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RNS Number : 5859A

Pennon Group PLC

30 May 2019

The headline for the Pennon Group PLC announcement released on 30 May 2019 at 07.00am BST under RNS No 5384A should read Full Year Results 2018/19, not Annual Financial Report.

The announcement text is unchanged and is reproduced in full below.

30 May 2019

Full Year Results 2018/19

for the year ended 31 March 2019

Bringing resources to life

Chris Loughlin, Pennon Chief Executive said:

"Pennon has delivered another year of strong performance across the Group, fulfilling our promises to customers and communities in a responsible and sustainable way.

Viridor is delivering sustainable growth in UK recycling and residual waste management. The existing portfolio of Energy Recovery Facilities is performing well, transforming waste into electricity and heat and underpinning Pennon's earnings growth beyond 2020.

Market dynamics continue to be favourable with the 'Blue Planet' effect spurring action, while the Government's recent Resources & Waste Strategy will encourage positive reform. Today we are announcing the first part of Viridor's next growth phase with significant investment in a new, state of the art plastics processing facility. The facility will be powered by low carbon energy from our Energy Recovery Facility in Avonmouth, adding much-needed recycling capabilities to the UK market.

South West Water has invested over GBP7 billion since 1989 with over GBP650 million invested in this regulatory period alone. This investment enabled South West Water to demonstrate its resilience over the course of this year in extreme weather conditions, recording the lowest ever supply interruptions and again meeting our leakage target. Our focus on delivering sector-leading customer experience has been reflected in our highest ever customer service score, being ranked 2(nd) out of all water and wastewater companies for the quality of service.

Our ambitious 2020-25 business plan received fast-track status from the regulator for the second consecutive review, the only water company to achieve this. Customer bills will be lower in 2025 than they are both today and fifteen years ago. Two thirds of South West Water employees are also our shareholders and our proposed 'New Deal' will give our South West Water customers a financial stake in the business from 2020."

Financial Highlights

 
  Underlying[1]                           2018/19       2017/18   Change 
  Revenue                             GBP1,478.2m   GBP1,393.0m    +6.1% 
  EBITDA[2]                             GBP546.2m     GBP509.6m    +7.2% 
  Adjusted EBITDA[3]                    GBP592.7m     GBP562.3m    +5.4% 
  Operating profit                      GBP351.0m     GBP323.9m    +8.4% 
  Profit before tax (PBT)               GBP280.2m     GBP258.8m    +8.3% 
-----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------- 
  Non-underlying items before          (GBP19.9m)       GBP4.1m        - 
   tax[4] 
  Statutory profit before tax           GBP260.3m     GBP262.9m   (1.0%) 
  Tax                                  (GBP37.7m)    (GBP41.0m)    +8.0% 
  Statutory profit after tax 
   (PAT)                                GBP222.6m     GBP221.9m    +0.3% 
 
  Underlying earnings per share[5]          57.8p         50.9p   +13.6% 
  Statutory earnings per share              51.1p         48.0p    +6.5% 
  Dividend per share[6]                    41.06p        38.59p    +6.4% 
 

Pennon Group

   --   Pennon has delivered robust performance in 2018/19, in line with management expectations 
   --   Underlying PBT up +8.3% driven by: 

o EBITDA growth of +19.1% at Viridor supported by the build out and performance of our Energy Recovery Facilities (ERFs)

o Higher revenues and EBITDA at South West Water reflecting increased customer demand over the summer, net of costs to deliver the resilient service to customers

o c.GBP17 million p.a. Group efficiencies secured in line with expectations

-- Statutory PBT at GBP260.3 million, after non-underlying items of GBP19.9 million, broadly comparable with prior year

   --   Statutory earnings per share growth of 6.5% to 51.1p, reflecting efficient hybrid financing 
   --   2018/19 dividend per share up +6.4% to 41.06p 

-- Cash flow from operations reflecting robust operational performance, whilst significant capital investment for growth continues, including increased holding in Runcorn I ERF joint venture

-- Development of our Sustainable Financing Framework, with GBP600 million of the GBP830 million debt raised during the year linked to the sustainable nature of the business, reducing our costs and reflecting our environmental and social credentials

Viridor

   --   Focus on de-risked infrastructure model, backed by index linked long-term contracts 

-- Excellent track record, successful diversification and growth - capitalising on UK waste strategy

   --   Successful execution of ERF portfolio - continued outperformance in 2018/19 

o Availability >90% for third consecutive year - top quartile for the industry

o Operational performance in excess of base case IRR assumption of 8%

o Increased ERF like for like performance compared with last year - portfolio EBITDA margin c.60%

o Build out of ERFs supporting strong growth in EBITDA of +19.1%[7] - three new ERFs delivered, with construction of Avonmouth on track

o Increased stake in Runcorn I ERF joint venture and investment in additional throughput capacity at Glasgow

   --   Confidence in long-term market outlook 

o Government Resources & Waste Strategy aligned to Viridor strategy

o Plastics on fast-track driven by 'Blue Planet' effect

o ERF market fundamentals remain strong

o Landfill continued feature of UK waste in the medium term

-- Future growth opportunities, developing options for new ERFs, Energy Parks and plastics recycling

   --   Investment in plastics recycling - leveraging our plastics skill set 

o Co-located at Avonmouth ERF using energy and heat off-takes

o GBP65 million investment in de-risked infrastructure model backed by index linked contracts

o Secured three quarters of inputs (third party and Viridor) and half of plastic offtake (third party)

o 80,000 tonnes per annum capacity representing 8% of current market requirement

o Handles multi-stream[8] plastics and will produce pellets directly for manufacturers from 2020/21

South West Water

   --   Strong performance, demonstrating service resilience through extreme weather conditions 

o Lowest ever supply interruptions, and leakage target met again this year

o Highest ever customer service (SIM) score of 88 achieved in both regions

o South West Water now ranked 2(nd) overall in the industry for quality of service

   --   Sector leading outperformance in K6 (2015-20) 

o Cumulative Return on Regulated Equity (RORE) at 11.8%[9]

o WaterShare delivering c.GBP110 million of outperformance for sharing with customers

o On track to deliver all our business plan commitments by 2020

-- 'New Deal' Business Plan for K7 (2020-25) awarded 'fast-track' status for its quality, the only water company to achieve this for two successive price reviews

o Highest outperformance potential - confidence in outperformance in all areas

o Strong platform for ODI performance in K7

o Fast start to next period already underway

Pennon Water Services

-- One of only five associated retailers to have achieved net growth in the new competitive non-household market. Focused on value enhancing contracts and future cost base efficiencies.

Presentation of Results

A presentation for City audiences will be held today, Thursday 30 May 2019, at 09.00am at the ICAEW (The Auditorium), One Moorgate Place, London, EC2R 6EA.

A live webcast of the presentation can also be accessed using the following link:

http://www.pennon-group.co.uk/investor-information

For further information, please contact:

 
                       Chief Financial Officer - Pennon 
 Susan Davy             Director of Corporate Affairs & Investor 
  Sarah Heald           Relations - Pennon                                 01392 443 
  Jennifer Cooke        Investor Relations Officer - Pennon         }       168 
 James Murgatroyd      Finsbury                                            020 7251 
  Harry Worthington     Finsbury                                      }     3801 
 

About Pennon Group

Pennon is one of the largest environmental infrastructure FTSE 250 groups in the UK with assets of around GBP6.5 billion and a workforce of over 5,000 people. Over 60% of Pennon's shareholders are UK pensions, savings, charities, individuals and employees, with two thirds of South West Water's employees being shareholders.

Pennon's purpose is bringing resources to life. We aim to protect the environment and provide an outstanding service to customers and communities, while creating value for our shareholders. Pennon is investing significantly in its UK water and waste infrastructure and estimates capital expenditure of c.GBP1.8 billion between 2015 and 2020, with GBP1.5 billion invested to date. The Group continues to generate robust operating cash flows, and has a strong liquidity and balance sheet position, underpinning a well established sector leading dividend policy.

Viridor is a leading UK recycling and residual waste processing and transformation business providing services to more than 150 local authorities and major corporate clients as well as over 32,000 customers across the UK.

The integrated water company of South West Water and Bournemouth Water provides water and wastewater services to a population of c.1.7 million in Cornwall, Devon and parts of Dorset and Somerset and water only services to c.0.5 million in parts of Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire.

Since 1989 South West Water has invested over GBP7 billion to improve water and wastewater services. This investment means that we supply some of the best quality drinking water in the UK and have achieved record bathing water quality in recent years.

Pennon Water Services provides water and wastewater retail services to over 160,000 non-household customer accounts across Great Britain, and is an 80:20 venture with South Staffordshire Plc.

Dividend policy

Whilst delivering on our promises to customers and communities, for investors Pennon's long established 10 year dividend policy delivers 4% year-on-year growth above RPI inflation to 2020. This policy reflects the Board's confidence in our sustainable growth strategy and is underpinned by the highest potential Return on Regulated Equity in the water sector over K6 (2015-20) and the growth in earnings delivered by Viridor's ERFs.

For 2018/19, the Board has recommended a final dividend of 28.22p, subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting on 25 July 2019. The final dividend will be paid on 3 September 2019 to shareholders on the register on 26 July 2019. Together with the interim dividend of 12.84p, this will result in a total dividend of 41.06p, an increase of 6.4% from last year.

Pennon offers shareholders the opportunity to invest their dividend in a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP).

Full year dividend payment information

   25 July 2019                           Ex-dividend date 
   26 July 2019                           Record date 
   12 August 2019                       Final date for receipt of DRIP applications 
 
 03 September 2019 Final dividend payment date 
 

Upcoming Events

 
 25 July 2019        Annual General Meeting 
 27 September 2019   Trading Statement 
 26 November 2019    Half Year Results 2019/20 
 March 2020          Trading Statement 
 2 June 2020         Full Year Results 2019/20 
 

PENNON BUSINESS REVIEW

Pennon has had another year of strong progress against its strategic objectives of leading in the UK's water and waste infrastructure sectors, investing for sustainable growth and driving value through efficiency. South West Water's K7 (2020-25) business plan received the green light from the water industry regulator Ofwat in January 2019, awarding us fast-track status that allows us to plan and provide early certainty to our customers. Viridor reported an excellent year across its recycling and residual waste processing and transformation operations. Throughout the year, we continued to deliver on our promises to customers and communities and our investment across the Group is driving tangible and positive results for all our stakeholders.

How we do business

Our two core businesses - South West Water and Viridor - each provide essential services to local communities. We have a responsibility to deliver those well and our customers depend on our ability to operate over the long term as a stable and sustainable service provider. Whilst delivering our services forms an essential part of serving our customers, we have a special responsibility to ensure we make a positive difference to our communities. Delivering our services in a way that reflects our Group values - trusted, collaborative, responsible and progressive - emphasises how we want to do that and the contribution we want to make to society. In addition, we focus on strong financial control, sound administration and good governance, ensuring Board alignment with our stakeholders.

Delivering on our promises for customers and communities

Viridor continues to expand the ERF portfolio with three new facilities at Glasgow, Beddington and Dunbar delivered during the year, and construction at Avonmouth remaining on track. We continue to work closely with our key customers and partners across our whole portfolio to deliver service in line with expectations.

We know that delivering a resilient service in South West Water is critical to our customers. Despite the periods of extreme weather during 2018 with the 'freeze and thaw' in March and the hot dry summer giving rise to unprecedented demand, we continued to deliver an excellent service to our customers. This has been reflected in our best ever customer service score with South West Water ranked 2(nd) out of all water and sewerage companies for our quality of service.

South West Water has delivered further benefits for customers through our innovative WaterShare mechanism with around GBP110 million of benefits achieved since 2015. Customers will continue to benefit from reinvestment in services and lower bills into the next period.

Delivering strong, sustainable financial performance across the Group

Confidence in our financial resilience is driven by robust operating cash flows, a strong liquidity and balance sheet position, and a diversified mix of low cost and flexible funding which underpins our sector leading dividend policy.

Earnings growth of 7.2% for 2018/19 has been driven by ERF portfolio growth, weather related higher revenue in South West Water (net of costs to deliver a resilient service) and a strong focus on cost savings, benefiting both customers and shareholders.

The build out of the ERF portfolio is supporting growth in Viridor and recycling activities have stabilised in the year with margins improving due to optimising contracts and asset base. Viridor has continued to focus on cost savings with initiatives delivering indirect cost efficiencies of 17% in real terms since 2015/16.

South West Water continues to deliver sector leading Totex outperformance, with GBP237 million cumulative efficiencies to date over K6 regulatory period and is on track to deliver c.GBP300 million over the whole period. Together with delivery of net ODI rewards and outperformance in our cost of financing, momentum of delivery has been maintained with a cumulative RORE of 11.8%. South West Water is confident in the continued delivery of outperformance in all areas in the next regulatory period.

Targeted Group wide efficiencies of c.GBP17 million p.a. from 2019, identified through a detailed overhead review in 2015/16, have been secured in line with expectations.

Pennon continues to seek and identify further growth opportunities within the UK, assessing the long-term viability of the markets in which we operate and achieving an appropriate risk/reward balance, and is confident of delivering sustainable, long-term returns from water and waste, supported by significant headroom for investment.

Leading, responsible and sustainable UK waste operator, delivering growth

Viridor is focused on delivering UK recycling and residual waste processing and transformation. The business has been re-positioned to focus on a de-risked infrastructure model, with investment backed by profitable, long-term contracts. We believe there are continued favourable waste market dynamics in both recycling and residual waste, supporting opportunities for further growth.

The 'Blue Planet' effect continues to encourage action and we were pleased to see the Government's Resources & Waste Strategy aligned to Viridor's strategy, with plastics on a fast track. Whilst the recycling market has been challenging, with changing public perception and Government support for recycling and the UK Plastics Pact outlining a roadmap with targets to 2025, we are confident in the long-term market outlook. The proposed reforms are significant and positive, though the timeline is conservative. Viridor sees clear opportunities in plastics recycling and reprocessing and has committed to a new GBP65 million investment in a facility co-located on the Avonmouth ERF site, allowing us to leverage our existing skill sets in this space. This will bring the added benefit of the energy being supplied from the ERF, realising significant operating cost savings, and will create a new Energy Park. Viridor is also assessing two further opportunities in the plastics recycling and reprocessing market with the potential for co-location giving a cost advantage.

We continue to expect UK residual waste market dynamics to be favourable with demand for ERFs exceeding capacity into the long term. We anticipate the capacity gap to be around seven million tonnes (mT) to 2035. Household waste arisings remain robust and expenditure on waste services is up c.18%[10] from 2008/09. The operational ERF portfolio achieved availability in excess of 90%[11] in 2018/19 with the operational performance of the facilities above management's initial base case expectations which assume a real post tax IRR (internal rate of return) of 8%. We have further consolidated our position through increasing our holding in Viridor's joint venture TPSCo[12], which owns Runcorn I ERF, from 37.5% to 75.0% of the economic interest. We believe our landfill portfolio complements the combustible residual waste strategy, with a requirement for a landfill solution into the medium term.

