Financial highlights
- Organic revenue growth of 3% in the period (H1 2012: 2%), with 6% growth in recurring revenue (H1 2012: 5%) and 3% contraction in software and software-related services revenue ("SSRS") (H1 2012: 4% contraction)
- EBITA margin maintained at 27% (H1 2012: 27%), despite continued investment in growth
- Underlying pre-tax profit of £184.9m (H1 2012: £174.3m), an increase of 6%
- Underlying earnings per share of 10.75p (H1 2012: 9.36p), an increase of 15%
- Strong operating cash flow of £208.9m (H1 2012: £207.7m), representing 112% of EBITA
- Exceptional item of £196.5m relating to the disposals of non-core products
- Interim dividend of 3.69 pence per share (H1 2012: 3.48 pence per share), an increase of 6%
- Proposed special dividend of £200m, equivalent to approximately 17 pence per share, after which total cash returned to shareholders in the last eighteen months will approach £1 billion
