Rank Regulatory News (RNK)

1 Sep 2006 07:01

Rank Group PLC01 September 2006 The Rank Group Plc Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2006 • Revenue up 7.2% to £426.1m (2005 - £397.3m) • Group operating profit of £58.0m+ (2005 - £61.6m); £45.9m after exceptional items (2005 - £61.6m) • Adjusted profit before tax* of £40.7m (2005 - £41.9m); Profit before tax £19.9m (2005 - £32.7m) • Adjusted earnings per share* of 5.1p (2005 - 4.6p); basic earnings per share of 1.4p (2005 - 0.7p) • Gaming operating profit of £46.5m (2005 - £52.0m) reflecting one-off restructuring costs • Hard Rock operating profit of £18.9m (2005 - £16.4m) • Net debt down to £555.2m (2005 year end - £739.4m) reflecting proceeds from disposal of Deluxe Film • Interim dividend of 2.0p per share (2005 - 5.0p per share) + Before exceptional items * Adjusted profits and earnings per share - profits and earnings beforediscontinued operations, exceptional items, foreign exchange on inter-companybalances net of hedging and amortisation of equity component of convertiblebond. Strategic priorities and key actions to date • Re-energise Gaming division • Thorough review of businesses undertaken and action plans implemented • Simplified management structure put in place • Establish appropriate cost structure for continuing Group • £6m of annual cost savings identified within Corporate and Gaming central overhead • £10m of annual operational cost savings identified in Mecca Bingo clubs and Grosvenor Casinos • Maintain growth at Hard Rock and assess strategic options • Strategic review of Hard Rock commenced • Territorial development rights re-acquired • Exit Deluxe Media Services and other non-core interests • Exit of Deluxe Media's UK operations complete • Commenced review of exit options for US Holidays • Complete balance sheet restructuring • £102m returned via share buy-back; further £98m to be returned • £172m net proceeds from sale and leaseback and exit of surplus properties Commenting on the results, Ian Burke, Chief Executive, said: "During the first half of the year, Rank has delivered revenue growth fromcontinuing operations, and both Grosvenor Casinos and Hard Rock have generateddouble-digit improvements in operating profits. Mecca Bingo has held revenuesteady but operating profit remains under pressure from rising business costs.Group profits have been held back by a number of non-recurring items relating torestructuring. "Over the course of recent months my senior management team and I haveundertaken a thorough review of the Group. We have identified five strategicpriorities for Rank and taken steps to address each of these. Our strategicpriorities are: to re-energise our UK Gaming business; to establish anappropriate operating platform and cost structure for the continuing Group; tomaintain the growth and assess the strategic fit of Hard Rock; to exit DeluxeMedia Services; and to complete the restructuring of the Group's balance sheet." ends Enquiries:The Rank Group Tel: 020 7535 8031Dan Waugh, Director of Investor Relations Press Enquiries:M Communications Tel: 020 7153 1540Nick Fox/Lisa Gordon Analyst Meeting, webcast and conference call details:Friday 1 September 2006There will be an analyst meeting at Merrill Lynch, 2 King Edward Street, London,EC1A 1HQ, starting at 9.30am. There will be a simultaneous webcast andconference call of the meeting. To register for the live webcast, pleasepre-register for access by visiting the Group website, (www.rank.com). Detailsfor the conference call are given below. A copy of the webcast and slidepresentation given at the meeting will be available on the Group's web-sitelater today. Conference call details:Friday 1 September 20069.20am International +44 (0) 1452 542 300 / UK Local 0845 245 3471 / USA Free 1866 220 14529.30am Meeting starts DisclaimersForward-looking statements. This announcement includes 'forward-lookingstatements'. These statements contain the words "anticipate", "believe","intend", "estimate", "expect" and words of similar meaning. All statementsother than statements of historical facts included in this announcement,including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's financial position,business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations(including development plans and objectives relating to the Company's productsand services) are forward-looking statements that are based on currentexpectations. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results,performance, achievements or financial position of the Company to be materiallydifferent from future results, performance, achievements or financial positionexpressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-lookingstatements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the Company's operatingperformance, present and future business strategies and the environment in whichthe Company will operate in the future. These forward-looking statements speakonly as at the date of this announcement. Subject to the Listing Rules of the UKListing Authority, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertakingto disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statementscontained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regardthereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any suchstatement is based. Past performance cannot be relied upon as a guide to futureperformance. CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REVIEW Results - continuing operations Revenue from continuing operations during the first six months of 2006 increasedby 7.2% to £426.1m. Adjusted Group operating profit was down 5.8% to £58.0m(2005: £61.6m) partly as a result of £6m of restructuring costs recognised inthe first half. We have continued to grow revenue in our Gaming division but operating profitdeclined 10.6% to £46.5m (2005: £52.0m) as a result of increased operating costsand a number of non-recurring charges related to our programme of restructuring. Operating profit in Bingo declined 16.7% to £36.0m (2005: £43.2m) on marginallylower revenue than in the first half of 2005. In Casinos we have grown operatingprofit by 13.9% to £20.5m (2005: £18.0m) with strong growth in admissionsdriving revenue improvement. Our interactive business, Blue Square, has enjoyeda positive six-month's trading, generating operating profit of £3.1m (2005:£0.3m). Hard Rock operating profit increased 15.2% to £18.9m (2005: £16.4m). Steadyprogress in our company-operated cafes was supported by strong growth fromthird-party operated Hard Rock cafes, hotels and casinos. Strategic priorities Over the course of the last six months we have identified and started to addressthe five strategic priorities for the Group. • Re-energise Gaming division • Establish appropriate Group cost structure • Maintain growth at Hard Rock and assess strategic options • Exit Deluxe Media Services and other non-core interests • Complete balance sheet restructuring Re-energise Gaming division Both Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos hold strong positions in their respectivemarkets although Mecca's performance in recent years has been disappointing. Weare in the process of reinvigorating our operations, to drive improvedperformance, to adapt to changing market conditions, and to grasp theopportunities presented by the full implementation of the 2005 Gambling Act. As we announced at the time of our preliminary results in March 2006, we havecarried out an operational review of our Gaming division. The review assessedall aspects of operations in our Mecca Bingo clubs and our Grosvenor casinos,from customer service standards and purchasing efficiency to crewing models andlabour scheduling. As a result we have implemented a series of changes toimprove our competitive positioning, drive revenue and control costs. Going forward there will be greater operational focus from the Group's seniormanagement team. We shall close Rank Group's head office in London and mergeCorporate functions with our Gaming division support in Maidenhead. This willallow us to simplify our senior management structure and to eliminateduplication of a number of senior roles. Our interactive business, Blue Square is now to be integrated more closely withRank Gaming in order to maximise the developing synergies between our retail andon-line gaming operations. The move also creates a single centre for technologydevelopment and management for all of the Group's gaming businesses. Establish appropriate Group cost structure We are addressing the cost base of the Group at Corporate, divisional and unitlevels. The key measures comprise: •Closure of Rank Group London office •Headcount reduction in Corporate and Gaming Division support functions •Headcount reduction in Mecca Bingo clubs through an improved crewing model •Greater purchasing and operational efficiency As a result of these changes and a number of additional measures identified butnot yet implemented, we expect to realise (from 2007) annual cost savings of £6macross our combined Corporate and Gaming overheads. In order to achieve thesesavings we will absorb up to £8m of non-recurring charges this year, including£4m in the first half (£3m in Gaming, £1m in Corporate). In addition we expect to achieve around £10m of annual operational cost savings,principally in Mecca Bingo, where we have taken action to lower our employmentcosts through the introduction of a new crewing model. This has resulted in £2mof redundancy costs in the first half, although these should be self-financingin the full year. These operational efficiencies will help to mitigate theimpact of the smoking ban, which will affect all of our UK retail gamingoperations from next year. Maintain growth at Hard Rock and assess strategic options Hard Rock continues to perform well, with steady improvements in profits fromthe company-operated cafes supported by strong growth from third-party operatedHard Rock cafes, casinos and hotels. The success of the Hard Rock brand in cafes, hotels and casinos and theestablishment of a range of proven operating models have created a platform forfuture growth. It is appropriate that we identify - within the context of Rank'sbroader strategic aims - the best means of realising Hard Rock's significantpotential. As a consequence we have commenced a review of strategic options forHard Rock and we shall update the market on our conclusions following itscompletion. Exit Deluxe Media and other non-core interests As announced previously it is our intention to exit Deluxe Media, our DVD and CDmanufacturing and distribution business, via a series of disposals. On 30 June 2006, we completed the disposal to Sony DADC of Deluxe Media's UK DVDreplication business and its UK distribution business. Since the end of thehalf-year we have also disposed of Deluxe Media's CD replication business, toEDC. Through these transactions we have now effected a complete exit of Deluxe Mediafrom the UK. We are in negotiations to sell the remaining businesses withinDeluxe Media. These comprise a distribution business in continental Europe and aDVD replication and distribution business in the USA. In addition we have commenced a review of options for exiting US Holidays, thetime-share accommodation, camping and hotel business in Pennsylvania. In April 2006 we disposed of our financial investment in Universal StudiosJapan. Complete balance sheet restructuring At our preliminary results in March 2006 we announced a new capital structureand dividend policy. As a consequence we committed to a £200m capital return viaa share buy-back programme. Also we indicated that we would consider a sale andleaseback of a part of the Group's freehold portfolio. To date, the Company has returned £102m to shareholders via an on-marketbuy-back. In total, 45.9 million shares in The Rank Group Plc were purchased andcancelled. It is our intention to re-commence the share buy-back following theannouncement of these interim results. During the first half of the year we conducted an extensive review of our Gamingproperty portfolio. In August 2006, as a result of this review, we completed a£211m sale and leaseback on 43 of our UK freehold properties. Under the terms ofthe agreement we will lease back the properties over a period of up to 15 yearsat an initial rental of £11.2m per annum (£8.0m in Mecca Bingo and £3.2m inGrosvenor Casinos). Concurrent with the sale and leaseback transaction we transferred leaseliabilities relating to 38 surplus properties. In addition we exited andtransferred lease liabilities on six loss-making operations, comprising fourbingo clubs and two casinos. The combined sale and leaseback and the transfer of liabilities resulted in anet payment to Rank of £172m. A £53m profit on disposal will be reported in thesecond half. Interim dividend We are announcing an interim dividend of 2.0p per share. As we stated in March2006, it is our intention to move towards a full-year dividend pay-out ratio of50% of profit after tax (2.0 times dividend cover). The dividend will be paid on13 October to shareholders on the register at 15 September 2006. Current trading and outlook Trading in the eight-week period since 30 June 2006 is following a broadlysimilar pattern to that seen in the first half of the year and is in line withour expectations. In the Gaming division, we continue to generate revenue growth, although tradingin Mecca Bingo is held back by the impact of the Scottish smoking ban on our 14clubs in Scotland. In Grosvenor Casinos revenue growth has slowed slightly overthe last eight weeks but remains strongly ahead for the year to date. BlueSquare has maintained an impressive rate of growth during the period. In Hard Rock's company-operated cafes, revenue remains strongly ahead of thesame period last year. This performance is helped by trading at the relocatedHard Rock Cafe in New York City, which opened in August 2005. While we recognise a number of near term challenges and opportunities,particularly for our UK gaming businesses, we remain confident in the Group'slong-term growth prospects. Ian