TIDM93RV
RNS Number : 1014Z
Experian Finance Plc
15 May 2019
news release
Preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2019
7am, 15 May 2019 -- Experian plc, the global information
services company, today issues its financial report for the year
ended 31 March 2019.
Brian Cassin, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
"This was a very good year for Experian. Our investment and
innovation agenda delivered strong and broad-based growth with
exciting new offers for consumers and businesses. We have
strengthened our prospects and expanded our opportunities; both our
B2B and Consumer Services businesses delivered strongly. With
another year of continued investments, FY20 is expected to deliver
further strong performance, with organic revenue growth in the 6-8%
range, Benchmark EBIT growth at or above revenue growth and strong
progress in Benchmark earnings per share."
Benchmark and Statutory financial highlights
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2019 2018(2) Actual Constant Organic
US$m US$m rates growth rates growth growth
% % %
--------- ---------- -------------- -------------- --------
Benchmark(1)
Revenue - ongoing activities 4,855 4,572 6 9 9
Revenue 4,861 4,584 6 9 n/a
Benchmark EBIT - ongoing
activities(3) 1,306 1,241 5 10 n/a
Total Benchmark EBIT 1,311 1,247 5 10 n/a
Benchmark EPS USc 98.0 USc 94.4 4 9 n/a
Statutory
Revenue 4,861 4,584 6 9 n/a
Operating profit 1,162 1,051 11 16 n/a
Profit before tax 957 950 1 7 n/a
Basic EPS USc 76.9 USc 85.4 (10) (1) n/a
Total dividend USc 46.5 USc 44.75 4 n/a n/a
--------- ---------- -------------- -------------- --------
1 See Appendix 1 (page 12) and note 5 to the financial
statements (pages 23-25) for definitions of non-GAAP measures.
2 Results for 2018 are restated for IFRS 15, Benchmark measures
are also restated for exited business activities which comprise
certain B2B businesses.
3 See page 13 for reconciliation of Benchmark EBIT from ongoing
activities to Profit before tax.
-- Strong momentum continues.
o Q4 organic revenue growth of 10% and full year organic revenue
growth of 9%.
o B2B full year organic revenue growth of 9%.
o Consumer Services organic revenue growth of 6% with rapidly
growing new product portfolio.
o Benchmark EBIT margin of 26.9%, up 20 basis points at constant
rates, down 20 basis points at actual rates, with 10% total
Benchmark EBIT growth at constant rates.
o 9% Benchmark EPS growth at constant rates.
-- Operational highlights.
o Broad based investments in technology and innovation driving
growth across our expanding markets.
o Scaling B2B innovation across our geographies; new
opportunities secured for PowerCurve, Ascend, CrossCore, Open Data
platforms and Marketplace services.
o Ascend, our big data platform, installed in our largest US
clients and sales secured across 4 countries.
o Direct relationships with consumers scaling rapidly as free
consumer memberships reach over 55m combined across our three major
markets, up from 40m last year.
o Launched Experian Boost, a major new US consumer-permissioned
data offer; since March 2019 over 600,000 US consumers have already
connected to Experian Boost.
o Strong performance in Experian health with another year of
double digit growth.
o Expanded venture investment programme, with new investments
including Marketplace operators.
o Completed acquisition of Compuscan for R3,720m (c. $263m)(4) ,
expanding our presence across Africa.
-- Continuing commitment to shareholder returns and disciplined capital allocation.
o Second interim dividend up 4% to 32.5 US cents per ordinary
share; total dividend for FY19 up 4% to 46.5 US cents per ordinary
share.
o Share repurchase programme of up to US$400m.
4 Cash consideration before adjustment for debt and net working
capital. Translated at ZAR/US$ exchange rate of 14.17.
Contacts
Experian
Nadia Ridout-Jamieson Investor queries +44 (0)20 3042 4215
Gerry Tschopp Media queries
Finsbury
Rollo Head +44 (0)20 7251 3801
Jenny Davey
There will be a presentation today at 9.30am (UK time) to
analysts and investors at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Financial Centre, 2 King Edward Street, London, EC1A 1HQ. The
presentation can be viewed live via the link from the Experian
website at www.experianplc.com and can also be accessed live via a
telephone dial-in facility: 0800 783 0906 (UK primary) or 01296 480
100 (UK direct) or +44 1296 480 100 (International direct), using
access code 752 673 51. The supporting slides and an indexed replay
will be available on the website later in the day.
Experian will update on first quarter trading for FY20 on 16
July 2019.
Roundings
Certain financial data has been rounded within this
announcement. As a result of this rounding, the totals of data
presented may vary slightly from the actual arithmetic totals of
such data.
Definitions
B2B - Business-to-Business.
B2B2C - business-to-business-to-consumer.
Forward looking statements
Certain statements made in this announcement are forward looking
statements. Such statements are based on current expectations and
are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual events or results to differ materially from any expected
future events or results referred to in these forward-looking
statements. See page 11 for further information on risks and
uncertainties facing Experian.
Company website
Neither the content of the Company's website, nor the content of
any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company's website (or
any other website), is incorporated into, or forms part of, this
announcement.
About Experian
Experian is the world's leading global information services
company. During life's big moments - from buying a home or a car,
to sending a child to college, to growing a business by connecting
with new customers - we empower consumers and our clients to manage
their data with confidence. We help individuals to take financial
control and access financial services, businesses to make smarter
decisions and thrive, lenders to lend more responsibly, and
organisations to prevent identity fraud and crime.
We have 17,200 people operating across 44 countries and every
day we're investing in new technologies, talented people and
innovation to help all our clients maximise every opportunity. We
are listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and are a
constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
Learn more at www.experianplc.com or visit our global content
hub at our global news blog for the latest news and insights from
the Group.
Chief Executive Officer's review
FY19 was a year of considerable progress for Experian and our
business is performing really well. Our addressable markets are
expanding and there is increased demand for our services as the
rise of big data and machine learning transform the way
organisations interrogate and analyse data, as consumers seek
greater convenience through real-time transactions and as new ways
emerge to widen access to affordable credit in emerging markets. We
have successfully introduced ground-breaking new propositions to
satisfy this demand and our ambition is to scale these capabilities
systematically across our geographies.
Financial performance was strong with:
-- Total revenue growth of 9% at constant currency, with total
revenue growth at actual exchange rates of 6%, and organic revenue
growth of 9%.
-- Strong growth across all regions with notable performances in
North America and EMEA/Asia Pacific.
-- Strong performance in B2B with organic revenue growth of 9%
helped by good take-up rates for new sources of data and new
product innovations.
-- Good growth in Consumer Services, with organic revenue up 6%
as we introduce new offers and build relationships with millions of
consumers.
-- Growth in Benchmark EBIT of 10% at constant exchange rate, 5% at actual exchange rates.
-- Enhanced Benchmark EBIT margins at constant currency, with an
increase of 20 basis points to 26.9%, as we drove significant
productivity across the business with full-time-equivalent
headcount up only 1%. At actual exchange rates, the Benchmark EBIT
margin reduced by 20 basis points due to currency translation
effects.
-- Growth in Benchmark earnings per share of 9% at constant
exchange rates and 4% at actual exchange rates.
-- Strong Benchmark EBIT conversion into cash, with 97%
conversion of Benchmark EBIT into Benchmark operating cash
flow.
Strategically in our B2B segment, we made significant progress
as we secured new and bigger client engagements driven by:
-- Investments in new product innovation, including the roll-out
of Experian Ascend. The Ascend Sandbox is now installed in our
largest clients in North America, we have introduced new modules on
the platform and we have commenced the extension of Ascend to the
US mid-market. We also collectively secured new clients for Ascend
in the UK, Brazil and Italy, with plans to introduce it to more
Experian markets in the coming months.
-- Access to a wider range of data sources as we have added low
income, rental and consumer-permissioned data to our more
traditional credit datasets, and as we make it easier for our
clients to consume and use data in real time. Clarity Services in
North America performed very strongly, significantly ahead of the
buy plan.
-- Very strong take-up rates for Decisioning platforms. In FY19
we secured new contracts for PowerCurve including for the most
recent collections module; our fraud and identity platform
CrossCore secured 70 client wins this year to take total clients to
133; and we secured our first client agreements for Experian One,
our new SaaS-based decisioning platform.
-- Expanding rapidly across key vertical markets with
double-digit growth across Experian health and our North America
automotive vertical.
-- Introducing new commercial propositions on our open data
platform, which enable clients to automate critical risk management
processes such as affordability assessments.
-- Signing new commercial agreements, alongside equity
investments, to power data marketplaces with C88 and Jirnexu, two
of the fastest growing credit comparison sites in Indonesia, the
Philippines and Malaysia.
We also made significant strategic progress in Consumer Services
as we:
-- Secured direct relationships with over 55m consumers for free
Experian offers (up from 40m in FY18). We now have 19m free members
in the USA, over 32m in Brazil and 5.6m the UK.
-- Delivered strong growth in credit marketplace (lead
generation) revenues, which achieved revenues of over US$50m
globally for the year.
-- Introduced Experian Boost, which for the first time in the
USA provides consumers with the ability to potentially change their
credit score by adding more information to their credit file. Since
the full advertising launch in March 2019, over 600,000 US
consumers have connected their accounts to Experian Boost.
-- Added IdentityWorks memberships in North America, which
reached 375,000. Together, IdentityWorks and CreditMatch exited the
year with US$110m of annualised revenue, up over 130%
year-on-year.
-- Through the acquisition of the reserved response business of
AllClear ID in March 2019, we have reinforced the strength of our
identity protection and breach services offerings, markets which
are expanding rapidly.
With regards to capital allocation and uses of cash:
-- We invested organically across a broad range of initiatives
in support of our strategy. We also made inorganic investments
through acquisitions, minority investments and venture investments
totalling US$125m. We expect to continue to prioritise investing in
technology and innovation to drive competitive advantage and strong
sustainable growth.
-- We are announcing a second interim dividend of 32.5 US cents
per share, up 4% year-on-year to bring the total for FY19 to 46.5
US cents per share. This dividend will be paid on 26 July 2019 to
shareholders on the register at the close of business on 28 June
2019.
-- We completed US$215m in share repurchases. We are announcing
a new share repurchase programme of up to US$400m.
-- We maintained tight discipline on capital allocation, ending
the year with Net debt of US$3,275m, which places us at 2.0 times
Benchmark EBITDA by the end of the year, at the bottom of our
target leverage range of 2.0 to 2.5 times net debt to Benchmark
EBITDA.
-- Return on capital continues to be strong at 15.9%, up 40
basis points on the prior year (2018: 15.5%).
Regional highlights
We delivered organic revenue growth across all regions, with
particular strength in North America and EMEA/Asia Pacific.
Year-on-year % change in organic revenue (1) EBIT
margin
Data Decisioning B2B(2) Consumer Total Total
Services
----- ------------ ------- ---------- ------ --------
North America 10 11 11 9 10 32.3%
----- ------------ ------- ---------- ------ --------
Latin America 3 23 6 n/a 6 32.7%
----- ------------ ------- ---------- ------ --------
UK and Ireland 4 10 7 (4) 4 28.3%
----- ------------ ------- ---------- ------ --------
EMEA/Asia
Pacific 4 21 14 n/a 14 0.7%
----- ------------ ------- ---------- ------ --------
Total Global 7 14 9 6 9 26.9%
----- ------------ ------- ---------- ------ --------
1 Ongoing activities only, at constant exchange rates.
2 B2B = Business-to-Business segment consists of Data and
Decisioning business sub-divisions.
See note 5 to the financial statements on pages 23-25 for
definition of organic revenue growth.
North America
Revenue in North America was US$2,913m, with total revenue
growth of 11% and organic revenue growth of 10%.
North America B2B delivered organic revenue growth of 11%, with
growth widely spread across a number of areas. In Data, this
included volume growth across core profiles, trended data in
mortgage and, as we address new markets with our data, advanced
analytics and decisioning software. Our strategy to supplement
consumer bureau data with new alternative sources of data is also
contributing to growth, as we secure client wins and synergies from
our industry-leading Clarity Services acquisition, which has
performed very strongly.
We have made considerable progress with Ascend in its first full
year since launch. Ascend is our big data platform which provides
access to historic credit data and can integrate both third party
and alternative data sources. The first module, Ascend Sandbox, has
now been adopted by our largest clients. We expect to sustain
momentum as we introduce new modules which add data from Clarity
Services, automotive data and business credit data, where we have
secured our first client wins, and as we extend into the
mid-market. By coupling Ascend with PowerCurve we are also able to
solve more complex challenges for clients, enabling them to link
credit-strategy scenario analysis to make immediate decisions
around credit line management, something which has not been
possible in the past, and we have secured our first client wins for
these advanced modules.
Decisioning performed very strongly this year as we secured
substantial multi-product engagements with major financial
institutions for the provision of software, analytics and
consulting services, as well as for fraud and identity management.
We also made good progress as we have introduced new PowerCurve
modules, securing our first PowerCurve collections win in the USA.
Experian Health also performed strongly, with another year of
double-digit growth overall and across our suite of eligibility,
claims and collections, and as we have won new hospital mandates
and cross-sell more of our revenue-cycle suite to existing
clients.
North America Consumer Services delivered organic revenue growth
of 9%. Our strategy is to establish direct relationships with
consumers and to help consumers get better outcomes by using their
data for their own benefit. We have now signed 19m consumers to
free membership offers, up from 14m at the end of FY18. Our
identity offer continues to grow, with 375,000 consumers now signed
up. We were also delighted to introduce Experian Boost, a new
service which gives consumers the ability to make positive choices
about using their data to build out their credit files using
non-traditional sources like utilities, mobile phone or cable TV
bills. Since launch in March, over 600,000 US consumers have
connected to Experian Boost, which is a hugely encouraging initial
reception. CreditMatch, our credit comparison offer, is gathering
momentum, almost quadrupling revenue over the course of this year
and we also delivered good growth in B2B2C as we signed new
customers for identity, credit comparison and data breach services
during the year.
North America Benchmark EBIT increased by 14% to US$940m. There
was good progress in the Benchmark EBIT margin which increased by
90 basis points year-on-year to 32.3%, reflecting operating
leverage and momentum in our Consumer Services business.
Latin America
In Latin America, revenue was US$707m, with total and organic
revenue growth of 6% at constant exchange rates.
As the new political administration in Brazil prioritises
reform, the macroeconomic backdrop has started to stabilise. Our
business grew double-digit in Q4 of FY19 as greater confidence in
the macroeconomic and political environment helped clients confirm
a number of large purchases deferred from earlier in the year.
Throughout the recession, we continued to invest in our business
and we are well positioned going forward. This year in Brazil we
delivered good growth in B2B as we signed multi-year agreements
with lenders, retailers and other clients for data, scores,
analytics and decisioning software, and this helped to offset
weaker revenue performance across small and mid-market accounts. We
are now ramping up the rate of B2B product introductions, having
launched Ascend after the end of the financial year and we have
since secured our first client win in Brazil.
