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NETCARE LIMITED - Summarised audited group results for the year ended 30 September 2015

Release Date: 23/11/2015 08:00
Code(s): NTC     PDF:  
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Summarised audited group results for the year ended 30 September 2015

Netcare Limited 
("Netcare", "the Company" or "the Group")
Registration number: 1996/008242/06 
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
JSE share code: NTC ISIN ZAE000011953 

SUMMARISED AUDITED GROUP RESULTS for the year ended 30 September 2015

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Group EBITDA up 13.1% to R4 981m

Adjusted HEPS up 12.6% to 189.0c

Profit after tax 16.4% to R2 439m

Final dividend per share up 12.5%to 54.0c

COMMENTARY

Overview

Netcare's Group financial results reflect a solid trading performance from our operations in South Africa (SA) and strong
improvement from BMI Healthcare in the United Kingdom (UK). Adjusted headline earnings per share (adjusted HEPS) grew by 12.6% to 189.0 cents
(2014: 167.8 cents).

The accounting policies applied in preparing the audited Group financial statements are consistent in all material respects with those applied in the prior
year ended 30 September 2014.

Group financial review

Financial performance

Group revenue rose 6.1% to R33 711 million (2014: R31 783 million). Currency conversion accounted for R916 million of this increase. The average
exchange rate of R18.55 used to convert offshore income and expenditure in the 2015 financial year was 6.1% weaker than the average rate of R17.49 the
year before.

Group earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew 13.1% to R4 981 million (2014: R4 404 million). Currency conversion
accounted for R62 million of the increase. Operating profit improved by 14.6% to R3 728 million (2014: R3 253 million).

Net financial expenses were higher at R467 million compared to R431 million in the prior year. This included a non-cash fair value accounting charge of
R109 million (£6.0 million) due to a mark-to-market revaluation of the Retail Price Index (RPI) swaps related to some of BMI Healthcare's property leases.
Lower inflation forecasts, influenced by low oil prices and the European Central Bank's stimulus programme, drove the RPI swap valuation. Excluding this
fair value adjustment to the RPI swaps, net financial expenses decreased to R358 million.

Profit before tax increased 16.5% to R3 375 million (2014: R2 897 million). The Group's tax expense increased to R936 million (2014: R801 million),
representing an effective tax rate of 27.7% (2014: 27.6%). Profit after tax rose 16.4% to R2 439 million (2014: R2 096 million).

Financial position and cash flow

Total assets were up 18.5% to R31 664 million at 30 September 2015 from R26 717 million a year before. The weaker closing exchange rate of R20.94
(2014: R18.29) contributed R1 987 million of the increase, with the substantial investment in property, plant and equipment in the year largely responsible
for the balance. Total shareholders' equity increased 17.3% to R14 281 million (2014: R12 172 million).

At 30 September 2015, the Group's net debt was R5 790 million (2014: R4 972 million). The net debt to EBITDA ratio remained strong at 1.2 times (2014:
1.1 times). The marginal change was largely due to the higher levels of debt in SA used to fund the new bed expansion programme. Interest cover
improved to 11.2 times (2014: 9.2 times).

In SA, net debt increased to R3 292 million from R2 967 million a year before. Net debt in the UK increased to £119.3 million from £109.6 million. In
September 2015, the revolving credit facility was successfully refinanced through an "Amend and Extend" arrangement. This has increased the facility to
£36.0 million from £22.3 million and extended the maturity date to March 2017.

Cash generated from the Group's operations rose 13.1% to R4 956 million (2014: R4 382 million) and cash conversion remained consistently strong at
99.5%.

The Group invested R2 653 million (2014: R1 945 million) in capital expenditure, including intangible assets. Ordinary dividends of R1 166 million (2014:
R973 million) were paid to shareholders and R211 million (2014: R154 million) to beneficiaries of our Health Partners for Life (HPFL) trusts. Combined cash
payments to shareholders, empowerment partners and revenue authorities were 27.1% higher at R2 539 million (2014: R1 998 million).

Divisional review

South Africa

The division delivered a solid performance in a more difficult economic environment, specifically in the second half of the financial year. Strict cost
management and focused optimisation initiatives enabled a further improvement in operational leverage.

Revenue increased 6.2% to R17 289 million (2014: R16 273 million). EBITDA grew 9.8% to R3 948 million (2014: R3 597 million) at an improved margin of
22.8% (2014: 22.1%). Operating profit rose 9.7% to R3 411 million (2014: R3 110 million) and adjusted HEPS increased 13.0% to 182.9 cents (2014: 161.8
cents).

Cash generated from operations was up 17.8% to R4 150 million (2014: R3 522 million) at a healthy cash conversion ratio of 105.1%. Capital expenditure,
including intangible assets, totaled R1 895 million (2014: R1 195 million).

The Triple Aim objectives of best patient outcome, best patient experience and cost effective care underpin Netcare's strategy. Quality measures are
assessed in all divisions and facilities to inform continual improvement in each of these objectives. These have shown year-on-year improvement across the
organisation in areas including quality audits, patient feedback, clinical outcomes and a range of process and safety measures. Most pleasing has been
the narrowing of the gap between the highest and lower performing units, demonstrating a greater consistency of quality care across facilities. The
division's hospitals exceeded the stretch goals set in almost all criteria and improved in 85% of measures. Several national and local quality awards have
recognised this progress.

