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Naspers Limited - Financial Report

Release Date: 29/06/2004 09:00
Code(s): NPN
Wrap Text

Naspers Limited - Financial Report Naspers Limited (Registration number 1925/001431/06) ISIN ZAE000015889 JSE share code: NPN ("Naspers") Highlights Highlights over the past year include: * Tencent, the real-time communications company which operates the QQ platform in China, continued to show good growth. Tencent was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in June this year. * The pay-television operation in Greece made substantial progress after upheaval in the previous period. * M-Net and SuperSport entered choppy waters and were delisted following a request by minority shareholders, especially the Phuthuma Futhi empowerment scheme. * Some newspaper titles, especially Daily Sun and Son, showed vibrant circulation growth. New magazine titles included Bicycling SA, Heat, Seventeen and Wegbreek. * The book publishing business, Via Afrika, implemented its turnaround strategy and was restored to profitability. The private education business, Educor, was partly merged into Via Afrika and reported growth in profitability. Abridged Income Statement Year ended Year ended 31 March 2004 31 March 2003
R"m R"m Revenue 12 804 12 204 Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) 2 439 1 484 Depreciation (635) (747) Operating profit before amortisation and impairment 1 804 737 Amortisation (484) (356) Impairment of programme rights (31) (155) Operating profit 1 289 226 Finance costs (664) (246) Share of equity-accounted results 3 2 Exceptional items 48 61 Profit before tax 676 43 Taxation (176) (162) Minority interest (128) (158) Net profit/(loss) from continuing operations 372 (277) Loss from discontinuing operations - (141) Profit arising on discontinuance of operations - 751 Net profit attributable to shareholders 372 333 Earnings per N ordinary share (cents) 144 189 Headline earnings/(loss) per N ordinary share (cents) 302 (13) Headline earnings per N ordinary share from continuing operations (cents) 302 7 Core headline earnings/(loss) per N ordinary share (cents) 207 (57) Fully diluted earnings per N ordinary share (cents) 140 189 Proposed dividend per N ordinary share (cents) 38 30 Proposed dividend per A ordinary share (cents) 7 6 Number of shares issued (`000) - at year-end 261 619 257 814 - weighted average for the period 257 814 176 528 - fully diluted weighted average 265 188 182 133 Abridged Balance Sheet 31 March 2004 31 March 2003
R"m R"m ASSETS Non-current assets 6 314 7 076 Property, plant and equipment 3 274 3 818 Goodwill and other intangibles 2 491 2 789 Investments and loans 52 68 Programme and film rights 40 230 Deferred taxation 457 171 Current assets 6 778 6 297 TOTAL ASSETS 13 092 13 373 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Share capital and reserves 3 183 3 504 Minority interest 235 305 Non-current liabilities 2 873 3 443 Capitalised finance leases 1 921 2 397 Liabilities - interest-bearing 572 422 - non-interest-bearing 129 242 Post-retirement medical liability 171 149 Deferred taxation 80 233 Current liabilities 6 801 6 121 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 13 092 13 373 Net asset value per N ordinary share (cents) 1 216 1 359 Abridged Statement of Changes in Equity Year ended Year ended 31 March 2004 31 March 2003 R"m R"m Balance at beginning of year 3 511 1 386 Effect of adopting AC133 (366) - Effect of adopting proportionate consolidation (7) (24) As restated 3 138 1 362 Movement in treasury shares 79 (738) Share capital and premium issued - 3 395 Foreign currency translation (299) (811) Movement in fair value reserve (9) - Movement in cash flow hedging reserve (20) - Net profit attributable to shareholders 372 333 Dividends (78) (37) Balance at end of year 3 183 3 504 Abridged Cash Flow Statement Year ended Year ended 31 March 2004 31 March 2003 R"m R"m
Cash generated by continuing operations 1 752 1 615 Cash utilised in discontinuing operations (6) (277) Dividends paid (109) (66) Cash flow from operating activities 1 637 1 272 Cash flow from investment activities (555) 163 Cash flow from financing activities (555) (650) Net movement in cash and cash equivalents 527 785 Analysis of Exceptional Items Year ended Year ended 31 March 2004 31 March 2003 R"m R"m Profit on sale of investments 23 127 Profit/(loss) on dilution of interests in investments 8 (1) Asset impairment reversal/(loss) 17 (65) 48 61
Calculation of Headline Earnings Year ended Year ended 31 March 2004 31 March 2003 R"m R"m