We welcome new legislation in Brazil which will permit the
collection of comprehensive credit data. We believe this will
expand financial inclusion in Brazil enabling consumers to access a
wider range of financial products and services. We believe it will
also create the conditions to develop better scores, enhanced
services for consumers and to increase adoption of advanced
analytical and cloud-based decisioning tools. We are fully prepared
for the introduction of positive data when the new opt-out law
becomes effective in July 2019, and we expect implementation to
take place by October 2019.
We prioritised investing in our consumer business ahead of the
introduction of positive data and we now have significant momentum.
We have gained considerable scale having signed up over 32m free
members, or over 15% of the population, which demonstrates the
power and resonance of the Serasa Experian brand in Brazil. We are
successfully generating revenue through a range of offers,
including our debt settlement service Limpa Nome. We have also made
good progress with eCred (our credit comparison service) and
through our B2B2C offer, Serasa Box.
Spanish Latin America performed strongly as we extend the range
of services we offer to our B2B clients. We have won new mandates
with large clients in Colombia and we are successfully deploying
our decisioning software suite across the wider region. We plan to
grow our market position still further as we introduce more of our
highly differentiated global Experian platforms into the region,
including Ascend, CrossCore and Experian One.
Benchmark EBIT in Latin America was US$231m, up 9% at constant
exchange rates. Benchmark EBIT margin was 32.7% (2018: 33.3%)
reflecting foreign exchange headwinds, revenue mix, investment in
the Consumer Services start-up and other growth initiatives.
UK and Ireland
Revenue in the UK and Ireland was US$813m, with total and
organic revenue growth of 4% at constant rates. Growth in B2B was
7%, and the rate of decline in Consumer Services moderated to
(4)%.
B2B performed well, with a step-up in performance towards the
end of the year, underpinned by good growth in credit reference
volumes and new client wins for credit pre-qualification and data
aggregation services and as we secured major client wins for
combinations of data and software services. We have placed a
significant emphasis on rolling out our innovation portfolio. We
have seen considerable client interest in Ascend since its launch
in the UK and Ireland earlier in the year and we are delighted to
have secured five signed agreements with several financial
institutions. Ascend will be a high priority focus for us in the UK
and Ireland over the coming year. As in the USA, our ambition is to
introduce new modules which will include additional sources of
Experian data, and enable us to address more customer segments, as
well as opportunities to integrate Ascend with PowerCurve. Momentum
is also building across our open banking platform as we have signed
new clients for affordability services, and we have secured new
client agreements for Experian One, our SaaS-based decisioning
service.
In Consumer Services, we have made steady progress with the
business back to a stable position as we exit the year. While we
were disappointed that our plan to acquire ClearScore was not
successful, we have made good progress in our efforts to diversify
the business. Our free membership base has reached 5.6m consumers,
and CreditMatcher, our comparison service, grew strongly. We see
significant opportunities to help consumers better manage their
money and we will continue to add exciting new features to help
them do this. Recently we introduced a new identity offer Identity
Plus and we will launch innovative new free services over the
coming year, including offers based around consumer-permissioned
data. Subscription-based credit monitoring services contracted, but
the rate of decline has moderated as new product features drive
higher engagement in paid memberships.
Benchmark EBIT was US$230m, down (1%) at constant exchange
rates. This reflected the decline in Consumer Services revenue, as
well as elevated investment in a range of new product
introductions. The Benchmark EBIT margin was 28.3% (2018:
29.8%).
EMEA/Asia Pacific
EMEA/Asia Pacific performed strongly. Revenue was US$422m, with
total and organic growth of 14% at constant rates, including
positive contributions across both Data and Decisioning.
This has been an exciting year of significant developments
across EMEA/Asia Pacific. Lenders in EMEA are investing in
cloud-based technologies and advanced analytics. We are well
positioned to capitalise on these trends as we introduce global
capabilities like Ascend and Experian One.
The acquisition of Compuscan will also strengthen our market
position in South Africa and provide opportunities more broadly
across Africa. We have a long track record of investment in South
Africa, where for many years we have helped businesses thrive
through the provision of credit data and decisioning tools.
Compuscan is one of the leading providers of credit information and
decision analytics in South Africa, with operations also across six
other sub-Saharan African countries. The combined customer bases of
Experian and Compuscan are highly complementary and we believe we
will realise substantial benefits from this combination.
In Asia Pacific we have pioneered the concept of data
marketplaces, signing new commercial agreements this year with C88
in Indonesia and Jirnexu in Malaysia, alongside equity investments
in each company. These marketplaces allow us to score more people
using non-traditional data and increase acceptance rates for credit
cards, unsecured loans and insurance offers. The result is millions
of people can get access to affordable credit. Asia Pacific
contains the largest population of unbanked and underbanked
consumers in the world and with these investments we have the
ability to vastly increase levels of financial inclusion. These
investments, alongside a greater number of large new business wins
for our analytics and decisioning software, have propelled our
performance in Asia Pacific this year.
Benchmark EBIT was US$3m (2018: US$5m). At actual exchange rates
Benchmark EBIT growth was (38)%, due to adverse currency
translation effects, and at constant exchange rates it was 152%.
Benchmark EBIT margin from ongoing activities at actual rates
declined (60) basis points to 0.7% as foreign exchange translation
rates offset positive margin development as our operations grow in
scale.
Other financial developments
Our Benchmark PBT was US$1,198m, up 8% at constant currency and
3% at actual rates, after higher Benchmark net interest expense of
US$113m (2018: US$85m), reflecting higher market interest rates. We
expect net interest of c.US$125m in FY20 on a like for like basis.
IFRS16 will have no material impact on our overall financial
results, reducing operating expense by around $10m and increasing
interest expense by around $10m in FY20. Including the effects of
IFRS16 therefore we expect net interest expense of $135m in
FY20.
The Benchmark tax rate was 25.5% (2018: 25.5%). We expect the
Benchmark tax rate to be c. 26% in FY20 reflecting the mix of
profits and prevailing tax rates by territory.
Our Benchmark EPS was 98.0 US cents, an increase of 9% at
constant currency and 4% at actual rates, as the weighted average
number of ordinary shares (WANOS) reduced to 904m (2018: 917m) as a
result of our share repurchase programme.
We generated good cash flows in the year reflecting the nature
of our business, the financial model and focus on working capital
management. Benchmark operating cash flow grew 6% at actual rates
and our Benchmark operating cash flow conversion was 97% (2018:
96%).
Consistent with our capital allocation framework, uses of cash
were balanced between growth investment and returns to
shareholders. Net capital expenditure was US$431m, which represents
9% of total revenue. We expect this to be c. 9-10% in FY20 as we
continue to invest in new products and innovation. After
acquisition and investment expenditure of US$125m, ordinary
dividends paid of US$410m, and share purchases of US$215m, we ended
the year with net debt of US$3,275m, placing us at 2.0 times
EBITDA, near the bottom of our target range of 2.0 to 2.5 times net
debt to EBITDA.
During the year we issued two bonds maturing in 2024 (GBP400m)
and 2029 (USD$500m), extending the average duration of our debt by
18 months. We also extended the maturity date of our principal bank
facilities from June 2021 to December 2023. Of our total
borrowings, 48% (2018: 18%) falls due in over five years. Our
undrawn committed bank borrowing facilities increased by US$300m to
US$2,625m.
Foreign exchange translation was a 5% headwind to EPS in the
year. This was predominantly due to the Brazilian real, which
weakened by 18% relative to the US dollar versus the prior year.
Assuming current rates stay the same through FY20, we expect a
full-year EBIT headwind of c. 1% due to a weakening in the
Brazilian real.
Group financial results
Revenue by region
Year ended 31 March Growth %
------
Total Total at Organic
2019 2018(1) at actual constant at constant
US$m US$m rates rates rates
------ ----------- ---------- -------------
North America
Data 1,468 1,302 13 10
Decisioning 623 560 11 11
------ -------- ----------- ---------- -------------
B2B 2,091 1,862 12 11
Consumer Services 822 756 9 9
------ -------- ----------- ---------- -------------
Total ongoing activities 2,913 2,618 11 11 10
Exited business activities(1) - 5
------ -------- ----------- ---------- -------------
Total North America 2,913 2,623
------ -------- ----------- ---------- -------------
Latin America
Data 594 668 3 3
Decisioning 113 110 23 23
Total ongoing activities 707 778 (9) 6 6
Exited business activities - -
------ -------- ----------- ---------- -------------
Total Latin America 707 778
------ -------- ----------- ---------- -------------
UK and Ireland
Data 388 376 5 4
Decisioning 262 241 10 10
------ -------- ----------- ---------- -------------
B2B 650 617 7 7
Consumer Services 163 171 (4) (4)
------ -------- ----------- ---------- -------------
Total ongoing activities 813 788 3 4 4
Exited business activities 6 7
------ -------- ----------- ---------- -------------
Total UK and Ireland 819 795
------ -------- ----------- ---------- -------------
EMEA/Asia Pacific
Data 175 172 4 4
Decisioning 247 216 21 21
Total ongoing activities 422 388 9 14 14
Exited business activities - -
------ -------- ----------- ---------- -------------
Total EMEA/Asia Pacific 422 388
------ -------- ----------- ---------- -------------
Total revenue - ongoing
activities 4,855 4,572 6 9 9
Total revenue - exited
business activities 6 12
------ -------- ----------- ---------- -------------
Revenue 4,861 4,584 6 9
------ -------- ----------- ---------- -------------
1 Results for 2018 are restated following the adoption of
IFRS15, the introduction of new business segments and the
reclassification to exited business activities of certain B2B
businesses.
See Appendix 1 (page 12) and note 5 to the financial statements
(pages 23-25) for definitions of non-GAAP measures.
See Appendix 2 (page 12) for analyses of revenue, Benchmark EBIT
and Benchmark EBIT margin from ongoing activities by business
segment.
Income statement, earnings and Benchmark EBIT margin
analysis
Year ended 31 March Growth %
Total at Total at
2019 2018(1) actual constant
US$m US$m rates rates
-------- --------- ----------
Benchmark EBIT by geography
North America 940 821 14
Latin America 231 259 9
UK and Ireland 230 235 (1)
EMEA/Asia Pacific 3 5 152
-------- -------- --------- ----------
Benchmark EBIT before Central
Activities 1,404 1,320 11
Central Activities - central corporate
costs (98) (79)
-------- -------- --------- ----------
Benchmark EBIT from ongoing activities 1,306 1,241 5 10
Exited business activities(1) 5 6
-------- -------- --------- ----------
Benchmark EBIT 1,311 1,247 5 10
Net interest (113) (85)
-------- -------- --------- ----------
Benchmark PBT 1,198 1,162 3 8
Exceptional items 5 (57)
Amortisation of acquisition intangibles (111) (112)
Acquisition and disposal expenses (24) (20)
Adjustment to fair value of contingent
consideration (16) (3)
Fair value gain on step acquisition - 4
Interest on uncertain tax provisions (14) (20)
Financing fair value remeasurements (81) (4)
Profit before tax 957 950
Group tax charge (256) (136)
Profit after tax 701 814
-------- -------- ---------
Benchmark earnings
Benchmark PBT 1,198 1,162 3 8
Benchmark tax charge 306 296
-------- -------- --------- ----------
Total Benchmark earnings 892 866
-------- -------- --------- ----------
Owners of Experian plc 886 866 2 8
Non-controlling interests 6 -
-------- -------- --------- ----------
Benchmark EPS US98.0c US94.4c 4 9
Basic EPS US76.9c US85.4c
Weighted average number of ordinary
shares 904m 917m
-------- -------- --------- ----------
Benchmark EBIT margin - ongoing
activities
North America 32.3% 31.4%
Latin America 32.7% 33.3%
UK and Ireland 28.3% 29.8%
EMEA/Asia Pacific 0.7% 1.3%
-------- -------- --------- ----------
Benchmark EBIT margin 26.9% 27.1%
-------- -------- --------- ----------
1 Results for 2018 are restated for IFRS 15, and the
reclassification to exited business activities of certain B2B
businesses.
See Appendix 1 (page 12) and note 5 to the financial statements
(pages 23-25) for definitions of non-GAAP measures.
See Appendix 2 (page 12) for analyses of revenue, Benchmark EBIT
and Benchmark EBIT margin from ongoing activities by business
segment.
Group financial review
Key statutory measures
We continued to make good financial progress during the year and
revenue increased by 6% to US$4,861m (2018: US$4,584m) reflecting
the improved underlying performance of ongoing activities.
Operating profit for the year ended 31 March 2019 increased to
US$1,162m (2018: US$1,051m). Profit before tax grew to US$957m
(2018: US$950m) despite an increase in net finance costs of US$99m.
The increase in finance expense is primarily as a result of an
increase in non-cash foreign exchange revaluations on Brazilian
real intra-Group funding of US$25m, and fair value losses on
derivatives.
Cash generated from continuing operations was US$1,283m (2018:
US$1,255m) reflecting improved operating performance and movements
in working capital. Cash outflow from discontinued operations was
US$42m (2018: inflow US$215m) primarily from the divestment of CCM
in the prior year. Undrawn committed borrowing facilities were
US$2,625m at 31 March 2019, an increase of US$300m from 31 March
2018.
Basic EPS was 76.9 US cents (2018: 85.4 US cents). The decrease
in this statutory measure reflects a mix of factors with a higher
tax charge, higher finance costs and a lower number of shares in
issue as a consequence of our continuing share repurchase
programme.
The effective rate of tax based on profit before tax has
increased from 14.3% in the year ended 31 March 2018 to 26.8% in
the current financial year. The prior year tax charge benefitted
from a one-off credit of US$116m following the enacting of the US
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017.
At 31 March 2019, net assets amounted to US$2,494m (2018:
US$2,484m). Capital employed, as defined in note 5(r) to the
financial statements, was US$6,026m (2018: US$6,158m).
There was an increase in equity of US$10m from US$2,484m at 31
March 2018 with movements detailed in the Group statement of
changes in equity on page 18.
Key movements in equity during the year included:
-- Profit for the financial year of US$701m.
-- Net currency translation losses of US$176m.
-- Remeasurement gains of US$16m in respect of defined benefit
pension plans.
-- Ordinary dividends of US$410m (2018:US$388m) of which US$391m
(2018:US$371m) was paid by a UK subsidiary undertaking which has
distributable reserves of US$7,536m (2018: US$3,486m).
-- A movement of US$218m in connection with net share
purchases.
Comparative information is restated following the adoption of
IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers' and the
introduction of new business segments.
Foreign exchange rates
Foreign exchange - average rates
The principal exchange rates used to translate total revenue and
Benchmark EBIT into the US dollar are shown in the table below.
2019 2018 Movement against
the US dollar
---------------------------- ------ ------ -----------------
US dollar : Brazilian
real 3.79 3.22 (18)%
Pound sterling : US dollar 1.31 1.33 (2)%
Euro : US dollar 1.16 1.17 (1)%
US dollar : Colombian
peso 3,025 2,935 (3)%
---------------------------- ------ ------ -----------------
Foreign exchange - closing rates
The principal exchange rates used to translate assets and
liabilities into the US dollar at the year-end dates are shown are
shown in the table below.
