Half Yearly Report
For the six months to 30 September 2014 (comparisons with the same six months in 2013, unless otherwise stated):
· Adjusted earnings per share* rose by 5.8% to 31.1 pence;
· Adjusted profit before tax* rose by 4.6% to £370.3m;
· Reported profit before tax fell by 6.2% to £316.6m;
· Investment and capital expenditure fell by 15.5% to £679.3m;
· Adjusted net debt and hybrid capital rose by £185.6m to £7,907m; and
· Interim dividend increased by 2.3% to 26.6 pence per share.
*Adjusted profit before tax describes profit before tax before exceptional items and re-measurements arising from IAS 39, excluding interest costs on net pension scheme liabilities and after the removal of taxation on profits from joint ventures and associates
In addition, on 15 October 2014, Standard and Poor's affirmed SSE's 'A-/A-2' ratings and improved the rating outlook from negative to stable.
Finance - business-by-business operating profit
For the six months to 30 September 2014 (comparisons with the same period in 2013, unless otherwise stated); operating profit is before payment of interest and tax:
Wholesale - operating profit of £26.7m, down 83.4%
· Energy Portfolio Management and Electricity Generation operating profit fell by 86.3% to £11.8m, reflecting lower output of electricity from renewable and thermal sources;
· Gas Production operating profit fell by 80.7% to £13.3m, reflecting lower day ahead prices achieved for gas produced over the summer; and
· Gas Storage operating profit fell by 69.2% to £1.6m; this business continues to be affected by smaller seasonal differentials in gas prices.
Networks - operating profit of £ 458.4m, up 4.7%
· Electricity Transmission operating profit rose by 46.3% to £98.9m, reflecting the continuing major investment in the asset base, resulting in higher income;
· Electricity Distribution operating profit fell by 7.0% to £215.7m, reflecting the lower number of electricity units distributed, the adjustment for last year's over-recovery of £25m of revenue and additional costs incurred; and
· Gas Distribution - SSE's share of Scotia Gas Networks' operating profit rose by 4.1% to £143.8m, reflecting progress in delivering innovation and efficiencies as well as the timing of revenue collection.
Retail - operating profit of £37.3m, compared with an operating loss of £71.4m#
· Energy Supply recorded an operating loss of £16.9m, which was smaller than the loss in 2013 due to a number of factors including lower energy purchasing costs, but which were partly offset by the impact of milder weather;
· Energy-related Services operating profit fell by 30.2% to £11.3m, reflecting mixed performance within these businesses; and
· Enterprise operating profit rose by 54.3% to £42.9m, largely reflecting a £15.3m profit on a disposal in the period.
#Operating profit for same period in 2013 restated in line with establishment of the Enterprise division, and as set out in the Notification of Close Period on 29 September 2014 and at Note 4 of the Condensed Interim Statements.
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