Half yearly financial report

25 November 2009

Half yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2009

	Six months ended
£m (continuing operations)	30 September 2009	30 September 2008 (restated)2
Operating profit1,3	358.9	359.4
Underlying operating profit1	369.9	365.9
Profit before tax1	206.1	305.8
Underlying profit before tax1,3	268.2	252.6

Pence (continuing operations)	Six months ended
	30 September 2009	30 September 2008 (restated)2
Basic earnings per share 1, 4	29.1	0.6
Interim dividend per ordinary share	11.17	10.64

¹ The contributions from the group's investments in Northern Gas Networks Holdings Limited and Manila Water Company have been included in continuing operations.
² In accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, IFRIC 12 'Service Concession Arrangements' is applied retrospectively hence the prior period has been restated 
³ Underlying operating profit and underlying profit before tax are defined in the underlying profit measure tables on page 13
⁴ One-off factors affecting EPS are explained in the earnings per share section on page 10

• Sound results in a difficult economic environment: underlying operating profit of £370 million
• Customer satisfaction continues to increase: now at highest level for many years
• Taking action to improve overall performance:  OPA score on track to improve significantly
• Agreed divestment of holdings in Northern Gas Networks and Manila Water for c£130 million
• Group plans to assess further opportunities to crystallise value from its non-regulated business
• Interim dividend increased by 5.0% to 11.17 pence per share, in line with policy

Commenting, Philip Green, Chief Executive, said:

"This is a sound set of results in a challenging economic climate.  We have delivered an underlying operating profit of £370 million in the half year and have continued to make high levels of investment in our water and wastewater infrastructure. 

"We responded rapidly to the recent exceptional weather conditions in Cumbria, with hundreds of our engineers working alongside the emergency services to help maintain vital water and power supplies.  This remains a very difficult time for our customers and we will continue to work hard in the affected communities in the aftermath of the floods.

"Improving operational performance remains high on our agenda and the business is on course to meet its regulatory leakage target for the fourth consecutive year.  In addition, overall service performance, as measured by Ofwat's OPA score, is on track to improve significantly this year.
 
"Our aim is to keep customer bills affordable whilst continuing with essential investment in our infrastructure.  In September, we submitted our representations to Ofwat on the regulator's draft price limit proposals for 2010-15.  Tomorrow, Ofwat is due to publish its final determination of prices and we have a two month period in which we will consider the proposals carefully before responding.

"We have agreed the disposals of our holdings in Northern Gas Networks and Manila Water, for approximately £130 million.  Following these divestments, the group plans to assess further opportunities to crystallise value from its non-regulated business. 

"We expect to deliver a sound underlying financial performance over the remainder of 2009/10, despite facing ongoing revenue and cost pressures.  In line with our policy the board has declared an interim dividend of 11.17 pence per share, an increase of five per cent."

For further information on the day, please contact:
 
Philip Green - Chief Executive +44 (0) 20 7307 0300
Tim Weller - Chief Financial Officer +44 (0) 20 7307 0300
 
Gaynor Kenyon - Communications Director +44 (0) 7753 622282
Darren Jameson - Head of Investor Relations +44 (0) 7733 127707
 
James Bradley / Tom Murray - Tulchan Communications +44 (0) 20 7353 4200

A presentation to investors and analysts starts at 9.00 am on Wednesday 25 November 2009, at the Auditorium, Deutsche Bank, Winchester House, 1 Great Winchester Street, London, EC2N 2DB.  The presentation can be accessed via a live listen in conference call facility by dialling: +44 (0) 20 7162 0025, access code 850308.  A recording of the call will be available for seven days following 25 November 2009 on +44 (0) 20 7031 4064, access code 850308.

This half yearly financial report announcement and the associated presentation will be available on the day at: http://www.unitedutilities.com 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REVIEW

Financial performance

United Utilities has delivered a sound set of financial results for the six months ended 30 September 2009.  Revenue from continuing operations rose by £6 million to £1,210 million.  Underlying operating profit increased by 1% to £370 million.  Underlying profit before tax increased by 6% to £268 million, including the effect of a lower underlying cost of net borrowings. 

Operating profit in our regulated activities was broadly in line with the first half of last year at £348 million on an underlying basis.  This result primarily reflects the price increase allowed by our regulator, offset as expected by reduced water demand and ongoing cost pressures, alongside an increase in depreciation.  The price increase supports the high levels of essential investment in our assets, which helps the business meet strict environmental standards and deliver an improved service for our customers.

