Financial Highlights
 
     
 
Strong first half performance; unchanged for full year

PR Newswire, events and acquisitions performing well; print and online media in line with
expectations; accelerating investment in new product development
 
     
   
  • EPS growth driven by strong trading performance and enhanced by share buybacks  
       
  • On track to meet plans for acquisitions (£150m - £250m pa) and capital returns (> £300m by end 2007)  
       
  • £135m invested in acquisitions in the year to date; acquisitions performing ahead of 8% post tax hurdle rate  
       
  • £142.2m of capital returned through convertible and share buybacks  
       
  • Net cash of £181.5m at 30 June  
       
       
  * Before amortisation of intangible assets, non-recurring items and share of taxation on profit from joint ventures and associates  
       
  ** Before amortisation of intangible assets, non-recurring items, share of taxation on profit from joint ventures and associates, net financing cost - other than interest, and including profits from discontinued operations. EPS also excludes deferred tax on the amortisation of intangible assets