RELX
Annual Report 2000

Plain-text annual report

129691 Cover 12/3/01 9:45 pm Page 2 S C I E N C E & M E D I C A L E D U C A T I O N B U S I N E S S L E G A L R E E D E L S E V I E R A N N U A L R E P O R T S & F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T S 2 0 0 0 F O R T H E R E E D E L S E V I E R C O M B I N E D B U S I N E S S E S , R E E D I N T E R N AT I O N A L P. L . C . A N D E L S E V I E R N V R E E D E L S E V I E R A N N U A L R E P O R T S & F I N A N I A L S T A T E M E N T S 2 0 0 0 129691 Cover 12/3/01 9:45 pm Page 3 S C I E N C E & M E D I C A L E D U C A T I O N B U S I N E S S L E G A L R E E D E L S E V I E R A N N U A L R E V I E W & S U M M A R Y F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T S 2 0 0 0 This document contains detailed Annual Report and Accounts information in respect of the Reed Elsevier combined businesses and the two parent companies, Reed International P.L.C. and Elsevier NV. This, together with the separate summary document Reed Elsevier Annual Review and Summary Financial Statements 2000, forms the Annual Reports and Financial Statements of Reed International P.L.C. and Elsevier NV for the year ended 31 December 2000 and the two documents should be read together. REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. ELSEVIER NV REED ELSEVIER PLC PUBLISHING AND INFORMATION BUSINESSES SCIENCE & MEDICAL LEGAL EDUCATION BUSINESS ELSEVIER REED FINANCE BV FINANCE ACTIVITIES CONTENTS 01 Financial highlights 02 Review of 2000 financial performance 16 Structure and corporate governance 20 Remuneration report Reed International P.L.C. annual report and financial statements 56 Financial highlights 57 Directors’ report 60 Accounting policies 61 Financial statements Reed Elsevier combined financial statements 64 Notes to the financial statements 28 Accounting policies 30 Combined financial statements 34 Notes to the combined financial statements 54 Auditors’ report 70 Auditors’ report 71 Shareholder information Elsevier NV annual report and financial statements 75 Supervisory Board’s report 75 Executive Board’s report 76 Financial statements 78 Accounting policies 79 Notes to the financial statements 82 Other information Additional information for US investors 84 Reed Elsevier combined businesses 89 Reed International P.L.C. 91 Elsevier NV 74 Five year financial summary 92 Principal operating locations 129691 pp01-15 Reed 12/3/01 9:51 pm Page 01 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 01 REED ELSEVIER COMBINED Results for the year ended 31 December £ sterling Turnover m 7 9 8 2 £ , m 7 8 9 2 £ , m 8 6 7 3 £ , m 0 9 3 3 £ , m 3 6 1 3 £ , Adjusted pre-tax profit m 5 0 8 £ m 3 2 8 £ m 3 7 7 £ m 0 1 7 £ m 0 9 6 £ Adjusted operating profit Adjusted operating cash flow m 7 8 7 £ m 2 1 8 £ m 3 1 8 £ m 2 9 7 £ m 3 9 7 £ m 3 9 7 £ m 8 0 8 £ m 0 8 7 £ m 5 7 7 £ m 7 5 7 £ 96 97 98 99 00 96 97 98 99 00 96 97 98 99 00 96 97 98 99 00 € euro Turnover m 8 0 7 4 € , m 4 2 3 4 € , m 7 5 4 3 € , , m 0 8 1 6 m € 3 5 1 5 € , Adjusted pre-tax profit m 1 9 1 1 € , m 1 6 9 € m 0 5 1 1 € , m 2 3 1 1 € , m 9 7 0 1 € , Adjusted operating profit m 0 1 2 1 € , m 4 0 2 1 € , m 5 7 1 1 € , m 1 0 3 1 € , Adjusted operating cash flow m 3 0 2 1 € , m 6 8 1 1 € , m 8 4 1 1 € , m 1 7 2 1 € , m 9 3 9 € m 3 0 9 € 96 97 98 99 00 96 97 98 99 00 96 97 98 99 00 96 97 98 99 00 PARENT COMPANIES Results for the year ended 31 December Reed International Adjusted earnings per share p 0 1 . 8 2 p 0 3 . 8 2 p 0 4 . 6 2 p 0 4 . 4 2 p 0 3 . 3 2 Reed International Full year dividends p 0 6 . 4 1 p 0 0 . 5 1 p 0 6 . 3 1 Elsevier Adjusted earnings per share 2 6 . 0 € 0 6 . 0 € 9 5 . 0 € 7 5 . 0 € 1 5 . 0 € Elsevier Full year dividends 4 3 . 0 € 3 4 . 0 € 9 3 . 0 € 7 2 . 0 € 8 2 . 0 € p 0 0 . 0 1 p 0 0 . 0 1 96 97 98 99 00 96 97 98 99 00 96 97 98 99 00 96 97 98 99 00 The financial highlights refer to ‘adjusted’ profit and cash flow figures. These figures are used by the Reed Elsevier businesses as additional performance measures and are stated before the amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets, exceptional items and related tax effects. Adjusted pre-tax profit is presented for total operations; other highlights relate to continuing operations, which exclude the consumer publishing businesses sold in the period to 1998. 129691 pp01-15 Reed 12/3/01 9:51 pm Page 02 02 REVIEW OF 2000 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE This review provides a commentary on the REVIEW OF OPERATIONS amortisation of goodwill and intangibles assets operating and financial performance of the The combined financial statements encompass and exceptional items. Reed Elsevier combined businesses for the the businesses of Reed Elsevier plc and Elsevier year ended 31 December 2000. In addition, Reed Finance BV, together with their parent In anticipation of the acquisition of Harcourt it describes other financial aspects of the companies, Reed International and Elsevier (the General’s STM and Education and Testing combined businesses including taxation and ‘Reed Elsevier combined businesses’ or ‘Reed businesses, the Reed Educational & Professional treasury management and accounting policies. Elsevier’). Financial information is presented in Publishing business, formerly reported within the The review also includes information on the both sterling and euros. financial performance and dividends of the Legal segment, is now reported separately as an Education segment, and comparatives have been two parent companies and on the finance Unless otherwise indicated, all percentage restated accordingly. The Scientific segment has activities of the Elsevier Reed Finance BV group. movements in the following commentary refer been renamed Science & Medical to reflect to constant currency rates, using 1999 full year business strategy. average rates, and are stated before the FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS The Reed Elsevier Annual Reports & Financial Statements 2000 contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the US Securities Act 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act 1934, as amended. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and actual results and events could differ materially from those currently being anticipated as reflected in such forward- looking statements. The terms ‘expect’, ‘should be’, ‘will be’, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Factors which may cause future outcomes to differ from those foreseen in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions and business conditions in Reed Elsevier’s markets, customers’ acceptance of its products and services, the actions of competitors, changes in law and legal interpretation affecting Reed Elsevier’s intellectual property rights, and the impact of technological change. REVIEW OF OPERATIONS Turnover Science & Medical Legal Education Business Total Adjusted operating profit Science & Medical Legal Education Business Total 2000 £m 693 1,201 202 1,672 3,768 252 237 40 264 793 1999 £m 652 1,087 181 1,470 3,390 231 282 34 245 792 2000 €m 1,137 1,970 331 2,742 6,180 413 389 66 433 1,301 1999 €m 991 1,652 275 2,235 5,153 351 428 52 373 1,204 % change at constant currencies 7% 5% 9% 12% 9% 12% (19)% 15% 7% (1)% Adjusted figures, which exclude the amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets and exceptional items, are presented as additional performance measures. 129691 pp01-15 Reed 12/3/01 9:51 pm Page 03 REVIEW OF 2000 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 03 SCIENCE & MEDICAL respectively at constant rates of exchange, or 8% up from 25% a year ago, and usage is growing 2000 has been a very successful year for Elsevier and 12% excluding acquisitions and disposals. rapidly with more than 15 million page views in Science. Our results have demonstrated the The good sales growth was driven by the stronger January 2001. Over 1,200,000 scientific articles good growth momentum in the business and we subscription renewals in the year and the can now be retrieved in full text search over the have made major progress in the execution of increasing contribution from Internet services. The web. New functionalities and customised web our strategy. We have significantly expanded previously adverse subscriber attrition trends were services for specific user groups, such as ScienceDirect accelerating the migration of our reversed. Operating margins were slightly higher PhysicsDirect, PharmaDirect, and EngineeringDirect, business from print to electronic information reflecting the strong revenue growth, with the have been introduced, increasing utility and services, and we are now reaching new usage significant increase in investment, in new product relevance and expanding the user base. The groups. Our sales and customer services activities and sales and marketing initiatives, offset by ScienceDirect sales force was doubled and have been significantly expanded and we have cost savings in production, distribution and back customer service activities significantly expanded to continued to upgrade our systems infrastructure office functions. capture the market opportunity. to support our growth strategy. Turnover and operating profit in the Science & services continues to progress well. ScienceDirect renewals, the Internet services contributed an Medical business increased by 7% and 12% now covers over 45% of the subscription revenues, additional 2 percentage points to sales growth. The customer takeup of the ScienceDirect online In addition to the positive impact on subscription SCIENCE & MEDICAL SEGMENT Turnover Elsevier Science Medical Businesses Adjusted operating profit Operating margin 2000 £m 592 101 693 252 36.4% 1999 £m 534 118 652 231 35.4% 2000 €m 971 166 1,137 413 36.4% 1999 €m 812 179 991 351 35.4% % change at constant currencies 12% (15)% 7% 12% 1.0 pts 129691 pp01-15 Reed 12/3/01 9:51 pm Page 04 04 REVIEW OF 2000 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE The new policy on pricing introduced for the 2000 business, focused on the nursing community, The outlook for the Science & Medical business subscription year, moderating increases and the was sold for $105 million. is good. Revenue growth momentum is strong impact of currencies so as to give more predictable with high subscription renewals expected and an journal pricing for customers, also contributed to The medical publishing and communications expanding customer base for the ScienceDirect the stronger renewals and helped the migration business in 2000 reported turnover lower by product. Initiative spending will remain high as from print to electronic products. 15% due to the disposal of Springhouse. further progress is made on customisation, Underlying sales were marginally ahead and functionalities and marketing with the increased The breadth of Elsevier Science’s services has operating profits up 22% following reorganisation investment balanced by further cost savings extended through acquisition: to the library of the sponsored communications business and expected from the full year effect of savings in community with Endeavor, the leading provider of in France after the weak performance in 1999. 2000 and as new systems go live. digital library systems, and to the pharmaceutical The year ended with good growth momentum as industry through Afferent, with its advanced drug the benefit of the sales force expansion began screening software. In June, the Springhouse to take effect. REVENUE BY BUSINESS 15% 85% Elsevier Science Medical Business TURNOVER £ sterling m 1 7 5 £ m 3 5 5 £ m 3 9 6 £ m 2 5 6 £ m 2 2 6 £ m 7 3 1 , 1 m € 1 9 9 € € euro m 6 2 9 € m 6 2 8 € m 0 6 6 € 96 97 98 99 00 96 97 98 99 00 129691 pp01-15 Reed 12/3/01 9:51 pm Page 05 REVIEW OF 2000 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 05 LEGAL correspondingly lower by 6.2 percentage points at Tax Analysts, both leading publishers of highly In 2000, we have made strong progress against 19.7%, from which they are expected to recover valued tax material, making LEXIS-NEXIS the most our key strategic priorities. We have launched as the investment pays off. At LEXIS-NEXIS, comprehensive online source of tax and new and upgraded Internet products and services turnover excluding acquisitions was up 2% whilst accounting information available worldwide. which have been well received, most importantly operating profits were 24% lower. Case law summaries have now been added to the the core research services of lexis.com and LEXIS-NEXIS federal and state case law collection. nexis.com for the US legal and corporate/ In the US Legal Markets, online revenues grew 5% These summaries cover cases since 1995 government markets respectively. We have with the second half growth showing a continuing and we are working aggressively to include significantly expanded our sales and marketing improvement over the first. This is partly offset earlier years, having started with those cases activities, and have been building our global by lower print and CD-ROM sales as business most often accessed. capability and presence through acquisition and migrates online. Online usage is growing alliance. Our results have been impacted by this dramatically as customers migrate to the Particularly encouraging for the future has been investment programme, but the progress made significantly upgraded functionalities and services the success in meeting our goal of competitive is substantial. of the lexis.com platform, which now accounts for parity in product preference in law schools, where more than 65% of searches. The Martindale user preferences are first formed. The most recent Turnover in the Legal business increased by 5%, Hubbell legal directory business had another independent market research shows lexis.com or 3% excluding acquisitions, and operating profit successful year. was down 19%. This reflects the significant step to have parity preference amongst law students, a substantial improvement from a year ago and up in investment, particularly at LEXIS-NEXIS, The enhanced lexis.com is a truly competitive representing an important milestone. to deliver substantially upgraded products and product and we continue to add content and services, and sales and marketing programmes. functionality to improve and differentiate our To meet the needs of US attorneys in small firm The investment was partly funded by the major service. Key content licences were secured and single-lawyer practices, the lexisONE.com cost savings programme. Operating margins were through long term agreements with CCH and service was launched with free and fee-based LEGAL SEGMENT Turnover LEXIS-NEXIS US LEXIS-NEXIS International Adjusted operating profit Operating margin 2000 £m 947 254 1,201 237 19.7% 1999 £m 854 233 1,087 282 25.9% 2000 €m 1,553 417 1,970 389 19.7% 1999 €m 1,298 354 1,652 428 25.9% % change at constant currencies 4% 11% 5% (19)% (6.2) pts 129691 pp01-15 Reed 12/3/01 9:51 pm Page 06 06 REVIEW OF 2000 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE research and legal forms, as well as resources Across LEXIS-NEXIS the major re-engineering training firm, CPD Direct was launched, providing to help attorneys manage firm business, client programme has continued to deliver substantial online training and professional development. relationships and their careers. cost savings, in excess of $90m, with almost In France, a major initiative was the launch of every area reengineered, including production, the pre-eminent French case law database, In US Corporate and Federal Markets, Nexis online IT, administration and other support services. Juris-Data, as an online service. revenues grew by 4%, a major turnaround from In addition to releasing substantial funds for the 4% decline seen the previous year, with a reinvestment, the re-engineering is making Acquisitions were also made in the year in US, particularly strong second half. The launch of the LEXIS-NEXIS a leaner, faster moving organisation. UK, Asia and Latin America to extend our global significantly upgraded flagship product, nexis.com, capability. In International Markets, Eclipse in the has been exceptionally well received in the market LEXIS-NEXIS International businesses outside the