Capital expenditure in our regulated water and wastewater business amounted to £296 million during the half year, including infrastructure renewals expenditure.  This level of spend is consistent with our planned investment profile for the final year of the current 2005-10 capital expenditure programme.

Our business improvement initiatives are delivering benefits, although cost pressures in areas such as power and bad debts are continuing in 2009/10.  The company has a continuing focus on cost efficiency and is implementing a range of cost control measures across the group, as we aim to lower the cost to serve our customers whilst maintaining and improving levels of service.  These initiatives have largely mitigated the increases in power costs, bad debts and property rates, with further savings expected.

A year ago we launched our workforce management project on time and below budget.  This integrated system is a key initiative in increasing productivity by using real time data across the workforce to enable more effective work scheduling.  The system is now delivering efficiency benefits, coupled with improvements in operational performance.  Total cost savings in the order of £7 million per annum are expected to be realised in full during 2010/11.  In addition, we have identified further benefits which should increase the total annual savings to £9 million thereafter. 

We have delivered an increased underlying operating profit of £28 million in our non-regulated business.  We continue to be the leading utility infrastructure outsourcing business in the UK.

The group benefits from headroom to cover its projected financing needs through to early 2012.  During the first half of the year we enhanced our liquidity through the issuance of an additional £100 million, 5.75% bond maturing in March 2022; an additional £50 million, 6.125% bond maturing in December 2015; and a new £70 million, 2.40%+RPI index-linked bond maturing in July 2039.  This provides us with good flexibility in terms of when and how we raise further debt finance. 

Operational performance

Improving operational performance is a key area of focus for the group and we are pleased to report further progress.  The business is on track to meet its regulatory leakage target for the fourth consecutive year and customer satisfaction continues to increase and is now at its highest level for many years. 

Since 2005, we have narrowed the operational efficiency gap to the most efficient water companies and this has been reflected in Ofwat's relative efficiency assessments.  We expect at least to sustain these efficiency ratings for 2008/09. 

We continue to remove properties from our sewer flooding register.  Ofwat has published a review of how registers of properties at risk of sewer flooding are compiled and reported in the water sector in England and Wales.  Following discussions with Ofwat regarding our methodology and processes in this area we have reassessed the number of properties on our register, increasing both the current position and the start point in 2005/06.  These reassessed numbers indicate a net reduction of 101 properties over this three year period and we have plans in place to offer mitigation measures to all properties on the register.

Although we are encouraged by the tangible progress we have made, we do recognise that there is more to do and the business is taking steps to improve overall service performance.  We initiated a capital investment programme at Fleetwood wastewater treatment works over a year ago and this programme is scheduled to be completed by summer 2010.  We also have plans to introduce an enhanced online monitoring system to help improve performance in respect of meeting consent standards at our wastewater treatment works. 

Improving our response to customer contacts, in particular billing enquiries, is another key area of focus and we have introduced new working practices to enhance our performance.  Regulatory targets are monitored more closely, providing better information and enabling us to allocate resources more effectively to help meet these targets.  Early progress is encouraging. 

We expect a significant improvement in our overall performance assessment (OPA) score for 2009/10 and the management actions we are taking should have a positive impact on our performance as measured by Ofwat's new service incentive mechanism, which is scheduled to be introduced in 2010/11. 

Disposals of investments

We have agreed the disposals of our holdings in Northern Gas Networks and Manila Water Company, to existing shareholders, for a combined price of approximately £130 million and we intend to retain the proceeds within the group.

Regulatory developments

In April 2009, United Utilities Water PLC (UUW) submitted its final business plan for the 2010-15 period to Ofwat.  On 23 July 2009, Ofwat published its draft determination of price limits for this five-year period.  We responded to the draft determination in September and engaged with a broad range of stakeholders to ensure their views were conveyed to Ofwat.  The next stage in the process is the publication by Ofwat of its final determination on 26 November 2009. 

The final determination will not take account of potential additional investment in respect of the North East Irish Sea, which is dependent on a European court case decision involving the UK government scheduled for 10 December 2009.  This is a complex issue and would require subsequent interpretation in terms of costs and outputs.  If additional work is required, it is likely to be the subject of a further price determination as it would mean UUW investing in nutrient removal at many of its larger wastewater treatment works to improve the quality of discharges to the marine environment.