Net profit attributable to shareholders 372 333 Adjusted for : - profit arising on discontinuance of operations - (751) - exceptional items after tax and minorities (44) 29 - impairment of programme rights 31 70 - amortisation of goodwill after minorities 420 297 Headline earnings/(loss) 779 (22) Loss from discontinuing operations - 35 Headline profit from continuing operations 779 13 Adjusted for : - currency translation differences (51) (86) - creation of deferred tax assets (204) (58) - amortisation of intangible assets 54 31 - AC133 fair value adjustments (44) - Core headline earnings/(loss) 534 (100) Supplementary Information Year ended Year ended 31 March 2004 31 March 2003 R"m R"m
Finance costs 664 246 - net interest paid 154 185 - interest on finance leases 187 272 - net foreign exchange differences (63) (211) - net fair value adjustments on derivatives (AC133) 386 - Investments and loans 476 221 - listed investments 137 153 - unlisted investments 339 68 Market value of listed investments 137 153 Director s" valuation of unlisted investments 339 68 Commitments 1 743 2 235 - capital expenditure 394 138 - programme and film rights 995 1 898 - network and other services commitments 165 194 - decoder commitments 189 5 Operating lease commitments 631 629 GROUP OVERVIEW The Naspers group is now reaping the rewards after some five years of intensive investment and business development. This impetus, coupled with unusually favourable trading conditions over the past year, and less expenditure on new projects than usual, resulted in most business units reporting satisfactory results. In particular, the offshore businesses have shown excellent earnings growth. While topline revenue increased by only 5%, operating profit grew to R1 289 million and core headline earnings to R534 million (R2,07 per share), compared to a loss of R100 million (57 cents per share) in the previous period. FINANCIAL REVIEW A feature of the past year was the strength of the rand which had a mixed impact on the group. On the positive side, our foreign currency input costs were reduced by a robust rand. On the negative side, a strong rand diminishes the value of our offshore revenues and earnings when these are translated and reported in rand. Revenue for the year grew by a modest 5%, largely because of the strengthening of the rand over the year. Some 32% of the group"s revenue is now generated from outside of South Africa. A tight focus on costs saw operating profits before amortisation and impairment charges increase to R1 804 million. Net finance costs of R664 million (2003: R247 million) were substantially higher than last year, mainly because of fair value adjustments of derivative instruments of R386 million required by the introduction of AC133. Net interest paid on borrowings and imputed interest on finance leases declined to R154 million (2003: R185 million) and R187 million (2003: R272 million) respectively. Net currency gains totalled R63 million. The taxation charge of R176 million includes net credits of R204 million relating to the creation of deferred tax assets (refer below). The net effect of the above was headline earnings from continuing operations of R779 million. However, as reported to you in the past, these headline earnings include several items prescribed by South African Generally Accepted Accounting Practice ("SA GAAP"), which undermines the credibility of `headline earnings" as a measure of true operating performance. Our best estimate of such distorting items are: R"m
Currency translation gains 51 Creation of deferred tax assets 204 Amortisation of intangible assets (54) AC133 fair value adjustments 44 245 The group leases satellite capacity, which is mainly denominated in US dollars. SA GAAP requires that the future liabilities on these leases be aggregated and translated to the rand equivalent at year end. The translation of these leases and other items resulted in an unrealised currency gain of R51 million this year. As this `profit" is not realised, we do not believe it is in principle prudent to include it in headline earnings. SA GAAP also compels us to create net deferred tax assets in the year of R204 million. This is mainly a non-recurring, artificial boost to headline earnings, which we believe is imprudent. The inclusion in headline earnings of a R54 million charge relating to the amortisation of intangible assets reflects an accounting convention that has no commercial relevance. Finally, accounting standard AC133 compels us to `mar k to market" forward exchange contracts that the group entered into in terms of its policy of hedging foreign currency