Sir Christopher Hogg, Chairman, commented: "Improving business performance is the essential basis for enhancing long term value and today's results underpin our confidence on this score."
|
1998
(£m)
|
1997
(£m)
|
Reported growth
(%)
|
Constant currency growth
(%)
|
Trading Profit
|
372
|
372
|
-
|
6
|
Finance charges
|
(52)
|
(55)
|
|
|
Profit before Tax*
|
320
|
317
|
1
|
8
|
Tax*
(1998 26%: 1997 adjusted to 28%**)
|
(83)
|
(89)
|
|
|
Profit after tax*
|
237
|
228
|
4
|
11
|
Minorities and preference dividends
|
(15)
|
(14)
|
|
|
Earnings*
|
222
|
214
|
4
|
10
|
EPS*
|
21.3p
|
20.5p
|
4
|
10
|
Dividend per share***
|
9.73p
|
9.44p
|
3
|
|
** The 1997 interim tax charge has been restated from 32% to 28% to reflect the rate for the year