Notable accolades during the year included:

- First in the Hospital Management category for the sixth consecutive year in the 2015 Top 500 Companies Awards.
- National Diamond Arrow Award in the private hospital and clinic groups category for corporate social responsibility initiatives, for the third consecutive
  year.
- Netcare Pretoria East Hospital voted best hospital in Pretoria by readers of the Rekord for the third consecutive year.
- Netcare St Augustine's Hospital voted first in the hospital category of The Daily News 'Your Choice 2015' Awards for the seventh year.
- Netcare St Augustine's and Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial hospitals each won a PMR.africa Diamond Arrow Award in the category private
  hospitals/clinics in KwaZulu-Natal and City of Cape Town/Cape Peninsula respectively.
- Netcare Umhlanga Hospital won a Golden Arrow Award and Netcare Parklands Hospital received a Silver Arrow Award from PMR.africa, in the category
  private hospitals/clinics in KwaZulu-Natal.
- Netcare teams won 14 of the 30 awards at the 2015 Best Care Always Quality Improvement Summit, held in collaboration with the Hospital Association of
  South Africa.
- Ranked first in the healthcare sector and 11th overall (up from 15th position last year) in the 2015 Top 100 Most Empowered JSE Listed Companies
  Report.

In July 2015, the restructure of the HPFL broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) share scheme was successfully completed. Through this
transaction, the internally funded debt of the B-BBEE trusts was settled, leaving the trusts unencumbered, thereby enhancing value for future participants
and also simplifying the administration of the structure.

Hospital and Emergency Services

Demand for private healthcare remained resilient in the face of low economic growth and a decline in total medical scheme beneficiaries of 0.6% from 8.81
million at 31 December 2014 to 8.76 million at 30 June 2015 (as reported by the Council for Medical Schemes). The impact of these factors together with
intensified competition from six new competitor hospitals and a mild winter resulted in lower activity levels. This was particularly the case in the traditionally busy
months of the last quarter of the year. Patient days grew 0.2% compared to the prior year. However, the benefits embedded through long term efficiency
programmes bolstered the contribution of the Hospitals and Emergency Services division.

Revenue grew 6.2% to R16 119 million (2014: R15 171 million). Net revenue per patient day was up 6.0%, with a slight increase in medical versus surgical
cases. EBITDA increased 9.7% to R3 837 million (2014: R3 499 million) reflecting good operating leverage. The EBITDA margin improved by 70 basis
points to 23.8% (2014: 23.1%). Various operational excellence initiatives, including tight management of nursing acuity and staffing, energy efficiency and
procurement underpinned the margin improvement. The division recorded a net addition of 78 doctors during the year, and granted practicing privileges
to a further 76 doctors at the two newly opened greenfield hospitals mentioned below.

A total of 584 new beds were added during the year, increasing registered beds by 6.1% to 9 996 beds. This included the 200-bed Netcare Polokwane
Hospital in Limpopo province, opened on 21 September 2015; and the 100-bed Netcare Pinehaven Hospital in west Gauteng, opened on 30 September
2015. A further 256 beds were opened at various Netcare facilities and the 28-bed Netcare Ceres Private Hospital in the Western Cape was acquired with
effect from 1 November 2014. The new beds will only contribute to the division's performance from 2016 as most were opened towards the end of the
financial year. Construction of the new flagship state-of-the-art Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, situated on the Cape Town foreshore, is on
track to open towards the end of the 2016 calendar year.

Primary Care

Our national network of Medicross family medical and dental centres experienced stable demand despite the mild winter. A new facility, the Carnival Mall Medicross in Brakpan, opened in August 2015. The Prime Cure business performed solidly
and optimised its operational costs further. Revenue was up 6.2% to R1 170 million (2014: R1 102 million) and EBITDA rose 13.3% to R111 million (2014:
R98 million). The EBITDA margin improved from 8.9% to 9.5%.

United Kingdom

BMI Healthcare improved its trading performance, although the recovery in the UK economy has yet to translate into Private Medical Insurance (PMI)
growth. Declining subscriber numbers, stringent claims management processes and directional products continued to impact the PMI market. BMI
Healthcare's inpatient and day caseload increased 2.3%. The strong growth in National Health Service (NHS) caseload continued and was up 13.5%, with
waiting list pressure and patient choice driving the increase. The NHS accounted for 39.2% (2014: 35.3%) of total caseload, compensating for the decline
in PMI cases. Self-pay caseload increased 3.5%, enjoying sustained growth in the second half of the year. Outpatient activity continued to grow, supported
by the increasing range of services provided in an outpatient environment.

Revenue of £886.0 million was in line with the prior year, reflecting the continued shift in funder mix from private patients to NHS. EBITDA before non-
recurring restructure costs improved by 22.6% to £64.0 million (2014: £52.2 million). Net non-recurring costs amounted to £8.8 million comprising a fair
value gain of £3.1 million arising on acquisition of control of a former associate, offset by costs of £11.9 million incurred to restructure the business
during the year. This involved driving greater process efficiency in response to the changing funder and business mix. The benefits of this project were
evident in the improved EBITDA margin, before non-recurring costs, of 7.2% (2014: 5.9%). EBITDA (inclusive of non-recurring costs) rose 20.3% to £55.2
million (2014: £45.9 million) and operating profit improved to £16.7 million (2014: £8.0 million).

Capital investment, including intangible assets, of £39.4 million (2014: £42.2 million) was spent on projects to improve revenue generation and maintain the
hospital portfolio.

Attributable earnings from General Healthcare Group (GHG) PropCo 2 of £0.4 million (2014: £1.0 million) were down from the year before. This was due to
non-recurring interest rate swap cancellation charges of £0.5 million incurred in January 2015 on the refinancing of the GHG PropCo 2 debt facility.

Restructure of GHG PropCo 1 debt

The GHG PropCo 1 comprises 35 hospital properties acquired in 2006. Arrangements for the restructure of the £1.5 billion GHG PropCo 1 debt facility
with an original maturity date of October 2013 were finally completed on 29 May 2015. Netcare no longer holds any equity interest in GHG PropCo 1,
which is now an external landlord to BMI Healthcare under the existing long-term leases, which remain intact. As Netcare deconsolidated its interest in
GHG PropCo 1 from 16 November 2012, there is no impact on Netcare's accounts.

Netcare's interest in GHG PropCo 2, consisting of six hospital properties acquired in 2008, has not been affected and these entities are equity accounted
in the Group results.

Outlook

The demand for private healthcare services in SA is expected to remain resilient despite weakness in the economy. We expect higher growth in demand across
our network of services in 2016, driven in part by the new hospitals and capacity added in 2015. Pleasingly, in the period post year-end to date, patient day
growth is tracking in excess of 2%. 

Netcare's new hospitals and beds, which opened late in the 2015 financial year, are located in areas of high demand. In the initial phase of these new hospitals, the lower occupancy levels will temporarily reduce average
occupancy across the portfolio, with a more pronounced impact in the first half of the 2016 financial year. The depreciation charge for 2016 will increase as a
result of the substantial investment made in 2015. Management will remain focused on driving operational excellence. Planned capital expenditure for 2016 is
expected to remain high at approximately R2 billion, covering 44 new beds, the relocation of Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, refurbishments and
further brownfields expansion projects including a substantial expansion of Netcare Milpark Hospital. Netcare will pursue a strategy of targeted investment for
future growth and also has opportunity to leverage existing capacity.

Netcare continues to participate in the South African Competition Commission's Private Healthcare Market Inquiry. The Competition Commission has
amended the completion date of the Inquiry and a final Inquiry report, which may include recommendations, is expected by 15 December 2016.

In the UK, BMI Healthcare's large footprint and available capacity, position it to benefit from the growing supply gap as waiting lists and capacity
constraints in the NHS drive private healthcare demand. Efficiency initiatives will be further entrenched to mitigate the margin impact of growing NHS case
volumes at lower tariffs. BMI Healthcare will invest in projects to enhance hospital infrastructure and to keep abreast of technological developments, and is
expected to spend approximately £40 million on capital projects in the year ahead.

The Group will continue to evaluate international expansion opportunities that meet its strategic criteria and investment expectations.

Changes to the Board

The following changes to the board of directors of Netcare (Board) will be implemented with effect from 23 November 2015:

The Acting Chairman, Mr M Kahn, has expressed his willingness to assume the role as Chairman and independent non-executive director of the Board. Netcare is fortunate to enjoy his ongoing
guidance and stewardship.

To facilitate an appropriate succession plan, Mrs T Brewer has been appointed as lead independent non-executive director or Deputy Chairperson of the Board.

Ms Bukelwa Bulo and Mr Mark Bower have been appointed as independent non-executive directors to the Board.

Ms Bulo is a Chartered Accountant holding a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and a Bachelor of Business Science degree with honours in accounting and
finance from the University of Cape Town.

Mr Bower is a Chartered Accountant holding a B Com (cum laude) degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and B Compt and B Compt Honours degrees from the University of South Africa.

Change in Transfer Secretaries

The Board wishes to advise shareholders that the Company has appointed Trifecta Capital Services Proprietary Limited as the new Transfer Secretaries,
with effect from 7 December 2015.

Trifecta Capital Services Proprietary Limited, Trifecta Capital House, 31 Beacon Road, Florida-North, 1709, South Africa, +27 (0) 860 22 22 13
Postal address: PO Box 61272, Marshalltown, 2107, South Africa

Declaration of final dividend number 13

Notice is hereby given that a gross final dividend of 54.0 cents per ordinary share was declared on 19 November 2015 in respect of the financial year
ended 30 September 2015. The dividend has been declared from income reserves and is payable to shareholders recorded in the register at the close of
business on Friday, 29 January 2016. The number of ordinary shares (inclusive of treasury shares) in issue at date of this declaration is 1 457 256 568.
The dividend will be subject to a local dividend withholding tax at a rate of 15%, which will result in a net final dividend to those shareholders not exempt
from paying dividend withholding tax of 45.9 cents per ordinary share and 54.0 cents per ordinary share for those shareholders who are exempt from
dividend withholding tax.

The Board has confirmed by resolution that the solvency and liquidity test as contemplated by the Companies Act 71 of 2008 has been duly considered,
applied and satisfied.

The salient dates applicable to the final dividend are as follows:

Last day to trade cum dividend                                                  Friday, 22 January 2016
Trading ex dividend commences                                                   Monday, 25 January 2016
Record date                                                                     Friday, 29 January 2016
Payment date                                                                    Monday, 1 February 2016

Share certificates may not be dematerialised nor rematerialised between Monday, 25 January 2016 and Friday, 29 January 2016, both days inclusive.

On Monday, 1 February 2016, the dividend will be electronically transferred to the bank accounts of all certificated shareholders. Holders of
dematerialised shares will have their accounts credited at their participant or broker on Monday, 1 February 2016.

Netcare Limited's tax reference number is 9999/581/71/4.

On behalf of the Board

Meyer Kahn
Non-executive Chairman

Richard Friedland
Chief Executive Officer

Keith Gibson
Chief Financial Officer

Sandton
19 November 2015


GROUP INCOME STATEMENT
for the year ended 30 September


                                                                                                                   %
Rm                                                                             Notes      2015       2014     change

Revenue                                                                                 33 711     31 783        6.1
Cost of sales                                                                          (18 948)   (18 227)
Gross profit                                                                            14 763     13 556        8.9
Other income                                                                               498        350
Administrative and other expenses                                                      (11 533)   (10 653)
Operating profit                                                                   3     3 728      3 253       14.6
Investment income                                                                  4       367        213
Financial expenses                                                                 5      (700)      (564)
Other financial losses - net                                                       6      (134)       (80)
Attributable earnings of associates                                                         66         39
Attributable earnings of joint ventures                                                     48         36
Profit before taxation                                                                   3 375      2 897       16.5
Taxation                                                                           7      (936)      (801)
Profit for the year                                                                      2 439      2 096       16.4
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent                                                                     2 412      2 107
Preference shareholders                                                                     49         46
Profit attributable to shareholders                                                      2 461      2 153       14.3
Non-controlling interest                                                                   (22)       (57)
                                                                                         2 439      2 096       16.4


Cents

Earnings per share (cents)
Basic                                                                                    178.9      157.5       13.6
Diluted                                                                                  174.8      154.2       13.4
Total dividend per share (cents)                                                          92.0       80.0       15.0


GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the year ended 30 September


Rm                                                                                        2015       2014

Profit for the year                                                                      2 439      2 096
Items that may not subsequently be reclassified to profit or loss                          (88)       (13)
Remeasurement of defined benefit obligation                                               (123)       (18)
Taxation on items that may not subsequently be reclassified to profit or loss               35          5
Items that may subsequently be reclassified to profit or loss                              912        694
Effect of cash flow hedge accounting                                                        44        (39)
  Change in the fair value of cash flow hedges                                               7        (39)
  Reclassification of cash flow hedge accounting reserve                                    37          -
Effect of translation of foreign entities                                                  878        732
Taxation on items that may subsequently be reclassified to profit or loss                  (10)         1

Other comprehensive income for the year                                                    824        681
Total comprehensive income for the year                                                  3 263      2 777
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent                                                                     2 814      2 469
Preference shareholders                                                                     49         46
Non-controlling interest                                                                   400        262
                                                                                         3 263      2 777

GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
At 30 September


Rm                                                                             Notes      2015       2014
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment                                                           13 622     11 504
Goodwill                                                                                 4 482      3 879
Intangible assets                                                                          397        437
Equity-accounted companies, loans and receivables                                  8     2 545      2 015
Financial assets                                                                   9        57         45
Deferred lease assets                                                                       16          -
Deferred taxation                                                                        1 597      1 419
Total non-current assets                                                                22 716     19 299
Current assets
Loans and receivables                                                              8        71         26
Inventories                                                                              1 107        987
Trade and other receivables                                                              5 192      4 688
Taxation receivable                                                                         19          5
Cash and cash equivalents                                                                2 551      1 712
                                                                                         8 940      7 418
Asset classified as held for sale                                                            8          -
Total current assets                                                                     8 948      7 418
Total assets                                                                            31 664     26 717
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital and premium                                                       4 033        962
Treasury shares                                                                         (3 713)      (735)
Other reserves                                                                           3 090      2 560
Retained earnings                                                                        6 902      5 859
Equity attributable to owners of the parent                                             10 312      8 646
Preference share capital and premium                                                       644        644
Non-controlling interest                                                                 3 325      2 882
Total shareholders' equity                                                              14 281     12 172
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt                                                                    10     6 104      4 939
Financial liabilities                                                              9       224         97
Post-retirement benefit obligations                                                        400        260
Deferred lease liabilities                                                                 118         74
Deferred taxation                                                                        1 633      1 360
Provisions                                                                                 150        138
Total non-current liabilities                                                            8 629      6 868
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables                                                                 6 403      5 726
Short-term debt                                                                   10     2 162      1 739
Financial liabilities                                                              9         4          3
Taxation payable                                                                           110        203
Bank overdrafts                                                                             75          6
Total current liabilities                                                                8 754      7 677
Total equity and liabilities                                                            31 664     26 717


GROUP STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
for the year ended 30 September


Rm                                                                                        2015       2014

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash received from customers                                                            33 523     31 456
Cash paid to suppliers and employees                                                   (28 567)   (27 074)
Cash generated from operations                                                           4 956      4 382
Interest paid                                                                             (600)      (545)
Taxation paid                                                                           (1 104)      (822)
Ordinary dividends paid by subsidiaries                                                     (9)        (3)
Ordinary dividends paid                                                                 (1 166)      (973)
Preference dividends paid                                                                  (49)       (46)
Distributions to beneficiaries of the HPFL trusts                                         (211)      (154)
Net cash from operating activities                                                       1 817      1 839
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of business                                                                     (35)       (19)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment                                               (2 641)    (1 902)
Additions to intangible assets                                                             (12)       (43)
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets                 68         80
Proceeds from disposal of businesses                                                         3         46
Increase in other loans and receivables                                                   (145)      (103)
Interest received                                                                          152         96
Dividends received                                                                          12         18
Increase in equity interest in subsidiaries                                                (49)         -
Net cash from investing activities                                                      (2 647)    (1 827)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds on disposal of treasury shares                                                    300        121
Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares                                                      37         28
Long-term debt raised/(repaid)                                                             828       (614)
Short-term debt raised                                                                     278        535
Acquisition of non-controlling interests                                                     -         (4)
Net cash from financing activities                                                       1 443         66
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                                                  613         78
Translation effects on cash and cash equivalents of foreign entities                       157        125
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year                                   1 706      1 503
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year                                         2 476      1 706
Consisting of:
Cash on hand and balances with banks                                                     2 551      1 712
Bank overdrafts                                                                            (75)        (6)
                                                                                         2 476      1 706

CONDENSED GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
As at 30 September


                                                                                                                                               Equity
                                                          Ordinary                   Cash flow      Foreign                              attributable     Preference                    Total
                                                             share                       hedge     currency                                 to owners          share          Non-     share-
                                                       capital and      Treasury    accounting  translation         Other      Retained        of the    capital and   controlling   holders'
Rm                                                         premium        shares       reserve      reserve      reserves      earnings        parent        premium      interest     equity

Balance at 30 September 2013 (restated1)                       934          (766)            -        1 778           368         4 846         7 160            644         2 611     10 415
Shares issued during the year                                   28             -             -            -             -             -            28              -             -         28
Sale of treasury shares                                          -            31             -            -             -            69           100              -             -        100
Share-based payments reserve movements                           -             -             -            -            37             -            37              -             -         37
Tax recognised in equity                                         -             -             -            -             2             2             4              -             -          4
Preference dividends paid                                        -             -             -            -             -             -             -            (46)            -        (46)
Dividends paid                                                   -             -             -            -             -          (973)         (973)             -            (3)      (976)
Distributions to beneficiaries of the HPFL trusts                -             -             -            -             -          (154)         (154)             -             -       (154)
Increase in equity interest in subsidiaries                      -             -             -            -             -           (25)          (25)             -            12        (13)
Total comprehensive income for the year                          -             -           (19)         394             -         2 094         2 469             46           262      2 777
Balance at 30 September 2014                                    962         (735)          (19)       2 172           407         5 859         8 646            644         2 882     12 172
Shares issued during the year                                    37            -             -            -             -             -            37              -             -         37
Sale of treasury shares                                           -           56             -            -             -           244           300              -             -        300
Restructure of HPFL BBBEE trusts                              3 034       (3 034)            -            -             -           (53)          (53)             -             -        (53)
Share-based payments reserve movements                            -            -             -            -            39             -            39              -             -         39
Tax recognised in equity                                          -            -             -            -             -           (90)          (90)             -             -        (90)
Preference dividends paid                                         -            -             -            -             -             -             -            (49)            -        (49)
Dividends paid                                                    -            -             -            -             -        (1 166)       (1 166)             -            (9)    (1 175)
Distributions to beneficiaries of the HPFL trusts                 -            -             -            -             -          (211)         (211)             -             -       (211)
Increase in equity interest in subsidiaries                       -            -             -            -             -            (4)           (4)             -            52         48
Total comprehensive income for the year                           -            -            22          469             -         2 323         2 814             49           400      3 263
Balance at 30 September 2015                                  4 033       (3 713)            3        2 641           446         6 902        10 312            644         3 325     14 281

1 Restated for the adoption of IFRS 10: Consolidated Financial Statements, IFRS 11: Joint Arrangements and IAS 19 (Revised): Employee Benefits


HEADLINE EARNINGS
for the year ended 30 September

                                                                                                                               %
Rm                                                                                                 2015       2014        change

Reconciliation of headline earnings
Profit for the year                                                                               2 439      2 096          16.4
Less:
 Dividends paid on shares attributable to the Forfeitable Share Plan                                 (6)        (5)
 Preference shareholders                                                                            (49)       (46)
 Non-controlling interest                                                                            22         57
Earnings used in the calculation of basic earnings per share                                      2 406      2 102          14.5
Adjusted for:
 Loss/(profit) on disposal of investments (net)                                                       1        (10)
 Fair value gains on investments on acquisition of control                                          (77)         -
 (Profit)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets                   (30)        27
 Bargain purchase on acquisition of subsidiary                                                       (1)         -
 Impairment of property, plant and equipment                                                          -          1
 Tax effect of headline adjusting items                                                               -         (5)
 Non-controlling share of headline adjusting items                                                   42         (4)
Headline earnings                                                                                 2 341      2 111          10.9
Headline earnings adjusted for:
 Fair value losses on derivative financial instruments                                              109         77
 Amount reclassified from the cash flow hedge accounting reserve                                     36          -
 Recognition/(reversal) of loan impairment                                                            4         (4)
 Competition Commission costs                                                                        42        145
 Restructure costs                                                                                  223          -
 Site closure costs                                                                                   -         31
 Tax effect of adjusting items                                                                      (87)       (56)
 Non-controlling share of adjusting items                                                          (126)       (66)
Adjusted headline earnings                                                                        2 542      2 238          13.6
Headline earnings per share (cents)                                                               174.1      158.2          10.1
Diluted headline earnings per share (cents)                                                       170.0      154.9           9.7
Adjusted headline earnings per share (cents)                                                      189.0      167.8          12.6


CONDENSED SEGMENT REPORT
for the year ended 30 September

                                                                                                                         United
                                                                                           South Africa                 Kingdom

                                                                                  Hospital
                                                                                       and
                                                                                 Emergency      Primary                     BMI
Rm                                                                                services         Care      Total   Healthcare       Group
30 September 2015
Income Statement
Revenue                                                                             16 119        1 170     17 289       16 422      33 711
Attributable earnings of associates and joint ventures                                  67            -         67           47         114
EBITDA                                                                               3 837          111      3 948        1 033       4 981
Operating profit                                                                     3 335           76      3 411          317       3 728
Segment assets and liabilities
Total assets                                                                                                16 788       14 876      31 664
Total liabilities                                                                                           (8 384)      (8 999)    (17 383)
30 September 2014
Income Statement
Revenue                                                                             15 171        1 102     16 273       15 510      31 783
Attributable earnings of associates and joint ventures                                  35            -         35           40          75
EBITDA                                                                               3 499           98      3 597          807       4 404
Operating profit                                                                     3 045           65      3 110          143       3 253
Segment assets and liabilities
Total assets                                                                                                13 694       13 023      26 717
Total liabilities                                                                                           (6 710)      (7 835)    (14 545)


CONDENSED NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 30 September

1.   Basis of preparation and accounting policies

     The provisional summarised consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2015 have been prepared in compliance with the
     Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited, the framework concepts and the measurement and recognition requirements of International Financial
     Reporting Standards (IFRS), the requirements of the International Accounting Standards (IAS) 34, Interim Financial Reporting, SAICA Financial
     Reporting Guidelines as issued by the Accounting Practices Committee and Financial Pronouncements as issued by the Financial Reporting
     Standards Council and the Companies Act, No. 71 of 2008. These provisional summarised consolidated financial statements were compiled under the
     supervision of Mr KN Gibson (CA) SA, Group Chief Financial Officer.

     The accounting policies applied in the preparation of these results are in accordance with IFRS and are consistent in all material respects with those
     applied in the audited financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2014, except for the adoption of the new and revised standards as listed
     in note 2.

     The external auditors, Grant Thornton, have issued their opinion on the Group's consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 September
     2015. The audit was conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing. The auditor responsible for the audit is EFG Dreyer. An
     unmodified audit opinion has been issued on the consolidated financial statements. The directors take full responsibility for the preparation of the
     provisional summarised consolidated financial statements which have been extracted from and are consistent in all material respects with the Group's
     consolidated financial statements, but is not itself audited. A copy of the audit report on the consolidated financial statements is available for
     inspection at the Company's registered office. The auditor's report does not necessarily cover all the information contained in this announcement.
     Shareholders are therefore advised that in order to obtain a full understanding of the nature of the auditor's work, they should obtain a copy of the
     auditor's unqualified audit report together with the Group financial information from the Company's registered office. Any reference to future financial
     performance included in this announcement has not been audited and reported on by the Group's external auditors.

2.   Impact of the application of new and revised standards

     The following standards and amendments to standards which are relevant to the Group have had no material effect on the presentation and disclosure
     for these provisional summarised consolidated financial statements, unless expressed otherwise.

     IAS 19: Employee Benefits

     The amendments to IAS 19 clarify the accounting treatment for contributions from employees or third parties to a defined benefit plan. According to
     the amendments, discretionary contributions made by employees or third parties reduce service costs upon payment of these contributions to the
     plan. Alternatively, when the formal terms of the plan specify contributions from employees or third parties, the accounting would depend on whether
     the contributions are linked to service. The Group adoption of this amendment has had no impact on the Group results as the Group has made the
     decision to continue to account for the reduction of service costs by attributing these to periods of service.

     IAS 32: Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (Amendment)

     Amendments to IAS 32 require entities to disclose gross amounts subject to rights of set-off, amounts set-off in accordance with the accounting
     standards followed, and the related net credit exposure. This information will assist investors in understanding the extent to which an entity has applied
     set-off in its statement of financial position and the effect of rights of set-off on the entity's rights and obligations. No set-off has been applied by the
     Group, and financial assets and liabilities are presented separately on the statement of financial position.

     IAS 36: Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets (Amendment)

     Amendments to IAS 36 have reduced the circumstances in which the recoverable amount of assets or cash-generating units is required to be
     disclosed, clarified the disclosures required, and introduced an explicit requirement to disclose the discount rate used in determining impairment (or
     reversals) where the recoverable amount (based on fair value less costs of disposal) is determined using a present value technique. The Group has
     included the relevant disclosure required by this amendment in the notes to its annual financial statements where applicable.

     IAS 39: Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement

     The standard was amended in June 2013 to include guidance on novation of derivative financial instruments. Under the amendments hedge
     accounting will not be discontinued if a hedging derivative is novated, provided certain criteria are met. The Group continues to apply hedge
     accounting to it's derivative financial instruments held in SA.
     

     Rm                                                                                     2015      2014

3.   OPERATING PROFIT
     After including:
     Depreciation and amortisation                                                        (1 253)   (1 151)
     Operating lease charges                                                              (3 625)   (3 070)
      GHG Property Businesses                                                             (2 683)   (2 464)
      Other                                                                                 (942)     (606)

4.   INVESTMENT INCOME
     Expected return on retirement benefit plan assets                                        77        70
     Interest on bank accounts and other                                                     290       143
                                                                                             367       213
5.   FINANCIAL EXPENSES
     Amortisation of arrangement fees                                                         (7)       (6)
     Interest on bank loans and other                                                       (333)     (206)
     Interest on promissory notes                                                           (259)     (262)
     Retirement benefit plan interest cost                                                  (101)      (90)
                                                                                            (700)     (564)
6.   OTHER FINANCIAL LOSSES - NET
     Amount reclassified from the cash flow hedge accounting reserve                         (25)        -
     Fair value losses on inflation rate swaps (not hedge accounted)                        (109)      (78)
     Fair value gains on interest rate swaps (not hedge accounted)                             -         1
     Fair value losses on other financial assets                                               -        (3)
                                                                                            (134)      (80)

     
     Rm                                                                                     2015      2014

7.   TAXATION
     South African normal and deferred taxation
     Current year                                                                           (891)     (819)
     Prior years                                                                               -        (4)
     Capital gains tax                                                                         -        (6)
                                                                                            (891)     (829)
     Dividend tax                                                                              -        (1)
     Foreign normal and deferred taxation
     Current year                                                                            (30)      (16)
     Prior years                                                                             (15)       45
                                                                                             (45)       29
     Total taxation per the income statement                                                (936)     (801)
8.   EQUITY-ACCOUNTED companies, LOANS AND RECEIVABLES
     Non-current
     Associated companies                                                                    668       602
     Joint ventures                                                                          197        76
     Loans and receivables                                                                 1 680     1 337
                                                                                           2 545     2 015
     Current
     Loans and receivables                                                                    71        26
                                                                                           2 616     2 041
     Included in loans and receivables is an investment of R1 398 million (2014: R1 087
     million) relating to a contractual economic interest in the debt of BMI Healthcare.
9.   DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
     Derivative financial assets
     Interest rate swaps
     South African Rand                                                                       38        23
     Inflation rate swaps
     South African Rand                                                                        -         2
                                                                                              38        25
     Non-derivative financial asset
     Investment in Cell Captive                                                               19        20
                                                                                              57        45
     Derivative financial liabilities
     Interest rate swaps
     South African Rand                                                                       (7)       (8)
     Inflation rate swaps
     South African Rand                                                                      (13)       (7)
     Foreign currency                                                                       (208)      (85)
                                                                                            (228)     (100)
     Included in:
     Non-current liabilities                                                                (224)      (97)
     Current liabilities                                                                      (4)       (3)
                                                                                            (228)     (100)
   
     Fair value hierarchy

     Financial instruments measured at fair value are grouped into the following levels based on the significance of the inputs
     used in determining fair value:

     Level 1: Fair value is derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical instruments.
     Level 2: Fair value is derived through the use of valuation techniques based on observable inputs, either directly or
     indirectly.
     Level 3: Fair value is derived through the use of valuation techniques using inputs not based on observable market data.

     The table below analyses the level applicable to financial instruments measured at fair value:


     Rm                                                                                Level 2          Level 3           Total
     
     30 September 2015
     Derivative financial assets
     Interest rate swaps                                                                    38                -              38
     Non-derivative financial asset
     Cell Captive                                                                           19                -              19
                                                                                            57                -              57
     Derivative financial liabilities
     Interest rate swaps                                                                    (7)               -              (7)
     Inflation rate swaps                                                                  (13)            (208)           (221)
                                                                                           (20)            (208)           (228)
     30 September 2014
     Derivative financial assets
     Interest rate swaps                                                                    23                -              23
     Inflation rate swaps                                                                    2                -               2
     Non-derivative financial asset
     Cell Captive                                                                           20                -              20
                                                                                            45                -              45
     Derivative financial liabilities
     Interest rate swaps                                                                    (8)               -              (8)
     Inflation rate swaps                                                                   (7)             (85)            (92)
                                                                                           (15)             (85)           (100)


     The Group has no financial instruments categorised as Level 1.


     The reconciliation of the movements in the derivative financial assets and liabilities categorised in Level 3 is presented
     below:

     Rm                                                                                                    2015            2014
     Inflation rate swaps
     Balance at beginning of the year                                                                       (85)             25
     Fair value movement recognised in the cash flow hedge accounting reserve                                37             (32)
     Fair value movement recognised in the income statement                                                (134)            (76)
     Translation of foreign entities                                                                        (26)             (2)
                                                                                                           (208)            (85)
10.  DEBT
     Long-term debt                                                                                       6 104           4 939
     Short-term debt                                                                                      2 162           1 739
     Total debt                                                                                           8 266           6 678
     Comprising:
     Debt in South African Rand
      Secured liabilities                                                                                     2               -
      Finance leases                                                                                         29              23
      Promissory notes and commercial paper in issue                                                      4 000           3 567
      Unsecured liabilities                                                                                 606               -
                                                                                                          4 637           3 590
     Debt in foreign currency
      Secured liabilities                                                                                 3 193           2 743
      Finance leases                                                                                        308             292
      Accrued interest                                                                                      138              67
      Arrangement fees                                                                                      (10)            (14)
                                                                                                          3 629           3 088
                                                                                                          8 266           6 678
     Maturity profile

                                                                          <1         1-2          2-3            3-4         >4
     Rm                                                   Total         year       years        years          years      years
     
     2015
     Debt in South African Rand                           4 637        1 016         265        1 609            560      1 187
     Debt in foreign currency                             3 629        1 146         485          493          1 428         77
                                                          8 266        2 162         750        2 102          1 988      1 264
     2014
     Debt in South African Rand                           3 590        1 178         992          258            602        560
     Debt in foreign currency                             3 088          561         467          418            423      1 219
                                                          6 678        1 739       1 459          676          1 025      1 779


     Rm                                                                                                    2015            2014

11.  COMMITMENTS
     Capital commitments                                                                                  2 012           2 600
      South Africa                                                                                        1 888           2 399
      United Kingdom                                                                                        124             201
     Operating lease commitments                                                                         57 653          55 542
      South Africa                                                                                        1 497           4 326
      United Kingdom                                                                                     56 156          51 216

12.  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
     South Africa                                                                                            99             171
13.  EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD
     The directors are not aware of any matters or circumstances arising since the end of the financial year, not otherwise
     dealt with in the Group's annual financial statements, which significantly affect the financial position at 30 September
     2015 or the results of its operations or cash flows for the year then ended.


Salient features

Rm                                                                                                         2015            2014

Share statistics
Ordinary shares
 Shares in issue (million)                                                                                1 456           1 478
 Shares in issue net of treasury shares (million)                                                         1 349           1 337
 Weighted average number of shares (million)                                                              1 345           1 334
 Diluted weighted average number of shares (million)                                                      1 377           1 363
 Market price per share (cents)                                                                           3 630           3 161
Currency conversion guide (R:£)
Closing exchange rate                                                                                     20.94           18.29
Average exchange rate for the period                                                                      18.55           17.49



ADMINISTRATION

Registered office: 76 Maude Street (corner West Street), Sandton 2196, Private Bag X34, Benmore 2010
Executive directors: RH Friedland (Chief Executive Officer), KN Gibson (Chief Financial Officer), J Watts (CEO - GHG)
Non-executive directors: JM Kahn (Non-executive Chairman), T Brewer (Deputy Chairperson), M Bower, B Bulo, APH Jammine, MJ Kuscus, KD Moroka, N Weltman
Company Secretary: L Bagwandeen
Sponsor: Deutsche Securities (SA) Proprietary Limited, A non-bank member of the Deutsche Bank Group, 3 Exchange Square, 87 Maude Street, Sandton
2196
Transfer secretaries: Link Market Services South Africa Proprietary Limited, 13th Floor, Rennie House, 19 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein 2001

The Company has appointed Trifecta Capital Services Proprietary Limited as Transfer Secretaries, with effect from 7 December 2015.

Their contact details are: Trifecta Capital Services Proprietary Limited, Trifecta Capital House, 31 Beacon Road, Florida-North 1709, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 860 22 22 13, Postal address: PO Box 61272, Marshalltown 2107 South Africa

Investor relations
ir@netcare.co.za

Any forward-looking information contained in this announcement/presentation has not been reviewed or reported on by the company's external auditors.
Date: 23/11/2015 08:00:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE'). 
The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of
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