2019 2018
----------------------- ------ ------
US dollar : Brazilian
real 3.89 3.31
Pound sterling : US
dollar 1.31 1.41
Euro : US dollar 1.12 1.23
US dollar : Colombian
peso 3,163 2,794
-------------------------- ------ ------
Risks and uncertainties
The ten principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Group are
summarised in note 27 to the financial statements.
Appendices
1. Non-GAAP financial information
We have identified and defined certain measures that we believe
assist in understanding the performance of the Group. These
measures are not defined under IFRS and they may not be directly
comparable with other companies' adjusted measures. These non-GAAP
measures are not intended to be a substitute for any IFRS measures
of performance but management has included them as these are
considered to be key measures used within the business for
assessing performance. Information on certain of our non-GAAP
measures is set out below in the further appendices. Definitions of
all our non-GAAP measures are given in note 5 to the financial
statements.
2. Revenue, Benchmark EBIT and Benchmark EBIT margin by business
segment
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended 31 March Growth %
------ -------- ------------------------------
2019 2018(1) Total Organic
at constant at constant
US$m US$m rates rates
--------------------------------- ------ -------- ------------- -------------
Revenue
Data 2,625 2,518 8 7
Decisioning 1,245 1,127 14 14
------ -------- ------------- -------------
Business-to-Business 3,870 3,645 10 9
Consumer Services 985 927 6 6
------ -------- ------------- -------------
Total - Ongoing activities 4,855 4,572 9 9
Exited business activities(2) 6 12 n/a
------ -------- ------------- -------------
Total revenue 4,861 4,584 9
--------------------------------- ------ -------- ------------- -------------
Benchmark EBIT
Business-to-Business 1,186 1,126 11
Consumer Services 218 194 12
------ -------- ------------- -------------
Total business segments 1,404 1,320 11
Central Activities - central
corporate costs (98) (79) n/a
Total - Ongoing activities 1,306 1,241 10
Exited business activities(2) 5 6 n/a
------ -------- ------------- -------------
Total Benchmark EBIT 1,311 1,247 10
--------------------------------- ------ -------- ------------- -------------
Benchmark EBIT margin - ongoing
activities
Business-to-Business 30.6% 30.9%
Consumer Services 22.1% 20.9%
------ -------- ------------- -------------
Total Benchmark EBIT margin 26.9% 27.1%
--------------------------------- ------ -------- ------------- -------------
1. Comparative information is restated for IFRS 15, exited
business activities and the introduction of new business
segments.
2. Exited business activities comprise certain B2B businesses.
New segment and IFRS 15 reconciliation
Impact
Year ended 31 March of
2018 Old structure New structure IFRS 15 2018
US$m US$m US$m US$m
---------------------------- -------------- -------------- --------- ------- ---------------------
Revenue
Credit Services 2,605
Decision Analytics 662 2,550 (32) 2,518 Data
Marketing Services 457 1,174 (47) 1,127 Decisioning
---------------------------- -------------- -------------- --------- ------- ---------------------
Business-to-Business 3,724 3,724 (79) 3,645 Business-to-Business
Consumer Services 926 926 1 927 Consumer Services
---------------------------- -------------- -------------- --------- ------- ---------------------
Ongoing activities 4,650 4,650 (78) 4,572 Ongoing activities
Exited business
Exited business activities 12 12 - 12 activities
---------------------------- -------------- -------------- --------- ------- ---------------------
Total revenue 4,662 4,662 (78) 4,584 Total revenue
---------------------------- -------------- -------------- --------- ------- ---------------------
Benchmark EBIT
Business-to-Business 1,170 1,170 (44) 1,126 Business-to-Business
Consumer Services 194 194 - 194 Consumer Services
---------------------------- -------------- -------------- --------- ------- ---------------------
Ongoing activities 1,364 1,364 (44) 1,320 Ongoing activities
Exited business
Exited business activities 6 6 - 6 activities
---------------------------- -------------- -------------- --------- ------- ---------------------
Total business
Total business segments 1,370 1,370 (44) 1,326 segments
Central Activities (79) (79) - (79) Central Activities
---------------------------- -------------- -------------- --------- ------- ---------------------
Total Benchmark
Total Benchmark EBIT 1,291 1,291 (44) 1,247 EBIT
---------------------------- -------------- -------------- --------- ------- ---------------------
Revenue and Benchmark EBIT have been re-analysed following the
reclassification to exited business activities of certain B2B
businesses.
3. Reconciliation of Benchmark EBIT to statutory profit before
tax
Year ended 31 March 2019 2018(1)
--------------------------------------------
US$m US$m
-------------------------------------------- ------ --------
Benchmark EBIT from ongoing activities 1,306 1,241
Exited business activities 5 6
-------------------------------------------- ------ --------
Benchmark EBIT 1,311 1,247
Net interest expense (113) (85)
-------------------------------------------- ------ --------
Benchmark PBT 1,198 1,162
Exceptional items (Appendix 4) 5 (57)
Other adjustments made to derive Benchmark
PBT (Appendix 4) (246) (155)
-------------------------------------------- ------ --------
Profit before tax 957 950
-------------------------------------------- ------ --------
1. Comparative information is restated for IFRS 15 and has been
re-analysed following the reclassification to exited business
activities of certain B2B businesses.
4. Exceptional items and other adjustments made to derive
Benchmark PBT
Year ended 31 March 2019 2018
US$m US$m
--------------------------------------------- ------ ------
Exceptional items:
Profit on disposal of businesses (5) -
Canadian legal settlement - 32
Legal provisions movements - 25
--------------------------------------------- ------ ------
(Credit)/charge for Exceptional items (5) 57
--------------------------------------------- ------ ------
Other adjustments made to derive Benchmark
PBT:
Amortisation of acquisition intangibles 111 112
Acquisition and disposal expenses 24 20
Adjustment to the fair value of contingent
consideration 16 3
Interest on uncertain tax provisions 14 20
Fair value gain on step acquisition - (4)
Financing fair value remeasurements 81 4
--------------------------------------------- ------ ------
Charge for other adjustments made to derive
Benchmark PBT 246 155
--------------------------------------------- ------ ------
Net charge for Exceptional items and other
adjustments made to derive Benchmark PBT 241 212
--------------------------------------------- ------ ------
An explanation of the reasons for the exclusion of such items
from our definition of Benchmark PBT is given in note 5 to the
financial statements.
5. Cash flow and Net debt summary
Year ended 31 March 2019 2018
US$m US$m
----------------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Benchmark EBIT(1) 1,311 1,247
Amortisation and depreciation charged to Benchmark
PBT 326 326
Net capital expenditure (Appendix 6) (431) (422)
Increase in working capital(1) (26) (26)
Loss/(profit) retained in associates 3 (5)
Charge for share incentive plans 87 76
----------------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Benchmark operating cash flow 1,270 1,196
Net interest paid (129) (86)
Tax paid - continuing operations (233) (191)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests (1) (4)
----------------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Benchmark free cash flow 907 915
Acquisitions (95) (169)
Purchase of investments (30) (87)
Disposal of businesses and investments - continuing
operations 12 2
Exceptional items other than disposal of businesses (25) (54)
Ordinary dividends paid (410) (388)
----------------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Net cash inflow - continuing operations 359 219
Net debt at 1 April (3,408) (3,173)
Net share purchases (215) (565)
Discontinued operations (42) 215
Foreign exchange and other movements 31 (104)
----------------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Net debt at 31 March (3,275) (3,408)
----------------------------------------------------- -------- --------
1. Comparative restated for IFRS 15
6. Reconciliation of total investment
Year ended 31 March 2019 2018
US$m US$m
---------------------------------------------- ------ --- ------ ---
Capital expenditure as reported in the Group
cash flow statement 439 431
Disposal of property, plant and equipment (13) (26)
Profit on disposal of fixed assets 5 17
---------------------------------------------- ------ --- ------ ---
Net capital expenditure as reported in the
Cash flow and Net debt summary 431 422
---------------------------------------------- ------ --- ------ ---
Acquisitions 95 169
Purchase of investments 30 87
---------------------------------------------- ------ --- ------ ---
Total investment 556 678
---------------------------------------------- ------ --- ------ ---
7. Cash tax reconciliation
Year ended 31 March 2019 2018(1)
% %
------------------------------------------- ------ --------
Tax charge on Benchmark PBT 25.5 25.5
Tax relief on intangible assets (4.1) (5.0)
Benefit of brought forward tax losses (1.3) (1.2)
Other (0.7) (2.9)
Tax paid as a percentage of Benchmark PBT 19.4 16.4
------------------------------------------- ------ --------
1. Restated for IFRS 15
Group income statement
for the year ended 31 March 2019
2019 2018
(Restated)
(Note 3)
------------
Benchmark(1) Non-benchmark(2) Statutory Benchmark(1) Non-benchmark(2) Statutory
Total Total
US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m
Revenue (note
6(a)) 4,861 - 4,861 4,584 - 4,584
------------ ---------------- --------- ------------ ---------------- ---------
Labour costs (1,795) (3) (1,798) (1,695) (7) (1,702)
Data and
information
technology
costs (645) - (645) (595) - (595)
Amortisation and
depreciation
charges (326) (111) (437) (326) (112) (438)
Marketing and
customer
acquisition
costs (342) - (342) (328) - (328)
Other operating
charges (445) (37) (482) (401) (69) (470)
------------ ---------------- --------- ------------ ---------------- ----------
Total operating
expenses (3,553) (151) (3,704) (3,345) (188) (3,533)
Profit on
disposal of
businesses - 5 5 - - -
---------------- ------------ ---------------- --------- ------------ ---------------- ---------
Operating
profit/(loss) 1,308 (146) 1,162 1,239 (188) 1,051
Interest income 12 - 12 15 - 15
Finance expense (125) (95) (220) (100) (24) (124)
------------ ---------------- --------- ------------ ---------------- ---------
Net finance
costs (note
9(a)) (113) (95) (208) (85) (24) (109)
Share of
post-tax profit
of associates 3 - 3 8 - 8
---------------- ------------ ---------------- --------- ------------ ---------------- ---------
Profit/(loss)
before
tax (note 6(a)) 1,198 (241) 957 1,162 (212) 950
Group tax
(charge)/credit
(note 10(a)) (306) 50 (256) (296) 160 (136)
---------------- ------------ ---------------- --------- ------------ ---------------- ---------
Profit/(loss)
for the
financial year
from
continuing
operations 892 (191) 701 866 (52) 814
Loss for the
financial
year from
discontinued
operations
(note 11(a)) - - - - (31) (31)
---------------- ------------ ---------------- --------- ------------ ---------------- ---------
Profit/(loss)
for the
financial year 892 (191) 701 866 (83) 783
---------------- ------------ ---------------- --------- ------------ ---------------- ---------
Attributable to:
Owners of
Experian plc 886 (191) 695 866 (83) 783
Non-controlling
interests 6 - 6 - - -
---------------- ------------ ---------------- --------- ------------ ---------------- ---------
Profit/(loss)
for the
financial year 892 (191) 701 866 (83) 783
---------------- ------------ ---------------- --------- ------------ ---------------- ---------
Total Benchmark
EBIT(1) 1,311 - 1,311 1,247 - 1,247
---------------- ------------ ---------------- --------- ------------ ---------------- ---------
US cents US cents US cents US cents US cents US cents
---------------- ------------ ---------------- --------- ------------ ---------------- ---------
Earnings/(loss)
per
share (note
12(a))
Basic 98.0 (21.1) 76.9 94.4 (9.0) 85.4
Diluted 96.9 (20.9) 76.0 93.5 (8.9) 84.6
Earnings/(loss)
per
share from
continuing
operations (note
12(a))
Basic 98.0 (21.1) 76.9 94.4 (5.6) 88.8
Diluted 96.9 (20.9) 76.0 93.5 (5.6) 87.9
Benchmark PBT
per share(1,3) 132.5 126.7
Full-year
dividend per
share(1) 46.50 44.75
---------------- ------------ ---------------- --------- ------------ ---------------- ---------
1. Total Benchmark EBIT, Benchmark PBT per share and Full-year
dividend per share are non-GAAP measures, defined where appropriate
in note 5 to the financial statements.
2. The loss before tax for non-benchmark items of US$241m (2018:
US$212m) comprises a credit for Exceptional items of US$5m (2018:
charge of US$57m) and charges for other adjustments made to derive
Benchmark PBT of US$246m (2018: US$155m). Further information is
given in note 8 to the financial statements.
3. Benchmark PBT per share is calculated by dividing Benchmark
PBT of US$1,198m by the weighted average number of ordinary shares
of 904 million. The amount is stated in US cents per share.
The segmental disclosures in notes 6 and 7 indicate the impact
of business disposals on the comparative revenue and Total
Benchmark EBIT figures.
Group statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 March 2019
2019 2018
(Restated)
(Note 3)
US$m US$m
------------------------------------------------- ------- -----------
Profit for the financial year 701 783
--------------------------------------------------- ------- -----------
Other comprehensive income
Items that will not be reclassified to profit
or loss:
Remeasurement of post-employment benefit assets
and obligations (note 15(b)) 16 28
Changes in the fair value of financial assets
revalued through OCI (2) -
Deferred tax charge (1) (6)
--------------------------------------------------- ------- -----------
Items that will not be reclassified to profit
or loss 13 22
--------------------------------------------------- ------- -----------
Items that may be reclassified subsequently
to profit or loss:
Currency translation (losses)/gains (179) 24
--------------------------------------------------- ------- -----------
Items that may be reclassified subsequently
to profit or loss (179) 24
--------------------------------------------------- ------- -----------
Items reclassified to profit or loss:
Cumulative currency translation gain in respect
of divestments 3 -
------------------------------------------------- ------- -----------
Other comprehensive income for the financial
year(1) (163) 46
--------------------------------------------------- ------- -----------
Total comprehensive income for the financial
year 538 829
Attributable to:
Continuing operations 533 860
Discontinued operations(2) - (31)
--------------------------------------------------- ------- -----------
Owners of Experian plc 533 829
Non-controlling interests 5 -
------------------------------------------------- ------- -----------
Total comprehensive income for the financial
year 538 829
--------------------------------------------------- ------- -----------
1. Amounts reported within Other comprehensive income (OCI) are
in respect of continuing operations and, except as reported for
post-employment benefit assets and obligations, there is no
associated tax. Currency translation items, not reclassified to
profit or loss, are recognised in the translation reserve within
other reserves. Other items within Other comprehensive income are
recognised in retained earnings.
2. The tax credit recognised in respect of discontinued
operations in the year was US$nil (2018:US$53m).