Burke Chief Executive, The Rank Group Plc OPERATING & FINANCE REVIEW SUMMARY OF RESULTS (from continuing operations) Revenue Operating Profit Before After exceptionals exceptionals 2006 2005 2006 2005 2006 2005 £m £m £m £m £m £mGaming 277.3 262.0 46.5 52.0 46.5 52.0 Hard Rock 133.7 121.3 18.9 16.4 18.9 16.4 US Holidays 15.1 14.0 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 Central costs and other (8.5) (7.9) (20.6) (7.9) -------- ------ ------ ------- ------ ------Continuing operations 426.1 397.3 58.0 61.6 45.9 61.6 ======== ====== ====== ======= ====== ====== Post tax loss from joint venture (0.9) (0.7) (0.9) (0.7) Managed businesses' interest (net) (16.4) (19.0) (31.1) (19.0) ------ ------- ------ ------Adjusted profit before tax 40.7 41.9 13.9 41.9 Foreign exchange gain (loss) on inter-company 7.5 (7.7) 7.5 (7.7)balances net of IAS 32 & 39 hedging Amortisation of equity component of (1.5) (1.5) (1.5) (1.5)Convertible bond ------ ------- ------ ------Profit before tax and exceptional 46.7 32.7 19.9 32.7items Exceptional items (26.8) - - - ------ ------- ------ ------Profit before tax on continuing 19.9 32.7 19.9 32.7operations ====== ======= ====== ====== Adjusted earnings per share 5.1p 4.6pBasic earnings per share - continuing 2.5p 3.1poperations COMMENTARY Group revenue from continuing operations, as reported, was up £28.8m driven byan increase in revenue at Hard Rock, Grosvenor Casinos and Blue Square. Group operating profit before exceptional items was £3.6m less than 2005. HardRock achieved significantly higher profits due to a large increase in thecontribution from hotels and casinos and an improved performance in companyoperated cafes. Gaming profits were lower. Central costs have increased to £8.5m(2005: £7.9m), reflecting restructuring costs in 2006. The interest charge was £2.6m lower than in 2005 due to the lower levels ofdebt, which reflect the disposal of Deluxe Film. The effective tax rate on adjusted profit is 20.0% (Full Year 2005 - 24.9%). Therate has benefited from the availability of overseas tax losses. Adjusted Group profit before tax was £40.7m, 2.9% below last year. Adjustedearnings per share was 5.1p (2005 - 4.6p) reflecting the lower tax rate and adecrease in the average number of shares in issue as a result of the share buyback. Under IFRS, foreign exchange movements on certain inter-company loans arerecognised in the income statement as financial gains or losses. In this interimperiod a gain of £7.5m net of IAS 32 and 39 hedging has been recorded (2005 - a£7.7m charge). The amortisation of the convertible bond's equity component hasresulted in a £1.5m charge (2005 - £1.5m) being recognised in the incomestatement in line with IAS 32 and 39. The Group incurred a £14.7m exceptional charge relating to the refinancingcarried out as a result of the sale of Deluxe Film and our intention to sellDeluxe Media. In addition, the Group has reported a £12.1m exceptional loss on the disposal ofits investment in Universal Studios Japan. This loss had previously beenrecognised in reserves. In preparing our interim results for 2006, we have made a number of changes toour segmental disclosure. The changes we have made reflect more accurately theway in which we now manage our businesses. We have restated prior year numbersto account for these changes. GAMING Revenue Operating Profit 2006 2005 2006 2005 £m £m £m £m Bingo 149.1 149.3 36.0 43.2 Casinos 109.6 100.3 20.5 18.0 Interactive 18.6 12.4 3.1 0.3 Divisional overhead (13.1) (9.5) ----------- ---------- --------- --------- 277.3 262.0 46.5 52.0 =========== ========== ========= ========= During the first half of 2006, our Gaming division grew revenues by 5.8%.Operating profit declined by 10.6% with operating costs and divisional overheadboth rising. Our review of our retail gaming businesses has resulted in a numberof one-off costs, both at a club operating level and a divisional overheadlevel, the latter being impacted by £3m of one-off costs in the first half of2006. Through our actions we expect to realise significant efficiencies from2007. BINGO Revenue Operating Profit 2006 2005 2006 2005 £m £m £m £m Mecca Bingo 133.9 133.9 31.8 38.5Top Rank Espana 15.2 15.4 4.2 4.7 ------ -------- --------- ---------- 149.1 149.3 36.0 43.2 ====== ======== ========= ========== First half revenue from our bingo operations in the UK and Spain remained steadyat £149.1m but profits declined by 16.7% to £36.0m. In Mecca Bingo we have grown revenue in our clubs in England and Wales buttrading has been more difficult in our Scottish clubs, which have been subjectto a smoking ban since 26 March 2006. Across the business, margins remain underpressure from increases in labour costs, utilities and business rates. Inaddition, the business has had to absorb £2m in redundancy costs in the firsthalf of 2006, although we expect these to be self-financing in the full year. Revenue and profit from our bingo clubs business in Spain, Top Rank Espana, waslower than in the first half of 2005. This was partly the result of theimplementation of a partial smoking ban from January 2006. At 30 June 2006 we operated 128 bingo clubs, including 117 in the UK under Meccaand 11 in Spain under Top Rank Espana. UK Bingo statistics 2006 2005 Change % Admissions (000s) 9,956 10,122 -1.6Spend per head (£) 13.45 13.23 1.7 In Mecca Bingo we have grown spend per head by 1.7%, off-setting a 1.6% declinein admissions. This performance reflects a slowing of the admissions erosion wehave seen in recent years and is the result of our strategy to improve thecompetitive positioning of our clubs. As expected, this strategy has alsoresulted in a lower rate of growth in spend per head. During the first half of the year we opened two Mecca Bingo clubs, including theUK's first fully electronic bingo club, at Fountain Park, Edinburgh. We havebeen encouraged by the initial customer response to the club and are appraisingopportunities for the further development of electronic bingo. There were twoclub closures during the period. Since the half-year ended we have closed four loss-making clubs and opened onenew Mecca Bingo club, at Paisley in Scotland. Analysis of UK bingo revenue 2006 2005 Change £m £m % Main stage bingo 23.3 27.4 -15.0Interval games 61.8 63.2 -2.2Gaming machines 36.1 30.9 16.8Food, beverage & other 12.7 12.4 2.4 ---------- ---------- ------------- 133.9 133.9 - ========== ========== ============= Revenues from main stage bingo and interval games have declined against thefirst half performance in 2005. We have taken steps to improve our competitive position through a strategy ofcreating consistently high prizeboards. To achieve this we have deliberatelyreduced the ratio of participation fee that we take from main stage bingo sales.This has resulted in recent gains in market share (based upon ticket sales ofthe National Game) but inevitably has impacted our main stage revenue. We continue to generate increases in spend per head and revenue from electronicgaming as a result of the improvement and expansion of