Outlook

We expect to deliver a sound underlying financial performance over the remainder of 2009/10, although the company is experiencing ongoing revenue and cost pressures.  United Utilities has a healthy level of headroom to cover its projected financing needs through to early 2012.  We will continue with our strong focus on operational performance and aim to build on the improvements already achieved.  In line with the group's policy, the board expects to grow the final dividend for 2009/10 by 5%. 

Following the divestments of United Utilities' stakes in Northern Gas Networks and Manila Water Company, the group plans to assess further opportunities to crystallise value from its non-regulated business.

Ofwat is scheduled to publish its final determination of price limits, for the 2010-15 period, on 26 November 2009.  We then have a two month period, until late January 2010, in which we will consider the final proposals carefully before responding.

OPERATING PERFORMANCE

REGULATED ACTIVITIES

Financial highlights

• Regulated revenue increased by 2% to £769 million
• Regulated underlying operating profit broadly in line with comparative period at £348 million

Revenue from regulated activities increased by 2% to £769 million, principally as a result of an allowed price increase of 6.0% (including inflation of 3.0%), partially offset, as expected and indicated previously, by reduced water demand reflecting the challenging economic climate.  The regulated price increase supports significant investment in UUW's infrastructure which provides vital water and wastewater services to customers.

Underlying operating profit for the period was broadly in line with the first half of last year, primarily reflecting the revenue increase, offset by higher depreciation, property rates, bad debts and power costs.  The increase in depreciation reflects the recent high levels of capital spend, in line with the planned profile of the investment programme.  Reported operating profit was marginally lower than the corresponding period last year, reflecting one-off costs of approximately £4 million which principally relate to restructuring within the business. 

In line with UUW's policy, the business had entered into forward contracts for the majority of its power requirements for 2009/10.  As a result, unit power costs in 2009/10 are approximately 10% higher than in 2008/09 and, coupled with a volume impact, power expense has increased by around £4 million.  Bad debt expense has marginally increased compared with the prior period and now represents a slightly higher proportion of regulated revenue at 3.6%.  This compares with 3.4% in the year ended 31 March 2009 and reflects the impact of the tough economic environment on cash collection rates.

Capital investment in the period, including £58 million of infrastructure renewals expenditure, was £296 million.  This level of spend is in line with the planned capital investment profile, with UUW now in the final year of its 2005-10 regulatory programme. 

Operational performance

Operational performance is a key area of focus and UUW is targeting an upper quartile position among UK water companies on key operational measures in the medium-term.  The regulated business continues to upgrade its infrastructure, replacing 64 kilometres of water mains during the period.  UUW continues to supply high quality drinking water with a mean zonal compliance water quality performance for the year to date of 99.95%, which compares with 99.92% for the previous year.  UUW is making good progress against its key performance indicators:

• Relative efficiency - UUW has narrowed the operational efficiency gap to the most efficient water companies since 2005.  This is reflected in Ofwat's most recent (2007/08) assessment of United Utilities as band B for the water service and band C for the wastewater service and represents a one band improvement for both services over this period.  UUW expects at least to sustain these bandings in Ofwat's 2008/09 assessment.
• Security of water supply - UUW has met its economic level of leakage rolling target for the last three years and is on course to meet its regulatory target for the fourth consecutive year in 2009/10. 
• Pollution - The business has now met or outperformed its medium-term target of a 50% reduction in major pollution incidents in each of the last three years.  One water and ten wastewater Category 1&2 incidents were recorded in 2008 compared with the base position of two water and 21 wastewater incidents in 2005.  UUW is on track to meet this target for the fourth consecutive year.
• Sewer flooding - UUW continues to remove properties from the sewer flooding register.  Earlier in the year, an independent review of UUW's sewer flooding recording and reporting process was undertaken and the report submitted to Ofwat for consideration. The independent reviewer concluded that the processes are generally fit for purpose with some scope for streamlining and further improvement.  UUW has agreed to implement changes required by Ofwat as a result of this review.  The company has now reassessed its sewer flooding registers.  This shows 990 properties on the register in 2008/09 (for properties at risk of experiencing at least one sewer flooding incident in ten years), which compares with a reassessed number for 2005/06 of 1,091 properties, a net reduction of 101 properties over the three year period.  The company has plans in place to reduce the number of incidents due to sewer flooding (other causes) and to offer mitigation measures to all properties on the register.
• Overall customer satisfaction - Significant improvements have been delivered.  Overall customer satisfaction, in response to enquiries, has improved from less than 50% in 2005 to consistently over 70%.  These satisfaction levels are based on a comprehensive independent survey conducted on behalf of UUW each month.  Further progress has been achieved and customer satisfaction is now at its highest levels for many years, with a satisfaction rating of 78% for the 12 months to 30 September 2009.  The rating for October 2009 was 83%, the highest score attained for an individual month, and the business remains focused on achieving further improvements.