UK added a leading publisher in UK employment and is driving new sales and expansion of existing US (formerly the Reed Elsevier Legal Division) law and related fields which is an important customer accounts. reported turnover and operating profit up 11% growing area of law. In Corporate and Federal and 1% respectively, or 5% and flat excluding Markets, we acquired the Riskwise group of As in US Legal Markets, we are building customised acquisitions, reflecting solid sales performance companies which provide online identify verification solutions with our customers that are both industry and a significant increase in new product and and fraud-risk solutions for the rapidly growing and function specific, eg. insurance, media, sales marketing investment. e-commerce industry and is an excellent fit with support, mergers and acquisitions, business our existing public record business. intelligence etc, that integrate searching across a In the UK, the Butterworth Lexis Direct service customer’s Intranet, LEXIS-NEXIS and other has maintained its strong market position with In recognition that our markets and customers are information sources, including the web. Alliances expanded content and new functionalities. During increasingly becoming global, we took steps to with major systems suppliers, such as Siebel and the year, customised services were added in develop a global product and technology platform Verity, have embedded nexis.com in their products specialist fields, such as Human Rights Direct and to serve as an underpinning to link all of our extending our penetration of the business market. EU Direct, and, in partnership with a leading legal individual country offerings, and to ensure that LEGAL SEGMENT REVENUE BY BUSINESS LEXIS-NEXIS US 21% LEXIS-NEXIS International 79% TURNOVER £ sterling m 8 4 9 £ m 7 6 8 £ m 8 3 8 £ m 1 0 2 , 1 £ m 7 8 0 , 1 £ m 0 7 9 , 1 m € 2 5 6 , 1 € € euro m 1 1 4 , 1 € m 5 5 2 , 1 € m 0 0 0 , 1 € 96 97 98 99 00 96 97 98 99 00 129691 pp01-15 Reed 12/3/01 9:51 pm Page 07 REVIEW OF 2000 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 07 content available on any Reed Elsevier legal EDUCATION BUSINESS offering can be delivered to any of our customers Reed Educational & Professional Publishing saw 2000 has seen a good recovery in trading anywhere else around the globe. We also made revenues and operating profit increase by 9% and performance and major progress on our strategic the important decision to adopt LEXIS-NEXIS 15% respectively. Rigby, the US supplementary initiatives to accelerate growth. The businesses as our global brand. This will be implemented business, had a particularly good year with have been brought together in one cohesive global progressively across our International markets revenues 37% ahead driven by market share division and the portfolio refocused on fewer, this year. gains and a very successful launch of the new faster growing sectors through a programme of Rigby literacy programme. In UK Schools, sales in acquisitions and disposals. We have successfully The outlook for the Legal business is positive the Primary market were lower than the prior year launched Internet portals in key sectors, as well as and improving. The success of lexis.com, and which benefited from exceptional, ring fenced new print magazines and exhibitions. Efficiency the significantly upgraded sales and marketing government funding for literacy materials. was significantly improved through the major cost efforts, will start to be reflected in the results In Secondary, however, sales were up 23% on savings programmes, funding in part the substantial going forward as opportunities are presented strong new publishing programmes addressing increase in investment. when subscriptions come up for renewal, and as curriculum changes. The Australian schools ingrained preferences for competitor products are business also performed well. The outlook for Turnover and operating profit in the Business overcome. There is now real momentum behind Reed Educational & Professional Publishing segment increased by 12% and 7% respectively nexis.com, and international markets outside the business remains good. at constant rates of exchange. Excluding US continue to perform. acquisitions and disposals, the figures were 4% and 3% respectively. Turnover growth was held EDUCATION SEGMENT Turnover Reed Educational & Professional Publishing Adjusted operating profit Operating margin 2000 £m 202 40 19.8% 1999 £m 181 34 18.8% 2000 €m 331 66 19.8% 1999 €m 275 52 18.8% % change at constant currencies 9% 15% 1.0 pts REVENUE BY GEOGRAPHICAL MARKET US UK 51% Rest of the World 31% 18% TURNOVER £ sterling m 6 6 1 £ m 9 5 1 £ m 5 5 1 £ m 2 0 2 £ m 1 8 1 £ m 1 3 3 € m 5 7 2 m € 7 3 2 € m 0 4 2 € € euro m 5 8 1 € 96 97 98 99 00 96 97 98 99 00 129691 pp01-15 Reed 12/3/01 9:51 pm Page 08 08 REVIEW OF 2000 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE back by the unfavourable cycling of non-annual launched in key sectors including Electronics, websites, CMD provides a strong platform from exhibitions and lower revenues in the travel Manufacturing, Entertainment, Television and which to lead the industry in print and online businesses being sold. Operating margins at Telecommunications and in over 15 other sectors information services. 15.8% were 0.9 percentage points lower using the e:Logic platform. The market reflecting the significant increase in investment, opportunities have been reassessed as clearer Cahners also acquired, in June for $73 million, although this is substantially funded by the cost business models emerge and are not considered e:Logic, a fast growing and leading application saving programme. as large as first thought. Our portals have, service provider of web development, design however, been well received in their markets with and delivery systems to media and Internet Cahners Business Information turnover and good growth in traffic and growing advertising companies. e:Logic provides Cahners with world operating profits were up 5% and 30% revenues. We have reprioritised some of the class content management technology and is respectively before the impact of acquisitions. The Internet investment to take account of this. For accelerating our strategy of building leading Electronics, Supply Chain, Retail and Entertainment instance, within the Manufacturing sector we are Internet portals. sectors performed particularly well, with migrating the joint venture with i2 into a more Manufacturing flat and Cahners Travel Group lower. straightforward licensing arrangement and At Reed Business Information, turnover increased New product launches in both print and Internet refocused the web service on the design, by 11%, or 7% excluding acquisitions, with services added 2% to revenue growth. Operating automation and supply chain/logistics segments of stronger growth and market share gains in display margins improved, despite a significant increase Manufacturing. The recent downturn in so many and recruitment advertising in the UK magazines in new product investment, reflecting the major dot.com valuations reinforces the importance and in Internet revenues. The Computer, restructuring programme in the second half of the strengths that we have in strong brands, Personnel, Aerospace and Science sectors of 1999. key content and an established customer base. performed particularly well. Underlying operating Substantial progress has been made in the last In May, Cahners made the $300 million acquisition increase in investment, particularly in 12 months in the development and execution of of CMD Group, a leading international supplier of totaljobs.com, the online recruitment service, Cahners Internet strategy, through launch, alliance information to the construction industry. Combined which has a leading position in the UK. Other and acquisition. Internet portals have been with Cahners existing construction magazines and initiatives include the 75/25 computerweekly.com profits were 1% lower, reflecting the major BUSINESS SEGMENT Turnover Cahners Business Information Reed Business Information Elsevier Business Information Reed Exhibition Companies OAG Worldwide Other Adjusted operating profit Operating margin 2000 £m 665 270 278 358 72 29 1,672 264 15.8% 1999 £m 542 243 270 301 85 29 1,470 245 16.7% 2000 €m 1,090 443 456 587 118 48 2,742 433 15.8% 1999 €m 824 369 411 458 129 44 2,235 373 16.7% % change at constant currencies 15% 11% 11% 18% (19)% 12% 7% (0.9) pts 129691 pp01-15 Reed 12/3/01 9:51 pm Page 09 REVIEW OF 2000 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 09 joint venture with InterX to combine RBI’s brands, The portfolio was extended by the acquisition in Miller Freeman Europe, with operations in France, content and publishing expertise with InterX’s July of the Stammer business in Italy, as part of Spain, Italy, Germany and Scandinavia. The technical and product data services. the Miller Freeman Europe transaction, and other portfolio has over 100 shows and 66 related acquisitions were made in France, Spain and websites and includes prestigious international At OAG Worldwide, turnover declined by 19% due Germany. Disposal of the K G Saur reference and national domestic events across a number to portfolio rationalisation ahead of its impending business was completed and a number of the non of sectors, including building and construction, sale and lower sales of the print product. core Tuition businesses have been, or are in the retail, food and hospitality, and environmental Investment has been significantly increased in process of being, sold. services. The post acquisition performance has new web products and the OAG.com and been ahead of expectations. OAGMobile services were launched in the second Turnover at Reed Exhibition Companies increased half. The sale of the business is well advanced. by 18% and operating profit by 19%. As several The outlook for the Business segment in 2001 is major non-annual shows in the UK and US did not positive. Investment levels will remain high with At Elsevier Business Information, turnover and take place in 2000, excluding acquisitions, more funding behind a number of successful print operating profits were up 11% and 5% respectively, revenue grew by 1% and operating profit declined launches and some cutback on Internet spending or 7% and 10% excluding acquisitions. Strong by 8%. This also reflects the significant new show to reflect changes in revenue expectations. performances were seen across the businesses in launch programme, with over 35 new shows The slowing of the US economy is a concern. the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and France. In the launched, and a significant step up in investment However, it is expected to be manageable as the Netherlands, the Business and Management, in show related websites, of which there are now momentum across the businesses is strong and Personnel, Healthcare and Retail sectors were over 250. These will provide more accessible and new product revenues are growing. The disposal particularly strong and buoyant advertising demand focused pre and post event services, including of businesses will affect the reported results, was captured with the launch of supplements. EBI’s contact broking, to exhibitors and attendees. balanced by a greater contribution from zibb.nl was successfully launched in the year and is now a leading general business information portal in the Netherlands. In July, Reed Elsevier acquired for £360m/€585m the leading trade exhibition organiser in Europe, acquisitions made in the last year and favourable show cycling at Exhibitions. BUSINESS SEGMENT REVENUE BY BUSINESS 17% 16% Cahners Business Information Reed Business Information 4% 40% Elsevier Business Information 21% 2% Reed Exhibition Companies OAG Worldwide Other TURNOVER £ sterling m 1 5 3 , 1 £ m 3 8 3 , 1 £ m 4 3 4 , 1 £ m 0 7 4 , 1 £ m 2 7 6 , 1 £ m 2 4 7 , 2 € m 5 3 2 , 2 € m 4 3 1 , 2 € € euro m 2 0 0 , 2 m € 2 1 6 , 1 € 96 97 98 99 00 96 97 98 99 00 129691 pp01-15 Reed 12/3/01 9:51 pm Page 10 10 REVIEW OF 2000 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REED ELSEVIER COMBINED BUSINESSES cost reductions achieved in production, distribution Adjusted profit before tax, which excludes the Profit and loss and support areas. Excluding acquisitions and The reported profit before tax for the Reed disposals and currency translation effects, revenue Elsevier combined businesses, including growth was 5% whilst costs increased by 6%. exceptional items and the FRS10 amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets, was £192m/€315m, which compares with a reported profit of £105m/€160m in 1999. The increase includes the favourable movement in exceptional items with lower reorganisation costs and the gain on disposals of businesses. The reported attributable profit of £33m/€54m compares with a reported attributable loss of £63m/€95m in 1999. Turnover increased by 11% expressed in sterling to £3,768m, and by 20% expressed in euros to €6,180m. Excluding exceptional items and the amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets, adjusted operating profits were flat expressed in sterling at £793m, and up 8% expressed in euros at €1,301m. Operating margins at 21.0% were 2.4 percentage points below the prior year principally reflecting the major investment programme less The amortisation charge for goodwill and intangible assets amounted to £468m/€768m, up £95m/€201m reflecting acquisitions made in 1999 and 2000, and currency translation effects. Exceptional items showed a pre-tax charge of £30m/€49m, comprising £38m/€63m on acquisition related costs, £77m/€126m in respect of the major restructuring programme initiated in 1999, less £85m/€140m profit on sale of businesses. This compares with a net charge on exceptional items in 1999 of £232m/€352m, of which £161m/€244m related to restructuring. Net interest expense, at £103m/€169m, was £21m/€44m higher than in the previous year principally due to the financing of acquisitions completed in 2000 and currency translation. Net interest cover was 8 times. amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets and exceptional items, at £690m/€1,132m, was 3% lower than in previous years expressed in sterling, and 5% higher expressed in euros, or 3% lower at constant exchange rates. The effective tax rate on adjusted earnings was slightly higher at 25.9% (1999 25.6%). The adjusted profit attributable to shareholders of £511m/€838m compared to £527m/€801m in 1999, 3% lower at constant exchange rates. Cash flows, acquisitions, disposals and debt Reed Elsevier generates significant cash flows as its principal businesses do not require major fixed or working capital investments. Capital expenditure principally relates to computer equipment and, increasingly, investment in systems infrastructure to support electronic publishing activities. Total capital expenditure in the year amounted to £144m/€236m, broadly similar to the prior year level. Depreciation in the year was £118m/ €194m. Working capital requirements are REED ELSEVIER COMBINED BUSINESSES Reported figures Turnover Operating profit Profit before taxation Net borrowings Adjusted figures Operating profit Operating margin Profit before taxation Operating cash flow Operating cash flow conversion Interest cover (times) 2000 £m 3,768 210 192 433 793 21% 690 775 98% 8 1999 £m 3,390 180 105 1,066 792 23% 710 780 98% 10 2000 €m 6,180 344 315 697 1,301 21% 1,132 1,271 98% 8 Change at constant currencies % 9% 28% 106% (1)% (3)% (1)% 1999 €m 5,153 274 160 1,717 1,204 23% 1,079 1,186 98% 10 Adjusted figures, which exclude the amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets, exceptional items and related tax effects, are presented as additional performance measures. 