our gaming machine areas.During the first six months of the year, we installed 245 additional Section 21machines. At 30 June 2006 our Mecca Bingo UK estate comprised 407 Section 31machines, 845 Section 21 machines and 3,984 AWP machines. In our bingo clubs in Scotland we experienced a 14% drop in revenue in the weeksfollowing the introduction of the smoking ban, based against the comparableperiod in 2005. During the 13 week period from 27 March to 26 June 2006,admissions in these clubs fell by 6% and spend per head was down 9%. We have made a number of changes to our bingo clubs in Scotland to bolsteradmissions and to mitigate the impact on spend per head. These measures includethe tactical use of linked interval games; more flexible bingo sessions; and theuse of hand-held electronic bingo terminals to increase average ticket sales. We will continue to adapt our product to meet the challenges of the smoking banas we prepare for a UK-wide ban during 2007. The date upon which this ban willbe implemented has not yet been determined. CASINOS Grosvenor Casinos Revenue Operating Profit 2006 2005 2006 2005 £m £m £m £m London - upper 13.5 10.8 2.8 2.1London - mainstream 35.1 33.1 6.2 5.0Provincial 54.8 50.4 11.0 10.4Belgium 6.2 6.0 0.5 0.5 ---------- ---------- -------- -------- 109.6 100.3 20.5 18.0 ========== ========== ======== ======== Over the course of the first six months of the year we achieved a 9.3% rise inrevenue in Grosvenor Casinos. This strong sales performance has enabled us toincrease operating profit by 13.9% to £20.5m, in spite of continuing costinflation. In the UK, Grosvenor Casinos grew admissions by 8.3%, while generating a modestimprovement in spend per head. At 30 June 2006, active membership of our UKcasinos stood at more than 616,000. Admissions Spend per head (000s) (£) 2006 2005 2006 2005UKLondon - upper 28 26 491.82 418.59London - mainstream 454 436 77.43 75.94Provincial 1,800 1,644 30.43 30.65Total UK 2,282 2,106 45.35 44.79 London upper - Exceptionally high average win margins and a 6.5% improvement inadmissions have driven a 25.0 % increase in revenues and a 33.3% rise inoperating profit from our two higher-end London casinos, the Park Tower and theClermont Club. This performance was driven in large part by trading at the ParkTower. London mainstream - Steady growth in admissions and spend per head in our fourLondon mainstream clubs (the Victoria, the Gloucester, the Connoisseur and theHard Rock) have driven revenue improvements of 6.0% and a 24.0% increase inoperating profit. Provincial - In our 30 casinos outside London we achieved good growth inadmissions and a steady performance in spend per head, driving an 8.7%improvement in revenue and a 5.8% increase in operating profit. Belgium - In our two casinos in Belgium - at Middlekerke and Blankenberge -revenue and operating profit have remained broadly flat. From next year weexpect to benefit from regulatory changes that will allow us to extend thegaming product in these casinos, including the introduction of electronicroulette. Handle in our UK casinos is down slightly against the first half in 2005,(although win margin is slightly higher) with the majority of revenue growthbeing generated by gaming machines. Since the start of the year we have added toour estate 115 Section 31 machines and 73 Section 21 machines. At 30 June 2006the Grosvenor Casinos estate comprised a total of more than 1,500 electronicgaming positions, including 639 Section 31 machines, 158 Section 21 machines and747 electronic roulette positions. We continue to invest in the expansion and improvement of our casino card roomsto meet the growth in demand for poker and other pari-mutuel card games.Currently we have 20 card rooms across our estate (more than any other UKoperator) and host a number of high profile tournaments, including the EuropeanPoker Championships. On 29 June 2006 we opened a new casino on Bury New Road in Manchester,'relocating' a licence from the nearby Grosvenor Empire Street. The Bury NewRoad casino has been designed to appeal to a broad customer base and features astylish bar, sports lounge and restaurant as well as 15 table games, 28electronic roulette positions, 36 gaming machines and an 80 seat card room. Itis the first casino to operate under our 'G Casino' brand. Since the end of the half-year we have closed two loss-making casinos, the HardRock Casino in Manchester and the Grosvenor in Scarborough. In addition we haveagreed the £31m sale of the Clermont Club, our high-end London casino. Thedisposal of the Clermont Club is in line with our strategy of focusing onmainstream gaming, where we believe there is most to gain from changes to UKgambling regulations. We have now been granted eight new casino licences under the 1968 Gambling Act.We will open the first of these during 2007 and expect the majority of our newcasino licences to be operational by the end of 2009. In July 2006, the Casino Advisory Panel published a series of league tablesregarding the possible locations (by local government authority) of the 17 newcasinos to be licensed under the 2005 Gambling Act. The list of selectedlocations is scheduled for publication in December 2006, with ratificationexpected in April 2007. While we await further details on the locations of the new casinos, it is ourintention to secure as many of the casino licences as we are able to. It isexpected that the new casinos will be able to offer a broader range of gamingand gambling activities including sports betting (regional, large and small) andbingo (regional and large only). Rank's track record as an experienced andresponsible operator of casinos, bingo clubs and sports betting operations putsthe Group in a strong position to tender for the licences next year. INTERACTIVE Blue Square Gross Win / Revenue 2006 2005 £m £m Gaming 10.2 5.7Sportsbook 8.4 6.7 -------- ----------Total 18.6 12.4 ======== ========== -------- ----------Operating profit 3.1 0.3 ======== ========== Our interactive business, Blue Square has enjoyed a strong start to the yearwith revenue up 50.0% and operating profit of £3.1m (2005 - £0.3m). Activecustomer numbers increased by 12.5% to 261,000. We continue to drive significant growth from our on-line gaming business andhave had particular success with Meccagames.com, including our multi-playeron-line bingo product that we re-launched in August. On-line gaming now accountsfor 54.8% of Blue Square's revenue. We are in the process of integrating Blue Square into our Gaming division. Thiswill allow us to develop the synergies between our online and our retail gamingoperations, from games and technology development to cross-marketing. TheGrosvenor on-line casino, which has resulted from this closer integration, willbe launched during the second half of the year. Revenue from sportsbook operations is up by 25.4%, with improved risk managementsystems helping to drive a stronger win margin. Blue Square continues toinnovate in sports betting and in May launched Blue Square Prices on horseracing, becoming the UK's