Although UUW has delivered real progress, the business recognises that there is more to do.  As indicated previously, sewer flooding incidents, together with environmental underperformance at Fleetwood wastewater treatment works, negatively impacted the 2008/09 OPA score. 

UUW initiated a capital investment programme at Fleetwood works over a year ago and this programme is scheduled to be completed by summer 2010.  The business also has plans to introduce an enhanced monitoring system across the company's wastewater treatment works to help improve performance in respect of meeting consent standards at its works.  With regard to sewer flooding, the business has identified those areas of its sewer network which are high risk with the potential to have a major flooding impact and is allocating operational resources more effectively to help mitigate these risks. 

Improving the company's response to customer contacts is another key area of focus, in particular billing enquiries.  We have introduced new working practices to help improve our performance and early progress is encouraging.  Regulatory targets are monitored more closely and managers now have better information and the flexibility to reallocate resources to help meet these targets.  The more complex work has also been brought back in-house, giving the business greater control to resolve issues and help meet its targets.

The business expects a significant improvement in its OPA score for 2009/10 and the actions being taken should have a positive impact on UUW's performance as measured by Ofwat's new service incentive mechanism, due to be introduced in 2010/11.

Efficiency initiatives

UUW's efficiency initiatives are progressing well, although the business is facing ongoing cost pressures in areas such as power and bad debts. 

The company's principal efficiency initiatives include an integrated performance management project, which increases remote operational site management and optimises chemical and power usage, and its asset improvement programme which is improving the efficiency of operational pumps.  These schemes are key elements of United Utilities' plan to mitigate its carbon emissions, alongside its combined heat and power assets which recycle energy generated from wastewater treatment processes.  Earlier in the year, UUW was awarded funding from Defra to convert biogas, a by-product of the sludge treatment process, into bio-methane for vehicle fuel.  There is potential in the future to export biogas into the national gas distribution network.

Other key initiatives include supply chain management, which has been centralised and is delivering procurement economies, and a workforce management project.  There is a strong drive to improve customer service and the business is focusing on reducing the number of customer queries, improving staff productivity and implementing improved cash collection procedures. 

The company has a strong focus on cost efficiency and is implementing a range of cost control initiatives, as the business aims to lower the cost to serve its customers whilst maintaining and improving levels of service.  These initiatives have largely mitigated the increases in power costs, bad debts and property rates, with further savings expected.

The workforce management system, implemented a year ago on time and below budget, is a key element in improving the efficiency of frontline staff.  The system is now delivering the dual benefits of reducing the cost to serve and improving customer satisfaction. The business has halved the time taken to resolve poor water supply issues and cost savings of approximately £7 million per annum are expected to be realised in full during 2010/11.  In addition, further benefits have been identified which will increase the total annual savings to £9 million thereafter.

2009 water price review

UUW submitted its final water and wastewater business plan, covering the 2010-15 period, to Ofwat in April 2009.  On 23 July 2009 Ofwat published its draft determination of prices for this five-year period, which for UUW included:

• a £3.4 billion capital investment programme (2007/08 prices);
• an average annual underlying operating efficiency of 1.8% for the water service and 2.4% for the wastewater service;
• a return on capital of 4.5% (post-tax, real); and
• an average annual real price decrease of 0.6% across the five-year period, with a real price decrease of 6.3% in the first year.

UUW formally responded to the regulator's draft proposals in September 2009 and has been in discussions with Ofwat, having engaged with a broad range of stakeholders to ensure their views were conveyed to the regulator.  The next stage of the price review process is publication of the final determination by Ofwat on 26 November 2009.  Water companies have until late January 2010 to decide whether to accept the final determination, or alternatively have it referred to the Competition Commission to be re-determined.  UUW will consider the regulator's final proposals carefully before responding.