Viridor's earnings have more doubled in the period from 2014/15 to 2018/19. Given our confidence in the UK recycling and residual waste market and our committed investment in growth projects to 2021/22 we anticipate Viridor's contribution to Group profit to continue to increase. We also continue to consider further expansion and investment, with development of Energy Park opportunities across the landfill and ERF portfolio capitalising on the potential of existing grid connections. Viridor is currently assessing three further ERF options where we see under-capacity in the local market and the opportunity for attractive long-term contracts.

South West Water K7 (2020-25) Draft Determination presenting sector leading opportunities for delivery of promised performance

Ofwat's Draft Determination made minimal changes to our 'New Deal' Business Plan for K7 (2020-25) submitted in September 2018 and subsequently awarded 'fast-track' status to reflect its high quality. The plan signals a new way of doing business for our customers and stakeholders. This approach is focused on empowering our customers by giving them the option of a tangible financial stake and a share in the business and the power to hold us to account, with a say in our business through a Customer AGM. Preparations are already underway for a fast start in K7, with key partnerships already in place, our RSI transformation programme underway and preparation for the Isles of Scilly transfer well advanced.

PENNON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Pennon Group

 
   Underlying[13]                           2018/19       2017/18      Change 
  Revenue                               GBP1,478.2m   GBP1,393.0m       +6.1% 
  EBITDA                                  GBP546.2m     GBP509.6m       +7.2% 
  Adjusted EBITDA[14]                     GBP592.7m     GBP562.3m       +5.4% 
  Depreciation and amortisation         (GBP195.2m)   (GBP185.7m)      (5.1%) 
  Operating profit                        GBP351.0m     GBP323.9m       +8.4% 
  Net interest                           (GBP83.2m)    (GBP74.5m)     (11.7%) 
  Share of JV profit after 
   tax                                     GBP12.4m       GBP9.4m      +31.9% 
  Profit before tax                       GBP280.2m     GBP258.8m       +8.3% 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
  Non-underlying items before            (GBP19.9m)       GBP4.1m           - 
   tax[15] 
  Statutory profit before 
   tax                                    GBP260.3m     GBP262.9m      (1.0%) 
  Tax                                    (GBP37.7m)    (GBP41.0m)       +8.0% 
  Statutory profit after tax 
   (PAT)                                  GBP222.6m     GBP221.9m       +0.3% 
 
  PAT (attributable to holders 
   of hybrid capital)                       GBP8.6m      GBP21.5m      +60.0% 
  PAT (attributable to minority 
   interests)                             (GBP0.3m)     (GBP0.2m)      +50.0% 
  PAT (attributable to shareholders)      GBP214.3m     GBP200.6m       +6.8% 
 
  Underlying earnings per 
   share[16](,[17])                           57.8p         50.9p      +13.6% 
  Statutory earnings per share(17)            51.1p         48.0p       +6.5% 
  Dividend per share[18]                     41.06p        38.59p       +6.4% 
 
  Capital investment[19]                  GBP395.9m     GBP398.2m      (0.6%) 
            South West Water              GBP154.0m     GBP184.2m     (16.4%) 
            Viridor(19)                   GBP241.7m     GBP213.0m      +13.5% 
            Other                           GBP0.2m       GBP1.0m     (80.0%) 
 
                                           31 March      31 March    Change 
                                               2019          2018 
  Net debt[20]                          GBP3,079.5m   GBP2,801.5m       +9.9% 
 

Non-underlying Items before tax

Non-underlying items for the year total a charge of GBP19.9 million before tax (2017/18 credit of GBP4.1 million). The Directors believe excluding non-underlying items provides a more useful comparison on business trends and performance.

The non-underlying charge of GBP19.9 million is a result of:

-- Increased provision in respect of the receivable due for recovery of rectification and completion costs for Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre (GRREC). This reflects our assessment of the credit loss (under IFRS 9) and results in a charge of GBP22.7 million

-- Past pension service cost for Guaranteed Minimum Pension equalisation, which applies to all affected UK employers, results in a charge of GBP3.0 million

-- The movement in the fair value of long-dated derivatives associated with South West Water's 2040 bond results in a credit of GBP5.8 million (2017/18 charge of GBP2.4 million).

Viridor

 
   Underlying                          2018/19      2017/18    Change 
   Revenue[21]                       GBP852.7m    GBP785.7m     +8.5% 
   EBITDA                            GBP178.9m    GBP150.2m    +19.1% 
        ERFs                         GBP154.8m    GBP123.7m    +25.1% 
        Landfill                       GBP4.8m      GBP5.6m   (14.3%) 
        Landfill gas                  GBP20.6m     GBP23.3m   (11.6%) 
        Recycling                     GBP14.9m     GBP15.0m    (0.7%) 
        Contracts, Collections & 
         Other                        GBP39.0m     GBP39.3m    (0.8%) 
        Indirect costs              (GBP55.2m)   (GBP56.7m)     +2.6% 
   Depreciation and amortisation    (GBP78.0m)   (GBP71.6m)    (8.9%) 
   Share of JV profit after 
    tax                               GBP12.4m      GBP9.4m    +31.9% 
   Net interest                     (GBP24.8m)   (GBP17.2m)   (44.2%) 
   Profit before tax                  GBP88.5m     GBP70.8m    +25.0% 
   Share of JV EBITDA                 GBP31.9m     GBP38.9m   (18.0%) 
   IFRIC 12 interest receivable       GBP14.6m     GBP13.8m     +5.8% 
   Adjusted EBITDA[22]               GBP225.4m    GBP202.9m    +11.1% 
 

South West Water

 
   Underlying                           2018/19       2017/18   Change 
   Revenue[23]                        GBP581.0m     GBP571.3m    +1.7% 
   Operating costs                  (GBP213.9m)   (GBP210.4m)   (1.7%) 
   EBITDA                             GBP367.1m     GBP360.9m    +1.7% 
   Depreciation and amortisation    (GBP116.0m)   (GBP113.1m)   (2.6%) 
   Operating profit                   GBP251.1m     GBP247.8m    +1.3% 
   Net interest                      (GBP70.5m)    (GBP67.3m)   (4.8%) 
   Profit before tax                  GBP180.6m     GBP180.5m    +0.1% 
 

Pennon Water Services

 
                                      2018/19      2017/18    Change 
  Revenue                           GBP173.7m    GBP165.9m     +4.7% 
  EBITDA                              GBP1.0m      GBP1.0m         - 
  Depreciation and amortisation     (GBP0.7m)    (GBP0.6m)   (16.7%) 
  Operating profit                    GBP0.3m      GBP0.4m   (25.0%) 
  Net interest                      (GBP1.9m)    (GBP1.5m)   (26.7%) 
  Profit before tax                 (GBP1.6m)    (GBP1.1m)   (45.5%) 
 

Strong Group underlying financial performance

Pennon Group has again had a successful year of earnings growth, robust cash flows, strong liquidity and a sound balance sheet position underpinned with low cost, flexible and sustainable funding. These successes form the background to the delivery of our 10 year, sector-leading dividend policy of 4% year-on-year growth above RPI inflation to 2020.

Group revenue increased by 6.1% (GBP85.2 million) to GBP1,478.2 million (2017/18 GBP1,393.0 million).

Viridor revenues increased by 8.5% (GBP67.0 million) to GBP852.7 million primarily due to the ERF build out and IFRIC 12 construction revenue. Revenue from South West Water increased by 1.7% (GBP9.7 million) to GBP581.0 million due to customer demand increases of 1.4% from the hot and dry weather over the summer, net tariff[24] increases of 1.0% and increased infrastructure connections.

Group EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA were ahead of last year by 7.2% at GBP546.2 million (2017/18 GBP509.6 million) and 5.4% at GBP592.7 million (2017/18 GBP562.3 million) respectively, with both South West Water and Viridor ahead of 2017/18. The gap between EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA narrowed in the period as expected due to the reduced share of joint venture EBITDA following the reset of the Greater Manchester waste contract in 2017/18, net of the increased holding in Runcorn I ERF (TPSCo).

Viridor's EBITDA increased by 19.1% (GBP28.7 million) compared with 2017/18.

The ERF business has performed strongly during the year, in line with expectations. The EBITDA generated from our portfolio was 25.1% higher at GBP154.8 million (2017/18 GBP123.7 million) reflecting financial contributions from three new ERFs[25] in the year and increased like for like performance at established facilities.

Whilst landfill volumes are comparable year on year, landfill EBITDA decreased by 14.3% to GBP4.8 million (2017/18 GBP5.6 million), reflecting the mix of waste deposited at sites. We continue to see demand for a landfill solution into the medium term, and have sites well positioned to meet these demands, with nine sites operational at the year end. As part of the planned closure profile, two sites were closed in the year and we anticipate operating at a level of six sites in the medium to long term.

In our landfill gas business we are currently progressing our engine replacement strategy, including investing in maintenance and more efficient engines. This is improving reliability and securing generation for the longer term, whilst optimising the generating capacity potential at our sites. EBITDA for the year at GBP20.6 million, is down 11.6% from the prior year (2017/18 GBP23.3million) reflecting the natural decline in gas volumes produced from sites (although at 5% this is at a lower rate than previous years) and increased maintenance costs. The benefit of higher year on year hedged electricity prices has helped support the overall performance.

Recycling EBITDA at GBP14.9 million is in line with expectations and prior year guidance (2017/18 GBP15.0 million). Viridor's focus continues to be on the production of higher quality and value recyclates through our reliability centred maintenance programme 'WorkSmart' to create margin improvement. Whilst recyclate volumes traded have decreased year on year, EBITDA margin has increased by over a GBP1 per tonne (9%) to GBP12.40 per tonne (2017/18 GBP11.10) reflecting recovery in the global recycling markets for high quality recyclate, net of the costs of challenging input quality. We continue to share commodity risks and rewards with our customers, with risk/reward share arrangements in place for over 60% of inputs.

Contracts, Collections and Other EBITDA was broadly comparable with the previous year at GBP39.0 million (2017/18 GBP39.3 million). Following last year's contract reset, the Greater Manchester run off operating contract results are in line with our expectations. The Greater Manchester run off contract is due to end on 31 May 2019 and we continue with the orderly transition towards its cessation, while maintaining high levels of service. The financial impact of not continuing with this operational contract is not material to the Group.

Viridor's indirect costs continued to fall with a reduction of GBP1.5 million to GBP55.2 million (2017/18 GBP56.7 million) in 2018/19 and are 17% lower in real terms than 2015/16.

Joint venture EBITDA has reduced to GBP31.9 million (2017/18 GBP38.9 million) as a result of the contract reset at Greater Manchester in September 2017, net of the GBP2.7 million impact of the Group increasing its investment and economic share in Runcorn I ERF joint venture in the year from 37.5% to 75.0%. The contract reset in 2017 saw both the disposal of our Viridor Laing joint venture and the introduction of a lower contractual EBITDA for the Runcorn I ERF joint venture following the repayment of external debt as part of the reset. This reduction in EBITDA was offset by interest savings in the joint venture profit after tax result. Runcorn I ERF continues to deliver strong operational and financial performance.

IFRIC 12 interest receivable at GBP14.6 million is broadly comparable with 2017/18 of GBP13.8 million.

South West Water's EBITDA and operating profit increased by 1.7% and 1.3% respectively. Strong cost management and efficiency delivery has resulted in lower than inflation (average inflation 3.1%) cost increases, despite the c.GBP5 million increased cost challenges posed by the extreme weather and replenishment of water resources in the second half of the year. In addition, South West Water's debt collection performance remains strong resulting in a charge of 0.4% of revenues (2017/18 0.8%) reduced from 1.7% at March 2015. This continues to be driven by efficient cash collections as we work with our customers to manage their debt and strive to support those customers in vulnerable circumstances with affordability challenges. South West Water has continued to record strong performance against the K6 regulatory contracts, outperforming regulatory assumptions resulting in a cumulative RORE of 11.8%.

Pennon Water Services has continued to generate net customer gains during its second year of trading with revenue increasing by 4.7% to GBP173.7 million (2017/18 GBP165.9 million). Overall EBITDA for the year was GBP1.0 million (2017/18 GBP1.0 million), with opportunities to improve operating cost efficiencies continuing to be targeted.

Group efficiencies achieved as a result of the Shared Services initiatives have delivered a further GBP4.0 million of cost savings and synergy benefits during the year, meeting our targeted c.GBP17 million per annum from 2019.

Net Finance Costs

Underlying net finance costs of GBP83.2 million are GBP8.7 million higher than last year (2017/18 GBP74.5 million). This is attributable to higher net debt from continuing capital investments and lower interest receivable on shareholder loans following the Greater Manchester contract reset.

We have secured funding at a cost that is efficient and effective with the effective interest rate continuing to be amongst the lowest in the sector, reducing to 3.6% (2017/18 3.7%). The effective interest rate for South West Water was consistent with the prior year at 3.5%.

The effective interest rate is calculated after adjusting for capitalised interest of GBP15.2 million, notional interest items totalling GBP12.5 million, interest received from shareholder loans to joint ventures of GBP5.3 million and IFRIC 12 interest receivable of GBP14.6 million.

During 2018/19 underlying net finance costs (excluding pensions net interest costs of GBP1.4 million, discount unwind of provisions of GBP11.1 million and IFRIC 12 notional interest receivable of GBP14.6 million) were GBP85.3 million, covered 4.1 times by Group operating profit (2017/18 GBP76.5 million and 4.2 times).

Profit before tax

Group underlying profit before tax was GBP280.2 million, an increase of 8.3%, compared with the prior year (2017/18 GBP258.8 million). Included in profit before tax is our share of joint venture profit after tax of GBP12.4 million (2017/18 GBP9.4 million). On a statutory basis, profit before tax was GBP260.3 million (2017/18 GBP262.9 million) reflecting a non-underlying charge before tax of GBP19.9 million (2017/18 credit of GBP4.1 million).

Taxation

At Pennon, we know the taxes we pay help fund vital public services, investment in people and infrastructure to support future growth. In 2018/19, the Group's taxes borne and collected resulted in a total tax contribution of GBP281 million[26] being paid to the Government.

In December 2018 Pennon became the first water services and waste management utility to secure the Fair Tax Mark, an independent certification scheme which recognises organisations that demonstrate they are paying the right amount of corporation tax at the right time. It also recognises our responsible approach to tax strategy, managing tax efficiently for the benefit of customers and shareholders, demonstrating transparency and best practice across the Group.

