Earnings per share

Earnings per share before amortisation and impairment and after share based payment charge was 23.10 pence, giving an increase of  24%.

5 year compound growth 25%

• 2001 - 7.70 pence
• 2002 - 10.47 pence (excluding exceptional items)
• 2003 - 13.04 pence
• 2004 - 15.34 pence (excluding exceptional items)
• 2005 - 18.60 pence
• 2006 - 23.10 pence