Financial Highlights
Revenue and adjusted operating profit increased by 15% and 9%, respectively.
Businesses acquired added 8% to Group revenues; currency movements increased revenues by 4%; underlying revenue growth of 3%.
Adjusted operating margins remained broadly in line with the first half of the year at 17.2% with continuing transactional currency effects in Healthcare businesses.
Adjusted profit before tax and adjusted EPS increased by 9% to £64.9m and 10% to 41.9p, respectively.
Free cash flow increased by 46% to £59.0m, with an inflow of £6.3m from reduced working capital and proceeds from sale of assets of £4.6m.
Strong balance sheet with net cash funds of £10.6m at end of September.
Acquisition expenditure of £32.7m this year; ca. £90m invested over 3 years in acquiring value enhancing businesses.
Total dividend increased by 10% to 20.0p per share reflecting strong financial position and confidence in Group's growth prospects.