first on-line bookmaker to offer an alternative to theindustry's standard Show Prices. HARD ROCK Revenue Operating Profit 2006 2005 2006 2005 £m £m £m £m Company OperatedCafes 120.4 110.7 13.8 12.7 Third Party OperatedCafes 4.3 2.8 3.6 2.2Hotels/casinos 9.0 7.8 7.7 6.3 Equity distributions 2.9 2.5 Divisional overhead (9.1) (7.3) -------- ------- ------- -------- 133.7 121.3 18.9 16.4 ======== ======= ======= ======== ------- --------Lifestar Joint Venture - share of post tax (0.9) (0.7)results ======= ======== Hard Rock has delivered operating profit growth for the fourth reporting periodin succession. Revenue is up 10.2% and profits are ahead by 15.2% to £18.9m withgood performances from each of the business divisions. The strength of the Hard Rock brand has been the key to growth from franchisecafes and from our third party agreements for hotels and casinos. Our continuedinvestment in the Hard Rock brand, including highly visible marketing campaigns,is reflected in a rise in divisional overheads. The centre-piece of Hard Rock's marketing in 2006 is 'Ambassadors of Rock', aseries of rock concerts taking place around the globe (at or near Hard Rocklocations), celebrating the 35th anniversary of Hard Rock. Among the artistsperforming this year as part of Ambassadors of Rock are The Who, Roger Waters,Texas, Razorlight, Motley Crue, Blondie, Fun Lovin' Criminals and Primal Scream. We have re-acquired a number of territorial operating and development rightsrelating to Hard Rock. These comprise Hard Rock Cafe and Hotel developmentrights in Australia, (including three cafes currently operating) and Hard RockHotel development rights in the Middle East. In addition we have expressed aninterest with Morgans Hotel Group to secure the development rights for Hard RockCasinos and Hard Rock Casino Hotels across a number of US and internationaljurisdictions. At 30 June 2006 Hard Rock comprised 121 Hard Rock Cafes (68 company operated; 53franchised); four Hard Rock Hotels; and two Hard Rock Casino-Hotels. Company operated cafes First half revenue from Hard Rock's company-operated cafes grew revenue by 8.8%while operating profit increased by 8.7% to £13.8m. The menu changes and pricing benefit we introduced in 2005 continued to drivesales from food and beverage. At the same time we increased diner to merchandiseconversions, as a result of our improved retail range and sharper marketing. The performance of our New York City Hard Rock Cafe, which we moved from West57th Street to Times Square last summer, is also a major contributor to firsthalf growth. In 2007 we plan to carry out a similar relocation project inBoston, Massachusetts, moving the Hard Rock Cafe from its Copley Square site toa new flagship location near Faneuil Hall, one of the most visited sites inBoston. There were no new openings in the period but we closed two under-performingcafes, at Bristol in England and at Austin, Texas. Hard Rock company operated cafe like-for-like revenue growth Food and Merchandise Total Beverage % % %To 30 June 2006North America 10.9 2.8 8.4Europe 5.2 12.6 7.6 ------------- ------------- ---------Total 9.6 5.2 8.2 ============= ============= ========= Franchise cafes Royalties and fees from our franchise cafes increased by 53.6% to £4.3m andoperating profit rose 63.6% to £3.6m. There were no franchise cafe openings during the first half of the year.However, in July we opened a new Hard Rock Cafe at Santo Domingo, DominicanRepublic. We plan to open another six new franchise cafes in the second half,including the first Hard Rock Cafe in India, at Mumbai. The strong growth in franchise cafe income was due in part to fees relating toHard Rock Music Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The park, which is due toopen in 2008 will feature 40 attractions including rollercoasters and a livemusic venue. Hotels & Casinos The improvement in performance from Hard Rock branded hotels and casinos is duein large measure to the continuing success of the two Hard Rock Casino Hotels atTampa and Hollywood in Florida, both of which are owned and operated by theSeminole Tribe of Florida. Equity distributions rose by 16.0% to £2.9m as a result of a good performancefrom Universal Rank Hotel Partners, which part-owns three hotels (including aHard Rock Hotel) in Orlando, Florida. In August 2006 we announced that we would dissolve our Lifestar joint venturewith Sol Melia, the Spanish hotels group. As a consequence we will not now openthe Hard Rock Hotel in Madrid, although our strategic aim of developing hotelsunder the Hard Rock brand is unchanged. Future openings include the first Hard Rock condo-hotel in San Diego, Californiaand the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi (which was closed in2005 as a result of damage from Hurricane Katrina). Both properties are expectedto open in 2007. US HOLIDAYS Revenue Operating Profit 2006 2005 2006 2005 £m £m £m £m -------- -------- -------- --------US Holidays 15.1 14.0 1.1 1.1 ======== ======== ======== ======== US Holidays grew first-half revenue by 7.9% but operating profit was flat. USHolidays is a non-core business for Rank and we have commenced a review of exitoptions. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Deluxe Film Deluxe Film was disposed on 27 January 2006 for net consideration of £394.2m.The division contributed £1.3m in operating profit before it was disposed. Deluxe Media Services Deluxe Media Services, our DVD and CD manufacturing and distribution business,made an operating loss of £10.0m (2005 - £12.4m). We completed the disposal to Sony DADC of Deluxe Media's UK DVD replicationbusiness and its UK distribution business on 30 June 2006. The net cash inflowfrom the transaction is £5.9m. Since the end of the half-year we have also disposed of Deluxe Media's CDreplication business, to EDC. CASHFLOW AND NET DEBT 2006 2005 £m £mContinuing OperationsCash inflow from operations 51.0 57.8Capital expenditure (28.3) (14.1)Fixed asset disposals 1.7 0.6 ----------- -----------Operating cash inflow 24.4 44.3Acquisitions, disposals and capital 409.5 14.1distributions ----------- ----------- 433.9 58.4Interest, tax and dividend payments (101.5) (79.0)Share buy-back (102.7) -Additional contribution to pension fund (50.0) -Cash outflow relating to discontinued (17.8) (58.1)operations ----------- -----------Cash inflow (outflow) 161.9 (78.7) =========== =========== Operating cash flow from continuing operations was £19.9m lower than 2005. Thisis largely due to increased capital expenditure and transaction costs. Net debt Net debt at 30 June 2006 was £555.2m compared with £739.4m at 31 December 2005.In addition to the cash flows detailed above, net debt was reduced byapproximately £22m as a result of favourable movements in US dollar exchangerates. Capital expenditure 2006 2005 £m £m Continuing OperationsGaming 22.8 7.5Hard Rock 4.5 6.3US Holidays 1.0 0.3 ---------- ----------- 28.3 14.1 ========== =========== GROUP INCOME STATEMENT - INTERIM (unaudited) 2006 2005* Before Before Exceptional Exceptional