On an underlying basis the net tax charge of GBP42.7 million (2017/18 GBP44.4 million) consists of:

-- Current year current tax charge of GBP32.4 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of 11.6% (2017/18 GBP29.7 million, 11.5%). The lower effective rate versus the UK's mainstream corporation tax rate of 19% reflects the accelerated level of capital allowance claims available to the Group compared with the depreciation charge

-- Current year deferred tax charge of GBP23.2 million (2017/18 GBP20.7 million) primarily reflecting capital allowances across the Group in excess of depreciation charged.

Recognising the resolution of minor outstanding tax items with HMRC, the following prior year credits have been recognised:

   --    Current tax credit of GBP3.0 million (2017/18 credit of GBP3.6 million) 

-- Deferred tax credit of GBP9.9 million (2017/18 GBP2.4 million credit), reflecting finalisation of capital allowance claims.

The 2018/19 non-underlying items result in a GBP5.0 million net tax credit (2017/18 GBP3.4 million net credit).

Overall, the total tax charge for the year was GBP37.7 million (2017/18 GBP41.0 million).

Earnings per share

Earnings per share on both a statutory and underlying[27] basis has been positively impacted by a reduction in hybrid costs[28] compared with last year. As a consequence, earnings per share on both a statutory and underlying basis has increased by 6.5% to 51.1p (2017/18 48.0p) and 13.6% to 57.8p (2017/18 50.9p) respectively.

Cash inflow from operations, continuing investment in future growth

The Group's operational cash inflows in 2018/19 were GBP649 million[29] (2017/18 GBP672 million). These funds have been put to use in efficiently financing the Group's capital structure and investing in future growth. This capital investment has resulted in higher Group net debt.

Contributions into the Group's pension schemes for the year were GBP32 million, and corporation tax payments were GBP29 million. Included in other movements of GBP47 million is the 2017 unwind settlement of the Peninsula MB Limited (PMB) derivative. Total tax payments reflecting all operational taxes in 2018/19 were GBP167 million[30] (2017/18 GBP151 million).

Sustainable funding position underpinning investment

The Group has a strong liquidity and funding position with GBP1,170 million cash and committed facilities at 31 March 2019. This consists of cash and deposits of GBP570 million (including GBP204 million of restricted funds representing deposits with lessors against lease obligations) and undrawn facilities of GBP600 million. At 31 March 2019 the Group's borrowings totalled GBP3,650 million. After the GBP570 million held in cash, this gives a net debt figure of GBP3,080 million, an increase of GBP278 million during the year (2017/18 GBP2,802 million).

Pennon has pioneered a Sustainable Financing Framework to integrate commitments to environmental and social objectives into a variety of funding opportunities across the Group. The framework allows Pennon to access future funding opportunities aligned with the Green Loan principles, Green Bond principles and Social Bond principles. The framework has been certified by DNV GL, a leading sustainability verifier. Pennon is committed to continuous annual improvements in sustainability ratings and KPIs which may lead to improved interest rate margins.

During the year, GBP830 million of new and renewed facilities have been signed, GBP665 million in Pennon Group plc and GBP165 million in South West Water. In total, GBP600 million of the new facilities signed in the year are linked to the sustainable nature of the business. Included in these facilities is an inaugural Pennon Group loan from the European Investment Bank of GBP110 million.

Pennon has cash and committed facilities providing funding for Viridor's committed growth projects and South West Water's regulatory capital programme into K7, with c.GBP725 million headroom for investment.

Efficient long-term financing strategy

The Group has a diversified funding mix of fixed (GBP1,936 million, 63%), floating (GBP576 million, 19%) and index-linked borrowings (GBP568 million[31], 18%). The Group's debt has a maturity of up to 38 years with a weighted average maturity of c.18 years. Much of the Group's debt is floating rate and derivatives are used to fix the rate on that debt. In line with the Group's updated policy of maintaining at least 60% of interest bearing liabilities at fixed rates, the Group has fixed, or put swaps in place to fix, the interest rate on a substantial portion of the existing water business debt to 2020.

Additionally, following the submission of the South West Water K7 business plan and the resulting draft determination from Ofwat the Group is aligning the hedging for the next regulatory period with the changed regulatory methodology. A proportion of new debt will be hedged in K7 on a rolling ten year basis whilst still maintaining flexibility within the overall portfolio. Embedded debt hedging is aligned with the five year regulatory delivery period. Around 50% of South West Water's embedded floating net debt has been already hedged into K7 during the past six months, taking advantage of falling swap rates.

South West Water's cost of finance is amongst the lowest in the industry. Around two thirds of South West Water's net debt is from finance leases which provide a long maturity profile. Interest payable benefits from the fixed credit margins which are secured at the inception of each lease. GBP517 million (c.25%) of South West Water's net debt is index-linked. This is below Ofwat's notional assumption of 33%, giving an advantageous position as there remains uncertainty over how transitioning from RPI to CPIH may be translated into future funding rates.

Net debt position

The Group's net debt has increased by GBP278 million to GBP3,080 million. Cash inflow from operations was GBP649 million. Cash outflows relating to the capital programme totalled GBP385 million[32] (2017/18 GBP464 million). The gearing ratio at 31 March 2019, being the ratio of net debt to (equity plus net debt) was 64.7% (31 March 2018 63.1%).

The combined South West Water and Bournemouth Water debt to RCV ratio is 58.9%[33] (31 March 2018 60.3%) which is lower than Ofwat's K6 target for efficient gearing of 62.5% but aligns with the new K7 notional assumptions of 60%.

Group net debt includes GBP2,057 million for South West Water with the remaining GBP1,023 million supporting investment in Viridor growth and expansion including the amount invested in joint ventures, through shareholder loans of GBP73 million for Runcorn I and Lakeside ERFs.

Capital investment focused on regulatory expenditure and ERF build out

Group capital investment was GBP395.9 million[34] in 2018/19 compared with GBP398.2 million in 2017/18.

Viridor

Viridor's capital spend in the year was GBP241.7 million (2017/18 GBP213.0 million), an increase of GBP28.7 million over 2017/18.

The majority of capital investment continues to relate to growth projects driving increased earnings now and into the future, with GBP207.7 million of total spend relating to the ERF portfolio. As well as reflecting the move into operation of three ERFs and continuing construction at Avonmouth, the expenditure in the year included additional investment at Glasgow ERF of c.GBP21 million securing incremental throughput capacity. Also included are lifecycle capital expenditure on our operational ERFs and development of our Clyde Valley ERF fuel supply facility.

On-going restoration and remediation programmes continue for our landfill assets, ensuring we meet or exceed our environmental duties and responsibilities.

South West Water

South West Water's capital expenditure in the year was GBP154.0 million, compared with GBP184.2 million in 2017/18 with the profile aligned with the K6 capital plan, reflecting the completion of specific large investment programmes at Mayflower water treatment works and the bathing and shellfish water improvements.

Key areas of drinking water investment[35] and activity during 2018/19 included:

-- Completion of the new state-of-the-art Mayflower water treatment works which has entered commissioning

-- Investment in the resilience of our infrastructure to reduce the number of bursts and leakage, impacted by the 'freeze and thaw' in March 2018 and costs associated with the hot dry summer.

Key areas of wastewater investment(35) and activity during 2018/19 included:

   --    Finalisation and completion of the Plymouth bathing water scheme 
   --    Continued improvements at wastewater treatment works including flood resilience 
   --    Investment for growth to meet increases in supply and demand. 

Pensions

The Group operates defined benefit pension schemes for certain employees of Pennon Group. The main schemes were closed to new entrants on or before 1 April 2008.

At 31 March 2019 the Group's pension schemes showed an aggregate deficit (before deferred tax) of GBP60.8 million (March 2018 GBP49.5 million), an increase of GBP11.3 million as a result of:

   --    Increase in liabilities of GBP76 million due to lower corporate bond yields 
   --    Reduction in liabilities as a result of latest CMI mortality assumptions of GBP42 million 
   --    Increase in liabilities from other factors, including service cost, of GBP13 million 

-- Increase in asset values of GBP36 million, reflecting good asset returns and deficit contributions of GBP13 million.

For the Group's principal pension scheme, of which South West Water accounts for around 80%, the last actuarial valuation was at 2016. Contributions, including the recovery plan of annual deficit contributions up to 2022, remain in line with 2014 Final Determination allowances.

The net aggregate liabilities of GBP50.5 million (after deferred tax) represented around 2% of the Group's market capitalisation at 31 March 2019.

Impact of low yields at 31 March 2019

At 31 March 2019 forward interest rates and yields fell significantly, to some extent reflecting Brexit uncertainty. This resulted in a number of impacts for the Group:

-- Low corporate bond yield used to value pension scheme liabilities increased our present value of pension obligations by GBP76 million compared with March 2018 (as noted above)

   --    Fair value of our borrowings increased by c.GBP100 million or c.3% of gross debt 

-- The valuation of our derivative contracts, put in place manage to interest risk, increased compared to 2018, albeit to a lesser extent.

The impacts noted above have partly reversed since 31 March 2019, as forward interest rates and yields have increased, however as yields were falling in the period leading up to 31 March 2019, the Group advantageously entered forward starting interest rate hedges for the K7 (2020-25 period), in line with the Group's interest rate management policy. Through this period around 50% of South West Water's floating rate net debt has been hedged for K7.

Energy hedging

Pennon has adopted a Group portfolio management approach to energy hedging, and has the ability to hedge its market position for periods up to five years ahead, further helping to protect revenues.

Forward hedges have been put in place in the liquid market with the Group hedged c.95% for 2019/20, c.55% for 2020/21 and c.20% for 2021/22 for its energy (generation net of internal usage of electricity). In addition, the Group has a natural hedging opportunity which represents one third of Viridor's energy generation, as South West Water is a net user of electricity.

The energy portfolio management team continues to actively manage the Group net energy generation position in liquid markets.

VIRIDOR

Confident outlook for Viridor in the waste sector

Viridor is focused on UK recycling and residual waste processing and transformation and has been re-positioned to focus on a de-risked infrastructure model, with investment backed by profitable, long-term contracts.

Residual waste activities (ERFs and Landfill)

The market fundamentals for ERFs remain strong, with the gap between combustible residual waste arisings and ERF capacity forecast to remain at around 7 million tonnes (mT) per annum to 2035.

The Viridor portfolio processes around a fifth of the UK ERF combustible waste tonnage processed in an ERF and we continue to optimise our assets through capacity expansions, heat transfer and offtake opportunities, targeting 3-5% capacity improvements across the portfolio. We see localised opportunities for further ERF investment and are developing options for three new ERFs which will be determined by the availability of long-term contracts.

We continue to foresee a requirement for a landfill solution into the medium term. As landfill sites close over the coming years, parts of the country will experience a shortage of capacity and opportunities are being assessed at other mothballed sites. Viridor recognises that the landfill portfolio is a core part of its residual waste strategy, and our landfill sites are well positioned to support future market requirements. Available void capacity at operating sites is c.27 million cubic metres, with six sites having capacity for the medium / long term.

Recycling

The Government's Resource & Waste Strategy has confirmed the fundamentals of the waste market and provides a foundation for stimulus to recycling. A tax on plastic packaging containing less than 30% recycled content is being introduced. In addition, responsibility for 100% of recycling costs are being transferred to producers through EPR & PRN[36] reform.

Viridor, along with 80% of the plastic packaging supply chain, has signed up to the UK Plastics Pact which has targets including 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable or recyclable. In addition European targets are for 75% of the UK's plastic packaging to be effectively recycled. Only 46% is currently recycled.

Viridor's 2018 Recycling Index Report shows that over 80% of the public is worried about plastics in the oceans, with over 60% of consumers more likely to buy products with packaging made from recycled materials. Brand leaders are also driving momentum in recycling with many having issued public declarations on recycling content.

One million tonnes of recyclable plastic is currently collected in the UK, two thirds of which is currently exported, supporting potential investment in new capacity in the UK, with opportunities emerging for contract backed index linked investments akin to the ERF model.

Strong performance underpinned by cost base efficiency

 
                                2018/19    2017/18 
 Total Waste Inputs 
  (mT)                           6.8        7.0 
        ERFs                     2.3        2.2 
        Landfill                 1.5        1.5 
        Recycling and Other      3.0        3.3 
 Recycling volumes 
  traded                         1.2        1.4 
 ERF availability                91%        92% 
 

ERFs delivering strong operational and financial performance

The operational ERF fleet has expanded successfully during the year. Beddington and Dunbar became operational and have both performed well, with good initial availability. Additionally, we have achieved contractual service commencement at Glasgow, and have invested GBP21 million in the asset to provide capability to process up to an additional 50,000 tonnes p.a. All three sites are now in operational ramp up to achieve plant optimisation. In addition, a 15% increase in permitted capacity has been approved at Runcorn I and II ERFs.

We have seen another year of strong operational performance across the existing portfolio (including joint ventures), with plant availability remaining above 90% for a third consecutive year. This consistent level of availability across our portfolio puts Viridor in the top quartile of UK operators.

The Glasgow development consists of advanced facilities for recycling, anaerobic digestion and energy recovery. In total we have spent GBP273 million in completing the facility, rectifying the non-conformances of the previous Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor and increasing the capacity. Viridor is contractually entitled to recover incremental costs associated with remediation work and is looking to recover up to GBP97 million of this additional expenditure (contractual receivable from Interserve Construction Limited GBP72 million; other, including all contractors and advisors GBP25 million).

Construction work at Avonmouth ERF has progressed successfully and at pace, with all major processing equipment now in place and the steelwork for the external building being erected. The build remains on track for takeover in line with the planned costs and timetable. Commissioning is anticipated to commence later this year with EBITDA contribution expected from 2020/21. Viridor has secured an additional 120,000 tonnes p.a. of waste from the West of England Partnership resulting in 85% of Avonmouth inputs now being contracted.

The ERF build-out plan has accounted for the majority of capital expenditure once more, with GBP1.5 billion spent to date on the portfolio.

Viridor's ERF fleet offers the potential for establishing integrated Energy Parks, providing heat and power direct to Group companies and third parties, and so creating further value from these assets. We already have existing Energy Park activities or immediate development opportunities at six ERFs and four landfill sites, with further opportunities under development.

Landfill demand remains strong with a long-term shortfall in capacity within the UK

This year we have invested over GBP5 million in our landfill sites, including expenditure on new cells and leachate treatment equipment. We have maintained the application of our site-specific strategy with some sites being kept open longer, with new cells being created where there is demand. Preparatory work is underway to reopen our Heathfield site during 2019/20.