129691 pp01-15 Reed 12/3/01 9:51 pm Page 11 REVIEW OF 2000 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 11 negative overall, due to the substantial proportion of revenues received through subscription and similar advanced receipts. Adjusted operating cash flow, before exceptional items, was £775m/€1,271m, representing a conversion rate of operating profit into cash flow of 98%, as for 1999. was capitalised as goodwill and intangible assets. The 2000 acquisitions contributed £12m/€20m to adjusted operating profit in the year and added £33m/€54m to operating cash flow. interest expense also reflects the interest yield differentials between the short term investments and long term fixed rate borrowings. Net borrowings at 31 December 2000 were £433m/€697m, a reduction of £633m/€1,020m on the prior year end, which reflected proceeds THE HARCOURT ACQUISITION AND EQUITY AND DEBT FINANCING On 27 October 2000, Reed Elsevier entered into a definitive agreement with Harcourt General, Inc Free cash flow – after interest, taxation and International and Elsevier in November 2000, of common stock, or share equivalent, for the dividends but before acquisition spend and together with the free cash flow and exceptional entire issued share capital of Harcourt. The offer from the joint international share offering by Reed (Harcourt) to make a tender offer of $59 per share exceptional receipts and payments – was £334m/€548m compared to £187m/€286m in 1999. The increase in 2000 principally reflects reduced dividend payments as a result of the adjustment to dividend policy, and reduced taxation payments. Net exceptional cash inflows of £90m/€148m relate to the £153m/ €251m proceeds from sale of businesses, less exceptional acquisition related costs and restructuring. receipts, less spend on acquisitions. Gross borrowings at 31 December 2000 amounted to £2,027m/€3,263m, denominated mostly in US dollars and partly offset by cash balances totalling £1,594m/€2,566m invested in short term deposits and marketable securities. values the company at $4.45 billion (£3.10 billion/€5.37 billion at exchange rates then prevailing). Reed Elsevier plc also entered into a definitive agreement with The Thomson Corporation (Thomson) to on-sell, for pre-tax proceeds of $2.06 billion, the Harcourt Higher Approximately 98% of cash balances were held in Education business and the Corporate and sterling, euros and US dollars. A total of 46% of Professional Services businesses other than Reed Elsevier’s gross borrowings were at fixed rates, including £516m/€831m of floating rate debt fixed through the use of interest rate swaps. educational and clinical testing. Following completion of the offer and the on-sale In 2000, acquisitions were made for a total consideration of £952m/€1,562m, including debt of £48m/€79m. An amount of £998m/€1,637m At 31 December 2000, the fixed rate debt had a of businesses, Reed Elsevier will have acquired weighted average interest coupon of 6.6% and an Harcourt’s Scientific, Technical and Medical (STM) average remaining life of 7.7 years. The net business and its K-12 (kindergarten to grade 12) TURNOVER BY BUSINESS SEGMENT BY GEOGRAPHICAL MARKET BY SOURCE BUSINESS 44% SCIENCE & MEDICAL 18% LEGAL 32% NORTH AMERICA 57% REST OF WORLD 10% UNITED KINGDOM 14% REST OF EUROPE 13% SUBSCRIPTIONS 39% CIRCULATION 17% OTHER 10% EXHIBITIONS 10% ADVERTISING 24% EDUCATION 6% THE NETHERLANDS 6% 129691 pp01-15 Reed 12/3/01 9:51 pm Page 12 12 REVIEW OF 2000 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE Schools Education and Testing businesses for an executed through an accelerated bookbuild The initial acquisition funding will be provided by implied value of approximately $4.5 billion, taking process completed on 29 November 2000. The cash and short term borrowings off commercial into account corporate net debt, taxes payable on the on-sale proceeds and the assumption of other corporate liabilities. In the year to 31 October 2000, these businesses had sales of $1.7 billion (STM $688m, 1999 $633m and Education and Testing $990m, 1999 $787m), adjusted operating net proceeds of the placing totalled £1,263m/€2,071m through the issue of 113.7m ordinary shares in Reed International at 625 pence per share and 66.26m ordinary shares in Elsevier at €14.50 per share, including the exercise of over-allotment options by the joint bookrunners. paper programmes or draw down against committed credit facilities, and potentially by the assumption of up to $850 million of Harcourt public debt securities. The facilities include $6.5 billion of new bank facilities put in place in November 2000. The on-sale agreement between profits (pre-amortisation of goodwill and intangible The majority of the proceeds have been hedged Reed Elsevier and Thomson has conditions which assets) of $371 million (STM $161m, 1999 $138m into US dollars. and Education and Testing $210m, 1999 $159m), in effect mirror the terms of the merger agreement between Reed Elsevier and Harcourt, and net assets of $1.1 billion (including $0.7 This amount represented 9.9% of the share and the on-sale should therefore be completed at billion of goodwill and intangible assets) before capitals of both parent companies. It is intended the time of the Harcourt acquisition or shortly corporate net debt of $1.2 billion. that Reed International should subscribe for thereafter dependent on the tender offer process. additional R-shares in Elsevier, which represent It is intended that the majority of the short term The acquisition and the on-sale to Thomson is the cross-shareholding of Reed International in borrowings should be refinanced through the subject to customary regulatory approvals, which Elsevier, so as to maintain Reed International’s issuance of term debt securities. may require some divestment of assets. indirect equity interest at 5.8% on a fully diluted basis. This will reflect the respective economic The blended financing rate on the debt component In order to fund the acquisition a placing of new interests of the shareholders of Reed of the funding, inclusive of the Harcourt public shares in Reed International and Elsevier was International and Elsevier in the combined debt which Reed Elsevier may potentially assume, undertaken jointly in November 2000 and new businesses, represented by the equalisation and the cost of long term debt including interest debt facilities obtained. The placing of new arrangements. The equalisation ratio is rate hedging undertaken, is expected to be ordinary shares in the parent companies was unaffected. approximately 7.2%. USE OF ADJUSTED OPERATING CASH FLOW CURRENCY PROFILE – 2000 NET CASH/BORROWINGS NET INTEREST £104m €171m DIVIDENDS £196m €321m FREE CASH FLOW £334m/€548m CURRENCY PROFILE – 2000 ADJUSTED PRE-TAX PROFIT TAXATION £141m €231m OTHER 7% EURO 31% US DOLLAR 33% STERLING 29% m 7 8 5 £ m 5 4 9 € m 0 7 4 £ m 7 5 7 € 0 R A L L O D S U O R U E G N I L R E T S R E H T O m 0 3 £ — m 9 4 € — m 0 6 4 , 1 £ — m 0 5 3 , 2 € — 129691 pp01-15 Reed 12/3/01 9:51 pm Page 13 REVIEW OF 2000 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 13 Proforma combined net borrowings of the Reed borrowings, but excluding the committed bank European Economic and Monetary union Elsevier businesses (as at 31 December 2000) facilities put in place as part of the financing On 1 January 1999, the euro was introduced as and Harcourt (as at 31 October 2000), and taking arrangements for the purchase of Harcourt the de facto currency of the 12 European into account the acquisition financing and the General Inc, all net debt matures beyond two countries now participating in European Economic on-sale of businesses to Thomson, would be approximately £3.2 billion/€5.2 billion. years, with 64% maturing in the third year, 12% and Monetary Union (EMU). The Netherlands is a in four to five years and 24% beyond five years. participant; the United Kingdom is not. TREASURY POLICIES Interest rate exposure management In 2002, the Dutch guilder, like the currencies of The boards of Reed International and Elsevier Reed Elsevier’s interest rate exposure other participants, will be fully replaced by the have requested that Reed Elsevier plc and management policy is aimed at reducing the euro once notes and coins are substituted. In the Elsevier Reed Finance BV have due regard to exposure of the combined businesses to changes interim, the euro and the participating currencies the best interests of Reed International and in interest rates. The proportion of interest coexist and are inextricably linked by fixed Elsevier shareholders in the formulation of expense that is fixed on gross debt is determined conversion rates. treasury policies. by reference to the level of net interest cover. Reed Elsevier uses interest rate swaps, forward The implications for Reed Elsevier businesses Financial instruments are used to finance the rate agreements and interest rate options to have been low relative to many other multinational Reed Elsevier business and to hedge transactions. manage the exposure. Reed Elsevier’s businesses do not enter into European companies. Principally this is because, with the significant exception of Elsevier Science, speculative transactions. The main risks faced by Foreign currency exposure management which already publishes global prices, Reed Reed Elsevier are liquidity risk, interest rate risk Translation exposures arise on the earnings and Elsevier’s businesses have limited cross border and foreign currency risk. The boards of the parent net assets of business operations in countries trade. The most significant issue, therefore, has companies agree overall policy guidelines for other than those of the parent companies. These been the timing of euro based marketing and managing each of these risks and the boards of exposures are hedged, to a significant extent, by a invoicing and the transfer to euro denominated Reed Elsevier plc and Elsevier Finance SA agree policy of denominating borrowings in currencies business and financial systems. In this respect, policies (in conformity with parent company where significant translation exposures exist, most Reed Elsevier businesses have put in place guidelines) for their respective business and notably US dollars. systems to accommodate the euro. treasury centres. These policies are summarised below and have not changed significantly since Currency exposures on transactions denominated ELSEVIER REED FINANCE BV the beginning of 2000. in a foreign currency are required to be hedged Structure using forward contracts. In addition, recurring Elsevier Reed Finance BV, the Dutch resident Funding transactions and future investment exposures may parent company of the Elsevier Reed Finance BV Reed Elsevier develops and maintains a range be hedged, within defined limits, in advance of group (ERF), is directly owned by Reed of borrowing facilities and debt programmes to becoming contractual. The precise policy differs International and Elsevier. ERF provides treasury, fund its requirements, at short notice and at according to the commercial situation of the finance and insurance services to the Reed competitive rates. The significance of Reed individual businesses. Expected future net cash Elsevier plc businesses through its subsidiaries Elsevier plc’s US operations means that the flows may be covered for sales expected for up in Switzerland: Elsevier Finance SA (‘EFSA’), majority of debt is denominated in US dollars and to the next 12 months (50 months for Elsevier Elsevier Properties SA (‘EPSA’) and Elsevier Risks is raised in the US debt markets. A mixture of Science subscription businesses up to limits SA (‘ERSA’). These three Swiss companies are short term and long term debt is utilised and Reed staggered by duration). Cover takes the form of organised under one Swiss holding company, Elsevier maintains a maturity profile to facilitate foreign exchange forward contracts. which is in turn owned by Elsevier Reed refinancing. Reed Elsevier’s policy is that no more than $1,000m of long term debt should mature in At the year-end, the amount of outstanding foreign any 12-month period. In addition, minimum proportions of net debt with maturities over three years and five years are specified, depending on the level of the total borrowings. At 31 December exchange cover in respect of future transactions was £1.7 billion/€2.7 billion, £0.9 billion/ €1.5 billion of which represents translation hedges for utilisation of the proceeds of the Reed Finance BV. Activities EFSA, EPSA and ERSA each focus on their own specific area of expertise. 2000, after taking account of the maturity of International and Elsevier equity issues for the EFSA is the principal treasury centre for the committed bank facilities that back short term financing of the Harcourt acquisition. combined businesses. It is responsible for all 129691 pp01-15 Reed 12/3/01 9:51 pm Page 14 14 REVIEW OF 2000 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE aspects of treasury advice and support for Reed Liabilities and assets Elsevier plc’s businesses operating in Continental At the end of 2000, 87% (1999 93%) of ERF’s Europe and certain other territories and undertakes gross assets were held in US dollars, including foreign exchange and derivatives dealing services US$4.3 billion in loans to Reed Elsevier plc for the whole of Reed Elsevier. EFSA also provides subsidiaries. The euro currency block represented Reed Elsevier plc businesses with financing for 12% of total assets (1999 5%). acquisitions and product development and manages cash pools and investments. Liabilities included $822m in US dollars and $423m equivalent in euro currencies, borrowed EPSA is responsible for the exploitation of tangible under the euro commercial paper programme and and intangible property rights whilst ERSA is the Swiss domestic bond. responsible for insurance activities relating to risk retention. Major developments During the year, additional loans to Reed Elsevier plc businesses in the US of $461m were made, of which $200m was to finance the acquisition of the CMD Group. Additional loans to Reed Elsevier plc businesses in Europe of €425m were made, of which €413m was to finance the purchase of the Miller Freeman Europe businesses. To fund this additional lending and to provide capacity to meet new lending requests, ERFBV raised $495m by means of a rights issue to which Elsevier subscribed and the funds were contributed to EFSA. Furthermore, EFSA issued a 7-year bond in the Swiss domestic market, for $300m equivalent. Additionally, EFSA put in place a US$3.0 billion US Commercial Paper programme in December, in anticipation of financing related to the Harcourt acquisition. EFSA continued to advise Reed Elsevier plc businesses on the treasury implications of the introduction of the euro and all euro transfer programmes are progressing according to plan. EFSA also organised bank tenders in several European countries, and implemented a number of cash-pooling arrangements within Europe. The volume of foreign exchange dealt by EFSA during 2000 amounted to approximately $3.8 billion equivalent. The average balance of cash under management, on behalf of Reed Elsevier plc companies, was approximately $0.5 billion. 