The final determination will not take account of potential additional investment in respect of the North East Irish Sea, which is dependent on a European court case decision involving the UK government scheduled for 10 December 2009.  This is a complex issue and would require subsequent interpretation in terms of costs and outputs.  If additional work is required, it is likely to be the subject of a further price determination as it would mean UUW investing in nutrient removal at many of its larger wastewater treatment works to improve the quality of discharges to the marine environment.

NON-REGULATED ACTIVITIES

Financial highlights

• Non-regulated revenue marginally down to £437 million
• Non-regulated underlying operating profit increased by £5 million to £28 million

Non-regulated revenue was marginally lower at £437 million, reflecting the impact of difficult conditions in the UK property market on the group's utility connections business.  The business has implemented tight cost control measures.  Underlying operating profit increased by £5 million, compared with the first half of last year (restated in accordance with IFRIC 12 as explained in the accounting policies section on page 12).  Reported operating profit was £26 million and this included one-off costs of approximately £2 million, which principally relate to restructuring within the business.  

Business update

United Utilities is the leading utility infrastructure outsourcing business in the UK, applying the core utility skills from its regulated activities.  United Utilities holds major outsourcing contracts working on behalf of Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Southern Water, Scottish Water, Electricity North West, Northern Gas Networks and British Gas Trading (meter installation).

United Utilities also has a meter ownership contract with British Gas Trading which provides a revenue stream to the group through rental income once the meters have been installed.  In addition, United Utilities has three Scottish PFI operations and operations in Bulgaria, Estonia, Poland and Australia.

The contract with Scottish Water, via Scottish Water Solutions Limited in which United Utilities is a major partner, is expected to come to a natural end in March 2010.   

In June 2009, United Utilities, via the 4D consortium, won a new capital delivery contract with Southern Water to manage the design and build of a new wastewater treatment works in the Brighton and Hove area.  The contract has now commenced and the construction phase is expected to take approximately three years, followed by the potential for a two-year contract to operate and maintain the new plant.

Earlier this month, United Utilities agreed the disposals of its 15.0% stake in Northern Gas Networks and its 11.7% holding in Manila Water Company, to existing shareholders, for a combined price of approximately £130 million, enabling the group to crystallise value from these investments.  The Northern Gas Networks divestment has now been completed and completion of the Manila Water Company transaction is expected by the end of 2009.  The contribution in dividends from United Utilities' investments in Northern Gas Networks and Manila Water Company was just over £12 million for the year ended 31 March 2009, the vast majority of which was received in the second half of the year.

United Utilities plans to assess further opportunities to crystallise value from its non-regulated business.

ALL OTHER SEGMENTS

As expected, the group's other activities, which include central costs, delivered an underlying operating loss during the half year of £6 million, compared with an underlying operating loss of £5 million in the corresponding period last year, reflecting a minimal contribution from United Utilities Property Solutions (UUPS).  As indicated previously, the difficult conditions in the UK property market have affected the performance of UUPS, the property sales and management business of the group. 

The reported operating loss for other activities was £12 million, reflecting one-off costs incurred in the half year of approximately £5 million.  These costs principally relate to restructuring within the business.  

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Investment income and finance expense

Finance expense of £163 million was £58 million higher than the corresponding period last year.  This expense included £63 million of net fair value losses on debt and derivative instruments, compared with £31 million of net fair value gains in the first half of last year.  This volatility in financing expense reflects the fact that, in order to provide a hedge of the interest cost implicit in the regulatory period, the group fixes interest rates for the duration of each five-year review period for the majority of its debt using interest rate swaps.  IAS 39 limits the use of hedge accounting for these commercial hedges, thereby increasing the potential volatility of the income statement.  In addition, the impact of changes in credit spreads on debt accounted for at fair value through profit or loss can result in significant additional volatility and this is the principal reason for the large net fair value movement in the period.  However, this volatility in fair values has no cashflow impact.  Interest expense on swaps and debt under the fair value option was £12 million, compared with £8 million in the comparative period.

Investment income was £10 million, compared with £51 million in the corresponding prior period, principally reflecting a reduction in cash following the return of approximately £1.5 billion to shareholders in the previous financial year.  The underlying cost of net borrowings for continuing operations of £93 million was £6 million lower than the prior period.  This reflects a reduction in the group's average net borrowing rate from around 5.7% to 3.8% partly offset by higher average net debt, primarily due to the return of approximately £1.5 billion to shareholders in August 2008.  The group has just over £2 billion of index-linked debt and the reduction in finance expense primarily reflects lower RPI.  In a period of RPI deflation, the principal amount of the index-linked debt is adjusted downwards, reducing interest expense in the income statement.  During the six months ended 30 September 2009, indexation of the principal of index-linked debt amounted to a net credit in the income statement of £8 million compared with a charge of £38 million in the comparative period. 