Overall landfill volumes have remained consistent but with a change in the mix of waste deposited at sites. Both Beddington and Rigmuir (Dunbar) closed to active waste during the year following go live of the new ERFs and two further closures are planned next year. Closure has led to increasing the level of topsoil inputs as part of our strategy to maintain well managed sites. This strategy will help ensure that these sites can be restored and repurposed for alternative uses in the future. Since the year end an agreement has been reached to sell a closed landfill site for alternative use, mitigating a long-term liability.

Landfill Gas securing reliable generation

The natural decline in underlying landfill gas volumes has continued, but the rate of decline in electricity volumes generated is lower than in recent years at c.5%. This is a result of our planned preventative maintenance programme, and investment of over GBP5 million in our Engine Optimisation Strategy. Together these have improved engine availability, the gas collection process and matched engine capacity to the gas yields. We will continue to invest in landfill gas to provide reliable generation and improve the longer-term yields.

The overall reduction in landfill energy generation has also led to surplus grid capacity and this presents other growth opportunities in the future.

Energy Parks

We are exploring opportunities for integrated energy parks at our ERF and landfill sites which will enhance profitability by c.5-10% at these assets. Energy parks would provide competitively priced heat and power as an alternative to the national grid potentially involving provision of wind and solar power. We already have several such connections, including our Runcorn ERF that has a heat and power offtake to Inovyn, Peterborough ERF where we provide a heat connection to a council depot, and our landfill gas engines and ERF at Beddington, which provide heat offtake into a community heating network. We believe there is significant potential to do more with energy parks supporting Viridor's own activities, other Pennon Group operations such as South West Water's treatment plants, or third-party energy intensive facilities.

Recycling assets well placed to benefit from Government's new strategy

The impact of escalating volumes of plastic pollution has become of increasing concern to the public consciousness - the "Blue Planet effect". This has created a ground-swell of opinion for the use of higher levels of recycled plastics, achieved by extending the producers' responsibilities, which in turn has provided a backdrop for investment in new recycling infrastructure. Recently the Government published its Draft Resources & Waste Strategy, which aligns closely with Viridor's own strategy and key priorities. The cornerstones of this policy include increasing the amount of packaging that must be recycled and standardised collections to improve the quality of feedstock. As a consequence, we continue to see a positive outlook for the recycling sector.

New industry leading plastics recycling facility

Viridor has committed to a new GBP65 million plastics recycling facility, with the investment reflecting a de-risked infrastructure model backed by index linked contracts. The 80,000 tonne capacity facility represents around 8% of current market requirement and will be co-located with the Avonmouth ERF that is currently under construction. This is consistent with our Energy Park concept and provides significant cost advantages from direct electricity and heat offtakes. The new facility will handle multi stream plastics (including PET, HDPE and polypropylene), and produces pellets directly for manufacture. Building on our existing commercial relationships, we have already secured three quarters of inputs (third party and Viridor) and half of plastic offtake (third party) of the plant. The investment has been assessed based on a hurdle rate IRR of 15% real, post tax and has a payback of under 4 years.

Recycling performing in line with our expectations

There was a partial recovery of global recycling markets in 2018/19 following import restrictions by China in the prior year, and we see ongoing value in high quality recyclate. We focused throughout the year on producing higher quality recyclates, including investing over GBP9 million in recycling assets seeking to improve output quality and support the introduction of our reliability centred maintenance programme 'WorkSmart'. In the UK, input quality has remained poor, largely as a result of councils reducing their collection schemes due to austerity cost pressures.

The recycling business has performed in line with our expectations this year. Our emphasis on producing high quality outputs contributed to an increase in revenue per tonne since last year. We have incurred higher costs in producing the right quality recyclate, but recycling margins have improved year on year.

To help mitigate our exposure to recyclate price volatility, we continue to share commodity risks and rewards with our customers. Over 60% of our ongoing contracted input volumes continue to share commodity risk.

We have also committed to a GBP15 million investment at Masons Material Recycling Facility (MRF), backed by a 10-year contract with Suffolk County Council. Based on our confidence in the market outlook, as previously announced, we are also developing two further options for plastics recycling plants.

Contracts, Collections and other

We continue to work with our customers to identify mutually beneficial enhancements to our contracts and strive to demonstrate our commitment to partnership, working towards a common goal. This collaborative approach has led to the GBP80 million extension of the Somerset Waste Partnership contract for an additional nine years to 2031, and the award of the Hinckley Point C 'Zero to landfill' total waste management contract.

The Greater Manchester run off contract is due to end on 31 May 2019 and we continue with the orderly transition towards its cessation, while maintaining high levels of service.

Our collections business continues to provide a valuable service to all our customers.

Joint Ventures investments create a solid return from strong operational performance

The joint venture at Lakeside ERF (a 50:50 joint venture with Grundon Waste Management) continues to outperform its original targets for both waste processing and power generation. Availability has again been in excess of 90% and we received a dividend of GBP5.5 million during the year.

The TPSCo joint venture (between Viridor and Inovyn) which operates Runcorn I ERF has also performed strongly during the year with availability again in excess of 90%.

In December 2018, Viridor exercised its pre-emption rights and for a total cash consideration of GBP54.8 million acquired John Laing Investments Limited's 37.5% economic interest and 20% voting rights in the Runcorn I ERF. The acquisition consolidates further Viridor's position as a market leader in UK Energy Recovery and results in an increase to economic interest in INEOS Runcorn (TPS) Holdings Limited from 37.5% to 75.0%, with the associated voting rights moving from 20% to 40%.

SOUTH WEST WATER

Delivering a resilient service for customers through extreme weather events

2018 has been a year of extreme weather events from the 'Beast from the East' exceptional cold weather[37] in March, with the first red weather warning for snow in the South West, followed by the hottest summer on record. Despite these challenges South West Water continued to deliver a resilient service to its customers.

Our proactive planning and management ensured we were able to manage the impacts of the 'freeze and thaw' effectively and South West Water were commended in a number of areas during the subsequent Ofwat review.

South West Water maintained supplies to customers despite the unprecedented demand over the hottest summer on record, with supply interruptions at their lowest ever level. 2018 has been our 22(nd) year without water restrictions and during the second half of the year we have focused on replenishing our reservoirs to ensure we maintain resilient water resources for future years. Despite these challenges South West Water again met its leakage target which has been achieved every year since targets were set.

Sector leading customer service

Improving customer service is at the heart of our delivery plans. South West Water achieved its highest ever customer satisfaction level and also its best ever customer service score (SIM) at 88 points, across both regions. Overall we were ranked 2(nd) for quality of service out of all water and sewerage companies in England and Wales.

The improvement in service has also been delivered alongside improvements in debt collection and extending our support for customers in vulnerable circumstances. Our innovative approach to enhancing 'customer journeys' as well as improving the channels with which customers can contact us, such as online and social media, has been a success.

South West Water has an industry leading approach to supporting customers who find themselves in vulnerable circumstances or who struggle to pay their bills. We have continued to focus on this and are targeting to eliminate water poverty in our K7 (2020-25) business plan which was praised by Ofwat for its high quality customer engagement and affordability. Preparation for these additional activities is already underway and those currently receiving support through reduced tariffs has increased to c.23,000 customers, with around 57,000 customers supported through this and other programmes. Supporting this activity is our work providing specialist training to c.1,600 people across 80 partner organisations and securing c.GBP2.1 million of additional benefits income realised through our leading WaterCare+ programme, since 2015.

Since the opening of the non-household retail market in April 2017, South West Water has operated successfully with 21 different retailers and our wholesale service desk has been operating effectively.

Continued sector leading outperformance

South West Water has performed well in 2018/19 and continues to outperform in all areas, giving a very strong foundation for the next regulatory period. Strong operational and financial performance underpins our sector leading RORE[38], which remains 11.8% cumulatively since the start of K6. Cumulatively the WaterShare RORE outperformance is broadly consistent with the approach adopted by Ofwat.

 
                             2018/19   K6 to date 
 Base return                    6.0%         6.0% 
 Totex outperformance           2.4%         2.6% 
 ODI outperformance             0.4%         0.3% 
 Financing Outperformance       2.8%         2.9% 
 WaterShare RORE[39]           11.6%        11.8% 
 Ofwat RORE[40]                12.0%        11.7% 
 

Totex efficiency reducing customer bills

South West Water is striving for ever greater efficiency. Totex outperformance has already achieved cumulative savings of GBP237 million[41] to 2018/19 and we are on track to deliver c.GBP300 million of Totex savings by 2020, which are embedded into our K7 business plan.

These savings are being driven by:

-- Managing upward cost pressures, with actual net price rises being below annual average inflation rates despite the c.GBP5m atypical costs associated with the extreme weather

-- Continuing advantages from our strategic alliances and driving efficiency from our procurement processes

-- Reducing customer debt through enhanced collections activities and increasing our affordability schemes (such as social tariffs), with the cost of bad debt now below the level assumed within the 2014 Final Determination

-- Efficiencies from the Bournemouth Water integration, including delivery of key capital schemes in the region, with the c.GBP27m of net synergies required by 2020 secured

This focus on cost efficiency is reducing bills for customers, and our K7 business plan was identified as one of the most efficient and a key aspect of achieving our fast-track status.

ODIs continue to deliver net reward for K6

Operational performance for the year resulted in our highest net ODI reward of GBP4.1 million[42] (GBP11.3 million cumulatively for K6) reflecting RORE outperformance of 0.4%. Good asset reliability with stable serviceability across all water and wastewater areas has been maintained. Rewards were delivered across bathing water quality, water restrictions and continued improvements in internal sewer flooding. The cumulative net reward of GBP11.3 million comprises GBP18.4 million of total rewards and GBP7.1 million of total penalties. ODI penalties which apply within the regulatory period will reduce customer bills as they are 'passed back'. ODI net penalties of GBP2.1 million have been adjusted in customer bills for 2018/19 and GBP0.3 million will be adjusted in the 2019/20 tariffs.

Whilst a small number of ODIs are in penalty this year, South West Water is forecasting to meet all its ODI commitments by 2020.

   --    Flooding - continuing strong performance 

The number of flooding incidents in 2018/19 has reduced and resulted in rewards for both internal and external flooding.

   --    22(nd) consecutive year without water restrictions 

Despite the impact of the hot dry summer, water resources in the South West Water region remained unrestricted for a twenty-second consecutive year and the Bournemouth water region maintained its position of having no water restrictions since privatisation. During the second half of the year South West Water actively replenished water resources through storage schemes to protect future supplies.

   --    Bathing water quality - c.99% achieving sufficient quality, over 78% excellent 

Our legacy of major investment to protect bathing waters continues to be reflected in extremely positive results for the 2018 bathing water season. Of the 151 bathing waters tested in the South West Water region, 149 (c.99%) were classified 'sufficient' or better, with more than 78% classified as 'excellent'. Neither of the two bathing waters rated as 'poor' were attributed to any failure of South West Water's assets.

   --    Leakage - target met despite extreme weather 

The impact of the 'freeze and thaw' in March 2018 as well as the dry summer impacting ground movement, had seen leakage levels increase in the first half of the year. Targeted investment and operational resources (including fixing visible leaks and providing additional support to customers) ensured we met our 2018 target of 84 megalitres per day ensuring no ODI penalty was incurred.

   --    Supply interruptions - lowest ever level 

Demand over the summer months placed pressure on both our treatment works and network to meet customer demand. Despite this the average duration of supply interruptions per property for South West Water was below the target set for the year and resulted in a reward for the year.

   --    Pollution incidents - serious incidents reduced 

The number of serious pollution incidents (Category 1&2) has reduced to 2 and no penalty has been incurred. Disappointingly, the number of less serious incidents (Category 3&4) has increased slightly from last year with GBP0.7 million penalty this year. This is a significant area of focus and recent investments to drive reductions in incidents have been completed, including delivery of a fleet of jetters and vactors to provide resilient support on the network.

Financing investment efficiently

Alongside strong operational outperformance, South West Water is confident that the efficient and effective financing strategy in place will continue to deliver cumulative financing outperformance, with GBP130 million delivered in the K6 period to date. South West Water's diverse and flexible financing structure has underpinned one of the lowest effective interest rates across the industry. The Pennon Sustainable Financing Framework opens further opportunities for debt investment including GBP60 million of leasing specifically linked to the new innovative Mayflower water treatment works. Gearing levels remain aligned with Ofwat's current notional level and South West Water is the only UK water company to share the benefits of lower interest rates with customers.

Sharing outperformance between customers and shareholders

South West Water is sharing the benefits of business outperformance between customers and shareholders through our unique WaterShare mechanism. Since 2015 GBP110 million of cumulative benefits have been identified to share with customers through future bill reductions, ODI service improvements and reinvestment in services. This reflects GBP80 million of Totex savings, GBP11 million of net ODI benefits and GBP19 million of other benefits (including financing). These Totex savings and efficiencies (including the forecast to 2020) have been reflected in the K7 business plan, lowering bills for customers over the next regulatory period. This results in forecast average bills in 2025 being lower than they are both today and 15 years ago.

The other savings identified in recent years and expected out to 2020 will provide the basis for the WaterShare+ scheme in 2020 - a first of its kind - an ambitious, voluntary share scheme, which will give all customers a choice of how to receive these benefits including the option of receiving Pennon shares.

K7 (2020-25) Draft Determination

The key focus for our business plan is empowering customers through a 'New Deal' - giving customers a stake and a say. It will ensure customers are sharing in our success and having a say through a Customer AGM and quarterly meetings, which will allow customers to hold us directly to account. In addition, the option for customers to have a shareholding gives them a tangible stake in our business through the outperformance delivered and will further ensure customers are at the heart of our business.

Sector leading outperformance forecast to continue

South West Water has the highest outperformance potential for the next regulatory period and we are confident in delivering outperformance across all areas (Totex, ODIs and Financing).

Totex allowances in K7 are consistent with the allowances in K6 and higher than the current forecast spend for K6 which reflects the c.GBP300 million of Totex outperformance on track to be delivered by 2020.

An efficient financing structure is already in place for the next regulatory period and South West Water has consistently delivered the lowest effective interest rates in the industry, a strong platform for financing outperformance.

The ODIs[43] for K7 are a mixture of bespoke performance measures which are proposed and designed by South West Water and 15 common measures which will be measured consistently across the whole industry. South West Water has a strong base for outperformance in K7 with two thirds of ODIs currently upper quartile or above industry average.

South West Water's continuing investment in our assets and services into K7 reflects significant planned capital expenditure, above forecast K6 levels. This results in c.10%[44] growth in RCV to GBP3.75 billion in 2025 (around 28% growth over 10 years).

Operational and service leadership

South West Water's Business Plan, will continue to deliver outstanding customer service whilst keeping bills as low as possible. Alongside this, we will deliver environmental leadership with key commitments including:

   --    Building on our track record and reducing leakage by a further 15% 

-- Continued extensive catchment management - Upstream Thinking project improving 80% of catchments

-- Implementing innovative solutions in the replacement of Alderney and Knapp Mill water treatment works

   --    Achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030. 