129691 pp01-15 Reed 12/3/01 9:51 pm Page 15 PARENT COMPANIES Profit and loss account Adjusted earnings per share for Reed International were 23.3p, a decline of 5% compared to the previous year. Adjusted earnings per share for Elsevier were €0.59, an increase of 4%. The difference in percentage change is entirely attributable to the impact of the REVIEW OF 2000 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 15 equalisation and Elsevier were 1.0p and €0.04, compared to a loss per share in 1999 of 3.4p and €0.07, respectively. tenth business day before the announcement of the proposed dividend. The board of Reed International has proposed a The Reed International and Elsevier annual reports final dividend of 6.9p, giving a total dividend of and financial statements are presented on pages 10.0p for the year, the same as for 1999. The 56 to 82. boards of Elsevier, in accordance with the dividend equalisation arrangements, have proposed a final dividend of €0.19. This results in a total dividend of €0.28 for the year, 4% higher than in 1999. The difference in percentage growth is attributable strengthening, on average, of sterling against the Dividends euro in 2000. At constant rates of exchange, the Dividends to Reed International and Elsevier adjusted earnings per share of both companies shareholders are equalised at the gross level, would have shown a decline of 5% over the including the benefit of the UK attributable tax to currency movements. previous year. credit of 10% received by certain Reed International shareholders. The exchange rate Dividend cover for Reed International, using After their share of the exceptional items and the used for each dividend calculation – as defined in adjusted earnings, was 2.1 times. For Elsevier, the charge in respect of goodwill and intangible the Reed Elsevier merger agreement – is the spot adjusted dividend cover was 2.1 times. Measured assets amortisation, the reported earnings per euro/sterling exchange rate, averaged over a for the combined businesses, dividend cover was share of Reed International after tax credit period of five business days commencing with the 2.1 times compared with 1999 at 2.3 times. PARENT COMPANIES Reported profit/(loss) attributable Adjusted profit attributable Average exchange rate €:£ Reported earnings/(loss) per share Adjusted earnings per share Dividend per share 2000 £m 11 270 1.64 1.0p 23.3p 10.0p Reed International Elsevier 1999 £m (39) 279 1.52 (3.4)p 24.4p 10.0p % change (3)% (5)% –)% 2000 €m 27 419 1.64 €0.04 €0.59 €0.28 1999 €m (48) 401 1.52 €(0.07) €0.57 €0.27 % change 4% 4% 4% The results of Reed International reflect its shareholders’ 52.9% economic interest in the Reed Elsevier combined businesses. The results of Elsevier reflect its shareholders’ 50% economic interest in the Reed Elsevier combined businesses. The respective economic interests of the Reed International and Elsevier shareholders take account of Reed International’s interest in Elsevier. Both parent companies equity account for their respective shares in the Reed Elsevier combined businesses. 129691 pp16-26 Reed 12/3/01 9:52 pm Page 16 16 STRUCTURE AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE Corporate structure circumstances, to recommend equivalent gross in Amsterdam, has complied throughout the period dividends (including, with respect to the dividend under review with the listing rules of Euronext and Reed Elsevier came into existence in January on Reed International ordinary shares, the best custom and practice appropriate to 1993, when Reed International and Elsevier associated UK tax credit), based on the internationally focused Dutch companies. contributed their businesses to two jointly owned equalisation ratio. A Reed International ordinary companies, Reed Elsevier plc, a UK registered share pays dividends in sterling and is subject to In order to facilitate the possibility of proxy voting company which owns all the publishing and UK tax law with respect to dividend and capital by Elsevier shareholders, approval will be sought information businesses, and Elsevier Reed Finance rights. An Elsevier ordinary share pays dividends at the Elsevier Annual General Meeting in April BV, a Dutch registered company which owns the in euros and is subject to Dutch tax law with 2001, to authorise the setting of a record date for financing activities. Reed International and Elsevier respect to dividend and capital rights. the purpose of determining attendance and voting have retained their separate legal and national rights at general meetings of shareholders. identities and are publicly held companies with CORPORATE GOVERNANCE separate stock exchange listings in Amsterdam, Compliance with codes of best practice BOARDS London and New York. The Boards of Reed International and Elsevier Reed International support the principles of corporate governance set The Reed International Board consists of five Equalisation arrangements out in the Combined Code in the Listing Rules of executive directors: Crispin Davis (Chief Executive Reed International and Elsevier each holds a 50% the Financial Services Authority (“the Combined Officer), Mark Armour (Chief Financial Officer), interest in Reed Elsevier plc. Reed International Code”) and corporate governance best practice in Derk Haank, Andrew Prozes and Gerard van holds a 39% interest in Elsevier Reed Finance BV, the Netherlands as set out in the de Aast, and six non-executive directors: with Elsevier holding a 61% interest. Reed recommendations of the Peters Committee. Morris Tabaksblat (Chairman), John Brock, International additionally holds an indirect equity Roelof Nelissen, Steven Perrick, Rolf Stomberg interest in Elsevier, reflecting the arrangements The Boards of Reed International and Elsevier and David Webster. Subject to the approval of the entered into between Reed International and have implemented standards of corporate appointment of Andrew Prozes and Gerard van de Elsevier at the time of the merger, which governance and disclosure policies applicable to Aast at the Elsevier Annual General Meeting in determined the equalisation ratio whereby one companies listed on the stock exchanges of the April 2001, all of the directors are also, or will be, Elsevier ordinary share is, in broad terms, United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The effect of directors of Reed Elsevier plc and Elsevier. intended to confer equivalent economic interests this is that an obligation applying to one of Reed to 1.538 Reed International ordinary shares. The International or Elsevier will, where not in conflict All Reed International directors are subject to equalisation ratio is subject to change to reflect and practicable, also be observed by the other. retirement at least every three years, and are able share splits and similar events that affect the then to make themselves available for re-election number of outstanding ordinary shares of either The way in which the relevant principles of by Reed International shareholders. Reed International or Elsevier. corporate governance are applied and complied with within Reed International, Elsevier, Reed As the non-executive directors are a source of Under the equalisation arrangements, Reed Elsevier plc and Elsevier Reed Finance BV is strong independent advice and judgement, the International shareholders have a 52.9% described below. board has considered carefully the need to economic interest in Reed Elsevier, and Elsevier shareholders (other than Reed International) have Reed International appoint a senior non-executive director, other than the Chairman, as recommended by the Combined a 47.1% economic interest in Reed Elsevier. Reed International, which has its primary listing Code, and has concluded that such an Holders of ordinary shares in Reed International on the London Stock Exchange, has complied in appointment is not necessary at the present time. and Elsevier enjoy substantially equivalent all material respects throughout the period under dividend and capital rights with respect to their review with the code provisions set out in Section 1 Elsevier ordinary shares. of the Combined Code. Elsevier has a two-tier board structure comprising The Boards of both Reed International and Elsevier a Supervisory Board of eight members, all of whom are non-executives and an Executive Board Elsevier have agreed, except in exceptional Elsevier, which has its primary listing on Euronext of three members. The members of the 129691 pp16-26 Reed 12/3/01 9:52 pm Page 17 STRUCTURE AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 17 Supervisory Board are Morris Tabaksblat executive directors and six non-executive majority of whom are independent. The (Chairman), Dien de Boer-Kruyt, John Brock, directors. Biographical information in respect of committees, which meet regularly, are chaired by Otto ter Haar, Roelof Nelissen, Steven Perrick, the members of the board appears on page 5 of David Webster, the other members being Steven Rolf Stomberg and David Webster. The Executive the Annual Review and Summary Financial Perrick and Roelof Nelissen. The committees are Board comprises Crispin Davis (Chief Executive Statements. Biographical information in respect of responsible for reviewing matters relating to the Officer), Mark Armour (Chief Financial Officer) and the two members of the Elsevier Supervisory financial affairs of the companies, internal control Derk Haank. A proposal will be put to the Board who do not serve on the Reed International policies and the internal and external audit forthcoming Elsevier Annual General Meeting to and Reed Elsevier plc boards appears on page 31 programmes. This includes, for example, reviewing appoint Andrew Prozes and Gerard van de Aast as of the Annual Review and Summary Financial accounting policies, compliance with accounting additional members of the Executive Board. With Statements. the exception of Dien de Boer-Kruyt and standards and other statutory requirements, and matters related to the effectiveness of internal Otto ter Haar, all of the directors are also directors None of the non-executive directors are involved controls. The committees also consider the of Reed International and of Reed Elsevier plc. in any business relationship with Reed Elsevier, appointment and fees of external auditors, with the exception of Steven Perrick, who is a including the nature and extent of non-audit Otto ter Haar will retire at the conclusion of the partner in Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, an services provided by the auditors. Senior Annual General Meeting in April 2001, when he international firm of advisers who provide legal representatives of the internal audit function of will reach the statutory retirement age. advice to Reed Elsevier. As a general rule, Reed Elsevier plc and the external auditors of the non-executive directors will serve on the board respective companies attend meetings of the The functioning of and the relationship between for a maximum period of ten years. The board, committees. the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board on the recommendation of the joint Nominations is governed by rules which have been adopted Committee, may extend this period where they Nominations Committee by the combined meeting of these boards (the consider it appropriate in individual Reed International and Elsevier have established Combined Board) and the Supervisory Board circumstances. held a meeting during the year to discuss the a joint Nominations Committee which is chaired by Morris Tabaksblat, the other members being functioning and the constitution of the boards. Elsevier Reed Finance BV Crispin Davis, Steven Perrick and Rolf Stomberg. The Elsevier Reed Finance BV group provides The committee meets regularly and its terms of The members of the Elsevier Executive and finance and treasury services to the Reed Elsevier reference include assessing the performance of Supervisory boards are appointed by the plc group businesses. The principal finance the directors, assuring board succession and shareholders and are subject to retirement at subsidiary, Elsevier Finance SA, is based in making recommendations to the boards of Reed least every three years in accordance with a Switzerland. The Supervisory Board of Elsevier International, Elsevier and Reed Elsevier plc rotation schedule. They can be re-elected for Reed Finance BV comprises Roelof Nelissen concerning the appointment or reappointment of successive terms, it being understood that no (Chairman), Mark Armour, Dien de Boer-Kruyt and directors to, and the retirement of directors from, member of the Supervisory Board shall in Otto ter Haar, with the Management Board those boards. In conjunction with the Chairman of principle serve more than 9 years in succession. consisting of Cornelis Alberti and Willem Boellaard. the Reed Elsevier plc Remuneration Committee The joint Nominations Committee of Reed and external consultants, the committee is also International and Elsevier selects and Otto ter Haar will retire from the Elsevier Reed responsible for developing proposals for the recommends candidates for appointment to the Finance BV Supervisory Board at the conclusion of remuneration and fees for new directors. Executive Board or the Supervisory Board. As the Elsevier Annual General Meeting in April 2001, regards the constitution of the Supervisory Board, when he will reach the statutory retirement age. Remuneration Committee nominations for appointment will be made in accordance with the profile that has been COMMITTEES adopted by the Combined Board. Audit Committees Reed Elsevier plc has established a Remuneration Committee which comprises only independent non-executive directors. The committee, which Reed International, Elsevier and Reed Elsevier meets regularly, is chaired by Rolf Stomberg, the Reed Elsevier plc plc have established Audit Committees which other members being John Brock and Roelof The Reed Elsevier plc board consists of five comprise only non-executive directors, the Nelissen. The committee is responsible for 129691 pp16-26 Reed 12/3/01 9:52 pm Page 18 18 STRUCTURE AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE recommending to the board the remuneration in the interim and full year results. A trading update connected with, the specific industries or all its forms of executive directors of Reed Elsevier is provided at the respective Annual General communities within which each unit operates. plc, and provides advice to the Chief Executive Meetings of Reed International and Elsevier, and This results in a very wide range of philanthropic Officer on the remuneration of executives at a near the end of the financial year. The Annual action. Institutional support typically takes the senior level below the board. All executive General Meetings provide an opportunity for the form of awards or scholarships for schools, directors of Reed International and Elsevier are boards of Reed International and Elsevier to universities or libraries. Community and charitable also executive directors of Reed Elsevier plc. communicate with private shareholders. The support focuses on meeting local needs, by direct Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the donation, matching of employee contributions or The fees of non-executive directors are dealt with Remuneration Committee and other directors are direct employee involvement in fundraising, by each of the boards as a whole. available to answer questions from shareholders. service or assistance. Strategy Committee Elsevier are made available on the website: INTERNAL CONTROL Reed Elsevier plc has established a Strategy www.reedelsevier.com. Parent companies Important announcements concerning Reed Committee which is chaired by Morris Tabaksblat, the other members being Crispin Davis, John The environment The boards of Reed International and Elsevier exercise independent supervisory roles over the Brock and David Webster. The committee meets Reed Elsevier comprises a number of business activities and systems of internal control of Reed regularly and its terms of reference include units operating within different countries. The Elsevier plc and Elsevier Reed Finance BV. They reviewing the major features of the strategy board of Reed Elsevier plc recognises that the approve the strategies and annual budgets of proposed by the Chief Executive Officer, and operations of its businesses have an impact on each company, and receive regular reports on subsequently recommending the proposed strategy the environment, principally in the areas of the their operations, including their treasury and risk to the board. The committee is also responsible for use of energy and paper, the use of production management activities. Major transactions reviewing any acquisition or investment which technologies and the recycling of waste, and is proposed by the boards of Reed Elsevier plc or would have major strategic or structural committed to ensuring that the impact is reduced Elsevier Reed Finance BV require the approval of implications for the Reed Elsevier plc group. where practicable. The Board has adopted a the boards of both Reed International and Elsevier. policy, the terms of which require each of the PEOPLE, COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT business units to establish targets and to report to The Reed International and Elsevier Audit Employee relations the Board annually on the performance against Committees meet on a regular basis to review the The board of Reed Elsevier plc is fully committed such targets. The members of the board with systems of internal control of Reed Elsevier plc to the