liabilities. Accounting for the foreign exchange contracts as they mature would have yielded an additional realised headline loss of R44 million. We believe it imprudent to exclude such realised amounts from headline earnings. None of the above items had any impact on our cash flows this year. We have no choice in applying these accounting standards, even when they distort reality. The net effect is that the reported headline earnings are inflated by R245 million. Adjusting for these items would result in `core" headline earnings of R534 million, compared to a loss of R100 million in the previous year. Regarding cash flows, the group generated R1 637 million of cash from operating activities compared to R1 272 million in the previous year. On 31 March 2004, the group had net consolidated cash of R2,6 billion and interest-bearing liabilities of R692 million, excluding capitalised satellite and other leases. SEGMENTAL REVIEW Revenues and operating profits of the key business segments were as follows: Revenue 2004 2003 R"m R"m % Subscriber platforms 8 661 8 516 2 - pay television 7 299 7 225 1 - technology 315 378 (17) - internet 1 047 913 15 Print media 2 820 2 469 14 Book publishing and private education 1 321 1 218 8 - books 785 665 18 - education 536 553 (3) Corporate services 2 1 - 12 804 12 204 5 Ebitda 2004 2003
R"m R"m % Subscriber platforms 1 865 1 087 72 - pay television 1 713 1 118 53 - technology (9) 65 - - internet 161 (96) - Print media 505 401 26 Book publishing and private education 97 13 +100 - books 37 (28) - - education 60 41 46 Corporate services (28) (17) (65) 2 439 1 484 64
Operating profit before amortisation and impairment 2004 2003 R"m R"m %
Subscriber platforms 1 385 487 184 - pay television 1 336 658 103 - technology (23) 49 - - internet 72 (220) - Print media 388 290 34 Book publishing and private education 61 (20) - - books 21 (42) - - education 40 22 82 Corporate services (30) (20) (50) 1 804 737 145 Operating profit
2004 2003 R"m R"m % Subscriber platforms 919 21 +100 - pay television 1 063 435 144 - technology (63) 14 - - internet (81) (428) 81 Print media 373 279 34 Book publishing and private education 27 (54) - - books 15 (47) - - education 12 (7) - Corporate services (30) (20) (50) 1 289 226 470 SUBSCRIBER PLATFORMS Pay television The total pay television subscriber base grew by only 100 000 over the past year, mostly offshore. The group manages 2,1 million pay-television subscribers, 71% of whom subscribe to digital ser v- ices. Pay-television revenues grew a meagre 1%, a consequence of the strong rand and a mature South African subscriber base, which had only a nominal price increase in the year. Due to good cost control, operating profit before amortisation and impairment charges grew to R1 336 million. In South Africa, the subscriber base is fully mature and reflected only marginal growth of 3% to 1 075 000. To improve operational efficiencies, the subscriber management platforms of MultiChoice and M-Web were merged. In sub-Saharan Africa, the subscriber base grew by 30 000 to 291 000. Most of the analogue services in this market have been shut down as subscribers migrated to digital services. M-Net and SuperSport experienced a challenging year. Both were delisted on 15 April 2004 following a request by minority shareholders, especially the Phuthuma Futhi share scheme participants. NetMed"s Greek pay-television business made substantial progress after last year"s upheavals. The operations in Cyprus are profitable. Overall the Mediterranean region grew by 40 000 subscribers to 350 000. The operating loss before amortisation and impairment of R69 million was a significant improvement on the R269 million reported last year. It is, however, too early to predict a return to sustained profitability as the future of local football, a key driver in that market, is still uncertain. In Thailand, the UBC subscriber base remained stable at 436 000. This business, which is now proportionately consolidated, reported revenues of R1,3 billion and an operating profit before amortisation of R151 million. The local economy is buoyant, but cable and copyright piracy remains a deterrent to growth. Technology Our technology businesses are strategic assets as they ensure the security of our pay-television subscriber base. The encryption technology market is intensely competitive. Coupled to this is strong pricing pressure from direct competitors as well as a decline in the price of hardware. This has increased the need for differentiation through added value services and we have been investing in new generation