Exceptional Exceptional Items Items Total Items Items Total £m £m £m £m £m £mContinuing operationsRevenue 426.1 - 426.1 397.3 - 397.3 Cost of sales (260.9) - (260.9) (245.2) - (245.2) -------- -------- ------ -------- -------- ------Gross profit 165.2 - 165.2 152.1 - 152.1 Other operating costs (107.2) (12.1) (119.3) (90.5) - (90.5) -------- -------- ------ -------- -------- ------Group operating 58.0 (12.1) 45.9 61.6 - 61.6profit (loss) Financing:Interest payable (18.7) (14.7) (33.4) (22.5) - (22.5)Interest receivable 2.3 - 2.3 3.5 - 3.5Amortisation of (1.5) - (1.5) (1.5) - (1.5)equity component ofconvertible bondForeign exchange gain 7.5 - 7.5 (7.7) - (7.7)(loss) on -------- -------- ------ -------- -------- ------inter-company loansnet of hedgingTotal financing (10.4) (14.7) (25.1) (28.2) - (28.2)charge Share of post taxlossof joint ventures (0.9) - (0.9) (0.7) - (0.7) -------- -------- ------ -------- -------- ------Profit (loss) before 46.7 (26.8) 19.9 32.7 - 32.7tax Taxation (note 3) (8.1) 4.4 (3.7) (12.9) - (12.9) -------- -------- ------ -------- -------- ------Profit (loss) for the 38.6 (22.4) 16.2 19.8 - 19.8period fromcontinuing operations Discontinuedoperations:Operations held for (6.6) - (6.6) (2.2) (12.5) (14.7)sale (note 2) -------- -------- ------ -------- -------- ------Profit (loss) for the 32.0 (22.4) 9.6 17.6 (12.5) 5.1period ======== ======== ====== ======== ======== ====== Profit attributable 1.2 - 1.2 0.6 - 0.6to minority interest Profit (loss) 30.8 (22.4) 8.4 17.0 (12.5) 4.5attributable toequity shareholders -------- -------- ------ -------- -------- ------ 32.0 (22.4) 9.6 17.6 (12.5) 5.1 ======== ======== ====== ======== ======== ====== Basic earnings per 1.4 p 0.7 pshare Diluted earnings per 1.4 p 0.7 pshare * Restated for Blue Square revenue recognised on a gross win basis Further earnings per share information is provided in Note 6 GROUP INCOME STATEMENT - INTERIM (unaudited) 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30.6.06 30.6.05* 31.12.05 £m £m £m Continuing operations Revenue 426.1 397.3 810.3 Cost of sales (260.9) (245.2) (494.0) ---------- --------- --------Gross profit 165.2 152.1 316.3 Other operating costs (including (119.3) (90.5) (200.9)exceptional items) ---------- --------- --------Operating profit 45.9 61.6 115.4 Net finance costs (including (32.6) (20.5) (47.3)exceptional items)Foreign exchange gain (loss) on 7.5 (7.7) (16.0)inter-company loans net of hedging ---------- --------- --------Total finance costs (25.1) (28.2) (63.3) Share of post tax losses in joint (0.9) (0.7) (1.4)ventures ---------- --------- --------Profit before tax 19.9 32.7 50.7 Taxation (note 3) (3.7) (12.9) (5.1) ---------- --------- --------Profit after tax 16.2 19.8 45.6 Discontinued OperationsOperations held for sale (note 2) (6.6) (14.7) (254.1) ---------- --------- --------Profit (loss) for the period 9.6 5.1 (208.5) ========== ========= ======== Basic earnings (loss) per share 1.4p 0.7p (33.6p) Diluted earnings (loss) per share 1.4p 0.7p (33.5p) * Restated for Blue Square revenue recognised on a gross win basis Further earnings per share information is provided in Note 6. BALANCE SHEET (unaudited) As at As at As at 30.6.06 30.6.05 31.12.05 £m £m £mNon-current assetsIntangible assets 177.9 259.1 178.2Property, plant and equipment 339.8 580.7 480.9Trade and other investments 59.1 52.5 45.1Other receivables 20.0 174.2 28.7Deferred tax asset 61.9 54.2 62.5 --------- --------- -------- 658.7 1,120.7 795.4 --------- --------- -------- Current assetsFinancial assets- Derivative financial instruments 5.8 - 5.2- Cash and cash equivalents 81.6 114.9 117.7Inventories 33.8 62.3 33.0Trade and other receivables 56.5 303.6 44.7Assets held for sale- Discountined operations (note 2) 43.5 122.3 512.1- Property, plant and equipment held for sale 137.6 - -and leaseback --------- --------- -------- 358.8 603.1 712.7 Current liabilitiesFinancial liabilities- Derivative financial instruments (2.2) - (6.1)- Loan capital and borrowings (45.8) (32.2) (13.5)Trade and other payables (153.1) (207.7) (158.8)Current tax liabilities (2.0) - (2.8)Liabilities held for sale (note 2) (69.1) (98.6) (209.1) --------- --------- -------- (272.2) (338.5) (390.3) --------- --------- --------Net current assets 86.6 264.6 322.4 --------- --------- -------- Non-current liabilitiesFinancial liabilities- Derivative financial instruments (2.4) - (2.2)- Loan capital and borrowings (587.0) (820.1) (836.2)Other non-current liabilities (30.4) (164.8) (69.2)Provisions for other liabilities and charges (70.9) (31.9) (42.1) --------- --------- -------- (690.7) (1,016.8) (949.7) --------- --------- -------- --------- --------- --------Net assets 54.6 368.5 168.1 ========= ========= ======== Shareholders' equityCalled up share capital 58.2 62.5 62.6Share premium account 95.7 90.0 93.1Other reserves (108.6) 206.0 1.0 --------- --------- --------Shareholders' funds 45.3 358.5 156.7Equity minority interests 9.3 10.0 11.4 --------- --------- -------- 54.6 368.5 168.1 ========= ========= ======== CASHFLOW STATEMENT (unaudited) 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30.6.06 30.6.05 31.12.05 £m £m £mCash flows from operating activitiesCash generated from operations (note 4) 37.3 34.9 175.3Interest paid (35.8) (17.0) (41.4)Interest received 4.0 3.0 5.4Income tax paid (4.7) (3.7) (5.2)Additional pension payment (50.0) - -Interest and tax paid by discontinued (1.9) (2.1) (6.2)operations --------- --------- -------Net cash (used in) from operating activities (51.1) 15.1 127.9 --------- --------- ------- Cash flows from investing activitiesProceeds from disposal of subsidiaries (net 400.6 - -of cash disposed)Acquisition of subsidiaries (net of cash - (0.3) (3.0)acquired)Purchase of property, plant and equipment (28.3) (14.1) (46.2)Proceeds from sale of property, plant and 1.7 0.6 1.6equipmentInvestments in associates and joint ventures - (4.1) (4.8)Sale of investments available for sale. 8.9 - -Capital distribution from trade asset - 18.5 18.5investmentDiscontinued operations (note 2) (2.2) (33.1) (66.6) --------- --------- -------Net cash from (used in) investing activities 380.7 (32.5) (100.5) --------- --------- ------- Cash flows from financing activitiesDividends paid to Company shareholders (62.7) (61.2) (92.5)Dividends paid to minority interests (2.3) - -Issue of share capital 2.7 1.8 5.0Redemption of share capital (102.7) - -Debt due within one year- drawdown on syndicated facilities 24.3 - -- repayment of sterling borrowings - - (10.5)Debt due after more than one year- drawdown on syndicated facilities 351.3 165.3 328.9- repayment of dollar borrowings (219.0) (51.9) (51.9)- repayment of sterling borrowings (35.0) - -- repayment of syndicated facilities (317.7) - (153.8)- other (1.0) (2.4) (3.0)Finance lease principal repayments (0.7) (0.6) (1.8)Discontinued operations (note 2) (8.4) - (5.5) --------- --------- -------Net cash (used in) from financing activities (371.2) 51.0 14.9 --------- --------- ------- Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash (41.6) 33.6 42.3equivalentsCash and cash equivalents at beginning of 109.4 65.5 65.5periodExchange (losses) gains on cash (1.2) 0.1 1.6 --------- --------- -------Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 66.6 99.2 109.4 ========= ========= ======= STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30.6.06 30.6.05 31.12.05 £m £m £m Profit (loss) for the year 9.6 5.1 (208.5) Currency translation net of tax and (3.7) 12.5 45.0hedging Actuarial gain (loss) on defined 6.9 (15.9) (13.4)benefit pension scheme net of tax Tax on non-qualifying leasehold 0.6 - 4.3property Revaluation of available for sale 25.4 7.4 6.8securities Revaluation of available for sale 12.1 - -securities reclassed to net profit --------- --------- ---------Total recognised income (expense) for 50.9 9.1 (165.8)the period ========= ========= ========= NOTES TO THE INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) 1. Basis of preparation and accounting policies The interim financial statements have been prepared on the basis of theaccounting policies set out in the Group's financial statements for the yearended 31 December 2005. The accounting policies have been consistently appliedto all periods presented except as noted below. The financial information hasbeen prepared in accordance with the Listing Rules of the London Stock Exchange. The estimated value of the Group's Defined Benefit Pension IAS 19 surplus at 30June 2006 is £64.6m. This surplus was estimated using the assumptions from theApril 2004 full actuarial valuation. A new full actuarial valuation as at April2006 is currently being prepared and the Company is discussing with the PensionTrustee the financing requirements of the Scheme. Pending finalisation of the2006 valuation and the outcome of the discussion it is not felt appropriate toreflect the IAS 19 surplus in the 30 June 2006 Interim accounts. This positionwill be reviewed again when the 2006 full year accounts are prepared. The Group reported Blue Square revenue with reference to gross win margin in itsfinancial statements for the year ended 31 December 2005. Interim financialinformation for the period ended 30 June 2005 has been restated to reflect thischange. There is no impact on net profit. The Group has not adopted IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting" in these interimfinancial statements. The financial information contained in this report has not been audited and doesnot constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of theCompanies Act 1985. The statutory accounts for 2005, which were prepared underIFRS, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' opinionon these accounts was unqualified and does not contain a statement made underSection 237(2) and Section 237(3) of the Companies Act 1985. 2. Discontinued operations The Deluxe Film and Deluxe Media Services businesses meet the IFRS criteriarequired to be classified as discontinued operations. As a result, revenue isexcluded from the income statement and the results of the business, includingany associated exceptional costs, are recorded in a single line on a post-taxbasis. Deluxe Film was disposed on 27 January 2006. Deluxe Media's UK DVD replication business and its UK distribution business weredisposed on 30 June 2006. Deluxe Media's CD replication business was disposed on21 July 2006. A breakdown of the results of discontinued operations is shown below. Interim Interim Interim Interim Interim Interim Year to Year to Year to 30.6.06 30.6.06 30.6.06 30.6.05 30.6.05 30.6.05 31.12.05 31.12.05 31.12.05 DMS Film Total DMS Film Total DMS Film Total £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m Revenue 96.2 26.2 122.4 136.8 201.7 338.5 267.1 415.7 682.8 Operating (10.0) 1.3 (8.7) (12.4) 29.0 16.6 (16.4) 65.7 49.3(loss) profitbeforeexceptionalsExceptional - - - (13.2) - (13.2) (136.5) (150.4) (286.9)costs ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------Operating (10.0) 1.3 (8.7) (25.6) 29.0 3.4 (152.9) (84.7) (237.6)(loss) profit ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------Income from - 0.1 0.1 - 0.6 0.6 - 0.8 0.8associatesNet financing (0.5) - (0.5) (0.8) (2.1) (2.9) (1.0) 1.0 -(charge) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------credit(Loss) profit (10.5) 1.4 (9.1) (26.4) 27.5 1.1 (153.9) (82.9) (236.8)before tax ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------Tax 2.9 (0.4) 2.5 (9.2) (6.6) (15.8) (3.3) (14.0) (17.3) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------Net (loss) (7.6) 1.0 (6.6) (35.6) 20.9 (14.7) (157.2) (96.9) (254.1)profit ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Assets and liabilities relating to the discontinued operations are as follows: Interim Interim Interim Interim Interim Interim Year to Year to Year to 30.6.06 30.6.06 30.6.06 30.6.05 30.6.05 30.6.05 31.12.05 31.12.05 31.12.05 DMS Film Total DMS Film Total DMS Film Total £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m Assets held for sale 43.5 - 43.5 122.3 - 122.3 69.4 442.7 512.1 Liabilities held for (69.1) - (69.1) (98.6) - (98.6) (126.0) (83.1) (209.1)sale ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------Net (liabilities) (25.6) - (25.6) 23.7 - 23.7 (56.6) 359.6 303.0assets held for sale ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Cash flows relating to the discontinued operations are as follows: Interim Interim Interim Interim Interim Interim Year to Year to Year to 30.6.06 30.6.06 30.6.06 30.6.05 30.6.05 30.6.05 31.12.05 31.12.05 31.12.05 DMS Film Total DMS Film Total DMS Film Total £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m Cash flow (used (35.2) 19.6 (15.6) 9.6 (34.6) (25.0) (23.3) 35.1 11.8in) fromoperatingactivities Cash flow (used (0.9) (1.3) (2.2) (11.2) (21.9) (33.1) (17.7) (48.9) (66.6)in) frominvestingactivities Cash flow (used (8.4) - (8.4) - - - (4.8) (0.7) (5.5)in) from ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ------- -------financingactivities (44.5) 18.3 (26.2) (1.6) (56.5) (58.1) (45.8) (14.5) (60.3) ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======= ======= ======= 3. Tax The tax charge, including amounts disclosed within discontinued operations maybe analysed as follows: 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 30.6.06 30.6.05 31.12.05 £m £m £mRank subsidiaries - continuingoperations - Adjusted profit (8.1) (12.4) (21.3)- Foreign exchange on inter-company - (0.5) (8.1)loans ----------- ----------- ----------- Charge for continuing operations (8.1) (12.9) (29.4) Discontinued operations 2.5 (16.5) (38.1) ----------- ----------- -----------Total pre-exceptional tax charge (5.6) (29.4) (67.5) =========== =========== =========== Exceptional tax credit- continuing operations 4.4 - 24.3- discontinued operations - 0.7 20.8 ----------- ----------- ----------- 4.4 0.7 45.1 =========== =========== =========== Taxation has been provided at an estimated effective rate of 20.0% on adjustedprofit (2005 interim - 29.6%, 2005 full year - 24.9%). 