Group Highlights
Another period of growth delivering earnings momentum
o Sales up 15% (organic sales up 5%) and management eps increased 14%
o Profit before tax (management basis) up 14% to £393 million (2016: £344 million), helped by currency
o Reported profit before tax £559 million (2016: £182 million)
o Free cash flow of £116 million (2016: £40 million)
o Interim dividend increased 5% to 3.1 pence per share
o UK defined benefit pension closed to future accrual, £250 million lump sum payment planned to address the deficit and reduce future deficit recovery payments