Group balance sheet
at 31 March 2019
Notes 2019 2018
(Restated)
(Note 3)
US$m US$m
------------------------------------------ ------ --------- -----------
Non-current assets
Goodwill 4,324 4,452
Other intangible assets 14 1,474 1,538
Property, plant and equipment 14 333 335
Investments in associates 122 125
Deferred tax assets 147 140
Post-employment benefit assets 15(a) 61 47
Trade and other receivables 129 83
Financial assets revalued through OCI(1) 103 84
Other financial assets 154 194
------------------------------------------ ------ --------- -----------
6,847 6,998
------------------------------------------ ------ --------- -----------
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 1,055 1,115
Current tax assets 27 27
Other financial assets 9 4
Cash and cash equivalents 16(f) 149 156
------------------------------------------ ------ --------- -----------
1,240 1,302
------------------------------------------ ------ --------- -----------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (1,464) (1,494)
Borrowings (869) (956)
Current tax liabilities (313) (278)
Provisions (41) (70)
Other financial liabilities (152) (86)
------------------------------------------ ------ --------- -----------
(2,839) (2,884)
------------------------------------------ ------ --------- -----------
Net current liabilities (1,599) (1,582)
------------------------------------------ ------ --------- -----------
Total assets less current liabilities 5,248 5,416
------------------------------------------ ------ --------- -----------
Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables (99) (103)
Borrowings (2,455) (2,558)
Deferred tax liabilities (132) (162)
Post-employment benefit obligations 15(a) (55) (58)
Other financial liabilities (13) (51)
------------------------------------------ ------ --------- -----------
(2,754) (2,932)
------------------------------------------ ------ --------- -----------
Net assets 2,494 2,484
------------------------------------------ ------ --------- -----------
Equity
Called-up share capital 19 96 97
Share premium account 19 1,559 1,546
Retained earnings 18,718 18,609
Other reserves (17,893) (17,775)
------------------------------------------ ------ --------- -----------
Attributable to owners of Experian plc 2,480 2,477
Non-controlling interests 14 7
------------------------------------------ ------ --------- -----------
Total equity 2,494 2,484
------------------------------------------ ------ --------- -----------
1. Comparative information previously reported as
available-for-sale financial assets is reclassified following the
adoption of IFRS 9 (note 3).
Group statement of changes in total equity
for the year ended 31 March 2019
Called-up Share Retained Other Attributable Non-controlling Total
share premium earnings reserves to owners interests equity
capital account of Experian
(Note (Note plc
19) 19)
US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m
---- -------------------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ------------------ --------
At 31 March 2018 as
previously
reported 97 1,546 18,745 (17,771) 2,617 7 2,624
Adjustment on adoption
of
IFRS 15 - - (136) (4) (140) - (140)
------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ---------- ------ --------
Restated at 1 April 2018 97 1,546 18,609 (17,775) 2,477 7 2,484
Profit for the financial
year - - 695 - 695 6 701
Other comprehensive
income
for the financial year - - 16 (178) (162) (1) (163)
------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ---------- ------ --------
Total comprehensive
income
for the financial year - - 711 (178) 533 5 538
------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ---------- ------ --------
Transactions with
owners:
Employee share incentive
plans:
- value of employee
services - - 87 - 87 - 87
- shares issued on
vesting - 13 - - 13 - 13
- other exercises of
share
awards and options - - (53) 60 7 - 7
- related tax credit - - 8 - 8 - 8
- other payments - - (4) - (4) - (4)
Purchase and
cancellation
of own shares (1) - (230) - (231) - (231)
Transactions in respect
of
non-controlling
interests - - - - - 3 3
Dividends paid - - (410) - (410) (1) (411)
------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ---------- ------ --------
Transactions with owners (1) 13 (602) 60 (530) 2 (528)
------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ---------- ------ --------
At 31 March 2019 96 1,559 18,718 (17,893) 2,480 14 2,494
------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ---------- ------ --------
for the year ended 31 March 2018
Called-up Share Retained Other Attributable Non-controlling Total
share premium earnings reserves to owners interests equity
capital account of Experian
(Note (Note plc
19) 19)
US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m
---------------------------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ---------------- --------
At 1 April 2017 as
previously
reported 100 1,530 18,813 (17,804) 2,639 12 2,651
Adjustment on adoption of
IFRS 15 - - (104) - (104) - (104)
---------------------------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ---------------- --------
Restated at 1 April 2017 100 1,530 18,709 (17,804) 2,535 12 2,547
Profit for the financial
year(1) - - 783 - 783 - 783
Other comprehensive income
for the financial year(1) - - 22 24 46 - 46
---------------------------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ---------------- --------
Total comprehensive income
for the financial year - - 805 24 829 - 829
---------------------------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ---------------- --------
Transactions with owners:
Employee share incentive
plans:
- value of employee
services - - 76 - 76 - 76
- shares issued on vesting - 16 - - 16 - 16
- other exercises of share
awards and options - - (32) 42 10 - 10
- purchase of shares by
employee
trusts - - - (37) (37) - (37)
- other payments - - (2) - (2) - (2)
Purchase and cancellation
of own shares (3) - (542) - (545) - (545)
Transactions in respect of
non-controlling interests - - (17) - (17) (1) (18)
Dividends paid - - (388) - (388) (4) (392)
Transactions with owners (3) 16 (905) 5 (887) (5) (892)
---------------------------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ---------------- --------
At 31 March 2018 97 1,546 18,609 (17,775) 2,477 7 2,484
---------------------------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ---------------- --------
1. Comparative information is restated following the adoption of
IFRS 15 (note 3).Group cash flow statement
for the year ended 31 March 2019
Notes 2019 2018
US$m US$m
--------------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ------
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations 16(a) 1,639 1,529
Interest paid (134) (98)
Interest received 5 12
Dividends received from associates 6 3
Tax paid (233) (191)
--------------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ------
Net cash inflow from operating activities -
continuing operations 1,283 1,255
Net cash outflow from operating activities -
discontinued operations 11(b) (42) (63)
--------------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ------
Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,241 1,192
--------------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ------
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of other intangible assets 16(d) (348) (360)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (91) (71)
Sale of property, plant and equipment 13 26
Purchase of other financial assets (25) (31)
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired 16(c) (72) (146)
Purchase of investments in associates (5) (56)
Disposal of subsidiaries - continuing operations 12 2
--------------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ------
Net cash flows used in investing activities
- continuing operations (516) (636)
Net cash flows from investing activities - discontinued
operations 11(b) - 278
-------- ------
Net cash flows used in investing activities (516) (358)
--------------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ------
Cash flows from financing activities
Cash inflow in respect of shares issued 16(e) 13 16
Cash outflow in respect of share purchases 16(e) (228) (581)
Other payments on vesting of share awards (4) (2)
Transactions in respect of non-controlling interests 16(c) 3 (8)
New borrowings 1,035 864
Repayment of borrowings (1,118) (653)
Net payments for cross-currency swaps and foreign
exchange contracts 5 (13)
Net receipts from equity swaps 3 1
Dividends paid (411) (392)
--------------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ------
Net cash flows used in financing activities (702) (768)
--------------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 23 66
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April 137 81
Exchange movements on cash and cash equivalents (14) (10)
--------------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ------
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 16(f) 146 137
--------------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ------
Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 March 2019
1. Corporate information
Experian plc (the Company) is the ultimate parent company of the
Experian group of companies (Experian or the Group). Experian is a
leading global information services group. The Company is
incorporated and registered in Jersey as a public company limited
by shares and is resident in Ireland. The Company's ordinary shares
are traded on the London Stock Exchange's Regulated Market and have
a Premium Listing.
2. Basis of preparation
The financial information set out in this preliminary
announcement does not constitute the Group's statutory financial
statements, which comprise the Annual Report and audited financial
statements, for the years ended 31 March 2019 or 31 March 2018 but
is derived from the statutory financial statements for the year
ended 31 March 2019. The Group's statutory financial statements for
the year ended 31 March 2019 will be made available to shareholders
in June 2019 and delivered to the Jersey Registrar of Companies in
due course. The auditor has reported on those financial statements
and has given an unqualified report which does not contain a
statement under Article 111(2) or Article 111(5) of the Companies
(Jersey) Law 1991. The Group's statutory financial statements for
the year ended 31 March 2018 have been delivered to the Jersey
Registrar of Companies. The auditor reported on those financial
statements and gave an unqualified report which did not contain a
statement under Article 111(2) or Article 111(5) of the Companies
(Jersey) Law 1991.
The Group's statutory financial statements for the year ended 31
March 2019 have been:
-- prepared in accordance with the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991
and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS or IFRSs) as
adopted for use in the European Union (the 'EU') and IFRS
Interpretations Committee interpretations (together EU-IFRS);
-- prepared on the going concern basis and under the historical
cost convention, as modified for the revaluation of certain
financial assets and financial liabilities;
-- presented in US dollars, the most representative currency of
the Group's operations, and generally rounded to the nearest
million;
-- prepared using the principal exchange rates set out on page 11; and
-- designed to voluntarily include disclosures in line with
those parts of the UK Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies
reporting under IFRS.
Other than those disclosed in this preliminary announcement, no
significant events impacting the Group have occurred between 31
March 2019 and 14 May 2019 when this preliminary announcement was
approved for issue.
This preliminary announcement has been prepared in accordance
with the Listing Rules of the UK Financial Conduct Authority, using
the accounting policies applied in the preparation of the Group's
statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2019.
Those policies were published in full in the Group's statutory
financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2018 and are
available on a corporate website, at www.experianplc.com.
3. Changes in accounting standards
In the year ended 31 March 2019, IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments'
and IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers' were effective
for us for the first time.
(a) IFRS 9
IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments' replaces the provisions of IAS 39
'Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement' that relate to
the recognition, classification and measurement of financial assets
and financial liabilities, derecognition of financial instruments,
impairment of financial assets and hedge accounting.
We have performed an assessment to understand the requirements
of IFRS 9 and how these differ from IAS 39 and have concluded that
there is no significant financial impact from the date of adoption
on these financial statements. We have applied the classification
and impairment changes retrospectively, however we have taken
advantage of the transitional provisions in IFRS 9 allowing no
restatement of comparative information for prior periods.
The new categories of financial assets as defined in IFRS 9 have
been adopted and hence, the former available-for-sale financial
asset category has been reclassified to 'Financial assets revalued
through OCI'. There has been no consequent change to financial
asset values. Following this reclassification, any gains or losses
arising upon the subsequent disposal of these assets will no longer
be recycled to the income statement and instead will remain within
OCI.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
3. Changes in accounting standards (continued)
(a) IFRS 9 (continued)
For trade receivables and certain IFRS 15 contract assets, we
have adopted the standard's simplified lifetime expected credit
loss approach. Expected credit losses are determined using a
combination of historical experience and forward-looking
information. There is no significant impact to impairment
provisions as a result of the change in impairment model.
Cross-currency swaps and interest rate swaps in hedge accounting
relationships as at 31 March 2018 still qualify as fair value
hedges under IFRS 9. The Group's risk management strategies and
hedge documentation are aligned with the requirements of IFRS 9 and
these relationships are therefore treated as continuing hedges.
(b) IFRS 15
IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers' establishes a
comprehensive framework for determining whether, how much and when
revenue is recognised. IFRS 15 replaces all existing revenue
requirements in EU-IFRS. We have undertaken a detailed review of
our contracts and revenue recognition procedures and have evaluated
the additional disclosure requirements that IFRS 15 introduces.
In accordance with the IFRS 15 transition guidance we have
adopted the new rules using the full retrospective approach and
have restated our comparative financial results where
appropriate.
IFRS 15 is based on the principle that revenue is recognised
when control of goods or services is transferred to the customer
and provides a single, principles-based five-step revenue
recognition model to be applied to all sales contracts. In
implementing IFRS 15, the primary effect is in relation to certain
contracts which are predominantly in the Business-to-Business
business segment. The contracts affected represent less than 15% of
Group revenue, with the effect being a change in the period in
which multi-year revenue is recognised.
The key change for the Group under IFRS 15 is the introduction
of the concept of separately identifiable performance obligations,
and recognising revenue when these have been met, and the customer
takes control. It therefore results in fewer of our services being
separated or unbundled. The largest impacts are in the following
areas:
-- Software licence and delivery services are primarily
accounted for as a single performance obligation, with revenue
recognised when the combined offering is delivered to the customer.
There is a new distinction in treatment between Experian-hosted
solutions (revenue spread over the contract term) and on-premise
software licence arrangements (revenue recognised on delivery
completion). For these contracts we generally see a delay in when
delivery revenue is recognised compared to the previous accounting
treatment.
-- Batch data arrangements which include an ongoing update
service are apportioned across each delivery to the customer,
rather than being apportioned on Experian delivery hours.
-- Platform set-up fees across a range of business units are
recognised over the contractual life of the wider service provided
to the customer, compared to the previous approach of recognition
as the set-up is delivered.
-- There are a small number of arrangements where we previously
concluded that the Group is acting as Principal (recognising
revenue and costs on a gross basis) and under IFRS 15 guidance we
now determine that we are acting as an Agent (only the fee to which
we are entitled for arranging the promised goods/services is
recognised as revenue). These presentational changes have no impact
on our reported Benchmark EBIT.
-- Certain costs are deferred as contract costs and expensed
over the period that the related revenue stream is recognised.
These costs include sales commissions and labour costs directly
relating to an implementation service.
Impact of adoption
The following tables summarise the adjustments to the
comparative Group income statement and Group balance sheet. Our
Benchmark operating cash flow is not affected by the restatement
and on a full-year basis we do not expect a material effect on our
growth rates.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
3. Changes in accounting standards (continued)
(b) IFRS 15 (continued)
Group income statement Year ended 31 March 2018
--------
As originally IFRS 15 Restated
presented adjustment
US$m US$m US$m
Revenue 4,662 (78) 4,584
Total operating expenses (3,567) 34 (3,533)
Operating profit/(loss) 1,095 (44) 1,051
Interest income 15 - 15
Finance expense (124) - (124)
---------------------- ------------------ --------
Net finance costs (109) - (109)
Share of post-tax profit of associates 8 - 8
------------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------ --------
Profit/(loss) before tax 994 (44) 950
Group tax (charge)/credit (149) 13 (136)
------------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------ --------
Profit/(loss) for the financial year
from continuing operations 845 (31) 814
Loss for the financial year from discontinued
operations (30) (1) (31)
------------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------ --------
Profit/(loss) for the financial year 815 (32) 783
------------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------ --------
Attributable to:
Owners of Experian plc 815 (32) 783
Non-controlling interests - - -
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------- ------------------ --------
Profit/(loss) for the financial year 815 (32) 783
------------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------ --------
Total Benchmark EBIT(1) 1,291 (44) 1,247
------------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------ --------
1. Total Benchmark EBIT is a non-GAAP measure, defined in note 5.
Group balance sheet At 31 March 2018
(extract)
As originally IFRS 15 Restated
presented adjustment
US$m US$m US$m
Non-current assets
Trade and other receivables 11 72 83
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 1,112 3 1,115
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (1,294) (200) (1,494)
Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables (44) (59) (103)
Deferred tax liabilities (206) 44 (162)
Other 3,045 - 3,045
Net assets 2,624 (140) 2,484
------------------------------ ------------- ----------- --------
Equity
Retained earnings 18,745 (136) 18,609
Other reserves(2) (17,771) (4) (17,775)
Other(3) 1,650 - 1,650
------------------------------ ------------- ----------- --------
Total equity 2,624 (140) 2,484
------------------------------ ------------- ----------- --------
2. IFRS 15 adjustments comprise currency translation reported within Other comprehensive income.
3. The impact of IFRS 15 on total equity was previously reported
at US$134m, following further review of customer contracts this
amount has been refined to US$140m.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
4. Recent accounting developments
There are a number of new standards and amendments to existing
standards currently in issue but not yet effective, including one
significant standard IFRS 16 'Leases' endorsed by the EU and
effective for us for the year ending 31 March 2020.