Delivery preparations underway

The early Draft Determination enables South West Water to make a fast start towards the next period with a number of areas already developed:

-- A number of key partnerships are already in place, including our strategic consultants and capital delivery partners, wildlife trusts, customer groups and charities

-- Resilient Service Improvement (RSI) transformation project is already underway with South West Water praised by Ofwat as "setting the standard for others to reach"

   --    Sustainable Financing Framework embedded to support funding requirements 
   --    Preparation for the Isles of Scilly transfer well advanced. 

PENNON WATER SERVICES

Focus on delivering operating cost efficiencies

Pennon Water Services, our 80:20 retail venture with South Staffordshire Plc, continues to deliver net gains in customers[45] and revenue growth during its second year of operation, with continued success with the dual service proposition.

Serving over 160,000 customer accounts across 18 different wholesale regions, Pennon Water Services has c.11,700(45) new customer accounts generating around GBP31 million of new revenue, with 100% new tendered contract renewal rate to date.

We continue to focus on delivering customer service that reflects the needs of our business customers with satisfaction scores increasing in the year. We are continuing to implement further strategies to improve operating cost efficiency and billing and cash management.

Technical Guidance 2019/20

 
 Pennon Group                                                                                  2018/19   Change 
 Capex               Passed peak of committed ERF capex. Growth                                GBP396m 
                      capex in near term principally reflects 
                      completion of Avonmouth and investment 
                      in recycling 
                    ---------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ------- 
 Dividend            Reflecting policy of RPI + 4% annual increase                              41.06p 
                      in dividend                                                            per share 
                    ---------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ------- 
                     Underlying effective tax rate lower than 
                      UK headline rate of 19% reflecting capital 
 Tax rate             allowances (including ERFs)                                                11.6% 
                    ---------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ------- 
 IFRS 16             Minimal impact on profit before tax                                             - 
                    ---------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ------- 
 South West Water 
                                                                                     -----------------  ------- 
 Revenue             Impact of net tariff increases and lower                                  GBP581m 
                      metered volumes reflecting 2018 extreme 
                      summer weather 
                    ---------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ------- 
 Opex                2018/19 includes costs associated with                                    GBP214m 
                      extreme weather. Continued efficiency into 
                      2019/20 
                    ---------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ------- 
 Totex Efficiency    On track to deliver c.GBP300m over K6                                     GBP237m 
                                                                                            cumulative 
                    ---------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ------- 
 RORE                Continued momentum for delivering outperformance                 11.8% cumulative 
                      in all areas 
                    ---------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ------- 
 IFRS 16                  Impact of new standard applicable in 2019/20.                            N/A 
                           Minimal impact on profit before tax. Approximate 
                           impact on balance sheet and income statement 
                           lines as follows: 
                            *    GBP32m gross assets; GBP34m gross liabilities 
 
 
                            *    GBP2m EBITDA; GBP1m depreciation; GBP1m interest 
                    ---------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ------- 
 Viridor 
                                                                                     -----------------  ------- 
 Revenue             Lower following impact of cessation of                                    GBP853m 
                      Greater Manchester contract and lower IFRIC 
                      12 construction revenue, partially offset 
                      by ERF ramp up and full year operations 
                      at new ERFs 
                    ---------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ------- 
 EBITDA              Impact of ERF ramp up                                                     GBP179m 
                    ---------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ------- 
 IFRS 16                  Impact of new standard applicable in 2019/20.                            N/A 
                           Minimal impact on profit before tax. Approximate 
                           impact on balance sheet and income statement 
                           lines as follows: 
                            *    GBP76m gross assets; GBP85m gross liabilities 
 
 
                            *    GBP11m EBITDA; GBP8m depreciation; GBP3m interest 
                    ---------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ------- 
 

Board Matters

As previously announced and in line with governance best practice, Martin Angle, Non-Executive Director and chairman of the Remuneration Committee, who had been a Director for nine years, stood down from the Board on 31 December 2018. Iain Evans was appointed as his successor and joined the Board on 1 September 2018. We thank Martin for his considerable contribution to the Group's success and strong governance over the years.

We are also pleased to have recruited Claire Ighodaro to our Board. Claire's extensive background in finance and across both regulated and non-regulated industries will be a great asset to the Group and will complement the broad range of skills of the current Board. Claire will join us in September 2019.

Chris Loughlin

Group Chief Executive Officer

30 May 2019

Financial Timetable

 
 
 30 May 2019         Full Year Results 2018/19 
 June 2019           Annual Report & Accounts published 
 25 July 2019        Annual General Meeting 
 25 July 2019*       Ordinary shares quoted ex-dividend 
 26 July 2019*       Record date for final dividend 
 12 August 2019*     Final date for receipt of DRIP applications 
 3 September 2019*   Final dividend paid 
 27 September 2019   Trading Statement 
 26 November 2019    Half Year Results 2019/20 
 March 2020          Trading Statement 
 2 June 2020         Full Year Results 2019/20 
 

* These dates are provisional and, in the case of the final dividend subject to obtaining shareholder approval at the 2019 Annual General Meeting.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Report contains forward-looking statements relating to the Pennon Group's operations, performance and financial position based on current expectations of, and assumptions and forecasts made by, Pennon Group management which may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are identified in this Report by words such as "anticipate", "aim", "believe", "continue", "could", "due", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "goal", "intend", "may", "outlook", "plan", "probably", "project", "remain", "seek", "should", "target", "will", "would" and related and similar expressions, as well as statements in the future tense. All statements other than of historical fact may be forward-looking statements and represent the Group's belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside the Group's control. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to substantial differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the Group and the estimates and historical results given herein. Important risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements of Pennon Group to differ materially from any outcomes or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, among other things, changes in Government policy; the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union; international treaty changes and other events; re-nationalisation; regulatory and legal reform; compliance with laws and regulations; maintaining sufficient finance and funding to meet ongoing commitments; non-compliance or occurrence of avoidable health and safety incidents; tax compliance and contribution; failure to pay all pension obligations as they fall due and increased costs to the Group should the defined benefit pension scheme deficit increase; non-recovery of customer debt; poor operating performance due to extreme weather or climate change; macro-economic risks impacting commodity and power and other matters; poor service and/or increased competition leading to loss of customers; business interruption or significant operational failure/incidents; difficulty in recruitment, retention and development of skills; non-delivery of regulatory outcomes and performance commitments; failure or increased cost of capital projects/exposure to contract failures; failure of information technology systems, management and protection, including cyber risks. These risks will be described in greater detail in the Pennon Group Annual Report to be published in June 2019.

Such forward looking statements should therefore be construed in light of all risks, uncertainties and other factors, including without limitation those identified above, and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Nothing in this report should be construed as a profit forecast.

Any forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this document and no representation, assurance, guarantee or warranty is given in relation to them including as to their accuracy, completeness, or the basis on which they are made. The Group accepts no obligation to revise or update publicly these forward-looking statements or adjust them as a result of new information or for future events or developments, except to the extent legally required.

UNSOLICITED COMMUNICATIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS

A number of companies, including Pennon Group plc, continue to be aware that their shareholders have received unsolicited telephone calls or correspondence concerning investment matters which imply a connection to the company concerned. If shareholders have any concerns about any contact they have received then please refer to the Financial Conduct Authority's website www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart. Details of any share dealing facilities that the Company endorses will be included in Company mailings.

 
 PENNON GROUP PLC 
 
 Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 March 2019 
 
 
 
                                                                            Non-underlying                                      Non-underlying 
                                                                                     items                                               items 
                                                                   Before                                              Before 
                                                           non-underlying            (note                     non-underlying            (note 
                                                                    items               5)             Total            items               5)     Total 
                                                                     2019             2019              2019             2018             2018      2018 
                                                  Notes              GBPm             GBPm              GBPm             GBPm             GBPm      GBPm 
 
 Revenue                                       4                  1,478.2                -           1,478.2          1,393.0              3.2   1,396.2 
 
 Operating costs 
 Employment costs                                                 (205.8)            (3.0)           (208.8)          (192.9)                -   (192.9) 
 Raw materials and consumables 
  used                                                            (109.3)                -           (109.3)          (108.7)                -   (108.7) 
 Other operating expenses                                         (616.9)           (22.7)           (639.6)          (581.8)                -   (581.8) 
 
 Earnings before 
 interest, 
 tax, 
             depreciation and amortisation     4                    546.2           (25.7)             520.5            509.6              3.2     512.8 
 
 Depreciation and amortisation                                    (195.2)                -           (195.2)          (185.7)                -   (185.7) 
 
 Operating profit                              4                    351.0           (25.7)             325.3            323.9              3.2     327.1 
 
 Finance income                                6                     23.5                -              23.5             24.2                -      24.2 
 Finance costs                                 6                  (106.7)              5.8           (100.9)           (98.7)           (21.6)   (120.3) 
--------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------------  ---------------  ----------------  ---------------  ---------------  -------- 
 Net finance costs                             6                   (83.2)              5.8            (77.4)           (74.5)           (21.6)    (96.1) 
 Share of post-tax profit 
  from 
        joint ventures                                               12.4                -              12.4              9.4             22.5      31.9 
 
 Profit before tax                             4                    280.2           (19.9)             260.3            258.8              4.1     262.9 
 
 Taxation                                      7                   (42.7)              5.0            (37.7)           (44.4)              3.4    (41.0) 
                                                         ----------------  ---------------  ----------------  ---------------  ---------------  -------- 
 
 Profit for the year                                                237.5           (14.9)             222.6            214.4              7.5     221.9 
                                                         ================  ===============  ================  ===============  ===============  ======== 
 
 Attributable to: 
 Ordinary shareholders 
  of the 
             parent                                                 229.2           (14.9)             214.3            193.1              7.5     200.6 
 Non-controlling interests                                          (0.3)                -             (0.3)            (0.2)                -     (0.2) 
 Perpetual capital security 
             holders                                                  8.6                -               8.6             21.5                -      21.5 
 
 Earnings per ordinary 
  share 
  (pence per share)                            8 
             -             Basic                                                                        51.1                                        48.0 
             -             Diluted                                                                      50.9                                        47.8 
 
 
 
 
 PENNON GROUP PLC 
 
 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 March 
  2019 
 
 
 
 
                                                           Non-underlying                             Before   Non-underlying 
                                  Before non-underlying             items                     non-underlying            items 
                                                  items          (note 5)            Total             items         (note 5)            Total 
                                                   2019              2019             2019              2018             2018             2018 
                                                   GBPm              GBPm             GBPm              GBPm             GBPm             GBPm 
 
 Profit for the year                              237.5            (14.9)            222.6             214.4              7.5            221.9 
 
 Other comprehensive 
  (loss) / income 
 
 Items that will not 
  be reclassified 
  to profit or loss 
 
 Remeasurement of defined 
  benefit obligations                            (17.2)                 -           (17.2)              24.5                -             24.5 
 Income tax on items 
  that will not 
  be reclassified                                   3.2                 -              3.2             (4.2)                -            (4.2) 
                                              ---------  ----------------  ---------------  ----------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 
 Total items that will 
  not be 
  reclassified to profit 
   or loss                                       (14.0)                 -           (14.0)              20.3                -             20.3 
                                              ---------  ----------------  ---------------  ----------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 
 Items that may be 
 reclassified 
  subsequently to profit 
   or loss 
 
 Share of other 
 comprehensive 
  Income / (loss) from 
   joint ventures                                   0.5                 -              0.5             (2.7)                -            (2.7) 
 Cash flow hedges                                 (6.4)                 -            (6.4)              20.5                -             20.5 
 Income tax on items 
  that may be 
  reclassified                                      0.6                 -              0.6             (3.5)                -            (3.5) 
 
 Total items that may 
  be 
  reclassified 
  subsequently 
  to 
  profit or loss                                  (5.3)                 -            (5.3)              14.3                -             14.3 
                                              ---------  ----------------  ---------------  ----------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 
 Other comprehensive 
        (loss) / income 
         for 
         the year net of 
         tax                                     (19.3)                 -           (19.3)              34.6                -             34.6 
                                              ---------  ----------------  ---------------  ----------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 
 Total comprehensive 
  income 
  for the year                                    218.2            (14.9)            203.3             249.0              7.5            256.5 
                                              =========  ================  ===============  ================  ===============  =============== 
 
 Total comprehensive 
  income 
  attributable to: 
 Ordinary shareholders 
  of the 
  parent                                          209.9            (14.9)            195.0             227.7              7.5            235.2 
 Non-controlling interest                         (0.3)                 -            (0.3)             (0.2)                -            (0.2) 
 Perpetual capital 
 security 
  holders                                           8.6                 -              8.6              21.5                -             21.5 
                                              =========  ================  ===============  ================  ===============  =============== 
 
 
 
 
 PENNON GROUP PLC 
 
 Consolidated balance sheet at 31 March 2019 
 
 
                                                      2019        2018 
                                         Notes        GBPm        GBPm 
 ASSETS 
 Non-current assets 
 Goodwill                                            385.0       385.0 
 Other intangible assets                              92.1        72.6 
 Property, plant and equipment                     4,509.4     4,310.6 
 Other non-current assets                            256.4       263.5 
 Derivative financial instruments                     70.5        70.5 
 Investments in joint ventures              10        51.1        22.8 
                                                ----------  ---------- 
                                                   5,364.5     5,125.0 
                                                ----------  ---------- 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                          28.8        24.6 
 Trade and other receivables                         484.8       416.0 
 Derivative financial instruments                     11.8        12.9 
 Cash and cash deposits                     14       569.6       585.3 
                                                ----------  ---------- 
                                                   1,095.0     1,038.8 
                                                ----------  ---------- 
 LIABILITIES 
 Current liabilities 
 Borrowings                                 14     (150.4)     (209.8) 
 Financial liabilities at fair value 
  through profit                                     (3.8)       (2.6) 
 Derivative financial instruments                   (11.1)       (9.4) 
 Trade and other payables                          (298.0)     (342.0) 
 Current tax liabilities                            (19.1)      (24.4) 
 Provisions                                         (28.7)      (38.0) 
                                                ----------  ---------- 
                                                   (511.1)     (626.2) 
                                                ----------  ---------- 
 Net current assets                                  583.9       412.6 
                                                ----------  ---------- 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Borrowings                                 14   (3,498.7)   (3,177.0) 
 Other non-current liabilities                     (147.9)     (140.1) 
 Financial liabilities at fair value 
  through profit                                    (43.1)      (46.6) 
 Derivative financial instruments                    (9.9)       (8.2) 
 Retirement benefit obligations                     (60.8)      (49.5) 
 Deferred tax liabilities                          (305.1)     (295.6) 
 Provisions                                        (203.1)     (181.5) 
                                                ----------  ---------- 
                                                 (4,268.6)   (3,898.5) 
                                                ----------  ---------- 
 Net assets                                        1,679.8     1,639.1 
                                                ==========  ========== 
 