concept of employee involvement and responsibility for Reed Elsevier’s global business and Elsevier Reed Finance BV. participation, and encourages each of its divisions are responsible for ensuring compliance businesses to formulate its own tailor-made with Reed Elsevier’s overall environmental policy, Operating and finance companies approach with the co-operation of employees. and with any environmental regulations applicable The board of Reed Elsevier plc is responsible for The group is an equal opportunity employer, and to the businesses within each division. A range of the system of internal control of the Reed Elsevier recruits and promotes employees on the basis local initiatives already undertaken include supply publishing and information businesses, while the of suitability for the job. Appropriate training and chain management, energy saving at major boards of Elsevier Reed Finance BV are development opportunities are available to all premises, active recycling and waste recovery, the responsible for the system of internal control in employees. Codes of Conduct applicable to use of electronic communications to reduce the respect of the finance group activities. The employees within the Reed Elsevier plc group consumption of paper and other products and the objective of these systems of internal control is to have been adopted by its businesses. use of video teleconferencing to reduce travel, manage, rather than eliminate, the risk of failure Investor relations where practicable. to achieve business objectives. Accordingly, they can only provide reasonable, but not absolute, Reed International and Elsevier participate in Community relations assurance against material misstatement or loss. regular dialogue with institutional shareholders, The policy of Reed Elsevier is that the business and presentations on the Reed Elsevier combined units should be able to support charities and In accordance with the guidance published by the businesses are made after the announcement of institutions whose activities are dedicated to, or Internal Control Working Party of the Institute of 129691 pp16-26 Reed 12/3/01 9:52 pm Page 19 STRUCTURE AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 19 Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (the management. The Audit Committee also receives records, for safeguarding assets, and for taking Turnbull Report), the boards of Reed Elsevier plc regular reports from both internal and external reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud and and Elsevier Reed Finance BV have implemented auditors on internal control matters. In addition, other irregularities. The directors are also an ongoing process for identifying, evaluating each Business Group is required, at the end of the responsible for selecting suitable accounting and managing the material risks faced by their financial year, to review the effectiveness of its policies and applying them on a consistent basis, respective businesses. This process has been in internal controls and report its findings on a making judgements and estimates that are place throughout the year ended 31 December detailed basis to the management of Reed Elsevier prudent and reasonable. 2000 and up to the date of approval of the Annual plc. These reports are summarised and, as part Reports and Financial Statements. of the annual review of effectiveness, submitted Applicable accounting standards have been to the Audit Committee of Reed Elsevier plc. followed and the Reed Elsevier combined financial Reed Elsevier plc The Chairman of the Audit Committee reports statements, which are the responsibility of Reed Reed Elsevier plc has an established framework of to the board on any significant internal control International and Elsevier, are prepared using procedures and internal controls, which is set out matters arising. in a group Policies and Procedures Manual, and with which the management of each business is Elsevier Reed Finance BV accounting policies which comply with both UK and Dutch Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. required to comply. Group businesses are required Elsevier Reed Finance BV has established policy GOING CONCERN to maintain systems of internal control, which are guidelines, which are applied for all Elsevier Reed The directors of Reed International and Elsevier, appropriate to the nature and scale of their Finance BV companies. The boards of Elsevier having made appropriate enquiries, consider that activities and address all significant operational and Reed Finance BV have adopted schedules of adequate resources exist for the combined financial risks that they face. The board of Reed matters which are required to be brought to them businesses to continue in operational existence for Elsevier plc has adopted a schedule of matters for decision. Procedures are in place for the foreseeable future and that, therefore, it is which are required to be brought to it for decision. monitoring the activities of the finance group, appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in including a comprehensive treasury reporting preparing the financial statements. Each business group has identified and evaluated system. The internal control system of Elsevier its major risks, the controls in place to manage Reed Finance BV is reviewed each year by its those risks and the level of residual risk accepted. external auditors. Steps continue to be taken to embed risk management and control further into the Annual review operations of the business and to deal with areas As part of the year end procedures, the boards of of improvement which come to management and Reed International, Elsevier, Reed Elsevier plc and Board attention. The major risks identified include Elsevier Reed Finance BV have reviewed the the protection of IT systems and data, challenges effectiveness of the systems of internal control to intellectual property rights, management of during the last financial year. strategic and operational change, evaluation and integration of acquisitions, and recruitment and RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE retention of personnel. The major strategic risks FINANCIAL STATEMENTS facing the Reed Elsevier plc businesses are The directors of Reed International, Elsevier, Reed considered by the Strategy Committee. Litigation Elsevier plc and Elsevier Reed Finance BV are and other legal matters are managed by legal required to prepare financial statements as at the directors in Europe and the United States. end of each financial period, which give a true and The Reed Elsevier plc Audit Committee receives loss, of the respective companies and their regular reports on the management of material subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates. They risks and reviews these reports with executive are responsible for maintaining proper accounting fair view of the state of affairs, and of the profit or 129691 pp16-26 Reed 12/3/01 9:52 pm Page 20 20 REMUNERATION REPORT Remuneration Committee This report has been prepared by the Remuneration Committee of Reed Elsevier plc and approved by the boards of Reed International and Elsevier. The Remuneration Committee is responsible for recommending to the board the remuneration (in all its forms), and the terms of the service contracts and all other terms and conditions of employment of the executive directors. The committee also provides advice to the Chief Executive Officer on major policy issues affecting the remuneration of executives at a senior level below the board. The committee draws on external professional advice as necessary in making its recommendations. The Remuneration Committee, which is chaired by Dr Rolf Stomberg, consists wholly of independent non-executive directors: John Brock, Roelof Nelissen and Rolf Stomberg. Remuneration of non-executive directors The remuneration of the non-executive directors is determined by the board with the aid of external professional advice. The non-executive directors remuneration consists only of fees. Compliance with the best practice provisions In designing its performance-related remuneration policy, the Remuneration Committee has complied with Schedule A of the Combined Code, appended to the Listing Rules of the UK Financial Services Authority. In relation to disclosure of directors’ remuneration, Reed International, a UK company listed on the London Stock Exchange, has complied with Schedule B of the Combined Code, appended to the Listing Rules of the UK Financial Services Authority. Remuneration policy In determining its policy on senior executive remuneration, including the directors, the committee’s principal objective is to attract, retain and motivate people of the highest calibre and experience needed to execute the strategy and deliver shareholder value in the context of an ever more competitive and increasingly global employment market. The Committee also has regard to, and balances as far as is practicable, the following objectives: (i) to ensure that it maintains a competitive package of pay and benefits, commensurate with comparable packages available within other multinational companies operating in global markets and, where appropriate, reflecting local practice operating within the country in which an individual director is based; (ii) to ensure that it encourages enhanced performance by directors and fairly recognises the contribution of individual directors to the attainment of the results of the Reed Elsevier plc group, whilst also encouraging a team approach which will work towards achieving the long-term strategic objectives of the Reed Elsevier plc group; (iii) to link reward to individual directors’ performance and company performance so as to align the interests of the directors with the shareholders of the parent companies. The remuneration of executive directors consists of the following elements: • Base salary, which is based on comparable positions in businesses of similar size and complexity. Salaries are reviewed annually by the Remuneration Committee. • A variable annual cash bonus, based on achievement of specific realistic but stretching financial and individual performance-related targets. Targets are set at the beginning of the year by the Remuneration Committee. The maximum potential bonus for the European Directors is 50% of basic salary. The maximum potential bonus payable to a US based director is 90% of basic salary. • Share options, where the directors and other senior executives are granted options annually over shares in Reed International and Elsevier at the market price at the date of grant. The Remuneration Committee approves the grant of any option and sets performance conditions attaching to options. • A longer-term incentive arrangement (“LTIP”) under which a one off grant of options of 20 times salary has been made during the year. The LTIPs were granted at market value at the date of grant, and are exercisable after 5 years, subject to the achievement of highly demanding performance conditions. • Post-retirement benefits, which comprise only pensions, where Reed Elsevier plc group companies have different retirement schemes which apply depending on local competitive market practice, length of service and age of the director. The only element of remuneration which is pensionable is base salary. 129691 pp16-26 Reed 12/3/01 9:52 pm Page 21 REMUNERATION REPORT 21 Service contracts Each of the executive directors has a service contract, the notice periods of which are described below: (i) M H Armour was appointed a director in July 1996 and his service contract provides for a notice period of twenty four months. (ii) C H L Davis was appointed a director in September 1999. His service contract provides for a notice period of twelve months. In the event of loss of employment on a change of control before 1 September 2002, twelve months’ salary would be payable to C H L Davis in addition to any other sums payable on termination. (iii) D J Haank was appointed a director in November 1999. His service contract, which is subject to Dutch law, provides for six months’ notice and, in the event of termination without cause by the company, eighteen months’ salary and employer’s pension contributions would be payable by way of liquidated damages. (iv) A Prozes was appointed a director in August 2000. His service contract, which is subject to New York law, provides that, in the event of termination without cause by the company, prior to 6 July 2001, twenty four months’ base salary would be payable and, thereafter, twelve months’ base salary. (v) G J A van de Aast was appointed a director in December 2000 and his service contract provides for a notice period of twelve months. The notice periods in respect of individual directors have been reviewed by the Remuneration Committee. The committee believes that as a general rule for future contracts, the initial notice period should be up to twenty four months, reducing to twelve months, and that the directors should, subject to practice within the country in which the director is based, be required to mitigate their damages in the event of termination. The committee will, however, have regard to local market conditions so as to ensure that the terms offered are appropriate to recruit and retain key executives operating in a global business. The non-executive directors do not have service contracts. External appointments Executive directors may, subject to the approval of the Chairman and the Chief Executive, serve as non-executive directors on the boards of up to two non- associated companies and may retain remuneration arising from such non-executive directorships. The committee believes that the Reed Elsevier plc group benefits from the broader experience gained by executive directors in such appointments. Emoluments of the directors The emoluments of the directors of Reed Elsevier plc (including any entitlement to fees or emoluments from either Reed International, Elsevier or Elsevier Reed Finance BV) were as follows: a) Aggregate emoluments Salaries and fees Benefits Annual performance-related bonuses Pension contributions Pension to former director One-off bonuses Compensation and payments in respect of former directors Total b) Individual emoluments of executive directors £000 €000 2000 2,068 66 835 786 230 461 581(i) 5,027 1999 2,505 108 412 476 214 277 3,474(ii) 7,466 € 2000 3,391 108 1,368 1,289 377 757 953(i) 8,243 1999 3,808 164 626 723 325 421 5,280(ii) 11,347 Total 1999 Bonuses Benefits 593,565 273,388 30,899 935,690 811,920 538,125 1,808,177 40,052 51,430 167,127 13,197 566,037 222,665(i) 313,296 18,589 60,360 – 4,344 1,086,093 1,490,016 – 2,100 46,516 – £ Salary 385,002 750,000 235,191 87,632 243,646 27,083 Benefits 18,841 24,422 8,047 11,335 2,649 1,281 Total Bonuses 166,700 570,543 328,125 1,102,547 101,907 345,145 36,805 135,772(i) 662,252 908,547 – 28,364 1999 390,503 534,158 33,836 206,116 – – Salary 631,403 1,230,000 385,713 143,716 399,579 44,416 M H Armour C H L Davis (from 1.9.1999) D J Haank (from 15.11.1999) O Laman Trip (until 30.6.2000) A Prozes (from 7.8.2000) G J A van de Aast (from 6.12.2000) Salaries, benefits and bonuses of former directors 3,090,918 1,723,360(ii) 2,887,973 – 2,619,509(ii) 5,069,101 4,389,720 Taking into account gains of £ nil (€nil) on the exercise of share options, C H L Davis was the highest paid director in 2000. (i) O Laman Trip ceased to be a director on 30 June 2000 and, as compensation for termination of his service agreement, received a payment representing two years’ salary and an amount equal to two years’ employer’s pension contributions plus certain other benefits, the aggregate amount of which was £581,342 (€953,400). (ii) Details of salaries, benefits and bonuses of and compensation payments to former directors in 1999 are set out in the Remuneration Committee report of that year. 129691 pp16-26 Reed 12/3/01 9:52 pm Page 22 22 REMUNERATION REPORT c) Recruitment of directors A Prozes was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Reed Elsevier plc’s global Legal businesses in July 2000 and a Director of Reed International and Reed Elsevier plc with effect from 7 August 2000. Mr Prozes’s base salary is US$800,000 per annum. In accordance