2004
are unaudited.
This statement of interim results will be sent to all shareholders. Copies will
be available for members of the public upon application to the Company Secretary
at 16 Horseshoe Park, Pangbourne, Berkshire, RG8 7JW.
Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention
and in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards.
Basis of consolidation
The Group has accounted for the acquisition of XP PLC and Forx Inc. using the
merger method of accounting and all other acquisitions have been accounted for
using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Financial
Reporting Standard 6, 'Acquisitions and Mergers'.
Goodwill and intangible fixed assets
For acquisitions of a business, where the acquisition method of accounting is
adopted, purchased goodwill is capitalised in the year in which it arises and it
is amortised over its useful life up to a maximum of 20 years. The directors
regard 20 years as a reasonable maximum for the estimated useful life of
goodwill. Capitalised goodwill in respect of subsidiaries is included within
intangible fixed assets.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided on cost in equal annual instalments over the estimated
useful lives of the assets. The rates of depreciation are as follows:
Plant and machinery - 25-33%
Motor vehicles - 25%
Office equipment - 25-33%
Leasehold improvements - 10% or over the life of the lease if shorter
Long leasehold land and buildings - Term of the lease
Research and development
Research and development expenditure is charged to the profit and loss account
as incurred.
Investments
Investments held as fixed assets are stated at cost less provision for
impairment if applicable.
Stocks
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost represents
materials and appropriate overheads based on the normal levels of activity.
Deferred taxation
Deferred taxation is provided in full on timing differences that result in an
obligation at the balance sheet date to pay more tax, or a right to pay less
tax, at a future date, at rates expected to apply when they crystallise based on
current tax rates and law. Timing differences arise from the inclusion of items
of income and expenditure in taxation computations in periods different from
those in which they are included in financial statements. Deferred tax assets
are recognised to the extent that it is regarded as more likely than not that
they will be recovered. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted.
Foreign exchange
Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates
ruling at the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are translated into
sterling at the rates ruling at that date. These translation differences are
dealt with in the profit and loss account.
The results of overseas subsidiary undertakings are translated in sterling at
average rates for the period. The exchange differences arising as a result of
restating retained profits to closing rates are dealt with as a movement on
reserves.
Leases
Rental costs under operating leases are charged to the profit and loss account
in equal instalments over the period of the leases.
2. Segmental analysis
The Group operates substantially in one class of business, the provision of
power supply solutions to the electronics industry. Analysis of total Group
operating profit, net assets, turnover and total Group profit before taxation by
geographical region is set out below.
£ Millions Six months Six months
ended ended
30 June 2004 30 June 2003
Turnover
Europe 14.1 11.0
United States 19.1 18.1
------------- -------------
Total turnover 33.2 29.1
------------- -------------
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation
Europe 2.2 1.5
United States 0.9 0.1
Interest, parent company expenses and
goodwill amortisation (0.8) (0.7)
------------- -------------
Profit on ordinary activities before
taxation 2.3 0.9
------------- -------------
At 30 June 2004 At 30 June 2003
Operating Net Assets
Europe 8.8 7.5
United States 24.5 28.3
------------- -------------
Total Operating Net Assets 33.3 35.8
------------- -------------
Operating net assets are defined as net assets adjusted for net borrowings and
the proposed dividend.
Net Assets 23.1 28.1
Net Debt 9.1 6.7
Proposed dividend 1.1 1.0
------------- -------------
Total Operating Net Assets 33.3 35.8
------------- -------------
3. Taxation
£ Millions Six months ended Six months ended
30 June 2004 30 June 2003
Europe 0.4 0.2
United States 0.5 0.3
------------- -------------
0.9 0.5
Total taxation ------------- -------------
4. Equity dividends
An interim dividend of 6p (2003: 5p) per share will be paid on 6 October 2004 to
shareholders on the register of members on 3 September 2004.
5. Earnings per share
Six months to Six months to
30 June 2004 30 June 2003
£millions EPS £millions EPS
Profit attributable to shareholders for
the financial period for basic earnings
per share 1.4 7.0p 0.4 2.0p
Amortisation of goodwill 0.7 3.5p 0.8 3.9p
Earnings for adjusted earnings per share 2.1 10.5p 1.2 5.9p
Weighted average number of shares
(thousands) (basic) 19,934 20,370
Impact of share options 387 -
Weighted average number of shares
(thousands) (diluted) 20,321 20,370
The weighted average number of shares excludes 676,451 ESOP shares (2003
-623,351) and 80,027 (2003 - nil) treasury shares.
Supplementary earnings per share figures are presented to exclude the effect of
goodwill amortisation as the directors regard this as more meaningful.
6. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating
activities
£ Millions Six months ended Six months ended
30 June 2004 30 June 2003
Operating profit 2.4 1.1
Depreciation and amortisation 1.0 1.1
(Increase)/Decrease in stocks (0.9) 0.3
(Increase)/Decrease in debtors (2.2) 0.2
Increase in creditors 3.2 0.8
------------- -------------
Net cash inflow from operating
activities 3.5 3.5
------------- -------------
7. Reconciliation of net debt
£ Millions Six months ended Six months ended
30 June 2004 30 June 2003
Net debt at 1 January (6.5) (7.8)
(Decrease)/Increase in cash (0.5) 0.7
Decrease/(Increase) in debt (2.1) 0.4
---------- -------------
Net debt at 30 June (9.1) (6.7)
---------- -------------
Represented by
Cash at bank and in hand 4.0 5.1
Overdraft/Revolving Credit Facility (13.1) (11.8)
---------- -------------
(9.1) (6.7)
---------- -------------
Net debt at 30 June
8. Borrowings
On 12 December 2003 the Group renewed its muIti-currency revolving credit
facility with Bank of Scotland. The new facility is £10 million and committed
for three years at an interest rate of 1.5% above LIBOR and is provided for the
purpose of financing acquisitions. In addition to this the Group has a working
capital facility of £10 million which is repayable on demand. Both facilities
are secured on the assets of the Group.
9. Own shares
Own shares includes 676,451 (December 2003 - 774,851 ; June 2003 - 623,351)
shares in the Group's employee share ownership plan (ESOP). These shares are
carried at the lower of cost and market value. The ESOP acquired 551,500 shares
between June 2003 and December 2003 for I cent per share from a former employee,
400,000 shares were issued out of the ESOP in December 2003 on a FIFO basis.
The treatment of ESOP shares has changed following the adoption of Urgent Issues
Task Force (UITF) Abstract 38 Accounting for ESOP trusts. (Refer to note 10
below).
Own shares also includes 910,000 treasury shares (refer to note 11 below).
10. Shareholders funds
Share Share Merger Own Profit and Total equity
capital premium reserve shares loss shareholders'
funds
At 30 June
2003
- as
previously
reported 0.2 27.0 0.2 - 0.1 27.5
- prior
year
adjustment - - - (0.4) - (0.4)
-------- -------- --------- ------- -------- ---------
As 0.2 27.0 0.2 (0.4) 0.1 27.1
restated
Issue of
ESOP - - - 0.4 - 0.4
shares
Retained
loss
for the
period - - - - (1.2) (1.2)
-------- -------- --------- ------- -------- ---------
At 31
December
2003 0.2 27.0 0.2 - (1.1) 26.3
Purchase
of
own shares - - - (3.5) - (3.5)
Retained
profit for
the
period - - - - 0.3 0.3
-------- -------- --------- ------- -------- ---------
At 30 June
2004 0.2 27.0 0.2 (3.5) (0.8) 23.1
-------- -------- --------- ------- -------- ---------
The adoption of UITF 38 has required changes in the method of accounting for
ESOP shares which are now dealt with as a deduction from shareholders' funds. As
a result of this change in accounting policy the comparatives have been restated
as follows:
Investment in own shares Shareholders' funds
£ Millions
30 June 2003 - and previously reported 0.4 27.5
Reclassification of own
shares to shareholders funds (0.4) (0.4)
--------- ---------
30 June 2003 - as restated - 27.1
--------- ---------
11. Share buy back
During June 2004 the company repurchased 910,000 of its own shares at an average
price of 377.2 pence per share. These shares will be held in treasury and will
be used to fund the Company's existing employee share option schemes or for
other appropriate purposes such as small acquisitions.
Independent Review Report to XP Power plc
Introduction
We have been instructed by the Group to review the financial information for the
six months ended 30 June 2004 which comprises the profit and loss, statement of
recognised gains and losses, balance sheet, cash flow statement and related
notes 1 to 11. We have read the other information contained in the interim
report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material
inconsistencies with the financial information.
This report is made solely to the company in accordance with Bulletin 1999/4
issued by the Auditing Practices Board. Our work has been undertaken so that we
might state to the company those matters we are required to state to them in an
independent review report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent
permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than
the company, for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we
have formed.
Directors' responsibilities
The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is
the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors
are responsible for preparing the interim report in accordance with the Listing
Rules of the Financial Services Authority which require that the accounting
policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent
with those applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where any
changes, and the reasons for them, are disclosed.
Review work performed
We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4
issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review
consists principally of making enquiries of Group management and applying
analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data
and based thereon, assessing whether the accounting policies and presentation
have been consistently applied unless otherwise disclosed. A review excludes
audit procedures such as tests of controls and verification of assets,
liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less in scope than an audit
performed in accordance with United Kingdom Auditing Standards and therefore
provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly, we do not
express an audit opinion on the financial information.
Review conclusion
On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that
should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months
ended 30 June 2004.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Chartered Accountants
Cardiff
2 August 2004
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