Profit before taxation

Underlying profit before taxation was £268 million, 6% ahead of the results for the six months ended 30 September 2008.  This underlying measure adjusts for the impact of one-off items, fair value movements in respect of debt and derivative instruments and the short-term interest benefit in the first half of last year associated with the cash proceeds from the sale of United Utilities Electricity (UUE), prior to the £1.5 billion return to shareholders.  Reported profit before taxation decreased by 33% to £206 million as a result of the £63 million of fair value losses compared with £31 million of fair value gains in the prior period, reflecting the movement in credit spreads on the group's debt. 

Taxation

The group received a cash tax inflow for the half year of £51 million, following agreement with UK tax authorities of prior years' tax returns. 

The current tax charge relating to continuing operations was £20 million and the current tax effective rate was 10%, compared with 24% in the prior period.  The current tax charge included a £35 million credit in relation to the agreement with the tax authorities of prior years' tax returns. 

In the corresponding period last year, the group recognised a one-off deferred tax charge of £214 million relating to the abolition of industrial buildings allowances with a cash impact expected to be spread over a period of approximately 20 years.  This one-off item resulted in a significant increase in the effective tax rate for the prior period. 

The group has recognised a net deferred tax credit relating to continuing operations of £12 million compared with a deferred tax charge in the first half of last year of £228 million.  This included a £16 million credit in relation to the agreement with the tax authorities of prior years' tax returns. 
An overall tax charge of £8 million relating to continuing operations has been recognised for the six months ended 30 September 2009.  Excluding the impact of prior years' adjustments and the abolition of industrial buildings allowances, the total tax charge relating to continuing operations would be £59 million or 29% compared with a £88 million charge or 29% in the corresponding prior period.  

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share relating to continuing operations increased from 0.6 pence to 29.1 pence, principally reflecting the one-off deferred tax charge of £214 million in the comparative period relating to the abolition of industrial buildings allowances (equivalent to 31.3 pence per share).  The adjustments relating to the agreement of prior years' tax returns increased earnings per share by 7.5 pence in the six months ended 30 September 2009.

Dividend per share

The board has declared an interim dividend of 11.17 pence per ordinary share in respect of the six months ended 30 September 2009.  This is an increase of 5.0%, in line with the group's dividend policy of a target real growth rate of RPI+2.0%.  The inflationary increase of 3.0% is based on the RPI element included within the allowed regulated price increase for UUW for the 2009/10 financial year (i.e. the movement in RPI between November 2007 and November 2008).

The interim dividend is expected to be paid on 3 February 2010 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 18 December 2009.  The ex-dividend date is 16 December 2009.

Cashflow

Cash generated from the group's continuing operations for the six months ended 30 September 2009 was £497 million, compared with £431 million in the corresponding period last year.  The group's capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment for the period was £283 million, principally in the regulated water and wastewater investment programmes.  This excludes infrastructure renewals expenditure which is treated as an operating cost under International Financial Reporting Standards. 

Net debt including derivatives at 30 September 2009 was £4,888 million, similar to the position at 31 March 2009 (£4,895 million).  This principally reflects expenditure on the regulatory capital investment programmes, payment of the 2008/09 final dividend and payments of interest, offset by operational cash flows and the aforementioned cash tax receipt. 

Debt financing and interest rate management

Gearing (measured as group net debt divided by UUW's regulatory capital value) decreased to 65% at 30 September 2009, compared with 66% at 31 March 2009.  Adjusting for the group's non-recourse joint venture debt of £234 million, gearing was 62%.  At the period end, United Utilities Water PLC had long-term credit ratings of A3/A- and United Utilities PLC had long-term credit ratings of Baa1/BBB+ from Moody's Investors Services and Standard and Poor's Ratings Services respectively.  Following the publication of the draft determination of prices by Ofwat in July 2009, Standard and Poor's placed United Utilities on credit watch with negative implications.

Cash and short-term deposits at 30 September 2009 amounted to £332 million.  During the period, the group's financing headroom position was enhanced through the issuance of an additional £100 million, 5.75% bond maturing in March 2022; an additional £50 million, 6.125% bond maturing in December 2015; and a new £70 million, 2.40%+RPI index-linked bond maturing in July 2039.  United Utilities has headroom to cover its projected financing needs through to early 2012.