4. Reconciliation of operating profit to cash generated by operations 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 30.6.06 30.6.05 31.12.05 £m £m £m Continuing operationsOperating profit 45.9 61.6 115.4Exceptional costs charged 12.1 - 12.1Cash payments in respect of provisions (12.5) (1.6) (28.8)and exceptional costsDepreciation and amortisation 21.2 21.0 43.1(Increase) decrease in working capital (15.7) (26.1) 16.6Other Items - 2.9 (1.1) ---------- --------- -----------Net cash generated by continuing 51.0 57.8 157.3operationsNet cash (used) generated by discontinued (13.7) (22.9) 18.0operations ---------- --------- -----------Net cash inflow generated by operations 37.3 34.9 175.3 ========== ========= =========== 5. Adjusted net profit Adjusted net profit is derived as follows: 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 30.6.06 30.6.05 31.12.05 £m £m £m Net profit (loss) attributable to equity 8.4 4.5 (209.7)shareholders Discontinued operations net of tax 6.6 14.7 254.1 Exceptional items before tax on 26.8 - 15.7continuing operations Foreign currency (gain) loss on (7.5) 7.7 16.0inter-company balances net of hedging Interest on convertible bond 1.5 1.5 3.0 Tax on adjusted items (4.4) 0.5 (16.2) --------- --------- ----------Adjusted net profit attributable to 31.4 28.9 62.9equity shareholders ========= ========= ========== 6. Earnings per share 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 30.6.06 30.6.05 31.12.05 £m £m £m Basic earnings (loss) per sharebefore exceptional items 5.0p 2.7p 7.7pafter exceptional items 1.4p 0.7p (33.6)p Basic earnings per share - continuingoperationsbefore exceptional items 6.1p 3.1p 5.7pafter exceptional items 2.5p 3.1p 7.1p Basic earnings (loss) per share -discontinued operationsbefore exceptional items (1.1)p (0.4)p 2.0pafter exceptional items (1.1)p (2.4)p (40.7)p Diluted earnings (loss) per sharebefore exceptional items 5.0p 2.7p 7.6pafter exceptional items 1.4p 0.7p (33.5)p Diluted earnings per share - continuingoperationsbefore exceptional items 6.1p 3.1p 5.7pafter exceptional items 2.5p 3.1p 7.1p Diluted earnings (loss) per share -discontinued operationsbefore exceptional items (1.1)p (0.4)p 1.9pafter exceptional items (1.1)p (2.4)p (40.6)p Basic adjusted earnings per share 5.1p 4.6p 10.1p The weighted average number of shares used in the calculation of basic earnings(loss) per share is 611.2m (2005 first half: 623.8m, full year: 624.5m). Fordiluted earnings (loss) per share the weighted average number of shares used inthe calculation is 611.4m (2005 first half: 625.3m, full year: 626.0m). 7. Exchange rates The US$/£ exchange rates for the relevant accounting periods are: US$/£ 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 30.6.06 30.6.05 31.12.05 £m £m £m Average 1.80 1.86 1.81Period-end 1.85 1.79 1.72 8. Borrowings to net debt reconciliation Under IFRS, accrued interest is classified as borrowings. In addition, net debtrelating to discontinued operations held for sale is disclosed separately. Areconciliation of net borrowings disclosed in the balance sheet to the Group'snet debt position is provided below. As at As at As at 30.6.06 30.6.05 31.12.05 £m £m £m Borrowings, net of cash (551.2) (737.4) (732.0) Amounts disclosed within discontinued (3.7) (11.9) (13.3)operations Accrued interest net of unamortised (0.3) 12.4 5.9facility fees --------- --------- ----------Net debt (555.2) (736.9) (739.4) ========= ========= ========== Included within net debt is £15.0m (2005 Interim: £15.7m, 2005 Full Year: £8.3m)of bank overdrafts which are offset against cash and cash equivalents for thepurposes of the cashflow statement. 9. Statement of changes in shareholders' equity 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 30.6.06 30.6.05 31.12.05 £m £m £m Profit (loss) attributable to equity 8.4 4.5 (209.7)shareholders Dividends (62.7) (61.2) (92.5) Credit in respect of employee share 1.6 1.9 3.7schemes Fair value adjustments to available for 25.4 7.4 6.8sale securities Actuarial movement of defined benefit 6.9 (15.9) (13.4)pension scheme net of tax Share capital redeemed (102.7) - - New share capital subscribed 2.7 1.8 5.0 Tax on non-qualifiying leasehold property 0.6 - 4.3 Currency translation net of tax and (3.7) 12.5 45.0hedging Revaluation of available for sale 12.1 - -securities reclassed to net profit --------- --------- ----------Net movement in shareholders' equity (111.4) (49.0) (250.8) --------- --------- ---------- Opening shareholders' equity as 156.7 391.3 391.3previously stated Adoption of Financial Instruments IAS 32/ - 16.2 16.239 --------- --------- ----------Opening shareholders' equity as restated 156.7 407.5 407.5 --------- --------- ----------Closing shareholders' equity 45.3 358.5 156.7 --------- --------- ---------- Independent review report to The Rank Group Plc Introduction We have been instructed by the company to review the financial information forthe six months ended 30 June 2006 which comprises the Group interim balancesheet as at 30 June 2006 and the related Group interim statements of income,cash flows and recognised income and expense for the six months then ended andrelated notes. We have read the other information contained in the interimreport and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or materialinconsistencies with the financial information. Directors' responsibilities The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, isthe responsibility of, and has been approved by the directors. The Listing Rulesof the London Stock Exchange require that the accounting policies andpresentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent with thoseapplied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where any changes, andthe reasons for them, are disclosed. Review work performed We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A reviewconsists principally of making enquiries of Group management and applyinganalytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial dataand, based thereon, assessing whether the disclosed accounting policies havebeen applied. A review excludes audit procedures such as tests of controls andverification of assets, liabilities and transactions. It is substantially lessin scope than an audit and therefore provides a lower level of assurance.Accordingly we do not express an audit opinion on the financial information.This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and only for thecompany for the purpose of the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authorityand for no other purpose. We do not, in producing this report, accept or assumeresponsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this reportis shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by ourprior consent in writing. Review conclusion On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications thatshould be made to the financial information as presented for the six monthsended 30 June 2006. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP London 1 September 2006 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange