Financial Results

Preliminary Results

07 March 2000

Unaudited preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 1999

Pre-tax profits (before £1.9m goodwill amortisation and £4.6m profit on disposal of Consodata) increase 26% to £64.6m.
Diluted earnings per share improve 22% to 4.4p.
Continued strong new business performance, with annualised net wins of US$1,206m in billings.
Entry into market research with acquisition of Market Facts in the USA. Further development of market research capabilities through acquisition of AMI in the Far East.
Turnover grows to £4,791.8m, up 16%.
Gross margins improve from 5.4% to 5.9%, reflecting the impact of entry into market research and further value-added services.
Continued strong operating cash flow generation.
Full year dividend up 18% to 1.0p (1998: 0.85p).
Planned internet joint-venture with Warburg, Pincus.