IFRS 16
IFRS 16 removes the distinction between finance and operating
leases, bringing the majority of leases onto the balance sheet for
the first time. As a lessee, we will be required to recognise both
a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on our balance sheet,
increasing both assets and financial liabilities.
Over the life of a lease, the total expense recognised in the
Group income statement will remain unchanged. Upon implementation
however, there will be a reduction in operating costs and an
increase in net finance costs as operating lease costs are replaced
with depreciation and lease interest expense. Based on the current
lease portfolio at 1 April 2019, depreciation in the year ending 31
March 2020 is expected to be approximately US$48m and the lease
interest expense is expected to be approximately US$10m, offset by
a reduction in other operating charges of US$58m.
At 31 March 2019 the Group has non-cancellable operating lease
commitments of US$254m. As a result of applying IFRS 16, we expect
to recognise right-of-use assets of approximately US$200m on 1
April 2019, matching a newly recognised lease liability.
IFRS 16 contains exemptions for low value assets and short-term
leases, of which we are choosing only to apply the exemption for
low value assets. Of the FY19 commitments disclosed, approximately
US$10m relates to low value leases which will be recognised, on a
straight-line basis, as an expense in the Group income statement.
Short-term leases of approximately US$1m will be included in the
right-of-use asset on transition.
In addition, US$13m of deferred lease incentives on the balance
sheet at 31 March 2019 will be consolidated into the lease
liability in FY20. We expect that the impact on net profit after
tax for FY20 as a result of adopting the new standard will be
immaterial.
The total cash outflow for lease payments is not expected to
change but certain lease payments will be presented within net cash
flows used in financing activities, instead of the current
treatment within cash flows from operating activities. This
improves our cash flow from operating activities, and increases
cash flows used in financing activities.
We intend to apply the modified retrospective approach which
allows matching of the opening right-of-use asset with the opening
lease liability on 1 April 2019. Under this approach no restatement
of comparative information is required.
There are no other new standards, amendments to existing
standards or interpretations that are not yet effective that would
be expected to have a material impact on the Group. Such
developments are routinely reviewed by the Group and its financial
reporting systems are adapted as appropriate.
5. Use of non-GAAP measures in the financial statements
As detailed below, the Group has identified and defined certain
measures that it uses to understand and manage its performance. The
measures are not defined under IFRS and they may not be directly
comparable with other companies' adjusted measures. These non-GAAP
measures are not intended to be a substitute for any IFRS measures
of performance but management has included them as they consider
them to be key measures used within the business for assessing the
underlying performance of the Group's ongoing businesses.
(a) Benchmark profit before tax (Benchmark PBT) (note 6(a))
Benchmark PBT is disclosed to indicate the Group's underlying
profitability. It is defined as profit before amortisation and
impairment of acquisition intangibles, impairment of goodwill,
acquisition expenses, adjustments to contingent consideration,
Exceptional items, financing fair value remeasurements, tax (and
interest thereon) and discontinued operations. It includes the
Group's share of continuing associates' post-tax results.
An explanation of the basis on which we report Exceptional items
is provided below. Other adjustments made to derive Benchmark PBT
are explained as follows:
-- Charges for the amortisation and impairment of acquisition
intangibles are excluded from the calculation of Benchmark PBT
because these charges are based on judgments about their value and
economic life and bear no relation to the Group's underlying
ongoing performance. Impairment of goodwill is similarly excluded
from the calculation of Benchmark PBT.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
5. Use of non-GAAP measures in the financial statements
(continued)
(a) Benchmark profit before tax (Benchmark PBT) (note 6(a))
(continued)
-- Acquisition and disposal expenses (representing the
incidental costs of acquisitions and disposals, one-time
integration costs and other corporate transaction expenses)
relating to successful, active or aborted acquisitions and
disposals are excluded from the definition of Benchmark PBT as they
bear no relation to the Group's underlying ongoing performance or
to the performance of any acquired businesses. Adjustments to
contingent consideration are similarly excluded from the definition
of Benchmark PBT.
-- Charges and credits for financing fair value remeasurements
within finance expense in the Group income statement are excluded
from the definition of Benchmark PBT. These include retranslation
of intra-Group funding, and that element of the Group's derivatives
that is ineligible for hedge accounting, together with gains and
losses on put options in respect of acquisitions. Amounts
recognised generally arise from market movements and accordingly
bear no direct relation to the Group's underlying performance.
(b) Benchmark earnings before interest and tax (Benchmark EBIT)
and margin (Benchmark EBIT margin) (note 6(a))
Benchmark EBIT is defined as Benchmark PBT before the net
interest expense charged therein and accordingly excludes
Exceptional items as defined below. Benchmark EBIT margin is
Benchmark EBIT from ongoing activities expressed as a percentage of
revenue from ongoing activities.
(c) Benchmark earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and
amortisation (Benchmark EBITDA)
Benchmark EBITDA is defined as Benchmark EBIT before the
depreciation and amortisation charged therein.
(d) Exited business activities
Exited business activities are businesses sold, closed or
identified for closure during a financial year. These are treated
as exited business activities for both revenue and Benchmark EBIT
purposes. The results of exited business activities are disclosed
separately with the results of the prior period re-presented in the
segmental analyses as appropriate. This measure differs from the
definition of discontinued operations in IFRS 5.
(e) Ongoing activities
The results of businesses trading at 31 March 2019, which are
not disclosed as exited business activities, are reported as
ongoing activities.
(f) Constant exchange rates
To highlight our organic performance, we discuss our results in
terms of growth at constant exchange rates, unless otherwise
stated. This represents growth calculated after translating both
years' performance at the prior year's average exchange rates.
(g) Total growth (note 6(d))
This is the year-on-year change in the performance of our
activities at actual exchange rates. Total growth at constant
exchange rates removes the translational foreign exchange effects
arising on the consolidation of our activities and comprises one of
our measures of performance at constant exchange rates.
(h) Organic revenue growth (note 6(d))
This is the year-on-year change in the revenue of ongoing
activities, translated at constant exchange rates, excluding
acquisitions until the first anniversary of their
consolidation.
(i) Benchmark earnings and Total Benchmark earnings (note
12)
Benchmark earnings comprises Benchmark PBT less attributable tax
and non-controlling interests. The attributable tax for this
purpose excludes significant tax credits and charges arising in the
year which, in view of their size or nature, are not comparable
with previous years, together with tax arising on Exceptional items
and on other adjustments made to derive Benchmark PBT. Benchmark
PBT less attributable tax is designated as Total Benchmark
earnings.
(j) Benchmark earnings per share (Benchmark EPS) (note
12(a))
Benchmark EPS comprises Benchmark earnings divided by the
weighted average number of issued ordinary shares, as adjusted for
own shares held.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
5. Use of non-GAAP measures in the financial statements
(continued)
(k) Benchmark PBT per share
Benchmark PBT per share comprises Benchmark PBT divided by the
weighted average number of issued ordinary shares, as adjusted for
own shares held.
(l) Benchmark tax charge and rate (note 10(b))
The Benchmark tax charge is the tax charge applicable to
Benchmark PBT. It differs from the Group tax charge by tax
attributable to Exceptional items and other adjustments made to
derive Benchmark PBT, and exceptional tax charges. A reconciliation
is provided in note 10(b) to these financial statements. The
Benchmark effective rate of tax is calculated by dividing the
Benchmark tax charge by Benchmark PBT.
(m) Exceptional items (note 8(a))
The separate reporting of Exceptional items gives an indication
of the Group's underlying performance. Exceptional items include
those arising from the profit or loss on disposal of businesses,
closure costs of major business units, costs of significant
restructuring programmes and other financially significant one-off
items. All other restructuring costs are charged against Benchmark
EBIT, in the segments in which they are incurred.
(n) Full-year dividend per share (note 13)
Full-year dividend per share comprises the total of dividends
per share announced in respect of the financial year.
(o) Benchmark operating and Benchmark free cash flow
Benchmark operating cash flow is Benchmark EBIT plus
amortisation, depreciation and charges in respect of share-based
incentive plans, less capital expenditure net of disposal proceeds
and adjusted for changes in working capital and the profit or loss
retained in continuing associates. Benchmark free cash flow is
derived from Benchmark operating cash flow by excluding net
interest, tax paid in respect of continuing operations and
dividends paid to non-controlling interests.
(p) Cash flow conversion
Cash flow conversion is Benchmark operating cash flow expressed
as a percentage of Benchmark EBIT.
(q) Net debt and Net funding (note 17)
Net debt is borrowings (and the fair value of derivatives
hedging borrowings) excluding accrued interest, less cash and cash
equivalents and other highly liquid bank deposits with original
maturities greater than three months. Net funding is borrowings
(and the fair value of the effective portion of derivatives hedging
borrowings) excluding accrued interest, less cash held in Group
Treasury.
(r) Return on capital employed (ROCE)
ROCE is defined as Benchmark EBIT less tax at the Benchmark rate
divided by a three-point average of capital employed, in continuing
operations, over the year. Capital employed is net assets less
non-controlling interests, further adjusted to add or deduct the
net tax liability or asset and to add Net debt.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
6. Segment information
IFRS 8 disclosures
(a) Income statement
EMEA/ Total Total
North Latin UK and Asia operating Central continuing
America America Ireland Pacific(1) segments Activities operations
Year ended 31 US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m
March 2019
----------------- -------- -------- -------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -----------
Revenue from
external
customers
Ongoing
activities 2,913 707 813 422 4,855 - 4,855
Exited business
activities - - 6 - 6 - 6
----------------- -------- -------- -------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -----------
Total 2,913 707 819 422 4,861 - 4,861
----------------- -------- -------- -------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -----------
Reconciliation
from Benchmark
EBIT to
profit/(loss)
before
tax
Benchmark EBIT
Ongoing
activities 940 231 230 3 1,404 (98) 1,306
Exited business
activities - - 5 - 5 - 5
----------------- -------- -------- -------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -----------
Total 940 231 235 3 1,409 (98) 1,311
Net interest
expense
included
in Benchmark
PBT
(note 9(b)) - - - - - (113) (113)
----------------- -------- -------- -------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -----------
Benchmark PBT 940 231 235 3 1,409 (211) 1,198
Exceptional
items (note
8(a)) - (4) 9 - 5 - 5
Amortisation of
acquisition
intangibles (80) (18) (9) (4) (111) - (111)
Acquisition and
disposal
expenses (8) - (9) (7) (24) - (24)
Adjustment to
the fair value
of contingent
consideration (14) - (2) - (16) - (16)
Interest on
uncertain tax
provisions - - - - - (14) (14)
Financing fair
value
remeasurements - - - - - (81) (81)
----------------- -------- -------- -------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -----------
Profit/(loss)
before tax 838 209 224 (8) 1,263 (306) 957
----------------- -------- -------- -------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -----------
EMEA/ Total Total
UK and Asia operating Central continuing
Ireland Pacific(1) segments Activities operations
EMEA/ Total Total
North Latin UK and Asia operating Central continuing
America America Ireland Pacific(1) segments Activities operations
Year ended 31 US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m
March 2018
----------------- -------- -------- -------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -----------
Revenue from
external
customers
Ongoing
activities 2,618 778 788 388 4,572 - 4,572
Exited business
activities 5 - 7 - 12 - 12
----------------- -------- -------- -------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -----------
Total 2,623 778 795 388 4,584 - 4,584
----------------- -------- -------- -------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -----------
Reconciliation
from Benchmark
EBIT to
profit/(loss)
before
tax
Benchmark EBIT
Ongoing
activities 821 259 235 5 1,320 (79) 1,241
Exited business
activities 1 - 5 - 6 - 6
----------------- -------- -------- -------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -----------
Total 822 259 240 5 1,326 (79) 1,247
Net interest
expense
included
in Benchmark
PBT
(note 9(b)) - - - - - (85) (85)
----------------- -------- -------- -------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -----------
Benchmark PBT 822 259 240 5 1,326 (164) 1,162
Exceptional
items (note
8(a)) (57) - - - (57) - (57)
Amortisation of
acquisition
intangibles (79) (20) (9) (4) (112) - (112)
Acquisition
expenses (13) - (5) (2) (20) - (20)
Adjustment to
the fair value
of contingent
consideration - - (3) - (3) - (3)
Fair value gain
on step
acquisition - - 4 - 4 - 4
Interest on
uncertain tax
provisions - - - - - (20) (20)
Financing fair
value
remeasurements - - - - - (4) (4)
----------------- -------- -------- -------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -----------
Profit/(loss)
before tax 673 239 227 (1) 1,138 (188) 950
----------------- -------- -------- -------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -----------
1. EMEA/Asia Pacific represents all other operating segments.
2. The results for the year ended 31 March 2018 have been
restated following the adoption of IFRS 15 and the reclassification
to exited business activities of certain B2B businesses.
A profit before tax of US$22m arose in the year ended 31 March
2018 in respect of discontinued operations. Further information on
such operations which comprise the Group's email/cross-channel
marketing business (CCM), is given in note 11.
Additional information by operating segment, including that on
total and organic growth at constant exchange rates, is provided
within pages 3 to 9.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
6. Segment information (continued)
(b) Revenue by country- continuing operations
2019 2018
(Restated)
(Note 3)
US$m US$m
----------------------------------------------- ------ -----------
USA 2,910 2,618
UK 810 789
Brazil 618 699
Colombia 71 66
Other 452 412
----------------------------------------------- ------ -----------
4,861 4,584
----------------------------------------------- ------ -----------
Revenue is primarily attributable to countries other than
Ireland. No single client accounted for 10% or more of revenue in
the current or prior year. Revenue from the USA, the UK and Brazil
in aggregate comprises 89% (2018: 90%) of Group revenue.
(c) Revenue by business segment
The additional analysis of revenue from external customers
provided to the chief operating decision-maker and accordingly
reportable under IFRS 8 is given within note 7. This is
supplemented by voluntary disclosure of the profitability of groups
of service lines. For ease of reference, we continue to use the
term 'business segments' when discussing the results of groups of
service lines.