The group has access to the international debt capital markets through its €7 billion medium-term note programme which provides for the periodic issuance by United Utilities PLC and United Utilities Water PLC of debt instruments on terms and conditions determined at the time the instruments are issued.  The programme does not represent a funding commitment, with funding dependent on the successful issue of the debt securities.

Long-term borrowings are structured or hedged to match earnings and assets, which are largely in sterling, indexed to UK retail price inflation and subject to regulatory price reviews every five years. 

Very long-term sterling inflation index-linked debt is the group's preferred form of funding as this provides a natural hedge to earnings and assets.  At 30 September 2009, approximately 41% of the group's net debt was in index-linked form, representing around 27% of UUW's regulatory capital value, with an average real interest rate of 1.8%.  The long-term nature of this funding also provides a good match to the group's long-life infrastructure assets and is a key contributor to the group's average term debt maturity profile which is in excess of 25 years. 

Where debt is raised in a currency other than sterling and/or with a fixed interest rate, it is generally swapped to create a floating rate sterling liability for the term of the liability.  The group's policy is to seek to match the debt service costs to regulatory cashflow which is impacted by the general interest rate environment at the time of each price control determination and is then fixed for the five-year period of that price control.  To hedge the exposure to each price control determination, the group enters into interest rate swaps, around the time of each price control determination, to fix interest costs for a substantial proportion of the group's debt for the duration of that price control period.  The group does not undertake any speculative trading activity.

The group enters into joint ventures with consortium partners.  The financial and legal structure of joint ventures is designed to limit the group's exposure to the extent of the equity investment and loans provided by the group, with no further recourse should the joint venture default.  All joint venture arrangements have been incorporated into the group's results on a proportionate consolidation basis.

Liquidity

Short-term liquidity requirements are met from the group's normal operating cashflow and its short-term bank deposits.  Further liquidity is provided by committed but undrawn credit facilities.  This liquidity supports the group's €2 billion euro-commercial paper programme.

In line with the board's treasury policy, United Utilities aims to maintain a healthy headroom position.  Available headroom at 30 September 2009 was £977 million based on cash, short-term deposits and medium-term committed bank facilities, net of short-term debt.  This headroom is sufficient to cover the group's projected financing needs through to early 2012.

United Utilities believes that it operates a prudent approach to managing banking counterparty risk.  The group does not have any cash (or cash equivalents) invested in money market funds.  Its cash is held in the form of short-term (generally no longer than three months) money market deposits with prime commercial banks.

United Utilities operates a bilateral, rather than a syndicated, approach to its core relationship banking facilities.  This approach spreads maturities more evenly over a longer time period, thereby reducing refinancing risk and providing the benefit of several renewal points rather than a large single refinancing requirement. 

Pensions

United Utilities has updated its pension assumptions in response to changes in market conditions.  The group's net pension obligations increased during the period from £213 million at 31 March 2009 to £359 million at 30 September 2009.  Further detail is provided in note 8 ("Retirement benefit obligations") of these half year financial statements.

Accounting policies

In line with International Financial Reporting Standards (IAS 23 'Borrowing Costs - Revised standard') United Utilities is required to capitalise borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset as part of the cost of that asset.   Qualifying assets include property, plant and equipment, inventories and intangible assets developed in projects that take a substantial period of time to prepare for use.  Other borrowing costs which are not directly attributable to a qualifying asset are recognised as an expense.  During the six months ended 30 September 2009, borrowing costs of £0.3 million have been capitalised.

On 30 November 2006, the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) issued IFRIC 12 'Service Concession Arrangements'. The interpretation addresses the accounting by private sector operators involved in the provision of public sector infrastructure assets and services. The group has adopted IFRIC 12 during the six months ended 30 September 2009.  IFRIC 12 is applied retrospectively hence the prior period has been restated to reflect this.  For the arrangements falling within its scope, the relevant assets are recognised as a financial asset (where the operator has an unconditional right to receive a specified amount of cash or other financial asset over the life of the arrangement); or an intangible asset (where the operator's future cash flows are not specified); or both a financial asset and an intangible asset (where the operator's return is provided partially by a financial asset and partially by an intangible asset).  Previously the infrastructure assets were generally recognised as property, plant and equipment.

