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MTN GROUP COMBINED TRADING STATEMENT AND CAUTIONARY ANNOUNCEMENT

Release Date: 29/09/2003 08:30
Code(s): MTN
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MTN GROUP COMBINED TRADING STATEMENT AND CAUTIONARY ANNOUNCEMENT MTN Group Limited ("MTN Group" or "the Company") (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1994/009584/06) Share code: MTN ISIN ZAE000042164 MTN GROUP COMBINED TRADING STATEMENT AND CAUTIONARY ANNOUNCEMENT Section 3.4 (b) (Trading Statements) of the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa ("JSE") Listings Requirements ("the Listings Requirements"), requires listed companies to publish a trading statement as soon as they become aware that the financial results for the period to be next reported upon will be materially different from one or more of the following: (1) the financial results for the previous corresponding period; (2) forecast projections and indications previously provided to the market in relation to such period; and (3) shareholders expectations of the financial results for such period arising from guidance previously provided by the issuer, trend analysis expectations, consensus analysts" forecasts which the issuer is satisfied were materially accurate, where available, or a combination of all of the above. In terms of the Listings Requirements, "materially" in this context has been defined as an increase or decrease of between 10% and 30%, while changes below 10% are defined as "significant" and changes above 30% are defined as "substantial". The Company accordingly advises that it expects the adjusted1 headline earnings per share (the "Adjusted Headline EPS") for the 6 month period ending 30 September 2003 to be substantially above the headline earnings per share for the prior 6 month period to 30 September 2002. In addition, a mean analysts" consensus headline earnings per share forecast for the Company"s headline earnings per share for the year to March 2004 appears on Bloomberg. Such consensus forecast is for the full financial year and no indication of the expected interim or half year headline earnings per share is given. However, a consensus forecast for the 6 month period ending 30 September 2003 can be derived by taking 50% of the full year mean consensus forecast of headline earnings per share ("the Derived Interim Consensus Forecast"). The full year mean consensus forecast of headline earnings per share to March 2004 for the MTN Group published on 25 September 2003 was 203,4 cents. The Derived Interim Consensus Forecast earnings per share for the 6 months to 30 September 2003 is therefore 101,7 cents. It is assumed that this Derived Interim Consensus Forecast of headline earnings per share equates to the Company"s Adjusted1 Headline EPS prior to taking into account the raising of the deferred tax asset related to the Company"s Nigerian operations which is set-out in more detail in the footnote below. The Company expects the interim Adjusted1 Headline EPS for the 6 month period ending 30 September 2003 to be materially above the Derived Interim Consensus Forecast per share. It is stressed that, although the Derived Interim Consensus Forecast was calculated by taking 50% of the full year analysts" mean consensus headline earnings per share forecast published on Bloomberg, no reliance of any nature whatsoever should be placed on the premise that such percentage will in fact prevail for the current financial year or any other future period. The reason for this is that various once off earnings streams have occurred in the 6 month period to 30 September 2003 which may not recur in the second half of the year. In addition, MTN Group"s earnings could be negatively or positively affected amongst others by pricing changes that could occur in the various countries in which the MTN Group operates due to potential changes in the competitive environment, or by volatility in exchange rates. The information provided in this announcement does not contain and should not be construed as containing any forward looking statements or projections of any nature whatsoever for periods after 30 September 2003. Cautionary Announcement This trading statement has not been reviewed or reported on by the Company"s auditors. Shareholders are therefore advised to exercise caution when dealing in the Company"s securities until publication of the Company"s interim results on or about 2 December 2003. As result of this cautionary announcement, the Company has now entered a closed period that will end on publication of the Company"s interim results. 1 In the year to March 2003, a deferred tax asset was raised resulting in headline earnings being increased by R 128 million. This deferred tax asset was raised in accordance with South African Statements of Generally Accepted Accounting Practice AC102 as a result of deductible temporary differences arising within MTN Nigeria Communications Limited ("MTN Nigeria") which became profitable during the financial year to 31 March 2003. The Board of the Company considers that full recognition of deferred tax assets undermines fair presentation of the financial results because the actual economic benefit to be derived from the asset is not certain as it will only be realized once MTN Nigeria emerges from the 5 year tax holiday granted to it under Pioneer Status legislation. For this reason, the MTN Group focuses on the adjusted headline earnings figure which negates the effect of raising the deferred tax asset. A full explanation of this is included in the MTN Group"s annual financial statements for the financial year to March 2003 under the Group Finance Director"s Report under paragraph 3.3. Johanesburg 29 September 2003 Sponsor Merrill Lynch South Africa Date: 29/09/2003 08:30:04 AM Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department

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