(d) Reconciliation of revenue from ongoing activities
EMEA/ Total
North Latin UK and Asia ongoing
America America Ireland Pacific activities
US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m
------------------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------
Revenue for the year ended 31 March 2018
(Restated) (Note 3) 2,618 778 788 388 4,572
Adjustment to constant exchange rates - (2) 3 (1) -
------------------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------
Revenue at constant exchange rates for
the year ended 31 March 2018 2,618 776 791 387 4,572
Organic revenue growth 264 49 33 53 399
Revenue from acquisitions 31 - 1 - 32
------------------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------
Revenue at constant exchange rates for
the year ended 31 March 2019 2,913 825 825 440 5,003
Adjustments to actual exchange rates - (118) (12) (18) (148)
------------------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------
Revenue for the year ended 31 March 2019 2,913 707 813 422 4,855
------------------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------
Organic revenue growth at constant rates 10% 6% 4% 14% 9%
Total revenue growth at constant rates 11% 6% 4% 14% 9%
------------------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------
The above table demonstrates the application of the methodology
set out in note 5 in determining organic and total revenue growth
at constant exchange rates. Revenue at constant exchange rates for
both years is reported using the average exchange rates applicable
for the year ended 31 March 2018.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
7. Information on business segments (including non-GAAP
disclosures)
Total Total
Consumer business Central continuing
Business-to-Business Services segments Activities operations
Year ended 31 March 2019 US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m
----------------------------------- --------------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------
Revenue from external customers
Ongoing activities 3,870 985 4,855 - 4,855
Exited business activities 6 - 6 - 6
------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------
Total 3,876 985 4,861 - 4,861
------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------
Reconciliation from Benchmark EBIT
to
profit/(loss) before tax
Benchmark EBIT
Ongoing activities 1,186 218 1,404 (98) 1,306
Exited business activities 5 - 5 - 5
------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------
Total 1,191 218 1,409 (98) 1,311
Net interest expense included in
Benchmark PBT (note 9(b)) - - - (113) (113)
------------------------------------ --------------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------
Benchmark PBT 1,191 218 1,409 (211) 1,198
Exceptional items (note 8(a)) 5 - 5 - 5
Amortisation of acquisition
intangibles (92) (19) (111) - (111)
Acquisition and disposal expenses (13) (11) (24) - (24)
Adjustment to the fair value
of contingent consideration (16) - (16) - (16)
Interest on uncertain tax provisions - - - (14) (14)
Financing fair value remeasurements - - - (81) (81)
------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------
Profit/(loss) before tax 1,075 188 1,263 (306) 957
------------------------------------- --------------------- ----------
Total Total
Consumer business Central continuing
Business-to-Business Services segments Activities operations
Year ended 31 March 2018 US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m
----------------------------------- --------------------- ---------- ------------
Revenue from external customers
Ongoing activities 3,645 927 4,572 - 4,572
Exited business activities 12 - 12 - 12
------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------- ------------
Total 3,657 927 4,584 - 4,584
-------------------------------------
Reconciliation from Benchmark EBIT
to profit/(loss) before tax
Benchmark EBIT
Ongoing activities 1,126 194 1,320 (79) 1,241
Exited business activities 6 - 6 - 6
------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------- ------------
Total 1,132 194 1,326 (79) 1,247
Net interest expense included in
Benchmark
PBT (note 9(b)) - - - (85) (85)
--------------------- ---------- ------------
Benchmark PBT 1,132 194 1,326 (164) 1,162
Exceptional items (note 8(a)) (57) - (57) - (57)
Amortisation of acquisition
intangibles (93) (19) (112) - (112)
Acquisition expenses (12) (8) (20) - (20)
Adjustment to the fair value
of contingent consideration (3) - (3) - (3)
Fair value gain on step acquisitions 4 - 4 - 4
Interest on uncertain tax provisions - - - (20) (20)
Financing fair value remeasurements - - - (4) (4)
------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------- ------------
Profit/(loss) before tax 971 167 1,138 (188) 950
1. Additional information by business segment, including that on
total and organic growth at constant exchange rates, is provided
within pages 3 to 9 and within Appendix 2 on page 12.
2. The results for the year ended 31 March 2018 have been
restated following the adoption of IFRS 15 and the reclassification
to exited business activities of certain B2B businesses.
A profit before tax of US$22m arose in the year ended 31 March
2018 in respect of discontinued operations. Further information on
such operations which comprise CCM, is given in note 11.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
8. Exceptional items and other adjustments made to derive
Benchmark PBT - continuing operations
(a) Net charge for Exceptional items and other adjustments made
to derive Benchmark PBT
2019 2018
US$m US$m
Exceptional items:
Profit on disposal of businesses (note 8(b)) (5) -
Canadian legal settlement (note 8(c)) - 32
Legal provisions movements (note 8(d)) - 25
(Credit)/charge for Exceptional items (5) 57
Other adjustments made to derive Benchmark
PBT:
Amortisation of acquisition intangibles 111 112
Acquisition and disposal expenses 24 20
Adjustment to the fair value of contingent
consideration 16 3
Interest on uncertain tax provisions 14 20
Fair value gain on step acquisition - (4)
Financing fair value remeasurements 81 4
Charge for other adjustments made to derive
Benchmark PBT 246 155
Net charge for Exceptional items and other
adjustments made to derive Benchmark PBT 241 212
By income statement caption:
Labour costs 3 7
Amortisation and depreciation charges 111 112
Other operating charges 37 69
Profit on disposal of businesses (5) -
Within operating profit 146 188
Finance expense (note 9(a)) 95 24
Net charge for Exceptional items and other
adjustments made to derive Benchmark PBT 241 212
Acquisition and disposal expenses represent professional fees
and expenses associated with completed, ongoing and terminated
acquisition and disposal processes, as well as the integration and
separation costs associated with completed deals.
(b) Profit on disposal of businesses
The profit before tax on the disposal of businesses in the year
ended 31 March 2019 related to the disposal of two small
businesses, one based in the UK and Ireland region and one in Latin
America.
(c) Canadian legal settlement
During the year ended 31 March 2018, we settled a contractual
dispute in Canada that arose following a 2008 sales process in our
now divested BakerHill business. All costs relating to the dispute
were paid in that year.
(d) Legal provisions movements
During the year ended 31 March 2018, we paid US$7m of legal fees
and increased provisions by a further net US$18m in respect of a
number of related legal claims.
9. Net finance costs
(a) Net finance costs included in profit before
tax
2019 2018
US$m US$m
Interest income:
Bank deposits, short-term investments and loan
notes (12) (15)
Interest income (12) (15)
Finance expense:
Interest expense 125 100
Charge in respect of financing fair value remeasurements 81 4
Interest on uncertain tax provisions 14 20
Finance expense 220 124
Net finance costs included in profit before
tax 208 109
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
9. Net finance costs (continued)
(b) Net interest expense included in Benchmark
PBT
2019 2018
US$m US$m
Interest income (12) (15)
Interest expense 125 100
Net interest expense included in Benchmark
PBT 113 85
10. Tax - ongoing activities
(a) Group tax charge and effective rate of tax
2019 2018
(Restated)
(Note 3)
US$m US$m
----------
Group tax charge 256 136
Profit before tax 957 950
Effective rate of tax based on profit before
tax 26.8% 14.3%
In the normal course of business, the Group has a number of open
tax returns with various tax authorities with whom it is in active
dialogue. At 31 March 2019 the Group held current provisions of
US$293m (2018: US$301m) in respect of uncertain tax positions.
Liabilities relating to these open and judgmental matters are based
on an assessment as to whether additional taxes will be due, after
taking into account external advice where appropriate. The
resolution of these tax matters may take many years. Whilst the
timing of developments in resolving these matters is inherently
uncertain, the Group does not expect to materially increase its
uncertain tax provision in the next 12 months, however if an
opportunity arose to resolve the matters for less than the amounts
provided, a settlement may be made with a corresponding reduction
in the provision.
(b) Reconciliation of the Group tax charge to the Benchmark tax
charge
2019 2018
(Restated)
(Note 3)
US$m US$m
Group tax charge 256 136
Tax relief on Exceptional items and other adjustments
made to derive Benchmark PBT 46 53
Exceptional tax items 4 107
Benchmark tax charge 306 296
Benchmark PBT 1,198 1,162
Benchmark tax rate 25.5% 25.5%
Exceptional tax items include the movement in the Group's
uncertain tax provisions and in the prior year the credit on
restatement of deferred tax balances in North America, and the
recognition of previously unrecognised tax losses.
(c) Tax recognised in other comprehensive income and directly in
equity
In the year ended 31 March 2019, the loss of US$163m (2018 gain
of: US$46m) in respect of other comprehensive income is after a
deferred tax charge of US$1m (2018: US$6m), relating to
remeasurement gains on post-employment benefit assets and
obligations.
A tax credit relating to employee share incentive plans of US$8m
(2018: US$nil) is recognised in equity and reported as appropriate
within transactions with owners. This amount comprises a current
tax credit of US$3m and a deferred tax credit of US$5m.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
11. Discontinued operations
There have been no material divestments during the year ended 31
March 2019. On 31 May 2017 we completed the divestment of the
Group's email/cross-channel marketing business (CCM) and the
results and cash flows of that business were accordingly classified
as discontinued.
(a) Results for discontinued operations
The results of CCM were:
2018
(Restated)
(Note 3)
US$m
Revenue 47
Labour costs (28)
Data and information technology costs (8)
Marketing and customer acquisition costs (1)
Other operating charges (14)
Total operating expenses (51)
Separation and transaction related charges (28)
Loss before tax (32)
Tax credit 8
Loss after tax of discontinued operations (24)
Profit on disposal of discontinued operations (note
22(a)) 54
Tax charge in respect of disposal (61)
Loss for the financial year from discontinued operations (31)
The operating loss for the year ended 31 March 2018 included
certain restructuring and one-off costs of separation.
(b) Cash flows for discontinued operations 2019 2018
US$m US$m
Cash outflow from operating activities (42) (63)
Cash flow from investing activities - 278
(42) 215
The cash outflow from operating activities of US$42m (2018:
US$63m) relates to CCM and is stated after tax paid of US$18m
(2018: US$22m). The remaining US$24m (2018: US$41m) relates to
restructuring activities provided for at the time of disposal.
The cash flow from investing activities for the year ended 31
March 2018 of US$278m comprised an inflow of US$263m relating to
CCM, and an inflow of US$15m which arose from the previous disposal
of the comparison shopping and lead generation businesses.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
12. Earnings per share disclosures
(a) Earnings per share (EPS)
Basic Diluted
2019 2018 2019 2018
(Restated) (Restated)
(Note
(Note 3) 3)
US cents US cents US cents US cents
Continuing and discontinued operations 76.9 85.4 76.0 84.6
Add: loss from discontinued operations - 3.4 - 3.3
Continuing operations 76.9 88.8 76.0 87.9
Add: other adjustments made to derive
Benchmark PBT, net of related tax 21.1 5.6 20.9 5.6
Benchmark EPS (non-GAAP measure) 98.0 94.4 96.9 93.5
(b) Analysis of earnings (i) Attributable
to owners of Experian plc
2019 2018
(Restated)
(Note
3)
US$m US$m
Continuing and discontinued operations 695 783
Add: loss from discontinued operations - 31
Continuing operations 695 814
Add: other adjustments made to derive Benchmark
PBT, net of related tax 191 52
Benchmark earnings attributable to owners of Experian
plc (non-GAAP measure) 886 866
(ii) Attributable to non-controlling
interests
2019 2018
US$m US$m
Continuing and discontinued operations 6 -
Add: amortisation of acquisition intangibles attributable
to non-controlling interests, net of related tax - -
Benchmark earnings attributable to non-controlling interests
(non-GAAP measure) 6 -
(c) Reconciliation of Total Benchmark earnings to profit
for the financial year
2019 2018
(Restated)
(Note
3)
US$m US$m
Total Benchmark earnings (non-GAAP
measure) 892 866
Loss from discontinued operations - (31)
Loss from other adjustments made to derive Benchmark
PBT, net of related tax (191) (52)
Profit for the financial year 701 783
(d) Weighted average number of ordinary
shares
2019 2018
million million
Weighted average number of ordinary
shares 904 917
Add: dilutive effect of share incentive awards,
options and share purchases 10 9
Diluted weighted average number of
ordinary shares 914 926
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
13. Dividends
(a) Dividend information
2019 2018
US cents US cents
per share US$m per share US$m
Amounts recognised and paid during
the financial year:
First interim - paid in February
2019 (2018: February 2018) 14.00 126 13.50 124
Second interim - paid in July 2018
(2018: July 2017) 31.25 284 28.50 264
Dividends paid on ordinary shares 45.25 410 42.00 388
Full-year dividend for the financial
year 46.50 419 44.75 408
A second interim dividend in respect of the year ended 31 March
2019 of 32.5 US cents per ordinary share will be paid on 26 July
2019, to shareholders on the register at the close of business on
27 June 2019. This dividend is not included as a liability in these
financial statements. This second interim dividend and the first
interim dividend paid in February 2019 comprise the full-year
dividend for the financial year of 46.5 US cents per ordinary
share.
In the year ended 31 March 2019, the employee trusts waived
their entitlements to dividends of US$4m (2018: US$5m). There is no
entitlement to dividend in respect of own shares held as treasury
shares.
(b) Income Access Share (IAS) arrangements
As its ordinary shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange,
the Company has a large number of UK resident shareholders. In
order that shareholders may receive Experian dividends from a UK
source, should they wish, the IAS arrangements have been put in
place. The purpose of the IAS arrangements is to preserve the tax
treatment of dividends paid to Experian shareholders in the UK, in
respect of dividends paid by the Company. Shareholders who elect,
or are deemed to elect, to receive their dividends via the IAS
arrangements will receive their dividends from a UK source (rather
than directly from the Company) for UK tax purposes.
Shareholders who hold 50,000 or fewer Experian plc shares on the
first dividend record date after they become shareholders, unless
they elect otherwise, will be deemed to have elected to receive
their dividends under the IAS arrangements.
Shareholders who hold more than 50,000 shares and who wish to
receive their dividends from a UK source must make an election to
receive dividends via the IAS arrangements. All elections remain in
force indefinitely unless revoked.
Unless shareholders have made an election to receive dividends
via the IAS arrangements, or are deemed to have made such an
election, dividends will be received from an Irish source and will
be taxed accordingly.
14. Capital expenditure, disposals and capital commitments
During year ended 31 March 2019, the Group incurred capital
expenditure of US$439m (2018: US$431m) in continuing
operations.
Excluding any amounts in connection with the disposal of
businesses, the book value of other intangible fixed assets and
property, plant and equipment disposed of in the year ended 31
March 2019 was US$8m (2018: US$9m) and the amount realised was
US$13m (2018: US$26m).
At 31 March 2019, the Group had capital commitments in respect
of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets and for
which contracts had been placed of US$19m (2018: US$27m). These
include commitments of US$3m not expected to be incurred before 31
March 2020. Commitments as at 31 March 2018 included commitments of
US$8m not then expected to be incurred before 31 March 2019.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
15. Post-employment benefits - IAS 19 information
(a) Balance sheet assets/(obligations)
2019 2018
US$m US$m
Retirement benefit assets/(obligations) - funded
plans:
Fair value of funded plans' assets 1,122 1,180
Present value of funded plans' obligations (1,061) (1,133)
Assets in the Group balance sheet for funded
defined benefit pensions 61 47
Obligations for unfunded post-employment benefits:
Present value of defined benefit pensions - unfunded
plans (50) (53)
Present value of post-employment medical benefits (5) (5)
Liabilities in the Group balance sheet (55) (58)
Net post-employment benefit assets/(obligations) 6 (11)
Pension assets are deemed to be recoverable and there are no adjustments
in respect of minimum funding requirements as, under the Experian Pension
Scheme rules, future economic benefits are available to the Group in
the form of reductions in future contributions or refunds of surplus.