Going concern

The directors have reviewed the financial resources available to the group and have concluded that the group is a going concern.  This conclusion is based upon, amongst other matters, a review of the group's financial projections together with a review of the cash and committed borrowing facilities available to the group.
 
Underlying profit

In considering the results for the period, the directors have adjusted the group's statutory measures for fair value movements on debt and derivative instruments and those significant items identified as non-recurring.  Operating profit and profit before taxation from continuing operations are reconciled to underlying operating profit from continuing operations and underlying profit before taxation from continuing operations as attached.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The group performs an annual risk assessment exercise involving consideration by management of all business risks in terms of impact, likelihood and control strength and an objective challenge of that assessment by the internal audit team. The group's anticipated principal risks and uncertainties over the second half of the financial year and beyond remain as stated in its 2009 Annual Report and Financial Statements.  The principal risks and uncertainties are set out in full on pages 16-19 of the 2009 Annual Report and Financial Statements, namely (a) unfavourable price determination; (b) capital investment programmes; (c) current capital market conditions; (d) pension scheme obligations; (e) failure to comply with applicable law or regulations; (f) increased competition in the water and wastewater industry; (g) events, service interruptions, systems failures, water shortages or contamination of water supplies; (h) risks in the group's non-regulated business; (i) material litigation.

An update as to the combined IAS 19 deficit in the group's current pension schemes as at 30 September 2009 is shown on the consolidated statement of financial position and further detail is provided in note 8: "Retirement benefit obligations".

There has been no change to the nature of related party transactions in the first six months of the financial year which has materially affected the financial position or performance of United Utilities.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This half yearly financial report contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the operations, performance and financial condition of the group. By their nature, these statements involve uncertainty since future events and circumstances can cause results and developments to differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements reflect knowledge and information available at the date of preparation of this half yearly financial report and the company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Nothing in this half yearly financial report should be construed as a profit forecast.

Certain regulatory performance data contained in this half yearly financial report is subject to regulatory audit.

Financials can be found in this document

 Segment reporting

The group is organised into two principal operating divisions for management purposes, being regulated and non-regulated activities.  These divisions form the basis on which the operating segment information, presented in accordance with IFRS 8 (see note 1), is reported.

The regulated activities segment is as previously reported and includes the regulated results of United Utilities Water PLC.

The non-regulated activities segment is as previously reported and includes the group's utility outsourcing contracts in the United Kingdom and overseas.

The 'all other segments' category was previously reported as the group's other activities segment. This category includes the results of United Utilities Property Solutions Limited, United Utilities Group PLC and other group holding companies.

The disclosure correlates with the information provided to the United Utilities Group PLC board of directors (the "board") for the purposes of assessing performance and allocating resources.  The board reviews revenue and operating profit by segment, but assets and liabilities are reviewed at a consolidated level. Investment income and finance expense and taxation are managed on a group basis and are not allocated to operating segments.

Total assets have not changed materially from the amount disclosed in the financial statements of United Utilities Group PLC for the year ended 31 March 2009 and are therefore not disclosed by segment. Financials can be found in this document.

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES

The half yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors.  The directors are responsible for preparing the half yearly financial report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority.

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

- The condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the EU; and
- The interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by:

• DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events during the first six months of the current financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements; and a description of principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and
• DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so.

The directors of United Utilities Group PLC at the date of this announcement are listed below:

Dr John McAdam
Philip Green
Tim Weller 
Charlie Cornish
Dr Catherine Bell CB
Paul Heiden 
David Jones CBE
Andrew Pinder CBE
Nick Salmon

By order of the Board

...........               ..........        
Philip Green                               Tim Weller
24 November 2009                   24 November 2009
Chief Executive Officer              Chief Financial Officer
 

INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO UNITED UTILITIES GROUP PLC

We have been engaged by the company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2009 which comprises the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of financial position, the consolidated statement of changes in equity, the consolidated statement of cashflows, cash generated from operations, segment reporting and related notes 1 to 12. We have read the other information contained in the half yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

This report is made solely to the company in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Auditing Practices Board.  Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company those matters we are required to state to them in an independent review report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company, for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.

Directors' responsibilities

The half yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors.  The directors are responsible for preparing the half yearly financial report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority.

As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the group are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union.  The condensed set of financial statements included in this half yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting", as adopted by the European Union.

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half yearly financial report based on our review.

Scope of Review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2009 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority.

Deloitte LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
Manchester, United Kingdom
24 November 2009