technology. This combination of lower prices and investment in product development has led to reduced profitability. Going forward we will continue to invest in research and development. In addition, we are developing Entriq, a business providing security, billing and customer care service for broadcast and online media. Growth in the global consumer broadband market (outside of South Africa) has resulted in both content owners and service provider s increasingly looking to the internet for complementary value-added services and products. Entriq is in a development phase and will consume cash as we launch several new initiatives. Internet Tencent"s QQ services enjoyed strong growth over the past year. QQ has one of the most visited internet portals in China. Registered subscriptions for the fee-based internet value-added services ended the year on 7,3 million. In addition, the mobile and telecommunications value-added services reached 12,7 million registered subscriptions. A number of new consumer services have been launched, including a popular QQ game portal that features a selection of multiplayer online games, integrated with the QQ instant-messaging service. Tencent"s contribution to our group revenues was a robust R457 million and operating profit before amortisation and impairment was R220 million. In June, Tencent listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Net proceeds from the offering, prior to the exercise of any over-allotment option, were approximately HK$1 418,3 million, which will be used to fund new strategic initiatives and organic growth. In China, SportsCN"s businesses continue to grow, achieving almost one million average daily visitors. SportsCN is consolidating its position as the leading sports portal in China and more investment is expected. In Africa, M-Web maintains its leading position with 242 000 subscribers. However, growth in South Africa has stalled, largely because of the continuing Telkom legal monopoly. Dial-up costs and over seas calls are more expensive here than in comparable markets. Broadband services are still at negligible levels. Regulation seems unable to break the impasse, and South Africa is falling behind its peers in internet innovation. In Thailand, the group is a leading online media company offering a broad range of internet services. The latest version of QQ is being introduced. PRINT MEDIA Our newspaper and magazine businesses in South Africa operate in a mature market, but succeeded in achieving better top-line growth than pay TV over the past year. Most notable was the growth of the Daily Sun, a tabloid aimed at people who, beforehand, did not regularly read a newspaper. The four regional Daily Sun titles have achieved aggregate circulation of close to 300 000 daily. Sunday Sun and Son have also experienced good circulation growth. On the magazine front, new titles such as Bicycling SA, Heat, Seventeen and Wegbreek were launched to cater for niches in the magazine market. We have either implemented or initiated upgrades to our printing plants to provide additional capacity for coping with growth. In total, the print media business grew revenues by 14% and operating profits before amortisation by 34%. BOOK PUBLISHING AND PRIVATE EDUCATION The book publishing business (Via Afrika) experienced a satisfactory year, with revenues growing by 18% to R785 million. This business was restored to profitability after last year"s losses, recording an operating profit before amortisation and impairment of R21 million. The private education business, Educor, had static turnover but solid growth in operating profits before amortisation of 82%. DIVIDEND The board has recommended that the annual dividend be increased to 38 cents (previously 30 cents), per N ordinary share and 7 cents (previously 6 cents) per unlisted A ordinary share. The dividends are payable to shareholders recorded in the books on 17 September 2004, and will be paid on 20 September 2004. The last date to trade cum dividend will be on 10 September 2004. PROSPECTS Shareholders will deduce from the above that, with respect to profitability, virtually all our businesses fired on all cylinder s over the past year. This is a rare occurrence for a group that spans multiple media platforms across many different economies. It is unrealistic to expect that such an alignment can be repeated next year. Coupled with this, expenditure on new developments over the past year was lower than usual, which provided a further lift to short-term earnings. In addition, as indicated earlier in this report, our headline earnings have been artificially boosted by prescribed accounting entries. Shareholders should note that many of these are unlikely to recur, and should bear this in mind when projecting expectations of headline earnings. In any event, we believe that at present, `core" headline earnings is a fairer reflection of the true earnings of the group. Our balance sheet and cash flows are generally sound. In the year ahead, the group will focus on developing new opportunities with a view to delivering future value to shareholders. In particular, we will concentrate on the development of our interests across the African continent and in Asia, specifically in China. We are mindful that the rapid rate at which the Chinese economy has expanded over the past decade will probably have to slow in the near future. In general, other economies where we have major businesses have a stable outlook for the year ahead. BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT Naspers supports the drive to incorporate our previously disadvantaged communities into the South African economy. Over the past ten years the group initiated numerous empowerment schemes. Most recently, the Welkom economic empowerment scheme was extended for a further three years, benefiting the 17 000 individuals who participate in this empowerment drive. It is now `in the money". Recently we also assisted Phuthuma Futhi shareholders with the delisting of M-Net/SuperSport. However, it is clear that we will have to develop further initiatives in future. The ICT sector charter, which will apply to our South African broadcast and telecommunication businesses, is close to finalisation. Once completed, we will study its impact and determine our approach going forward. WITHDRAWAL OF CAUTIONARY Shareholders are referred to the trading update and cautionary announcement dated 20 February 2004. In view of the publication of the provisional report, the cautionary is now withdrawn. ACCOUNTING POLICIES The accounting policies used in this report comply with South African Statements of Generally Accepted Accounting Practices and are consistent with those applied in the prior year, except for : - the adoption of AC133 - Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, as from 1 April; and - the adoption of the benchmark treatment in terms of AC119. Joint ventures are proportionately consolidated from the current year. Prior year figures have been restated to provide comparative information. The internet operations of Media24 and Via Afrika are now reported as par t of the print media and book publishing segments respectively, whereas in prior periods their results were shown as par t of the internet segment. This change reflects the increasing integration of these operations within the print media and book publishing segments. The group"s interest in Tencent was consolidated until July 2003; thereafter it was proportionately consolidated as a joint venture. In the next financial year, it will be proportionately consolidated until the recent IPO date, whereafter it will be equity accounted as an associated company. A copy of the unqualified audit opinion of the auditor s, PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc., is available for inspection at the registered office of the company. On behalf of the board: Ton Vosloo Koos Bekker Chairman Managing director Directors T Vosloo (chair man), JP Bekker (managing director), JJM van Zyl, E Botha, LN Jonker, NP van Heerden, SJZ Pacak, BJ van der Ross, GJ Gerwel, HSS Willemse, F du Plessis, FTM Phaswana, RCC Jafta Company secretary GM Coetzee Registered Office 40 Heerengracht, Cape Town 8001 (PO Box 2271, Cape Town 8000) Transfer Secretaries Ultra Registrars (Proprietary) Limited Fifth Floor, 11 Diagonal Street, Johannesburg 2001 (PO Box 4844, Johannesburg 2000) ADR Programme The Bank of New York maintains a Global BuyDIRECT(TM) plan for Naspers Limited. For additional information, please visit The Bank of New York"s website at www.globalbuydirect.com or call Shareholder Relations at 1-888-BNY-ADRS or 1-800-345-1612 or write to: The Bank of New York Shareholder Relations Department - Global BuyDIRECT(TM) Church Street Station, PO Box 112588, New York, NY 10286-1258 USA. Naspers"s mission is to build shareholder value by operating subscriber platforms that provide content, services and the means of communication to paying users; to sell related technologies and services and to be useful to the communities we serve. Date: 29/06/2004 09:00:17 AM Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department

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