LONDON, Nov. 1 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Summary
NINE MONTHS RESULTS 2007 2006 Change
-- unaudited
Revenue GBP 7,312m GBP 7,251m +1%
Profit from operations GBP 2,304m GBP 1,944m +19%
Adjusted diluted
earnings per share 82.00p 75.00p +9%
-- The reported profit from operations was 19 per cent higher at
GBP2,304 million, or 8 per cent higher if exceptional items are
excluded. However, profit from operations, at comparable rates
of exchange and excluding exceptional items, would have been 14
per cent higher, with all regions contributing to this strong result.
-- Group volumes from subsidiaries were 504 billion, a decrease of 1
per cent, mainly as a result of the high level of trade buying in
some markets at the end of 2006, supply chain disruptions in the
Middle East and the loss of StiX in Germany. In the third quarter,
volumes rose slightly over the comparable period last year. The four
global drive brands achieved an overall volume growth for the nine
months of 10 per cent, which led to share improvements in many
markets. The reported Group revenue increased by 1 per cent to
GBP7,312 million but, at comparable rates of exchange, would have
increased by 6 per cent as a result of more favourable pricing and
an improving product mix.
-- Adjusted diluted earnings per share rose by 9 per cent, principally
as a result of the strong operating profit performance, partly offset
by the adverse impact from foreign exchange movements. Basic earnings
per share were higher at 82.67p (2006: 70.11p).
-- The Chairman, Jan du Plessis, commented, "The Group's spread of
developed and developing markets has continued to serve shareholders
well, with all regions contributing to the strong results at
comparable rates of exchange. There were improvements in both
product mix and share in a broad range of key markets.
Although the momentum of the first six months has been maintained in the third quarter, we do still expect the growth in profit from operations at comparable rates of exchange to slow in the fourth quarter, as a result of generally higher marketing spend and the timing of price increases in Brazil."
For more information, please contact:
Investor Relations:
Press Office
Ralph Edmondson
Tel: +44-207-845-1180
Sharon Woodcock
Tel: +44-207-845-1519
David Betteridge, Kate Matrunola, or Catherine Armstrong
Tel: +44-207-845-2888
