• Group sales*
 
up 6.3% • Earnings per share* up 7.7%
• Group operating profit*   up 7.8%   • Dividend per share*   up 6.5%

 

 
   
1999
52 weeks
£m
  		  1998*
52 weeks
(performa)
£m		   1998
53 weeks
(restated)
£m		  
1997
52 weeks
£m
                 

Group sales (including value added tax)
 

18,546 17,447 17,779 14,984
Group operating profit
(prior to integration costs and goodwill amortisation)
  		 
965		  
895		  
912		  
774
Profit on ordinary activities before tax
  		  881   817   832   750
Group enterprise value
(market capitalisation plus net debt)
  		 
13,528		  
12,556		  
12,556		  
8,121
Earnings per share
  		  9.37p   8.70p   8.84p   7.83p
Dividend per share
  		  4.12p   3.87p   3.87p   3.45p
                 
Number of stores
  		  821   781   781   758
Retail selling area (000 sq ft)
  		  21,353   18,254   18,254   16,747
                 
 

Adjusted diluted

Excluding net loss on disposal of fixed assets, net loss on disposal of discontinued operations, integration costs and goodwill amortisation

* 1998/99 was a 52 week year compared to 53 weeks for 1997/98. A proforma 52 week profit and loss account for 1998 has been used for comparison