(b) Movements in net post-employment benefit assets/(obligations)
recognised in the Group balance sheet
2019 2018
US$m US$m
At 1 April (11) (40)
Differences on exchange - (1)
Charge to Group income statement (11) (10)
Remeasurement gains recognised within Other comprehensive
income 16 28
Contributions paid by the Group and employees 12 12
At 31 March 6 (11)
(c) Income statement charge
2019 2018
US$m US$m
By nature of expense:
Current service cost 5 6
Past service cost 4 -
Administration expenses 2 2
Charge within labour costs 11 8
Charge within operating profit 11 8
Interest expense - 2
Total charge to income statement 11 10
The past service cost is in respect of Guaranteed Minimum Pension equalisation
(2018: US$nil).
(d) Financial actuarial assumptions
2019 2018
% %
Discount rate 2.3 2.4
Inflation rate - based on the UK Retail Prices
Index (the 'RPI') 3.2 3.1
Inflation rate - based on the UK Consumer Prices
Index (the 'CPI') 2.2 2.1
Increase in salaries 3.7 3.6
Increase for pensions in payment - element based
on the RPI (where cap is 5%) 3.0 2.9
Increase for pensions in payment - element based
on the CPI (where cap is 2.5%) 1.7 1.7
Increase for pensions in payment - element based
on the CPI (where cap is 3%) 1.9 1.8
Increase for pensions in deferment 2.2 2.1
Inflation in medical costs 6.2 6.1
The mortality and other demographic assumptions used at 31 March 2019
remain broadly unchanged from those used at 31 March 2018 and disclosed
in the Group's statutory financial statements for the year then ended.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
16. Notes to the Group cash flow statement
(a) Cash generated from operations
2019 2018
(Restated)
(Note 3)
Note US$m US$m
Profit before tax 957 950
Share of post-tax profit of associates (3) (8)
Net finance costs 208 109
Operating profit 1,162 1,051
Profit on disposal of fixed assets (5) (17)
Profit on disposal of businesses (5) -
Depreciation and amortisation(1) 437 438
Charge in respect of share incentive plans 87 76
Increase in working capital 16(b) (26) (26)
Acquisition expenses - difference between
income statement charge and amount paid (2) 5
Adjustment to the fair value of contingent
consideration 16 3
Fair value gain on revaluation of step acquisition - (4)
Movement in Exceptional items included in
working capital (25) 3
Cash generated from operations 1,639 1,529
1. Depreciation and amortisation includes amortisation of acquisition
intangibles of US$111m (2018: US$112m) which is excluded from Benchmark
PBT.
(b) Increase in working capital
2019 2018
(Restated)
(Note 3)
US$m US$m
Trade and other receivables (65) (156)
Trade and other payables 39 130
Increase in working capital (26) (26)
(c) Cash flows on acquisitions (non-GAAP measure)
2019 2018
Note US$m US$m
Purchase of subsidiaries 21(a) 56 147
Net cash acquired with subsidiaries - (6)
Deferred consideration settled 16 5
As reported in the Group cash flow statement 72 146
Acquisition expenses paid 26 15
Transactions in respect of non-controlling
interests (3) 8
Cash outflow for acquisitions (non-GAAP measure) 95 169
(d) Purchase of other intangible assets
2019 2018
US$m US$m
Databases 171 192
Internally generated software 156 129
Internal use software 21 39
Purchase of other intangible assets 348 360
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
16. Notes to the Group cash flow statement (continued)
(e) Cash outflow in respect of net share purchases (non-GAAP
measure)
2019 2018
US$m US$m
Issue of ordinary shares (13) (16)
Purchase of shares by employee trusts - 37
Purchase and cancellation of own shares 228 544
Cash outflow in respect of net share purchases
(non-GAAP measure) 215 565
As reported in the Group cash flow statement:
Cash inflow in respect of net share purchases (13) (16)
Cash outflow in respect of net share purchases 228 581
Cash outflow in respect of net share purchases
(non-GAAP measure) 215 565
(f) Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
2019 2018
US$m US$m
Cash and cash equivalents in the Group balance
sheet 149 156
Bank overdrafts (3) (19)
Cash and cash equivalents in the Group cash
flow statement 146 137
(g) Reconciliation of Cash generated from operations to
Benchmark operating cash flow (non-GAAP measure)
2019 2018
Note US$m US$m
------
Cash generated from operations 16(a) 1,639 1,529
Purchase of other intangible assets 16(d) (348) (360)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (91) (71)
Sale of property, plant and equipment 13 26
Acquisition expenses paid 26 15
Dividends received from associates 6 3
Cash flows in respect of Exceptional
and other non-benchmark items 25 54
Benchmark operating cash flow (non-GAAP
measure) 1,270 1,196
Benchmark free cash flow for the year ended 31 March 2019 was
US$907m (2018: US$915m). Cash flow conversion for the year ended 31
March 2019 was 97% (2018: 96% (restated note 3)).
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
17. Net debt (non-GAAP measure)
(a) Analysis by nature
2019 2018
US$m US$m
Cash and cash equivalents (net of overdrafts) 146 137
Debt due within one year - commercial paper (179) (353)
Debt due within one year - bonds and notes (578) (572)
Debt due within one year - bank loans and finance
lease obligations (105) (3)
Debt due after more than one year - bonds and notes (2,132) (1,837)
Debt due after more than one year - bank loans and
finance lease obligations (308) (706)
Derivatives hedging loans and borrowings (119) (74)
(3,275) (3,408)
(b) Analysis by balance sheet caption
2019 2018
US$m US$m
Cash and cash equivalents 149 156
Current borrowings (869) (956)
Non-current borrowings (2,455) (2,558)
Borrowings (3,324) (3,514)
Total reported in the Group balance sheet (3,175) (3,358)
Accrued interest reported within borrowings above
but excluded from Net debt 19 24
Derivatives reported within financial assets 14 50
Derivatives reported within financial liabilities (133) (124)
(3,275) (3,408)
(c) Analysis of movements
in Net debt
Net debt Movements in the year ended 31 March Net debt
at 1 April 2019 at
2018 31 March
2019
Net cash Net share Fair value Exchange
inflow/ purchases gains/(losses) and other
(outflow) movements
US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m
----------- -----------
Borrowings* (3,514) 96 - 12 82 (3,324)
Derivatives hedging
loans and borrowings (74) (5) - (12) (28) (119)
Total financing
liabilities (3,588) 91 - - 54 (3,443)
Cash and cash
equivalents* 156 231 (215) - (23) 149
Accrued interest 24 (5) - - - 19
(3,408) 317 (215) - 31 (3,275)
* Total reported in the Group balance sheet.
18. Undrawn committed bank borrowing facilities
2019 2018
US$m US$m
Facilities expiring in:
One to two years 375 150
Two to three years 300 375
Three to four years - 1,800
Four to five years 1,950 -
2,625 2,325
During the year we renegotiated our principal bank facilities,
extending the maturity date from June 2021 to December 2023, with
extension options to December 2025. These facilities are at
variable interest rates and are in place for general corporate
purposes, including the financing of acquisitions and the
refinancing of other borrowings.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
19. Called-up share capital and share premium account
Number of Called-up Share
shares share premium
capital account
million US$m US$m
At 1 April 2017 1,005.6 100 1,530
Shares issued under employee share incentive
plans 1.1 - 16
Purchase and cancellation of own shares (26.6) (3) -
At 31 March 2018 980.1 97 1,546
Shares issued under employee share incentive
plans 0.9 - 13
Purchase and cancellation of own shares (9.5) (1) -
At 31 March 2019 971.5 96 1,559
20. Own shares held
Number of Cost
shares of shares
million US$m
-----------
At 1 April 2017 75 1,232
Purchase of shares by employee trusts 2 37
Exercise of share awards and options (3) (42)
-----------
At 31 March 2018 74 1,227
Exercise of share awards and options (4) (60)
-----------
At 31 March 2019 70 1,167
-----------
Own shares held at 31 March 2019 include 61 million shares held
as treasury shares and 9 million shares held by employee trusts.
Own shares held at 31 March 2018 include 62 million shares held as
treasury shares and 12 million shares held by employee trusts. The
total cost of own shares held at 31 March 2019 of US$1,167m (2018:
US$1,227m) is deducted from other reserves in the Group balance
sheet.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
21. Acquisitions
(a) Acquisitions in the year
The Group made one immaterial acquisition during the year ended
31 March 2019, in connection with which provisional goodwill of
US$43m was recognised based on the fair value of the net assets
acquired of US$13m.
Net assets acquired, goodwill and acquisition consideration are
analysed below.
US$m
Intangible assets:
Customer and other relationships 18
Trademarks 7
Intangible assets 25
Trade and other receivables 2
Trade and other payables (14)
Total identifiable net assets 13
Goodwill 43
Total 56
Satisfied by:
Cash 56
The provisional fair value contains amounts which will be
finalised no later than one year after the date of acquisition.
Provisional amounts have been included at 31 March 2019 as a
consequence of the timing and complexity of the acquisitions.
Goodwill represents the synergies, assembled workforces and future
growth potential of the business. The goodwill arising in the year
of US$43m is currently deductible for tax purposes.
A further US$6m of goodwill was recognised in the year in
relation to the acquisition of Clarity Services, Inc., which
completed in the year ended 31 March 2018, as a result of the
finalisation of the acquisition accounting. Deferred consideration
of US$16m was paid in the year and a US$16m increase in the fair
value of contingent consideration was recognised in the Group
income statement in respect of this and other acquisitions made
during the year ended 31 March 2018.
There have been no other material gains, losses, error
corrections or other adjustments recognised in the year ended 31
March 2019 that relate to acquisitions in the current or prior
years.
(b) Additional information
(i) Current year acquisition
US$m
Increase in book value from fair value
adjustments:
Intangible assets 25
Trade and other payables (7)
Increase in book value from fair value
adjustments 18
Gross contractual amounts receivable
in respect of trade and other receivables 2
Pro-forma revenue from 1 April 2018
to date of acquisition 11
Revenue from date of acquisition to
31 March 2019 1
Profit before tax from date of acquisition -
to 31 March 2019
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
21. Acquisitions
(b) Additional information (continued)
At the date of acquisition, the gross contractual amounts
receivable in respect of trade and other receivables of US$2m were
expected to be collected in full.
If the transaction had occurred on the first day of the
financial year, then estimated additional contribution to Group
revenues would have been US$11m and the profit before tax would
have been US$1m.
(ii) Prior year acquisitions
The Group made three acquisitions in the year ended 31 March
2018 which included the acquisition of the whole of the issued
share capital of Clarity Services, Inc. A cash outflow of US$141m
was reported in the Group cash flow statement for that year, after
deduction of US$6m in respect of net cash acquired. There was also
deferred consideration settled of US$5m on acquisitions made prior
to 31 March 2018.
(iii) Post balance sheet acquisition
On 30 April 2019, the Group completed the transaction to acquire
Compuscan (CSH Group (Pty)) Limited for R3,720m (c. US$263m)(1) . A
successful provider of credit data and analytics services to
clients of all sizes in South Africa. The fair value of goodwill,
software development, customer relationships and other assets and
liabilities will be reported in the Group's half-yearly financial
statements for the six months ending 30 September 2019 and in the
2020 Annual Report.
1 Cash consideration before adjustment for debt and net working
capital. Translated at ZAR/US$ exchange rate of 14.17.
22. Disposals
During the year ended 31 March 2019 two small businesses were
divested, one based in the UK and Ireland region and one in Latin
America. In total, proceeds of US$12m were received in cash which
resulted in a profit on disposal of US$5m being recognised in the
year.
(a) Profit on disposal - year ended 31 March 2018
On 31 May 2017 we completed the divestment of CCM: US$m
Net assets disposed of - book value at date of disposal:
Goodwill 214
Other intangible assets 50
Property, plant and equipment 17
Trade and other receivables 73
Deferred tax assets 2
Trade and other payables (10)
Accruals and contract liabilities(1) (13)
Current tax liabilities (3)
Deferred tax liabilities (17)
Net assets disposed of 313
Disposal proceeds:
Net cash proceeds after consideration of working capital
adjustments and mutual transaction costs 270
Promissory note 75
Share of divested business 31
Transaction costs and provisions (9)
Total net proceeds 367
Profit on disposal 54
1 Balances historically presented as deferred income are now
presented as contract liabilities following the adoption of IFRS 15
(note 3).
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
22. Disposals (continued)
(b) Cash inflow from disposals
2019 2018
------------
Comparison
shopping and
lead generation
Total CCM businesses Other Total
US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m
Proceeds received
in cash 12 270 - 2 272
Transaction costs - (7) - - (7)
Proceeds from loan
note - - 15 - 15
Net cash Inflow 12 263 15 2 280
As indicated in note 11, in the year ended 31 March 2018, we
divested CCM and received the remaining value of the loan note
receivable in relation to the disposal of the comparison shopping
and lead generation businesses in 2012. In addition, we divested a
small North American based business, the proceeds of which were
US$2m.
23. Related party transactions
The Group's related parties were disclosed in the Group's
statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2018.
Following the divestment of CCM in the year ended 31 March 2018 the
Group owns 24.47% of the issued share capital of Vector CM Holdings
(Cayman), L.P. (Vector), a partnership incorporated in Cayman
Islands.
The Group recorded the following transactions and balances with
Vector and its subsidiaries:
Transaction amount Balance owed to
Experian
To 31 March To 31 March At 31 March At 31
2019 2018 2019 March
2018
US$m US$m US$m US$m
Promissory note 7 78 85 78
Interest on promissory note 7 2 2 2
Transitional Services Arrangement
(TSA) fees 2 15 - 1
Net amounts collected/(settled)
and (payable)/receivable under
the TSA (6) 3 (1) 2
The promissory note is due and payable to Experian on 31 May
2024 with interest also payable on this date. The 12-month TSA
between the Group and Vector to provide services to the partnership
has been extended. During the year ended 31 March 2019, we
continued to process transactions on behalf of Vector. We receive a
pre-agreed fee for the execution of the TSA and do not receive any
margin on individual transactions. Details of amounts arising from
the TSA are shown in the table below.
Transaction amount Balance owed
to Vector
To 31 March To 31 March At 31 March At 31
2019 2018 2019 March
2018
US$m US$m US$m US$m
Cash received on behalf
of Vector 28 77 1 6
Transaction amount Balance owed to
Experian
To 31 March To 31 March At 31 March At 31
2019 2018 2019 March
2018
US$m US$m US$m US$m
Cash paid on behalf of Vector 22 80 - 8
In the year ended 31 March 2018 the Group acquired a 25% stake
in London & Country Mortgages Limited. During the year
transactions with this associate totalled US$6m (2018: US$1m). The
balance owed to Experian at 31 March was US$0.4m (2018:
US$nil).