 Shareholders' Equity 
 Share capital                              11       171.1       170.8 
 Share premium account                               223.6       218.8 
 Capital redemption reserve                          144.2       144.2 
 Retained earnings and other reserves                843.0       807.1 
                                                ----------  ---------- 
 Total shareholders' equity                        1,381.9     1,340.9 
                                                ----------  ---------- 
 Non-controlling interests                             1.2         1.5 
 Perpetual capital securities               12       296.7       296.7 
                                                ----------  ---------- 
 Total equity                                      1,679.8     1,639.1 
                                                ==========  ========== 
 
 
 
 PENNON GROUP PLC 
 
 Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 March 
  2019 
 
                                                                                      Retained                               Perpetual 
                                    Share      Share                 Capital          earnings      Non-controlling            capital 
                                  capital    premium              redemption         and other            interests         securities     Total 
                                    (note    account                 reserve          reserves                                   (note    Equity 
                                      11)                                                                                          12) 
                                     GBPm       GBPm                    GBPm              GBPm                 GBPm               GBPm      GBPm 
 At 1 April 2017                    168.4      217.4                   144.2             684.4                    -              294.8   1,509.2 
 Profit for the year                    -          -                       -             200.6                (0.2)               21.5     221.9 
 Other comprehensive income 
  for the year                          -          -                       -              34.6                    -                  -      34.6 
                                ---------  ---------  ----------------------  ----------------  -------------------  -----------------  -------- 
 Total comprehensive income 
  for the year                          -          -                       -             235.2                (0.2)               21.5     256.5 
                                ---------  ---------  ----------------------  ----------------  -------------------  -----------------  -------- 
 
 Transactions with equity 
  shareholders: 
 Dividends paid                         -          -                       -           (149.5)                    -                  -   (149.5) 
 Adjustment for shares issued 
  under the 
  Scrip Dividend Alternative          2.1      (2.1)                       -              41.7                    -                  -      41.7 
 Adjustment in respect of 
  share-based 
  payments (net of tax)                 -          -                       -               2.2                    -                  -       2.2 
 Issuance of perpetual capital 
  securities                            -          -                       -                 -                    -              296.7     296.7 
 Redemption of perpetual 
  capital securities                    -          -                       -             (5.2)                    -            (294.8)   (300.0) 
 Distributions due to 
 perpetual 
 capital 
  security holders                      -          -                       -                 -                    -             (25.3)    (25.3) 
 Current tax relief on 
 distributions 
 to 
  perpetual capital security 
   holders                              -          -                       -                 -                    -                3.8       3.8 
 Own shares acquired by 
  the Pennon 
  Employee Share Trust 
   in respect of 
     Share options granted            0.1        0.4                       -             (1.7)                    -                  -     (1.2) 
 Proceeds from shares issued 
  under the 
              Sharesave Scheme        0.2        3.1                       -                 -                    -                  -       3.3 
 Non-controlling interests              -          -                       -                 -                  1.7                  -       1.7 
                                ---------  ---------  ----------------------  ----------------  -------------------  -----------------  -------- 
                                      2.4        1.4                       -           (112.5)                  1.7             (19.6)   (126.6) 
                                ---------  ---------  ----------------------  ----------------  -------------------  -----------------  -------- 
 At 31 March 2018                   170.8      218.8                   144.2             807.1                  1.5              296.7   1,639.1 
                                =========  =========  ======================  ================  ===================  =================  ======== 
 
 
                                                                                      Retained                               Perpetual 
                                    Share      Share                 Capital          earnings      Non-controlling            capital 
                                  capital    premium              redemption         and other            interests         securities     Total 
                                    (note    account                 reserve          reserves                                   (note    Equity 
                                      11)                                                                                          12) 
                                     GBPm       GBPm                    GBPm              GBPm                 GBPm               GBPm      GBPm 
 At 1 April 2018                    170.8      218.8                   144.2             807.1                  1.5              296.7     1,639.1 
 Profit for the year                    -          -                       -             214.3                (0.3)                8.6       222.6 
 Other comprehensive loss 
  for the year                          -          -                       -            (19.3)                    -                  -      (19.3) 
                                ---------  ---------  ----------------------  ----------------  -------------------  -----------------  ---------- 
 Total comprehensive income 
  for the year                          -          -                       -             195.0                (0.3)                8.6       203.3 
                                ---------  ---------  ----------------------  ----------------  -------------------  -----------------  ---------- 
 
 Transactions with equity 
  shareholders: 
 Dividends paid                         -          -                       -           (162.0)                    -                  -     (162.0) 
 Adjustment in respect of 
  share-based 
        payments (net of tax)           -          -                       -               4.4                    -                  -         4.4 
 Distributions to perpetual 
  capital 
        security holders                -          -                       -                 -                    -              (8.6)       (8.6) 
 Own shares acquired by 
  the Pennon 
              Employee Share 
              Trust 
              in respect of 
                Share options 
                 granted                -          -                       -             (1.5)                    -                  -       (1.5) 
 Proceeds from shares issued 
  under the 
              Sharesave Scheme        0.3        4.8                       -                 -                    -                  -         5.1 
 Total transactions with 
  equity shareholders                 0.3        4.8                       -           (159.1)                    -              (8.6)   (162.6) 
 At 31 March 2019                   171.1      223.6                   144.2             843.0                  1.2              296.7   1,679.8 
                                =========  =========  ======================  ================  ===================  =================  ======== 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PENNON GROUP PLC 
 
Consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended 31 March 2019 
 
 
                                                                            2019                   2018 
                                                    Notes                   GBPm                   GBPm 
 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Cash generated from operations                        13                  399.8                  443.5 
 Interest paid                                                            (83.9)                 (69.6) 
 Tax paid                                                                 (29.2)                 (21.7) 
 
 Net cash generated from operating activities                              286.7                  352.2 
                                                           ---------------------  --------------------- 
 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Interest received                                                          10.3                    8.3 
 Dividends received                                                          5.5                    6.5 
 Investment in joint venture                                              (54.8)                      - 
 Loan repayments received from joint 
  ventures                                                                   0.5                   33.3 
 (Deposit) / Return of restricted deposits                                (21.6)                   42.3 
 Purchase of property, plant and equipment                               (356.0)                (390.6) 
 Proceeds from sale of property, plant 
  and equipment                                                              6.3                   10.6 
 Purchase of intangible assets                                                 -                  (1.0) 
 Acquisition of subsidiary undertaking                                         -                  (8.4) 
 
 Net cash used in investing activities                                   (409.8)                (299.0) 
                                                           ---------------------  --------------------- 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Proceeds from issuance of ordinary 
  shares                                                                     5.1                    3.9 
 Proceeds from the issuance of perpetual 
  capital securities                                                           -                  296.7 
 Redemption of 2013 perpetual capital 
  securities                                           12                      -                (300.0) 
 Purchase of ordinary shares by the 
  Pennon 
             Employee Share Trust                                          (1.5)                  (1.8) 
 Proceeds from new borrowing                                               384.5                  106.9 
 Repayment of borrowings                                                 (181.6)                (116.0) 
 Finance lease sale and leaseback                                           74.9                  140.1 
 Finance lease principal repayments                                       (27.8)                 (28.6) 
 Disposal of non-controlling interest                                          -                    1.7 
 Dividends paid                                                          (162.0)                (107.8) 
 Perpetual capital securities periodic 
  return                                                                   (5.8)                 (19.6) 
 
 Net cash used in financing activities                                      85.8                 (24.5) 
                                                           ---------------------  --------------------- 
 
 Net (decrease) / increase in cash and 
  cash 
             equivalents                                                  (37.3)                   28.7 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning 
  of year                                              14                  403.0                  374.3 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of 
  year                                                 14                  365.7                  403.0 
                                                           =====================  ===================== 
 
 
 
 
 
         PENNON GROUP PLC 
 
         Notes 
 
         1.       General information 
 
                  Pennon Group plc is a company registered in the United Kingdom 
                   under the Companies Act 2006. The address of the registered office 
                   is given on page 58. Pennon Group's business is operated through 
                   two main subsidiaries. South West Water Limited includes the integrated 
                   water businesses of South West Water and Bournemouth Water, providing 
                   water and wastewater services in Devon, Cornwall and parts of Dorset 
                   and Somerset and water only services in parts of Dorset, Hampshire 
                   and Wiltshire. Viridor Limited is a recycling and residual waste 
                   processing and transformation business. Pennon Group is also the 
                   majority shareholder of Pennon Water Services Limited, a company 
                   providing water and wastewater retail services to non-household 
                   customer accounts across Great Britain. 
                  The financial information for the years ended 31 March 2019 and 
                   31 March 2018 does not constitute statutory accounts within the 
                   meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The Annual Report 
                   and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2019, including the financial 
                   statements from which this financial information is derived, will 
                   be delivered to the Registrar of Companies after the AGM on 25 
                   July 2019. The auditor's report on the 2019 financial statements 
                   was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 498 
                   of the Companies Act 2006. 
 
                   The full financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2018 
                   were approved by the Board of Directors on 24 May 2018 and have 
                   been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The independent auditor's 
                   report on those financial statements was unqualified and did not 
                   contain a statement under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006. 
                   This final results announcement and the results for the year ended 
                   31 March 2019 were approved by the Board of Directors on 29 May 
                   2019. 
 
         2.       Basis of preparation 
 
                  The financial information in this announcement has been prepared 
                   on the historical cost accounting basis (except for fair value 
                   items as set out in the 2018 Annual Report and Accounts) and in 
                   accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 
                   and interpretations of the IFRS Interpretations Committee as adopted 
                   by the European Union, and with those parts of the Companies Act 
                   2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The accounting 
                   policies adopted are consistent with those followed in the preparation 
                   of the Group's 2019 Annual Report and Accounts which have not changed 
                   significantly from those adopted in the Group's 2018 Annual Report 
                   and Accounts (which are available on the Company website www.pennon-group.co.uk), 
                   except as described in note 3. 
 
         3.       Accounting policies 
 
                  Initial adoption of IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers' 
                   The Group adopted the standard with effect from 1 April 2018 using 
                   the full retrospective approach to transition. As the impact of 
                   the new standard has not had a material effect on the Group's reported 
                   revenues, net assets or any specific financial statements line, 
                   there has been no restatement of prior year figures. 
 
                   Initial adoption of IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments' 
                   IFRS 9 replaced IAS 39 with effect from 1 April 2018 bringing together 
                   all three aspects of the accounting for financial instruments: 
                   classification and measurement, impairment and hedge accounting. 
                   The Group applied IFRS 9 prospectively from 1 April 2018. The first 
                   time application of this standard in the specific areas is detailed 
                   below but has not resulted in any adjustment or reclassification 
                   of amounts previously reported. 
     PENNON GROUP PLC 
 
     Notes (continued) 
     3.                Accounting policies (continued) 
                             The classification and measurement requirements of IFRS 9 require 
                              that financial assets are classified in the statements of financial 
                              position according to their nature, the characteristics of their 
                              contractual cash flows and the business model adopted for their 
                              management. Following assessment of the Group's 
                              business model as of the date of initial application, 1 April 2018, 
                              these requirements did not have a significant impact on the Group. 
                              The Group continued measuring at fair value all financial assets 
                              previously held at fair value under IAS 39. 
 
                              The impairment aspects of IFRS 9 require the Group to evaluate 
                              and recognise expected credit losses (ECLs) on financial assets 
                              and to ensure changes in credit risk are assessed at regular intervals, 
                              and to make suitable adjustments for expected credit losses where 
                              applicable. This has not had any material impact on the Group. 
 
                              The Group has a policy of hedging currency risk and interest rate 
                              risks. The Group adopted hedge accounting in accordance with IFRS 
                              9 from 1 April 2018. 
 
                              IFRS 16 'Leases' 
                              The adoption of IFRS 16 on 1 April 2019 will affect primarily the 
                              accounting for those leases currently classified as operating leases. 
                              IFRS 16 no longer distinguishes between an on the balance sheet 
                              finance lease and an off the balance sheet operating lease. 
                              The Group has made the following elections on adoption IFRS 16 
                              to apply from 1 April 2019: 
                               *    Applying the modified retrospective approach: the 
                                    cumulative effect of initially applying IFRS 16 has 
                                    been calculated as a reduction to retained profits at 
                                    1 April 2019 of GBP8.1 million. Under this election 
                                    no restatement of comparative figures will be made. 
 
 
                               *    Electing to apply the standard to contracts that were 
                                    previously identified as leases when applying IAS 17. 
 
 
                               *    Using the exemptions available in respect of 
                                    contracts with a lease term ending within 12 months 
                                    of 1 April 2019 and in respect of the low value of 
                                    underlying assets. These exemptions allow accounting 
                                    similar to that for an operating leases under IAS 17. 
 
 
                              Carrying amounts for assets and liabilities under finance leases 
                              existing at 1 April 2019 will not be changed on adoption of IFRS 
                              16. 
                              At 31 March 2019 the Group had non-cancellable operating lease 
                              commitments of GBP195.7 million. These predominantly relate to 
                              leases of properties occupied by the Group in the course of carrying 
                              out its businesses. Applying IFRS 16 at 1 April 2019 results in 
                              the Group recognising an asset in use of GBP107.6 million, a deferred 
                              tax asset of GBP1.6 million, an additional lease liability figure 
                              of GBP121.2 million and the reversal of prepayments and accruals 
                              of GBP0.5 million and GBP4.4 million respectively. The overall 
                              reduction in net assets of GBP8.1 million is deducted from retained 
                              profits at 1 April 2019 in accordance with the modified retrospective 
                              approach. 
                              Differences between the values of the disclosed operating lease 
                              commitment at 31 March 2019 and the additional lease liability 
                              recognised at 1 April 2019 under IFRS 16 result from future cash 
                              flows being discounted under IFRS 16 rather than shown gross, the 
                              availability of exemptions available on transition and different 
                              rules defining the appropriate length of lease to use between the 
                              two methods. 
                              Based on the additional lease liability and associated assets recognised 
                              at 1 April 2019 it is estimated that the impact on profit for the 
                              year ended 31 March 2020 would be a reduction in profit after tax 
                              of GBP1.0 million, resulting from an increase in EBITDA of GBP12.7 
                              million, depreciation of GBP9.9 million, finance costs of GBP4.0 
                              million and a reduction in corporation tax of GBP0.2 million. 
                              Other new standards or interpretations in issue but not yet effective 
                              are not expected to have a material impact on the Group's net assets 
                              or results. 
 
