Strong financial performance
29% increase in profit before amortisation of goodwill, exceptional items and tax to £827m (2003: £642m)
Profit before tax increased to £692m (2003: £409m)
27% increase in basic earnings per share before amortisation of goodwill and exceptional items to 60.7p (2003: 47.8p)
Basic earnings per share 47.4p (2003: 25.1p)
16% increase in full year dividend to 27.0p (2003: 23.3p)
Record profits again at Argos, Experian and Burberry
Argos Retail Group: sales up 10% and profit up 19% on a pro forma basis (including Homebase for a full year in 2003)
Experian: sales up 14% and profit up 20% for continuing activities at constant exchange rates
Burberry: sales up 16% and profit up 24% at constant exchange rates
Financial highlights
for the years ended 31 March
2004
2003
Change
Sales
£7.5bn
£7.1bn
up 6%
Profit before tax
1
£827m
£642m
up 29%
Earnings per share
1
60.7p
47.8p
up 27%
Dividend per share
27.0p
23.3p
up 16%
1
before amortisation of goodwill and exceptional items