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
24. Contingencies
(a) North America security incident
In September 2015, Experian North America suffered an
unauthorised intrusion to its Decision Analytics computing
environment that allowed unauthorised acquisition of certain data
belonging to a client, T-Mobile USA, Inc. We notified the
individuals who may have been affected and offered free credit
monitoring and identity theft resolution services. In addition,
government agencies were notified as required by law. The costs of
directly responding to this incident were reflected in a US$20m
income statement charge in the year ended 31 March 2016.
We have received a number of class actions and other related
claims in respect of the incident and are working with regulators
and government bodies as part of their investigations. It is
currently not possible to predict the scope and effect on the Group
of these various regulatory and government investigations and legal
actions, including their timing and scale. In the event of
unfavourable outcomes, the Group may benefit from applicable
insurance recoveries.
(b) Brazil tax
As previously indicated, Serasa S.A. has been advised that the
Brazilian tax authorities are challenging the deduction for tax
purposes of goodwill amortisation arising from its acquisition by
Experian in 2007. In August 2017, the Brazilian courts ultimately
upheld Experian's position in respect of the tax years from 2007 to
2010 with no further right of appeal. The Brazilian tax authorities
have raised a similar assessment in respect of the 2011 and 2012
tax years, in which approximately US$45m was claimed, and may raise
similar claims in respect of other years. The possibility of this
resulting in a liability to the Group is believed to be remote, on
the basis of the advice of external legal counsel, success in the
first case and other factors in respect of the claim.
(c) UK marketing services regulation
Experian is in a process with the UK Information Commissioner's
Office (ICO) with respect to a 2018 audit of several companies on
the use of data for marketing purposes under the new EU General
Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which relates to our marketing
services activities in the UK. We expect the outcome of this review
to be released in early FY20. At this stage we do not know what the
final outcome will be, but it may require some changes to business
processes in our UK marketing services business. This business
represents approximately 1.6% of Experian's global revenues and we
do not expect this to result in a materially adverse financial
outcome for the Experian Group.
(d) Other litigation and claims
There continue to be a number of pending and threatened
litigation and other claims involving the Group across all its
major geographies which are being vigorously defended. The
directors do not believe that the outcome of any such claims will
have a materially adverse effect on the Group's financial position.
However, as is inherent in legal, regulatory and administrative
proceedings, there is a risk of outcomes that may be unfavourable
to the Group. In the case of unfavourable outcomes, the Group may
benefit from applicable insurance recoveries.
25. Events occurring after the end of the reporting period
Details of the second interim dividend announced since the end
of the reporting period are given in note 13(a). Details of the
post balance sheet acquisition completed on 30 April 2019 are
provided in note 21(b)(iii).
26. Company website
A full range of investor information is available at
www.experianplc.com. Details of the 2019 Annual General Meeting
(AGM), to be held at The Merrion Hotel, Upper Merrion Street,
Dublin 2, D02 KF79, Ireland at 9.30 am on Wednesday, 24 July 2019,
are given on the website and in the notice of meeting. Information
on the Company's share price is available on the website.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
27. Risks and uncertainties
Identifying and managing risk is key to our business. Doing so
helps us deliver long-term shareholder value and protect our
business, people, assets, capital and reputation.
The Board is responsible for maintaining and reviewing the
effectiveness of our risk management activities from a strategic,
financial, and operational perspective. These activities are
designed to identify and manage, rather than eliminate, the risk of
failure to achieve business objectives or to successfully deliver
our business strategy.
The risk management process is designed to identify, assess,
respond to, report on and monitor the risks that threaten our
ability to achieve our business strategy and objectives, within our
risk appetite.
(a) Risk area - Loss or inappropriate use of data and
systems
Description
We hold and manage sensitive consumer information that increases
our exposure and susceptibility to cyber-attacks, either directly
through our online systems or indirectly through our partners or
third-party contractors.
Potential impact
Losing or misusing sensitive consumer data could cause problems
for consumers and result in material loss of business, substantial
legal liability, regulatory enforcement actions and/or significant
harm to our reputation. The impact of this risk, if it
materialises, will typically be felt in the near term.
Examples of control mitigation
-- We deploy physical and technological security measures,
combined with monitoring and alerting for suspicious
activities.
-- We maintain an information security programme for
identifying, protecting against, detecting and responding to cyber
security risks and recovering from cyber security incidents.
-- We impose contractual security requirements on our partners
and other third parties that use our data, complemented by periodic
reviews of third-party controls.
-- We maintain insurance coverage, where feasible and appropriate.
(b) Risk area - Failure to comply with laws and regulations
Description
We hold and manage sensitive consumer information and we must
comply with many privacy and consumer protection laws, regulations
and contractual obligations.
Potential impact
Non-compliance may result in material litigation, including
class actions, as well as regulatory actions. These could result in
civil or criminal liability or penalties and damage to our
reputation. The impact of this risk, if it materialises, will
typically be felt in the near term.
Examples of control mitigation
-- We maintain a compliance management framework that includes
defined policies, procedures and controls for Experian employees,
business processes, and third parties such as our data
resellers.
-- We assess the appropriateness of using data in new and changing products and services.
-- We vigorously defend all pending and threatened claims,
employing internal and external counsel to effectively manage and
conclude such proceedings.
-- We analyse the causes of claims, to identify any potential
changes we need to make to our business processes and policies. We
maintain insurance coverage, where feasible and appropriate.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
27. Risks and uncertainties (continued)
(c) Risk area - Non-resilient IT/ business environment
Description
Delivery of our products and services depends on a number of key
IT systems and processes that expose our clients, consumers and
businesses to serious disruption in the event of systems or
operational failures.
Potential impact
A significant failure or interruption could have a materially
adverse effect on our business, financial performance, financial
condition and reputation. The impact of this risk, if it
materialises, will typically be felt in the near term.
Examples of control mitigation
-- We maintain a significant level of resilience in our
operations, designed to avoid material and sustained disruption to
our businesses, clients and consumers.
-- We design applications to be resilient and with a balance
between longevity, sustainability and speed.
-- We maintain a global integrated business continuity framework
that includes industry-appropriate policies, procedures and
controls for all our systems and related processes, as well as
ongoing review, monitoring and escalation activities.
-- We duplicate information in our databases and maintain back-up data centres.
(d) Risk area - Business conduct risk
Description
Our business model is designed to create long-term value for
people, businesses and society, through our data assets and
innovative analytics and software solutions. Inappropriate
execution of our business strategies or activities could adversely
affect our clients, consumers or counterparties.
Potential impact
Consumers or clients could receive inappropriate products or not
have access to appropriate products, resulting in material loss of
business, substantial legal liability, regulatory enforcement
actions or significant harm to our reputation. The impact of this
risk, if it materialises, will typically be felt in the short
term.
Examples of control mitigation
-- We maintain appropriate governance and oversight. This is
achieved through policies, procedures and controls. These are all
designed to safeguard personal data, avoid detriment to consumers,
provide consumer-centric product design and delivery, and
effectively respond to enquiries and complaints.
-- The above activities also support a robust conduct risk management framework.
-- We enforce our Global Code of Conduct, Anti-Corruption Policy
and Gifts and Hospitality Policy. If we believe employees or
suppliers are not following our conduct standards, we will
investigate thoroughly and take disciplinary action where
appropriate.
(e) Risk area - Dependence on highly skilled personnel
Description
Our success depends on our ability to attract, motivate and
retain key talent while also building future leadership.
Potential impact
Not having the right people could materially affect our ability
to service our clients and grow our business. The impact of this
risk, if it materialises, will typically be felt in the long
term.
Examples of control mitigation
-- In every region, we have ongoing programmes for recruitment,
personal and career development, and talent identification and
development
-- As part of our employee engagement strategy, we conduct an
Annual People Survey and periodic Pulse Surveys. We track progress
against our action plans.
-- We offer competitive compensation and benefits and review them regularly.
-- We actively monitor attrition rates, with a focus on
individuals designated as high talent or in strategically important
roles.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
27. Risks and uncertainties (continued)
(f) Risk area - Adverse and unpredictable financial markets or fiscal developments
Description
We operate globally and our results could be affected by global,
regional or national changes in fiscal or monetary policies.
A substantial change in credit markets in the USA, Brazil or the
UK could reduce our financial performance and growth potential in
those countries.
We present our financial statements in US dollars. However, we
transact business in a number of currencies. Changes in other
currencies relative to the US dollar affect our financial results.
A substantial rise in US, EU or UK interest rates could increase
our future cost of borrowings.
We are subject to complex and evolving tax laws and
interpretations, which may change significantly. These changes may
increase our effective tax rates in the future. Uncertainty about
the application of these laws may also result in different outcomes
from the amounts we provide for.
We have a number of outstanding tax matters and resolving them
could have a substantial impact on our financial statements, cash
and reputation.
Potential impact
The US, Brazilian and UK markets are significant contributors to
our revenue. A reduction in one or more of these consumer and
business credit services markets could reduce our revenue and
profit.
We benefit from the strengthening of currencies relative to the
US dollar and are adversely affected by currencies weakening
relative to it.
We have outstanding debt denominated principally in euros,
pounds sterling and US dollars. As this debt matures, we may need
to replace it with borrowings at higher interest rates.
Our earnings could be reduced and tax payments increased as a
result of settling historical tax positions or increases in our
effective tax rates.
Adverse publicity around tax could damage our reputation.
The impact of this risk, if it materialises, will typically be
felt in the short to long term.
Examples of control mitigation
-- We have a diverse portfolio by geography, product, sector and
client. We provide counter-cyclical products and services.
-- We convert cash balances in foreign currencies into US dollars.
-- We fix the interest rates on a proportion of our borrowings.
-- We retain internal and external tax professionals, who
regularly monitor developments in international tax and assess the
impact of changes and differing outcomes.
-- We review contingency plans in our key markets as to specific
potential responses to worsening economic conditions.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
27. Risks and uncertainties (continued)
(g) Risk area - New legislation or changes in regulatory
enforcement
Description
We operate in an increasingly complex environment and many of
our activities and services are subject to legal and regulatory
influences. New laws, new interpretations of existing laws, changes
to existing regulations and heightened regulatory scrutiny could
affect how we operate. For example, future regulatory changes could
affect how we collect and use consumer information for marketing,
risk management and fraud detection. Regulatory changes could
impact how we serve Consumer Services clients or how we market
services to clients or consumers.
Potential impact
We may suffer increased costs or reduced revenue resulting from
modified business practices, adopting new procedures,
self-regulation and litigation or regulatory actions resulting in
liability or fines. The impact of this risk, if it materialises,
will typically be felt in the short term.
Examples of control mitigation
-- We use internal and external resources to monitor planned and
realised changes in legislation.
-- We educate lawmakers, regulators, consumer and privacy
advocates, industry trade groups, our clients and other
stakeholders in the public policy debate.
-- Our global Compliance team has region-specific regulatory
expertise and works with our businesses to identify and adopt
balanced compliance strategies.
-- We execute our Compliance Management Programme, which directs
the structure, documentation, tools and training requirements to
support compliance on an ongoing basis.
(h) Risk area - Increasing competition
Description
We operate in dynamic markets such as business and consumer
credit information, decisioning software, fraud, marketing, and
consumer services. Our competitive landscape is still evolving,
with traditional players reinventing themselves, emerging players
investing heavily and new entrants making commitments in new
technologies or approaches to our markets. There is a risk that we
will not respond adequately to such disruptions or that our
products and services will fail to meet changing client and
consumer preferences.
Potential impact
Price reductions may reduce our margins and financial results.
Increased competition may reduce our market share, harm our ability
to obtain new clients or retain existing ones, affect our ability
to recruit talent and influence our investment decisions. We might
also be unable to support changes in the way our businesses and
clients use and purchase information, affecting our operating
results. The impact of this risk, if it materialises, will
typically be felt in the long term.
Examples of control mitigation
-- We continue to research and invest in new data sources,
analytics, technology, capabilities and talent to deliver our
strategic priorities.
-- We continue to develop innovative new products that leverage
our scale and expertise and allow us to deploy capabilities in new
and existing markets and geographies.
-- We use rigorous processes to identify and select our
development investments, so we can efficiently and effectively
introduce new products and solutions to the market.
-- Where appropriate, and available, we make acquisitions, take
minority investments and enter into strategic alliances to acquire
new capabilities and enter into new markets.
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2019
27. Risks and uncertainties (continued)
(i) Risk area - Data ownership, access and integrity
Description
Our business model depends on our ability to collect, aggregate,
analyse and use consumer and client information. There is a risk
that we may not have access to data due to consumer privacy and
data accuracy concerns, or data providers being unable or unwilling
to provide their data to us or imposing a different fee structure
for using their data.
Potential impact
Our ability to provide products and services to our clients
could be affected, leading to a materially adverse impact on our
business, reputation and/or operating results. The impact of this
risk, if it materialises, will typically be felt in the long
term.
Examples of control mitigation
-- We monitor legislative and regulatory initiatives, and
educate lawmakers, regulators, consumer and privacy advocates,
industry trade groups, clients and other stakeholders in the public
policy debate.
-- We use standardised selection, negotiation and contracting
with respect to provider agreements, in order to address delivery
assurance, reliability and protections relating to critical service
provider relationships.
-- Our contracts define how we can use data and provide services.
-- We analyse data to make sure we receive the highest quality and best value.
-- We invest in programmes to enhance data accuracy and security.
-- We continue to look for alternative/secondary data sources where possible.
(j) Risk area - Undesirable investment outcomes
Description
We critically evaluate, and may invest in, equity investments
and other growth opportunities, including internal performance
improvement programmes. To the extent invested, any of these may
not produce the desired financial or operating results.
Potential impact
Failure to successfully implement our key business strategies
could have a materially adverse effect on our ability to achieve
our growth targets.
Poorly executed business acquisitions or partnerships could
result in material loss of business, increased costs, reduced
revenue, substantial legal liability, regulatory enforcement
actions and significant harm to our reputation.
The impact of this risk, if it materialises, will typically be
felt in the long term.
Examples of control mitigation
-- We analyse competitive threats to our business model and markets.
-- We carry out comprehensive business reviews.
-- We perform comprehensive due diligence and post-investment
reviews on acquisitions and investments.
-- We employ a rigorous capital allocation framework.
-- We design our incentive programmes to optimise shareholder
value through delivery of balanced, sustainable returns and a sound
risk profile over the long term.
Statement of directors' responsibilities
The directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the
financial statements are prepared in accordance with the applicable
set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the
assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Company
and the Group taken as a whole; and the Strategic report contains a
fair review of the development and performance of the business and
the position of the Company and the Group taken as a whole,
together with a description of the principal risks and
uncertainties that they face, which is included in note 27.
The names and functions of the directors in office as at 16 May
2018 were listed in the Experian annual report 2018. In the period
from 16 May 2018 to the date of this report:
-- Roger Davis retired as a non-executive director on 18 July 2018.
A list of current directors is maintained on the Company website
at www.experianplc.com.
By order of the Board
Charles Brown
Company Secretary
14 May 2019
This announcement has been issued through the Companies
Announcement Service of Euronext Dublin.
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
ISEGGUGWAUPBURA
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