 
 
PENNON GROUP PLC 
Notes (continued) 
 
4.   Segmental information 
     Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with 
      internal reporting provided to the Chief Operating Decision-Maker, 
      which has been identified as the Pennon Group plc Board. 
 
       The water business comprises the regulated water and wastewater 
       services undertaken by South West Water. The waste management 
       business is the recycling and residual waste processing and 
       transformation services provided by Viridor. The non-household 
       retail business comprises the services provided by Pennon Water 
       Services in the non-household water and wastewater retail market 
       which, while regulated, is open to competition. 
                                                                               2019                           2018 
                                                                               GBPm                           GBPm 
     Revenue 
 Water                                                                        581.0                          571.3 
 Waste management                                                             852.7                          788.9 
 Non-household retail                                                         173.7                          165.9 
 Other                                                                         21.4                           13.8 
 Less intra-segment trading *                                               (150.6)                        (143.7) 
                                                     ------------------------------  ----------------------------- 
                                                                            1,478.2                        1,396.2 
                                                     ------------------------------  ----------------------------- 
     Segment result 
     Operating profit before depreciation, 
     amortisation and non-underlying items 
      (EBITDA) 
 Water                                                                        367.1                          360.9 
 Waste management                                                             178.9                          150.2 
 Non-household retail                                                           1.0                            1.0 
 Other                                                                        (0.8)                          (2.5) 
                                                     ------------------------------  ----------------------------- 
                                                                              546.2                          509.6 
                                                     ------------------------------  ----------------------------- 
     Operating profit before non-underlying 
      items 
 Water                                                                        251.1                          247.8 
 Waste management                                                             100.9                           78.6 
 Non-household retail                                                           0.3                            0.4 
 Other                                                                        (1.3)                          (2.9) 
                                                     ------------------------------  ----------------------------- 
                                                                              351.0                          323.9 
                                                     ------------------------------  ----------------------------- 
     Profit before tax and non-underlying 
      items 
 Water                                                                        180.6                          180.5 
 Waste management                                                              88.5                           70.8 
 Non-household retail                                                         (1.6)                          (1.1) 
 Other                                                                         12.7                            8.6 
                                                     ------------------------------  ----------------------------- 
                                                                              280.2                          258.8 
                                                     ------------------------------  ----------------------------- 
     Profit before tax 
 Water                                                                        184.6                          178.1 
 Waste management                                                              58.9                           77.3 
 Non-household retail                                                         (1.6)                          (1.1) 
 Other                                                                         18.4                            8.6 
                                                     ------------------------------  ----------------------------- 
                                                                              260.3                          262.9 
                                                     ------------------------------  ----------------------------- 
 *                                              Intra-segment trading between and to different segments is 
                                                 under normal market based commercial terms and conditions. 
                                                 Intra-segment revenue of the other segment is at cost. 
 
 
 
 
 PENNON GROUP PLC 
  Notes (continued) 
 
5.            Non-underlying items 
 
              Non-underlying items are those that in the Directors' view 
               are required to be separately disclosed by virtue of their 
               size, nature or incidence to enable a full understanding of 
               the Group's financial performance in the year and business 
               trends over time. 
 
                                                                           2019                        2018 
                                                                           GBPm                        GBPm 
               Revenue 
                Construction contract 
                 settlements (4a)                                             -                         3.2 
                Operating costs 
                Pension past service cost (GMP 
                 equalisation 
                 impact) (1)                                              (3.0)                           - 
                Provision for receivable 
                (Interserve                                              (22.7)                           - 
                in respect of Glasgow Recycling 
                Renewable 
                Energy Centre) (2) 
                Earnings before interest, tax, 
                 depreciation 
                 and amortisation                                        (25.7)                         3.2 
                  Remeasurement of fair value 
                            movement 
                       in derivatives (3)                                   5.8                       (2.4) 
                Write-down of joint venture 
                 shareholder 
                 loans (4b)                                                   -                      (19.2) 
                Refinancing of joint venture 
                 arrangement 
                 (4c)                                                         -                        22.5 
                Tax credit arising on 
                 non-underlying 
                 items                                                      5.0                         3.4 
                                                 ------------------------------  -------------------------- 
                Net non-underlying credit 
                 /(charge)                                               (14.9)                         7.5 
                                                 ------------------------------  -------------------------- 
 
      (1)       On 26 October 2018, the High Court of Justice of England and 
                 Wales issued a judgment in a claim regarding the rights of 
                 female members of certain pension schemes to equality of treatment 
                 in relation to pension benefits (Guaranteed Minimum Payment 
                 (GMP) equalisation). The judgment concluded that the claimant 
                 is under a duty to amend the schemes in order to equalise benefits 
                 for men and woman in relation to GMP benefits. The issues determined 
                 by the judgment arise in relation to many other occupational 
                 pension schemes. 
 
                 The Group estimates, with advice from the Group's corporate 
                 actuary, that scheme liabilities will increase by an estimated 
                 GBP3.0 million as a result of the judgment. The cost has been 
                 recognised as a past service cost in the current year income 
                 statement. The charge is considered non-underlying due to its 
                 non-recurring nature. 
 
        (2)       The financial statements recognise a gross receivable of GBP72.0 
                  million from Interserve Construction Limited in relation to 
                  rectifications and completion costs for Glasgow Recycling Renewable 
                  Energy Centre (GRREC). Under IFRIC 12 the difference between 
                  the gross contractual value and the expected recovery will 
                  be taken directly to the income statement. During the year, 
                  Interserve Plc (holding company of Interserve Construction 
                  Limited) entered into administration. The operating company, 
                  Interserve Construction Limited with whom we contracted, is 
                  currently continuing to trade. As a result of the lack of certainty 
                  around the future of Interserve's business, and in accordance 
                  with IFRS 9, we have sought to make an appropriate market-based 
                  assessment using the latest public information available. Consequently 
                  a provision of GBP22.7 million has been recognised in the year 
                  against the receivable, resulting in a total cumulative provision 
                  at 31 March 2019 of GBP28.7 million. The charge is considered 
                  non-underlying due to its size and non-recurring nature. The 
                  financial stability of Interserve Construction Limited is judged 
                  to be outside the control of Pennon Group. 
 
PENNON GROUP PLC 
 Notes (continued) 
 
          (3)      In the year a credit of GBP5.8 million (2017/18 charge of 
                   GBP2.4 million) was recognised relating to non-cash derivative 
                   fair value movements associated with derivatives that are 
                   not designated as being party to an accounting hedge relationship. 
                   These movements are non-underlying due to the nature of the 
                   item being market dependent and potentially can be significant 
                   in value. 
 
        (4)              In the prior year, on reset of the contracts associated with 
                         the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA) an 
                         overall net credit before tax of GBP6.5 million was recognised 
                         as follows: 
 
                         (a) A net amount of GBP3.2 million was recognised in revenue 
                         following the settlement of all outstanding claims relating 
                         to the construction of assets. 
 
                         (b) On reset of the contracts associated with GMWDA ownership 
                         of Viridor Laing Holdings Limited passed to the GMWDA. On 
                         transfer GBP23.5 million of Viridor's shareholder loans were 
                         repaid, resulting in the write down of the remaining financial 
                         asset of GBP19.2 million. 
 
                         (c) On reset of the contracts associated with GMWDA repayment 
                         of external bank debt in our joint venture, Ineos Runcorn 
                         TPSCo Limited, was financed by GMWDA. This change in cash 
                         flows resulted in the recognition of income in this joint 
                         venture, with an amount deferred relating to a lower ongoing 
                         gate fee. The overall share of profit after tax related to 
                         the reset was GBP22.5 million, which contributed to an increase 
                         in investments in joint ventures recognised on the balance 
                         sheet to GBP22.8 million. 
 
                         These items are considered non-underlying due to their size 
                         and non-recurring nature. 
 
 
 
PENNON GROUP PLC 
Notes (continued) 
 
6.   Net finance costs 
                                                 2019                       2018 
                                       ------------------------  --------------------------- 
                                       Finance  Finance           Finance  Finance 
                                          cost   income   Total      cost   income     Total 
                                          GBPm     GBPm    GBPm      GBPm     GBPm      GBPm 
 
     Cost of servicing debt 
 Bank borrowings and 
  overdrafts                            (52.5)        -  (52.5)    (48.6)        -    (48.6) 
     Interest element of 
      finance lease 
  rentals                               (39.2)        -  (39.2)    (34.4)        -    (34.4) 
 Other finance costs                     (2.5)        -   (2.5)     (3.9)        -     (3.9) 
 Interest receivable                         -      3.6     3.6         -      2.5       2.5 
     Interest receivable 
      on 
      shareholder loans to 
       joint 
  ventures                                   -      5.3     5.3         -      7.9       7.9 
 
                                        (94.2)      8.9  (85.3)    (86.9)     10.4    (76.5) 
                                       -------  -------  ------  --------  -------  -------- 
 
     Notional interest 
     Interest receivable 
      on service 
  concession arrangements                    -     14.6    14.6         -     13.8      13.8 
 Retirement benefit obligations          (1.4)        -   (1.4)     (1.6)        -     (1.6) 
     Unwinding of discounts 
      on 
  provisions                            (11.1)        -  (11.1)    (10.2)        -    (10.2) 
 
                                        (12.5)     14.6     2.1    (11.8)     13.8       2.0 
                                       -------  -------  ------  --------  -------  -------- 
 
     Net finance costs before 
  non-underlying items                 (106.7)     23.5  (83.2)    (98.7)     24.2    (74.5) 
 
     Non-underlying items 
      (note 5) 
 Write-down of joint 
  venture 
  Shareholder loans                          -        -       -    (19.2)        -    (19.2) 
 
     Fair value remeasurement 
      of 
  non-designated derivative 
   financial instruments, 
   providing commercial 
   hedges                                  5.8        -     5.8     (2.4)        -     (2.4) 
     Net finance costs after 
  non-underlying items                 (100.9)     23.5  (77.4)   (120.3)     24.2    (96.1) 
                                       -------  -------  ------  --------  -------  -------- 
 
 In addition to the above, finance costs of GBP15.2 million have 
  been capitalised on qualifying assets included in property, plant 
  and equipment (2018 GBP17.0 million, GBP14.7 million property, 
  plant and equipment, GBP2.3 million other intangible assets). 
 
 
PENNON GROUP PLC 
Notes (continued) 
 
7.   Taxation 
 
 
                                    Before  Non-underlying                  Before  Non-underlying 
                            non-underlying           items          non-underlying           items 
                                                     (note                                   (note 
                                     items              5)  Total            items              5)  Total 
                                      2019            2019   2019             2018            2018   2018 
                                      GBPm            GBPm   GBPm             GBPm            GBPm   GBPm 
 
     Analysis of charge 
 
 Current tax charge                   29.4           (5.5)   23.9             26.1           (3.0)   23.1 
 
 Deferred tax charge                  13.3             0.5   13.8             18.3           (0.4)   17.9 
 
 
 
 Tax charge for the 
  year                                42.7           (5.0)   37.7             44.4           (3.4)   41.0 
                           ===============  ==============  =====  ===============  ==============  ===== 
 
 UK corporation tax is calculated at 19% (2018 19%) of the estimated 
  assessable profit for the year. 
 
 UK corporation tax is stated after a credit relating to prior 
  year current tax of GBP3.0 million (2018 credit of GBP3.6 million) 
  and a prior year deferred tax credit of GBP9.9 million (2018 
  credit of GBP2.4 million). 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 PENNON GROUP PLC 
 Notes (continued) 
 
 8.           Earnings per share 
 
              Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing the earnings 
               attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average 
               number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year, excluding 
               those held in the employee share trust which are treated as cancelled. 
 
              For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of 
               ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to include all dilutive 
               potential ordinary shares. 
 
              The weighted average number of shares and earnings used in the 
               calculations were: 
 
                                                                                      2019                2018 
 
              Number of shares (millions) 
 
  For basic earnings per share                                                       419.6               417.9 
 
  Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares 
   from share options                                                                  1.3                 1.5 
 
  For diluted earnings per share                                                     420.9               419.4 
                                                                     =====================  ================== 
 
              Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share 
 
              Adjusted earnings per share before non-underlying items and deferred 
               tax are presented to provide a more useful comparison of business 
               trends and performance. Non-underlying items are adjusted for 
               by virtue of their size, nature or incidence to enable a full 
               understanding of the Group's financial performance (as described 
               in note 5). In the prior year, perpetual capital returns were 
               proportionately adjusted to allow a more useful comparison in 
               the year as a full return is accrued at 31 March but not payable 
               until May. Earnings per share have been calculated: 
 
                                                  2019                                 2018 
                                     ------------------------------  ----------------------------------------- 
                                                     Earnings per                                   Earnings 
                                                         share                                         per 
                                     Profit                                         Profit            share 
                                      after       Basic     Diluted                  after   Basic     Diluted 
                                        tax                                            tax 
                                       GBPm           p           p                   GBPm       p           p 
 
  Statutory earnings                  214.3        51.1        50.9                  200.6    48.0        47.8 
 
              Deferred tax before 
   non-underlying items                13.3         3.1         3.1                   18.3     4.4         4.4 
 
  Non-underlying items 
   (net of tax)                        14.9         3.6         3.6                  (7.5)   (1.8)       (1.8) 
 
              Proportional 
              adjustment 
              on 
               perpetual capital 
                securities                -           -           -                    1.3     0.3         0.3 
 
 
  Adjusted earnings                   242.5        57.8        57.6                  212.7    50.9        50.7 
 
 
 PENNON GROUP PLC 
 Notes (continued) 
 
 9.           Dividends 
 
              Amounts recognised as distributions to ordinary equity holders 
               in the year: 
 
                                                                                      2019                2018 
                                                                                      GBPm                GBPm 
 
              Interim dividend paid for the year ended 
  31 March 2018 : 11.97p (2017 11.09p) per 
   share                                                                              50.2                45.9 
 
              Final dividend paid for the year ended 
  31 March 2018 : 26.62p (2017 24.87p) per 
   share                                                                             111.8               103.6 
 
                                                                                     162.0               149.5 
                                                                     =====================  ================== 
 
              Proposed dividends 
 
              Proposed interim dividend for the year ended 
  31 March 2019 : 12.84p per share                                                    54.0 
 
              Proposed final dividend for the year ended 
  31 March 2019 : 28.22p per share                                                   118.7 
 
                                                                                     172.7 
                                                                     ===================== 
 
              The proposed interim and final dividends have not been included 
               as liabilities in these financial 
               statements. 
 
              The proposed interim dividend for 2019 was paid on 4 April 2019 
               and the proposed final dividend is subject to approval by shareholders 
               at the Annual General Meeting. 
 
 10.          Investments in joint ventures 
                                                                                                  Shares 
                                                                                                   GBPm 
 
  At 1 April 2017                                                                                          0.1 
  Share of post-tax profit - underlying                                                                    9.4 
  Share of post-tax profit - non-underlying                                                               22.5 
  Share of other comprehensive charges                                                                   (2.7) 
              Disposals                                                                                      - 
  Dividends received                                                                                     (6.5) 
                                                                                            ------------------ 
  At 31 March 2018                                                                                        22.8 
  Additions                                                                                               20.9 
  Share of post-tax profit                                                                                12.4 
  Share of other comprehensive income                                                                      0.5 
  Dividends received                                                                                     (5.5) 
                                                                                            ------------------ 
  At 31 March 2019                                                                                        51.1 
                                                                                            ------------------ 
 
 
 
 PENNON GROUP PLC 
 Notes (continued) 
 
 10.          Investments in joint ventures (continued) 
 
              In December 2018 John Laing Investments Limited, a joint venture 
               partner with the Group in INEOS Runcorn (TPS) Holdings Limited 
               ('Runcorn I ERF') sold its holding. The Group exercised its pre-emption 
               rights and paid a total cash consideration of GBP54.8 million 
               for the 37.5% economic interest and 20% voting rights. The cash 
               consideration has been allocated GBP20.9 million to investment 
               in equity shares and GBP33.9 million to investment in shareholder 
               loans. The acquisition increased the Group's economic interest 
               in Runcorn I ERF from 37.5% to 75%, with the associated voting 
               rights moving from 20% to 40%. With the acquisition the Group 
               now has joint control over Runcorn I ERF and classifies its investment 
               as a joint venture. Previously the Group had classified its investment 
               as an associate because the other joint venture partners could 
               have operated without the Group's agreement. The equity method 
               of accounting is used for both classifications, so the same accounting 
               treatment has been applied continuously. 
 11.          Share capital 
 
              Allotted, called up and fully paid 
                                                                 Number of shares 
                                                         --------------------------------- 
                                                           Treasury               Ordinary 
                                                             shares                 shares                GBPm 
 
  At 1 April 2017 Ordinary shares of 
   40.7p each                                                 8,443            413,893,293               168.4 
 
 
  Shares issued under the Scrip Dividend 
   Alternative                                                    -              5,223,293                 2.1 
 
              For consideration of GBP0.5m, shares 
               issued 
   to the Pennon Employee Share Trust                             -                 46,205                 0.1 
 
              For consideration of GBP3.4m, shares 
               issued under the 
   Company's Sharesave Scheme                                     -                580,392                 0.2 
 
  At 31 March 2018 ordinary shares of 
   40.7p each                                                 8,443            419,743,183               170.8 
 
              For consideration of GBP5.1m, shares 
               issued 
   in respect of the Company's Sharesave 
    Scheme                                                        -                777,415                 0.3 
 
  At 31 March 2019 ordinary shares of 
   40.7p each                                                 8,443            420,520,598               171.1 
                                                         ----------  ---------------------  ------------------ 
 
              Shares held as treasury shares may be sold or re-issued for any 
               of the Company's share schemes, or cancelled. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   PENNON GROUP PLC 
 Notes (continued) 
                                                                                      2019                2018 
                                                                                      GBPm                GBPm 
 12.          Perpetual capital securities 
 
  GBP 300m 2.875% perpetual subordinated capital 
   securities                                                                        296.7               296.7 
                                                                                     296.7               296.7 
                                                                     ---------------------  ------------------ 
 
 
 
              On 22 September 2017 the Company issued GBP300 million 2.875% 
               perpetual capital securities. Costs directly associated with 
               the issue of GBP3.3 million were set off against the value of 
               the issuance. They had no fixed redemption date but the Company 
               could at its sole discretion redeem all, but not part, of these 
               securities at their principal amount on 22 May 2020 or any subsequent 
               periodic return payment date after this. 
 
              The Company has the option to defer periodic returns on any relevant 
               payment date, as long as a dividend on the Ordinary Shares has 
               not been paid or declared in the previous 12 months. Deferred 
               periodic returns shall be satisfied only on redemption or payment 
               of dividend on Ordinary Shares, all of which only occur at the 
               sole discretion of the Company. 
 
              As the Company paid a dividend in the 12 months prior to the 
               periodic return date of 22 May 2019, a periodic return of GBP8.6 
               million (2017/18 GBP5.8 million) has been recognised as a financial 
               liability at the year end. 
 
 PENNON GROUP PLC 
 Notes (continued) 
 
 13.          Cash flow from operating activities 
 
              Reconciliation of profit for the year to net cash inflow from 
               operations: 
 
 
                                                                                      2019                2018 
                                                                                      GBPm                GBPm 
              Cash generated from operations 
 
  Profit for the year                                                                222.6               221.9 
              Adjustments for: 
       Share-based payments                                                            3.6                 2.5 
       Profit on disposal of property, plant 
        and equipment                                                                (3.9)               (2.5) 
       Depreciation charge                                                           190.0               182.5 
       Amortisation of intangible assets                                               5.2                 3.6 
       Non-underlying JV loan write-off and 
        credit                                                                           -               (6.5) 
       Non-underlying remeasurement of fair 
        value movement in                                                            (5.8)                 2.4 
                        derivatives 
       Share of post-tax profit from joint 
        ventures                                                                    (12.4)               (9.4) 
       Finance income (before non-underlying 
        items)                                                                      (23.5)              (24.2) 
       Finance costs (before non-underlying 
        items)                                                                       106.7                98.7 
       Taxation charge                                                                37.7                41.0 
 
              Changes in working capital: 
 
  Increase in inventories                                                            (4.2)               (5.2) 
  Increase in trade and other receivables                                           (46.4)              (36.9) 
              Decrease / (increase) in service 
              concession 
              arrangements 
                    receivable                                                         6.8              (15.2) 
  (Decrease) / Increase in trade and other 
   payables                                                                         (47.7)                 2.2 
              (Decrease) / increase in retirement 
              benefit 
              obligations from 
                    contributions                                                    (7.3)                 4.5 
  Decrease in provisions                                                            (21.6)              (15.9) 
 
  Cash generated from operations                                                     399.8               443.5 
                                                         =================================  ================== 
 
 
                                                                                      2019                2018 
                                                                                      GBPm                GBPm 
              Total interest paid 
 
  Interest paid in operating activities                                               83.9                69.6 
  Interest paid in investing activities                                               15.2                17.0 
 
  Total interest paid                                                                 99.1                86.6 
                                                         =================================  ================== 
 
 
 PENNON GROUP PLC 
 Notes (continued) 
 
 14.          Net borrowings 
                                                                                      2019                2018 
                                                                                      GBPm                GBPm 
 
  Cash and cash deposits                                                             569.6               585.3 
 
              Borrowings - current 
  Bank and other loans                                                              (59.8)             (149.6) 
  Other current borrowings                                                          (27.0)              (32.0) 
  Finance lease obligations                                                         (63.6)              (28.2) 
                                                         ---------------------------------  ------------------ 
  Total current borrowings                                                         (150.4)             (209.8) 
                                                         ---------------------------------  ------------------ 
 
              Borrowings - non-current 
  Bank and other loans                                                           (1,628.0)           (1,408.8) 
  Other non-current borrowings                                                     (373.9)             (291.4) 
  Finance lease obligations                                                      (1,496.8)           (1,476.8) 
                                                         ---------------------------------  ------------------ 
  Total non-current borrowings                                                   (3,498.7)           (3,177.0) 
                                                         ---------------------------------  ------------------ 
  Total net borrowings                                                           (3,079.5)           (2,801.5) 
                                                         =================================  ================== 
 
 
              For the purposes of the cash flow statement cash and cash equivalents 
               comprise: 
 
                                                                                      2019                2018 
                                                                                      GBPm                GBPm 
 
  Cash and cash deposits as above                                                    569.6               585.3 
 
              Less: deposits with a maturity of three 
               months 
         or more (restricted funds)                                                (203.9)             (182.3) 
                                                                                     365.7               403.0 
                                                         =================================  ================== 
 
 
   PENNON GROUP PLC 
 Notes (continued) 
 15.          Contingencies 
                                                                                      2019                2018 
              Contingent                                                              GBPm                GBPm 
              liabilities 
 
 
  Performance bonds                                                                  201.7               185.1 
 
                                                                                     201.7               185.1 
                                                         =================================  ================== 
 
  Guarantees in respect of performance bonds are entered into in 
   the normal course of business. No liability is expected to arise 
   in respect of the guarantees. 
   In connection with the application of the audit exemption under 
   Section 479A of the Companies Act 2006 the Company has guaranteed 
   all the outstanding liabilities as at 31 March 2019 of Viridor 
   Waste 2 Limited since this company qualifies for the exemption. 
   Other contractual and litigation uncertainties 
   The Group establishes provisions in connection with contracts 
   and litigation where it has a present legal or constructive obligation 
   as a result of past events and where it is more likely than not 
   an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation 
   and the amount can be reliably estimated. Matters where it is 
   uncertain that these conditions are met include a potential prosecution 
   from the Health and Safety Executive and limited contractual 
   commitments to provide certain employees with defined benefit 
   pension provision. 
   Contingent assets 
   In addition to contractual receivables related to our construction 
   contracts in respect of Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy 
   Centre that are reflected in the financial statements, there 
   are further possible recoveries that are contingent on events 
   in the future that are not wholly within the Group's control. 
   These contingent assets of GBP25 million have not been recognised 
   as at 31 March 2019. 
 
                   Pennon Group plc 
                   Registered Office : Registered in England No 2366640 
                   Peninsula House 
                   Rydon Lane 
                   Exeter 
                   EX2 7HR 
                   pennon-group.co.uk 
 
 

[1] Before non-underlying items. Underlying earnings are presented to provide a more useful comparison on business trends and performance.

[2] Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA)

[3] Underlying EBITDA plus share of Joint Venture EBITDA and IFRIC 12 interest receivable

[4] Non-underlying items are adjusted for by virtue of their size, nature or incidence to enable a full understanding of financial performance

[5] EPS before deferred tax and non-underlying items

[6] The RPI rate used is 2.4% as at March 2019

[7] ERF earnings include contractual compensation in the form of liquidated damages of GBP33.2 million (2017/18 GBP12.1 million) when construction completed post original contractual completion date

[8] Three plastics types - PET, HDPE and polypropylene

[9] See page 29

[10] Source: Tolvik, Defra, SEPA, NRW, MSW and Viridor analysis based on 2017/18 latest local authority data available

[11] Average ERF availability is weighted by site capacity, includes 100% of joint venture availability, excludes Bolton

[12] TPSCo - INEOS Runcorn (TPS) Holdings Limited

[13] Before non-underlying items

[14] Underlying EBITDA plus share of Joint Venture EBITDA and IFRIC 12 interest receivable

[15] Non-underlying items are adjusted for by virtue of their size, nature or incidence to enable a full understanding of the Group's financial performance

[16] EPS before deferred tax and non-underlying items

[17] Weighted average number of shares for 2018/19 of 419.6 million (2017/18 417.9 million)

[18] The RPI rate used is 2.4% as at March 2019

[19] Including construction spend related to service concession arrangements net of amounts subject to legal contractual process

[20] Net debt - total borrowings less cash and cash deposits

[21] Including landfill tax and construction spend on service concession arrangements

([22]) EBITDA plus share of joint venture EBITDA and IFRIC 12 interest receivable

[23] Includes wholesale revenue for non-household customers

[24] Net tariff increase reflects the net position post Wholesale Revenue Forecasting Incentive Mechanism (WRFIM) pass back of GBP12 million for 2018/19

[25] ERF earnings include contractual compensation in the form of liquidated damages of GBP33.2 million (2017/18 GBP12.1 million) arising where construction was completed post the original contractual completion date

[26] Includes landfill tax collected and borne, VAT, business rates, employment taxes, corporation tax, fuel excise duty, carbon reduction commitment, environmental payments and climate change levy

[27] Before deferred tax and non-underlying items

[28] Perpetual capital securities (hybrid). Cost in 2018/19 was GBP8.6 million (2017/18 GBP21.5 million)

[29] Before construction spend on service concession agreements of GBP35 million (2017/18 GBP83 million), pension contributions of GBP32 million (2017/18 GBP17 million), GBP44 million for the 2017 unwind settlement of the PMB derivative and other tax payments of GBP138 million (2017/18 GBP129 million)

[30] Total tax includes corporation tax, business rates, employers' national insurance, fuel excise duty, carbon reduction commitment, environmental payments, climate change levy and external landfill tax

[31] Includes GBP133 million of index-linked finance leasing

[32] Includes spend on service concession agreements (before amounts subject to legal contractual process)

[33] Based on RCV at 31 March 2019

[34] Including construction spend relating to service concession arrangements, capitalised interest (GBP15.2 million in 2018/19), ERF maintenance expenditure, net of amounts subject to legal contractual process. Total Glasgow construction spend GBP34.8 million for 2018/19

[35] Infrastructure spend (IRE) during the year was GBP21 million capital and GBP16 million operating expenditure

[36] EPR - Extended Producer Responsibility; PRN - Packaging Recovery Note

[37] Reflecting a 1 in 60 year event

[38] RORE reflects base plus outperformance. It is calculated using actual results before non-underlying items (deflated into 2012/13 prices) and compared against the Final Determination allowances and based on notional gearing, annual average RCV and reflecting the value of tax impacts at the actual annual effective tax rate for the year

[39] WaterShare RORE financing outperformance is based on the outturn effective interest rate on net debt, translated into an effective real interest rate using cumulative K6 forecast RPI of 2.8%.

[40] Ofwat's definition of financing outperformance is calculated based on average RPI of 1.1% for 2015/16, 2.1% for 2016/17, 3.7% for 2017/18 and 3.1% for 2018/19

[41] Delivered around two thirds from capital expenditure and one third from operating cost savings

[42] GBP4.1 million (GBP11.3 million cumulatively) net ODI reward; GBP4.9 million (GBP14.4 million cumulatively) net reward will be recognised at the end of the regulatory period and GBP0.8 million (GBP3.1 million cumulatively) net penalty which may be reflected during the regulatory period. Cumulative net reward reflects a prior year reassessment of GBP0.9 million for supply interruptions relating to the extreme cold weather in March 2018

[43] Bespoke ODIs, unique rewards for South West Water with up to GBP68 million reward, up to GBP74 million of rewards for common ODIs where performance is currently upper quartile or above industry average and ODIs which are an area of focus for improvement reflect a penalty up to GBP28 million.

[44] Nominal RCV growth over K7 period based on draft determination

[45] As at 31 March 2019. c.11,785 new accounts, net growth of c.1,955 accounts

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

END

FR GRGDUBGXBGCG

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 30, 2019 03:18 ET (07:18 GMT)

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