with the terms of his service contract, Mr Prozes received in respect of 2000, in addition to his performance related bonus of £200,861 (€329,412), a bonus of £461,391 (€756,681) as compensation for loss of bonus from his previous employment. Target bonus for 2001 will be 72% of base salary. Options were granted to Mr Prozes in August 2000 under the Reed Elsevier plc Executive Share Option Scheme over shares in Reed International and Elsevier with an aggregate option price of four times base salary. Options over shares in Reed International and Elsevier with an aggregate option price of twenty times base salary were also granted under the terms of the Reed Elsevier plc Senior Executive Long Term Incentive Scheme. Mr Prozes was also granted nil cost options, as compensation for stock option gains forfeited upon leaving his previous employment, over 60,507 ordinary shares in Reed International and 42,120 ordinary shares in Elsevier. The terms of such options provide that they shall become exercisable over three years in equal tranches on each anniversary of the commencement of employment, provided Mr Prozes has not voluntarily terminated, or given notice to terminate, his employment prior to such date. G J A van de Aast was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Reed Elsevier plc’s global Business to Business businesses in December 2000 and a Director of Reed International and Reed Elsevier plc with effect from 6 December 2000. Mr van de Aast’s base salary is £325,000 per annum. Target bonus for 2001 will be 40% of base salary. Options were granted to Mr van de Aast in December 2000, under the Reed Elsevier plc Executive Share Option Scheme, over shares in Reed International and Elsevier with an aggregate option price of two times base salary. Options over shares in Reed International and Elsevier with an aggregate option price of twenty times base salary were also granted under the terms of the Reed Elsevier plc Senior Executive Long Term Incentive Scheme. Further details of the number of options, the option prices and the exercise periods are contained in the note under Share Options below. d) Pensions The Remuneration Committee reviews the pension arrangements for the executive directors to ensure that the benefits provided are consistent with those provided by other multinational companies in its principal countries of operation. The policy for executive directors based in the United Kingdom is to provide pension benefits at a normal retirement age of 60, equivalent to two thirds of base salary in the 12 months prior to retirement, provided they have completed 20 years’ service with the Reed Elsevier plc group or at an accrual rate of 1/30th of pensionable salary per annum if employment is for less than 20 years. The target pension for C H L Davis at normal retirement age of 60 is 45% of base salary in the 12 months prior to retirement. In 1989, the Inland Revenue introduced a cap on the amount of pension that can be provided from an approved pension scheme. M H Armour’s, G J A van de Aast’s and C H L Davis’s pension benefits will be provided from a combination of the Reed Elsevier Pension Scheme and the company’s unapproved, unfunded pension arrangements. D J Haank is a member of the Dutch pension scheme, and his pension at normal retirement age of 60 will be up to 70% of his final annual salary. The target pension for A Prozes, a US based director, is US$265,000 per annum, which becomes payable on retirement only if he completes a minimum of 7 years’ service. This pension has no associated contingent benefits for a spouse or dependants, and will be reduced in amount by the value of any other retirement benefits payable by the company or any former employer, other than those attributable to employee contributions. The pension arrangements for all the directors include life assurance cover whilst in employment, an entitlement to a pension in the event of ill health or disability and, except in the case of A Prozes, a spouse’s and/or dependants’ pension on death. The increase in the transfer value of the directors’ pension, after deduction of contributions, is shown below: Increase in accrued annual pension during the period 15,611 35,906 9,247 7,172 – 920 £ Total accrued annual pension as at 31.12.2000* 75,901 47,162 75,814 37,054 – 920 Transfer value increase after deduction of directors’ contributions 249,530 665,827 39,567 107,358 – 13,075 Increase in accrued annual pension during the period 25,602 58,886 15,165 11,762 – 1,508 € Total accrued annual pension as at 31.12.2000* 124,478 77,346 124,335 60,768 – 1,508 Transfer value increase after deduction of directors’ contributions 409,229 1,091,956 64,890 176,067 – 21,443 M H Armour C H L Davis D J Haank O Laman Trip A Prozes G J A van de Aast * Date of leaving service if prior to 31 December 2000. The transfer value increase in respect of individual directors represents a liability in respect of directors’ pension entitlement, and is not an amount paid or payable to the director. 129691 pp16-26 Reed 12/3/01 9:52 pm Page 23 e) Individual emoluments of non-executive directors Thousands J F Brock (from 15.4.99) R J Nelissen (from 15.4.99) S Perrick R W H Stomberg M Tabaksblat D G C Webster Aggregate emoluments of former directors REMUNERATION REPORT 23 £ € 2000 34,220 34,304 34,304 34,220 168,202 34,220 339,470 1999 27,196 30,197 43,530 35,260 125,277 70,260 83,556 415,276 2000 56,120 56,258 56,258 56,120 275,851 56,120 556,727 1999 41,338 45,900 66,166 53,595 190,421 106,795 127,005 631,220 M Tabaksblat was appointed Chairman of Reed Elsevier plc and Reed International, and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Elsevier in April 1999. Fees in respect of Mr Tabaksblat were paid to Unilever NV until May 1999 at which point he retired from Unilever. The emoluments of D G C Webster in 1999 included an additional fee payable to him to reflect the significant additional duties he undertook during that year, including those arising from his appointment as non-executive Chairman of Reed Elsevier plc during the period August 1998 to April 1999. Share options Executive directors have been granted options over Reed International and Elsevier shares. Options over shares in Reed International and Elsevier have been granted under the Reed Elsevier plc Executive Share Option Scheme, in which executive directors and other senior executives participate. The scheme grants options at the market price at the time of grant, which are normally exercisable between three and ten years from the date of grant. Since 1999 all executive share options have been granted subject to the performance condition that the compound growth in the average of the Reed International and Elsevier adjusted EPS (i.e. before exceptional items, amortisation of goodwill and intangable assets and UK tax credit equalisation) in the three years immediately preceding vesting must exceed the compound growth in the average of the UK and Dutch retail price indices by a minimum of 6%. Grants have also been made over shares in Reed International under the Reed Elsevier plc UK SAYE Scheme, in which all eligible UK employees are invited to participate. The SAYE Scheme grants options at a maximum discount of 20% to the market price at the time of grant, which are normally exercisable after the expiry of three or five years from the date of grant. The terms of the Reed Elsevier plc schemes have been approved by the shareholders of Reed International. At the Annual General Meeting in April 2000, Reed International shareholders approved changes to the rules of the Executive Share Option Scheme to remove the limit on the number of options that any executive may hold at any one time of four times remuneration. Under arrangements for Dutch based executives, options to subscribe for Reed International and Elsevier shares have been granted to members of the Elsevier Executive Board and to other senior executives. Prior to 1999 options were granted at the market price at the time of the grant and were exercisable for a period up to five years from the date of grant. Following the introduction of new tax laws in the Netherlands, the committee decided that Dutch based directors and senior executives granted options during 1999 could elect to take either a five year option at an option price representing a premium of 26% to the market price, or a ten year option at market price, or a combination of both. No grants under such arrangements have been made since 1999 and all executive share options are now awarded through the Reed Elsevier plc Executive Share Option Scheme. Longer term incentives Options over shares in Reed International and Elsevier have been granted during the year under the Reed Elsevier plc Senior Executive Long Term Incentive Scheme (“LTIP”). Implementation of the LTIP was approved by shareholders of Reed International and Elsevier at their respective Annual General Meetings in April 2000. The terms of the LTIP permitted a one off grant of options over Reed International and Elsevier ordinary shares, up to an aggregate value of 30 times salary, to be made to executive directors and a limited number of key executives. Grants have been made to existing management as well as individuals recruited during the year, regarded as key executives responsible for reshaping the business, executing the strategy for growth announced in February 2000 and producing a sustainable improvement in shareholder value. All grants under the LTIP were approved by the Remuneration Committee, and the maximum grant to any one individual represented an aggregate value of 20 times salary. Participants in the LTIP are required to build up a significant personal shareholding in Reed International and/or Elsevier. At executive director level, the requirement is that they should own shares equivalent to 11/2 times salary, to be acquired over a reasonable period. An option under the LTIP may only be exercised during the period 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2005, and then only if the performance targets have been satisfied. The first performance condition requires the achievement of 20% per annum total shareholder return (“TSR”) over three years from a base point of 436.5p per Reed International share and €10.73 for an Elsevier share, being the respective share prices on 2 May 2000. In the event that the required TSR performance is not achieved in the initial three year period, the TSR target will be extended to a maximum of five years with a corresponding increase in the growth requirement over such extended performance period. 129691 pp16-26 Reed 12/3/01 9:52 pm Page 24 24 REMUNERATION REPORT The second performance condition requires participants to achieve individual business unit targets over the three financial years 2000-2002. If the performance targets are not achieved, the entire option will lapse. At the date of this Report, the Remuneration Committee had granted options to 36 participants over 14,370,866 Reed International ordinary shares and 10,059,317 Elsevier ordinary shares. In the event that the LTIP conditions are met in full, the total combined shareholder return during the first three year performance period would be approximately £5,913 million (€9,520 million) and the participants will achieve an aggregate gain of approximately £74 million (€119 million), which is 1.2% of the combined total shareholder return. Details of options held by directors in the ordinary shares of Reed International and Elsevier as at 31 December 2000, and movements during the period are shown below: Over shares in Reed International M H Armour – Executive Scheme – LTIP – SAYE Scheme Total C H L Davis – Executive Scheme – Nil cost options – LTIP – SAYE Scheme Total D J Haank – Executive Scheme Total A Prozes – LTIP – Executive Scheme – LTIP – Nil cost options Total G J A van de Aast – Executive Scheme – LTIP Total Granted during the year 88,202 882,016 970,218 171,821 1,718,213 5,019 1,895,053 51,368 513,680 565,048 188,281 941,406 60,507 1,190,194 1 January 2000 * 59,600 30,000 52,000 66,900 33,600 3,924 246,024 160,599 80,300 80,300 535,332 856,531 18,498 18,497 36,995 50,940 509,404 560,344 Option price 400.75p 585.25p 565.75p 523.00p 537.50p 436.50p 436.50p 430.00p 467.00p 467.00p 467.00p 436.50p Nil 436.50p 336.20p 677.25p 537.50p 436.50p 436.50p 566.00p 566.00p Nil 638.00p 638.00p 31 December 2000 59,600 30,000 52,000 66,900 33,600 88,202 882,016 3,924 1,216,242 160,599 80,300 80,300 171,821 535,332 1,718,213 5,019 2,751,584 18,498 18,497 51,368 513,680 602,043 188,281 941,406 60,507 1,190,194 50,940 509,404 560,344 Exercisable 2001-2005 2001-2006 2001-2007 2001-2008 2002-2009 2003-2010 2005 2004 2002-2009 2003-2009 2004-2009 2003-2010 2002 2005 2005 2001-2004 2001-2009 2003-2010 2005 2003-2010 2005 2001-2003 2003-2010 2005 * On date of appointment if after 1 January 2000 The middle market price of a Reed International ordinary share during the year was in the range 390.75p to 700.00p and at 31 December 2000 was 700.00p. 129691 pp16-26 Reed 12/3/01 9:52 pm Page 25 REMUNERATION REPORT 25 Granted during the year 61,726 617,256 678,982 120,245 1,202,446 1,322,691 35,949 359,485 395,434 131,062 655,310 42,120 828,492 Over shares in Elsevier M H Armour – Executive Scheme – LTIP Total C H L Davis – Executive Scheme – LTIP – Nil cost options Total D J Haank – Executive Scheme Total A Prozes – LTIP – Convertible Debentures – Executive Scheme – LTIP – Nil cost options 1 January 2000 * 20,244 20,244 95,774 47,888 47,888 319,250 510,800 35,000 30,000 30,000 10,926 10,925 9,540 126,391 Total G J A van de Aast – Executive Scheme – LTIP Total 35,866 358,658 394,524 * On date of appointment if after 1 January 2000 (i) Average price (ii) Retained an interest in 3,000 shares Option price €13.55 €10.73 €10.73 €12.00 €12.00 €12.00 €10.73 €10.73 Nil €11.93 €14.11 €15.25 €17.07 €13.55 €10.73 €10.73 €14.36(i) €13.60 €13.60 Nil €14.87 €14.87 Exercised during the year Market price at exercise date 3,000(ii) 3,000 €15.66 31 December 2000 20,244 61,726 617,256 699,226 95,774 47,888 47,888 120,245 1,202,446 319,250 1,833,491 35,000 30,000 30,000 10,926 10,925 35,949 359,485 6,540 518,825 131,062 655,310 42,120 828,492 35,866 358,658 394,524 Exercisable 2002-2009 2003-2010 2005 2002-2009 2003-2009 2004-2009 2003-2010 2005 2002 2001 2001-2002 2001-2003 2001-2004 2001-2009 2003-2010 2005 2001-2002 2003-2010 2005 2001-2003 2003-2010 2005 The market price of an Elsevier ordinary share during the year was in the range €9.30 to €16.07 and at 31 December 2000 was €15.66. The aggregate notional pre-tax gain made by the directors on the exercise of Reed International and Elsevier share options was £4,046 (€6,636). 129691 pp16-26 Reed 12/3/01 9:52 pm Page 26 26 REMUNERATION REPORT Interests in shares The interests of the directors in the issued share capital of Reed International and Elsevier at the beginning and end of the year are shown below: Reed International ordinary shares Elsevier ordinary shares M H Armour J F Brock G J A van de Aast C H L Davis D J Haank R J Nelissen S Perrick A Prozes Dr R W H Stomberg M Tabaksblat D G C Webster 1 January 2000* 2,500 3,000 – – – – – – – – 5,000 31 December 2000 2,500 3,000 – 44,778 – – – – – – 5,000 1 January 2000* 2,500 – – – 7,880 – – – – 8,000 – 31 December 2000 2,500 – – 31,099 10,880 5,000 – – – 8,000 – *On date of appointment if after 1 January 2000 There have been no changes in the interests of the directors in the share capital of Reed International since 31 December 2000. Subsequent to 31 December 2000 S Perrick acquired 962 Elsevier shares. Any ordinary shares required to fulfil entitlements under nil cost share option grants are provided by the Employee Benefit Trust (“EBT”) from market purchases. As beneficiaries under the EBT, the directors are deemed to be interested in the shares held by the EBT which, at 31 December 2000, amounted to 590,257 Reed International ordinary shares and 320,000 Elsevier ordinary shares. On behalf of the Board of Reed Elsevier plc Rolf Stomberg Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 27 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS r e i v e s l E d e e R i d e n b m o c REED ELSEVIER COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 28 Accounting policies 30 Combined profit and loss account 31 Combined cash flow statement 32 Combined balance sheet 33 Combined statement of total recognised gains and losses 33 Combined shareholders’ funds reconciliation 34 Notes to the combined financial statements 54 Auditors’ report 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 28 28 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of preparation The equalisation agreement between Reed International and Elsevier has the effect that their shareholders can be regarded as having the interests of a single economic group. The Reed Elsevier combined financial statements (‘the combined financial statements’) represent the combined interests of both sets of shareholders and encompass the businesses of Reed Elsevier plc and Elsevier Reed Finance BV and their respective subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, together with the parent companies, Reed International and Elsevier (‘the combined businesses’). These financial statements are presented under the historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable UK and Dutch Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (‘GAAP’). These financial statements form part of the statutory information to be provided by Elsevier, but are not for a legal entity and do not include all the information required to be disclosed by a company in its financial statements under the UK Companies Act 1985 or Dutch Civil Code. Additional information is given in the annual reports and financial statements of the parent companies set out on pages 56 to 82. A list of principal businesses is set out on page 92. In addition to the figures required to be reported by accounting standards, adjusted profit and operating cash flow figures have been presented as additional performance measures. Adjusted profit is shown before the amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets and exceptional items. Adjusted operating cash flow is measured after dividends from joint ventures, tangible fixed asset spend and proceeds from the sale of fixed assets, but before exceptional payments and proceeds. Investments Fixed asset investments in joint ventures and associates are accounted for under the gross equity and equity methods respectively. Other fixed asset investments are stated at cost, less provision, if appropriate, for any impairment in value. Short term investments are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Foreign exchange translation The combined financial statements are presented in both pounds sterling and euros. Balance sheet items are translated at year end exchange rates and profit and loss account items are translated at average exchange rates. Exchange translation differences on foreign equity investments and the related foreign currency net borrowings and differences between balance sheet and profit and loss account rates are taken to reserves. Transactions entered into in foreign currencies are recorded at the exchange rates applicable at the time of the transaction. The results of hedging transactions for profit and loss amounts in foreign currency are accounted for in the profit and loss account to match the underlying transaction. The principal exchange rates used are set out in note 28. Goodwill and intangible assets On the acquisition of a subsidiary, associate, joint venture or business, the purchase consideration is allocated between the underlying net tangible and intangible assets on a fair value basis, with any excess purchase consideration representing goodwill. In accordance with FRS10: Goodwill and Intangible Assets, acquired goodwill and intangible assets are capitalised and amortised systematically over their estimated useful lives up to a maximum period of 20 years, subject to impairment review. Intangible assets comprise publishing rights and titles, databases, exhibition rights and other intangible assets, which are stated at fair value on acquisition and are not subsequently revalued. Tangible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets are stated in the balance sheet at cost less accumulated depreciation. No depreciation is provided on freehold land. Freehold buildings and long leases are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Plant and equipment is depreciated on a straight line basis at rates from 5%–33%. Short leases are written off over the duration of the lease. 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 29 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 29 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) Finance leases Assets held under leases which confer rights and obligations similar to those attaching to owned assets are capitalised as tangible fixed assets and the corresponding liability to pay rentals is shown net of interest in the accounts as obligations under finance leases. The capitalised values of the assets are written off on a straight line basis over the shorter of the periods of the leases or the useful lives of the assets concerned. The interest element of the lease payments is allocated so as to produce a constant periodic rate of charge. Operating leases Operating lease rentals are charged to the profit and loss account on a straight line basis over the period of the leases. Stocks Stocks and work in progress are stated at the lower of cost, including appropriate attributable overheads, and estimated net realisable value. Financial instruments Payments and receipts on interest rate hedges are accounted for on an accruals basis over the lives of the hedges and included respectively within interest payable and interest receivable in the profit and loss account. Gains and losses on foreign exchange hedges, other than in relation to net currency borrowings hedging equity investments, are recognised in the profit and loss account on maturity of the underlying transaction. Gains and losses on net currency borrowings hedging equity investments are taken to reserves. Gains and losses arising on hedging instruments that are closed out due to the cessation of the underlying exposure are taken directly to the profit and loss account. Currency swap agreements are valued at exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet date with net gains and losses being included within short term investments or borrowings. Interest payable and receivable arising from the swap is accounted for on an accruals basis over the life of the swap. Finance costs associated with debt issuances are charged to the profit and loss account over the life of the related borrowings. Turnover Turnover represents the invoiced value of sales on transactions completed by delivery, excluding customer sales taxes and sales between the combined businesses. Development spend Development spend incurred on the launch of new products or services is expensed to the profit and loss account as incurred. The cost of developing software for use internally may be capitalised as a fixed asset and written off over its estimated useful life. Taxation Deferred taxation is provided in full for timing differences using the liability method. No provision is made for tax which would become payable on the distribution of retained profits by foreign subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, unless there is an intention to distribute such retained earnings giving rise to a charge. Deferred tax assets are only recognised to the extent that they are considered recoverable in the short term. Deferred taxation balances are not discounted. Pensions The expected costs of pensions in respect of defined benefit pension schemes are charged to the profit and loss account so as to spread the cost over the service lives of employees in the schemes. Actuarial surpluses and deficits are allocated over the average expected remaining service lives of employees. Pension costs are assessed in accordance with the advice of qualified actuaries. For defined contribution schemes, the profit and loss account charge represents contributions made. 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 30 30 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS COMBINED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Turnover Including share of turnover of joint ventures Less: share of turnover of joint ventures Continuing operations before acquisitions Acquisitions Cost of sales Gross profit Operating expenses Before amortisation and exceptional items Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets Exceptional items Operating profit (before joint ventures) Continuing operations before acquisitions Acquisitions Share of operating profit of joint ventures Operating profit including joint ventures Non operating exceptional items Net profit on sale of fixed asset investments and businesses Profit on ordinary activities before interest Net interest expense Profit on ordinary activities before taxation Tax on profit on ordinary activities Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation Minority interests Profit/(loss) attributable to parent companies’ shareholders Ordinary dividends paid and proposed Retained loss taken to combined reserves ADJUSTED FIGURES Adjusted operating profit Adjusted profit before tax Adjusted profit attributable to parent companies’ shareholders Note 1 2 2 6 1,5 6 7 8 26 9 Note 1,10 10 10 2000 £m 3,836 (68) 3,768 3,589 179 (1,332) 2,436 (2,239) (1,659) (465) (115) 197 282 (85) 13 210 85 295 (103) 192 (159) 33 – 33 (245) (212) 2000 £m 793 690 511 1999 £m 3,464 (74) 3,390 3,390 – (1,185) 2,205 (2,028) (1,420) (369) (239) 177 177 – 3 180 7 187 (82) 105 (167) (62) (1) (63) (234) (297) 1999 £m 792 710 527 2000 €m 6,291 (111) 6,180 5,886 294 (2,185) 3,995 (3,672) (2,721) (762) (189) 323 462 (139) 21 344 140 484 (169) 315 (261) 54 – 54 (402) (348) 2000 €m 1,301 1,132 838 1999 €m 5,265 (112) 5,153 5,153 – (1,801) 3,352 (3,083) (2,159) (561) (363) 269 269 – 5 274 11 285 (125) 160 (254) (94) (1) (95) (356) (451) 1999 €m 1,204 1,079 801 Adjusted figures, which exclude the amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets, exceptional items and related tax effects, are presented as additional performance measures. 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 31 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 COMBINED CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Net cash inflow from operating activities before exceptional items Payments relating to exceptional items charged to operating profit Net cash inflow from operating activities Dividends received from joint ventures Interest received Interest paid Returns on investments and servicing of finance Taxation (including £31m/€51m (1999 £74m/€112m) exceptional inflow) Purchase of tangible fixed assets Proceeds from sale of tangible fixed assets Capital expenditure Acquisitions Exceptional net proceeds from sale of fixed asset investments and businesses Acquisitions and disposals Ordinary dividends paid to the shareholders of the parent companies Cash outflow before changes in short term investments and financing (Increase)/decrease in short term investments Financing Increase in cash Note 11 6 15 11 6,11 11 11 11 2000 £m 907 (94) 813 6 20 (124) (104) (110) (141) 3 (138) (914) 153 (761) (196) (490) (1,137) 1,634 7 1999 £m 898 (138) 760 4 33 (114) (81) (99) (137) 15 (122) (167) 3 (164) (339) (41) 297 (197) 59 2000 €m 1,487 (154) 1,333 10 33 (204) (171) (180) (231) 5 (226) (1,499) 251 (1,248) (321) (803) (1,865) 2,679 11 1999 €m 1,365 (210) 1,155 6 50 (173) (123) (150) (208) 23 (185) (254) 5 (249) (515) (61) 451 (300) 90 Short term investments include deposits of under one year if the maturity or notice period exceeds 24 hours, commercial paper investments and interest bearing securities that can be realised without significant loss at short notice. ADJUSTED FIGURES Adjusted operating cash flow Adjusted operating cash flow conversion Note 10 2000 £m 775 98% 1999 £m 780 98% 2000 €m 1,271 98% 1999 €m 1,186 98% Reed Elsevier businesses focus on adjusted operating cash flow as the key cash flow measure. Adjusted operating cash flow is measured after dividends from joint ventures, tangible fixed asset spend and proceeds from the sale of fixed assets but before exceptional payments and proceeds. Adjusted operating cash flow conversion expresses adjusted operating cash flow as a percentage of adjusted operating profit. 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 32 32 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS COMBINED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2000 Fixed assets Goodwill and intangible assets Tangible fixed assets Investments Investments in joint ventures: Share of gross assets Share of gross liabilities Share of net assets Other investments Current assets Stocks Debtors – amounts falling due within one year Debtors – amounts falling due after more than one year Cash and short term investments Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Net current liabilities Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Provisions for liabilities and charges Minority interests Capital and reserves Combined share capitals Combined share premium accounts Combined reserves Combined shareholders’ funds Note 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 24 26 2000 £m 4,127 416 153 137 (65) 72 81 1999 £m 3,400 386 119 136 (47) 89 30 4,696 3,905 114 860 164 1,594 2,732 (3,379) (647) 4,049 (873) (128) (7) 3,041 185 1,621 1,235 3,041 113 666 148 440 1,367 (2,676) (1,309) 2,596 (620) (113) (8) 1,855 168 341 1,346 1,855 2000 €m 6,644 670 247 221 (105) 116 131 7,561 184 1,385 264 2,566 4,399 (5,441) (1,042) 6,519 (1,406) (206) (11) 4,896 298 2,610 1,988 4,896 1999 €m 5,474 622 192 219 (76) 143 49 6,288 183 1,072 238 708 2,201 (4,308) (2,107) 4,181 (998) (182) (14) 2,987 270 549 2,168 2,987 Approved by the Boards of Reed International P.L.C. and Elsevier NV, 21 February 2001. 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 33 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 33 COMBINED STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Profit/(loss) attributable to parent companies’ shareholders Exchange translation differences Total recognised gains and losses for the year COMBINED SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS RECONCILIATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Profit/(loss) attributable to parent companies’ shareholders Ordinary dividends paid and proposed Issue of ordinary shares, net of expenses and less capital redemptions Exchange translation differences Net increase/(decrease) in combined shareholders’ funds Combined shareholders’ funds at 1 January Combined shareholders’ funds at 31 December 2000 £m 33 113 146 2000 £m 33 (245) 1,285 113 1,186 1,855 3,041 1999 £m (63) 17 (46) 1999 £m (63) (234) 5 17 (275) 2,130 1,855 2000 €m 54 150 204 2000 €m 54 (402) 2,107 150 1,909 2,987 4,896 1999 €m (95) 405 310 1999 €m (95) (356) 8 405 (38) 3,025 2,987 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 34 34 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1 Segment analysis Business segment Science & Medical Legal Education Business Total Geographical origin North America United Kingdom The Netherlands Rest of Europe Rest of World Total Business segment Science & Medical Legal Education Business Total Geographical origin North America United Kingdom The Netherlands Rest of Europe Rest of World Total Turnover Operating profit 1999 £m 652 1,087 181 1,470 3,390 1,836 698 391 307 158 3,390 2000 £m 140 (8) 19 59 210 (89) 109 127 57 6 210 1999 £m 111 57 20 (8) 180 (52) 86 91 51 4 180 Turnover Operating profit 1999 €m 991 1,652 275 2,235 5,153 2,791 1,061 594 467 240 5,153 2000 €m 230 (13) 31 96 344 (146) 179 208 93 10 344 1999 €m 169 91 26 (12) 274 (79) 131 138 78 6 274 2000 £m 693 1,201 202 1,672 3,768 2,098 734 399 356 181 3,768 2000 €m 1,137 1,970 331 2,742 6,180 3,441 1,204 654 584 297 6,180 Adjusted operating profit 1999 £m 2000 £m 252 237 40 264 793 335 191 136 102 29 793 231 282 34 245 792 359 191 135 87 20 792 Adjusted operating profit 1999 €m 2000 €m 413 389 66 433 1,301 549 313 223 167 49 1,301 351 428 52 373 1,204 547 290 205 132 30 1,204 Capital employed 2000 £m 286 2,443 144 1,205 4,078 3,128 476 (62) 506 30 4,078 1999 £m 315 2,295 137 668 3,415 2,792 518 (75) 147 33 3,415 Capital employed 2000 €m 460 3,933 232 1,941 6,566 5,036 766 (100) 815 49 6,566 1999 €m 507 3,695 221 1,075 5,498 4,495 834 (121) 237 53 5,498 The Education business, previously reported within the Legal segment, has been presented separately for the first time in 2000. Comparatives have been restated accordingly. The Scientific segment has been renamed Science & Medical to reflect business strategy. Adjusted operating profit is presented as an additional performance measure and is shown after share of operating profit of joint ventures and before amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets and exceptional items. Turnover is analysed before the £68m/€111m (1999 £74m/€112m) share of joint ventures’ turnover, of which £21m/€34m (1999 £19m/€29m) relates to the Legal segment, principally to Giuffrè, and £47m/€77m (1999 £55m/€83m) relates to the Business segment, principally to exhibition joint ventures (1999 principally to REZsolutions, Inc.). Share of operating profit in joint ventures of £13m/€21m (1999 £3m/€5m) comprises £4m/€6m (1999 £3m/€5m) relating to the Legal segment and £9m/€15m (1999 £nil/€nil) relating to the Business segment. 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 35 1 Segment analysis (continued) Analysis of turnover by geographical market North America United Kingdom The Netherlands Rest of Europe Rest of World Total Reconciliation of capital employed to combined shareholders’ funds Capital employed Taxation Dividends and net interest Net borrowings Minority interests Combined shareholders’ funds Business segment Science & Medical Legal Education Business Total Business segment Science & Medical Legal Education Business Total COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 35 NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2000 £m 2,152 521 234 478 383 3,768 2000 £m 4,078 (427) (170) (433) (7) 3,041 1999 £m 1,906 484 237 418 345 3,390 1999 £m 3,415 (364) (122) (1,066) (8) 1,855 2000 €m 3,529 855 384 784 628 6,180 2000 €m 6,566 (688) (274) (697) (11) 4,896 1999 €m 2,898 736 360 635 524 5,153 1999 €m 5,498 (586) (194) (1,717) (14) 2,987 Depreciation Amortisation 2000 £m 17 60 3 38 118 1999 £m 16 63 3 35 117 2000 £m 98 168 14 188 468 1999 £m 91 136 15 131 373 Depreciation Amortisation 2000 €m 28 98 5 63 194 1999 €m 24 96 5 53 178 2000 €m 161 276 23 308 768 1999 €m 138 207 23 199 567 Capital expenditure 2000 £m 1999 £m 26 72 3 43 144 20 75 5 48 148 Capital expenditure 2000 €m 1999 €m 43 118 5 70 236 30 114 8 73 225 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 36 36 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2 Cost of sales and operating expenses Before amortisation and exceptional items £m Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets £m Exceptional items £m 1,268 64 1,332 844 40 884 712 63 775 1,556 103 1,659 – – – – – – 378 87 465 378 87 465 – – – – – – 105 10 115 105 10 115 Before amortisation and exceptional items €m Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets €m Exceptional items €m 2,080 105 2,185 1,384 66 1,450 1,168 103 1,271 2,552 169 2,721 – – – – – – 619 143 762 619 143 762 – – – – – – 173 16 189 173 16 189 Cost of sales Continuing operations Acquisitions Total Distribution and selling costs Continuing operations Acquisitions Administrative expenses Continuing operations Acquisitions Operating expenses Continuing operations Acquisitions Total Cost of sales Continuing operations Acquisitions Total Distribution and selling costs Continuing operations Acquisitions Administrative expenses Continuing operations Acquisitions Operating expenses Continuing operations Acquisitions Total 2000 Total £m 1,268 64 1,332 844 40 884 1,195 160 1,355 2,039 200 2,239 2000 Total €m 2,080 105 2,185 1,384 66 1,450 1,960 262 2,222 3,344 328 3,672 Before amortisation and exceptional items £m Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets £m Exceptional items £m 1,185 – 1,185 759 – 759 661 – 661 1,420 – 1,420 – – – – – – 369 – 369 369 – 369 – – – – – – 239 – 239 239 – 239 Before amortisation and exceptional items €m Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets €m Exceptional items €m 1,801 – 1,801 1,154 – 1,154 1,005 – 1,005 2,159 – 2,159 – – – – – – 561 – 561 561 – 561 – – – – – – 363 – 363 363 – 363 1999 Total £m 1,185 – 1,185 759 – 759 1,269 – 1,269 2,028 – 2,028 1999 Total €m 1,801 – 1,801 1,154 – 1,154 1,929 – 1,929 3,083 – 3,083 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 37 3 Personnel AVERAGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EMPLOYED DURING THE YEAR Business segment Science & Medical Legal Education Business Total Geographical location North America United Kingdom The Netherlands Rest of Europe Rest of World Total COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 37 NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2000 1999 3,700 11,200 1,500 12,500 28,900 14,800 5,700 3,000 3,000 2,400 28,900 3,600 10,800 1,400 11,900 27,700 14,800 5,500 3,000 2,300 2,100 27,700 Pension schemes 4 A number of pension schemes are operated around the world. The major schemes are of the defined benefit type with assets held in separate trustee administered funds. The two largest schemes, which cover the majority of employees, are in the UK and US. The main UK scheme was subject to a valuation by Watson Wyatt partners as at 5 April 2000. The main US scheme was subject to a valuation by Towers Perrin as at 1 January 2000. The principal valuation assumptions for the main UK scheme were: Actuarial method Annual rate of return on investments Annual increase in total pensionable remuneration Annual increase in present and future pensions in payment Projected unit method 6.60% 5.00% 3.00% The principal valuation assumptions used for the US scheme were a rate of return on investments of 8%, increase in pensionable remuneration of 4.5%, and increase in present and future pensions in payment of 2%. The actuarial values placed on scheme assets were sufficient to cover 121% and 117% of the benefits that had accrued to members of the main UK and US schemes, respectively. Actuarial surpluses are spread as a level amount over the average remaining service lives of current employees. The market values of the schemes’ assets at the valuation dates, excluding assets held in respect of members’ additional voluntary contributions, were £1,723m/€2,986m, and £158m/€273m in respect of the UK and US schemes, respectively. Assessments for accounting purposes in respect of other schemes, including the Netherlands scheme, have been carried out by external qualified actuaries using prospective benefit methods with the objective that current and future charges remain a stable percentage of pensionable payroll. The principal actuarial assumptions adopted in the assessments of the major schemes are that, over the long term, investment returns will marginally exceed the annual increase in pensionable remuneration and in present and future pensions. The actuarial value of assets of the schemes approximated to the aggregate benefits that had accrued to members, after allowing for expected future increases in pensionable remuneration and pensions in course of payment. The net pension charge was £35m/€57m (1999 £28m/€43m), including a net £1m/€2m (1999 £3m/€5m) SSAP24 credit related to the main UK scheme. The net SSAP24 credit on the main UK scheme comprises a regular cost of £23m/€38m (1999 £16m/€24m), offset by amortisation of the net actuarial surplus of £24m/€40m (1999 £19m/€29m). Pension contributions made in the year amounted to £36m/€59m (1999 £31m/€48m). A prepayment of £128m/€206m (1999 £127m/€204m) is included in debtors falling due after more than one year, representing the excess of the pension credit to the profit and loss account since 1988 over the amounts funded to the main UK scheme. 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 38 38 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Operating profit 5 Operating profit is stated after the following: Hire of plant and machinery Other operating lease rentals Depreciation (including £4m/€7m (1999 £5m/€8m) in respect of assets held under finance leases) Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets in joint ventures Total amortisation Staff costs Wages and salaries Social security costs Pensions Total staff costs Auditors’ remuneration For audit services For non audit services Note 4 2000 £m 12 71 118 465 3 468 979 100 35 1,114 1.9 2.6 1999 £m 12 60 117 369 4 373 859 86 28 973 1.6 1.1 2000 €m 20 116 194 762 6 768 1,606 164 57 1,827 3.1 4.3 1999 €m 18 91 178 561 6 567 1,305 131 43 1,479 2.4 1.7 Included in auditors’ remuneration for non audit services is £1.5m/€2.5m (1999 £0.2m/€0.3m) paid to Deloitte & Touche and its associates in the UK. Information on the remuneration and interests of directors is given in the Remuneration Report on pages 20 to 26, which forms part of these financial statements. 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 39 6 Exceptional items Reorganisation costs (i) Acquisition related costs (ii) Year 2000 compliance costs Charged to operating profit Net profit on sale of fixed asset investments and businesses (iii) Total exceptional charge Net tax credit (iv) COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 39 NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2000 £m (77) (38) – (115) 85 (30) 20 1999 £m (161) (28) (50) (239) 7 (232) 15 2000 €m (126) (63) – (189) 140 (49) 33 1999 €m (244) (43) (76) (363) 11 (352) 23 (i) Reorganisation costs related to a major programme of reorganisation across the Reed Elsevier businesses, commenced in 1999. Costs include employee severance, surplus leasehold property obligations and fixed asset write offs. (ii) Acquisition related costs include £27m/€45m in respect of the integration of acquisitions, principally Miller Freeman Europe, CMD Group and Riskwise International, together with £11m/€18m of exceptional costs incurred in respect of the tender offer for Harcourt General, Inc (see note 27). (iii) The net profit on sale of fixed asset investments and businesses related primarily to Springhouse, KG Saur and REZsolutions, Inc. (iv) The net tax credit in 1999 is stated after taxes arising on business consolidation in the programme of reorganisation. Also in 1999, potential deferred tax assets of £32m/€49m in respect of the programme of reorganisation were not recognised. Cash flows in respect of exceptional items were as follows: Reorganisation costs Acquisition related costs Year 2000 compliance costs Reed Travel Group customer recompense (provided in 1997) Exceptional operating cash outflow Net proceeds from sale of fixed asset investments and businesses Total exceptional cash inflow/(outflow) Exceptional tax cash inflow 2000 £m (76) (9) (2) (7) (94) 153 59 31 1999 £m (39) (32) (47) (20) (138) 3 (135) 74 Cash flows in respect of acquisition related costs in 2000 are stated net of proceeds of £26m/€43m from a property disposal. The exceptional tax cash inflow in 1999 includes £58m/€88m of tax repayments. 7 Net interest expense Interest receivable Interest payable Other loans Promissory notes and bank loans Finance leases Total Interest cover (times) 2000 £m 26 (45) (83) (1) (103) 8 1999 £m 32 (46) (67) (1) (82) 10 Interest cover is calculated as the number of times adjusted operating profit is greater than the net interest expense. 2000 €m (125) (15) (3) (11) (154) 251 97 51 2000 €m 43 (74) (136) (2) (169) 8 1999 €m (59) (49) (71) (31) (210) 5 (205) 112 1999 €m 49 (70) (102) (2) (125) 10 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 40 40 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 8 Tax on profit on ordinary activities United Kingdom The Netherlands Rest of World Sub-total (including defered tax of £3m/€5m (1999 £16m/€24m)) Share of tax attributable to joint ventures Tax on ordinary activities before exceptional items Net tax credit on exceptional items Total 2000 £m 66 53 56 175 4 179 (20) 159 1999 £m 62 50 67 179 3 182 (15) 167 2000 €m 108 87 92 287 7 294 (33) 261 1999 €m 94 76 102 272 5 277 (23) 254 The total tax charge for the year is high as a proportion of profit before tax principally due to non-tax deductible amortisation and the non-recognition of potential deferred tax assets. 9 Ordinary dividends paid and proposed Reed International Elsevier Total 2000 £m 123 122 245 1999 £m 116 118 234 2000 €m 202 200 402 1999 €m 177 179 356 Dividends comprise the total dividend for Reed International of 10.0p per ordinary share (1999 10.0p) and the total dividend for Elsevier of €0.28 per ordinary share (1999 €0.27). Dividends paid to Reed International and Elsevier shareholders are equalised at the gross level inclusive of the UK tax credit of 10% received by certain Reed International shareholders. The cost of funding the Reed International dividends is, therefore, similar to or lower than that of Elsevier. 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 41 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 41 NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Adjusted figures 10 Adjusted profit and cash flow figures are used by the Reed Elsevier businesses as additional performance measures. The adjusted figures are derived as follows: Operating profit including joint ventures Adjustments: Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets Reorganisation costs Acquisition related costs Year 2000 compliance costs Adjusted operating profit Profit before tax Adjustments: Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets Reorganisation costs Acquisition related costs Year 2000 compliance costs Net profit on sale of fixed asset investments and businesses Adjusted profit before tax Profit/(loss) attributable to parent companies’ shareholders Adjustments: Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets Reorganisation costs Acquisition related costs Year 2000 compliance costs Net profit on sale of fixed asset investments and businesses Adjusted profit attributable to parent companies’ shareholders Net cash inflow from operating activities Dividends received from joint ventures Purchase of tangible fixed assets Proceeds from sale of fixed assets Payments in relation to exceptional items charged to operating profit Adjusted operating cash flow 2000 £m 210 468 77 38 – 793 192 468 77 38 – (85) 690 33 468 53 33 – (76) 511 813 6 (141) 3 94 775 1999 £m 180 373 161 28 50 792 105 373 161 28 50 (7) 710 (63) 373 161 22 41 (7) 527 760 4 (137) 15 138 780 2000 €m 344 768 126 63 – 1,301 315 768 126 63 – (140) 1,132 54 768 86 55 – (125) 838 1,333 10 (231) 5 154 1,271 1999 €m 274 567 244 43 76 1,204 160 567 244 43 76 (11) 1,079 (95) 567 244 33 63 (11) 801 1,155 6 (208) 23 210 1,186 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 42 42 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 11 Cash flow statement Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities Operating profit (before joint ventures) Exceptional charges to operating profit Operating profit before exceptional items Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets Depreciation Net SSAP24 pension credit Total non cash items Increase in stocks Increase in debtors Increase in creditors Movement in working capital Net cash inflow from operating activities before exceptional items Payments relating to exceptional items charged to operating profit Net cash inflow from operating activities Acquisitions Purchase of businesses and subsidiary undertakings Net payment of deferred consideration of prior year acquisitions Payments against prior year acquisition provisions Investment in joint ventures Purchase of fixed asset investments Total Exceptional sale of fixed asset investments and businesses Goodwill and intangible assets Net tangible assets (excluding cash of £nil/€nil (1999 £nil/€nil)) Note 6 4 6 Note 12 Net profit Consideration in respect of sale of fixed asset investments and businesses, net of expenses Amounts paid in respect of prior year disposals Amounts receivable Net cash inflow 2000 £m 197 115 312 465 118 (1) 582 (3) (110) 126 13 907 (94) 813 2000 £m (848) (13) – – (53) (914) 2000 £m 35 44 79 85 164 – 164 (11) 153 1999 £m 177 239 416 369 117 (3) 483 (9) (8) 16 (1) 898 (138) 760 1999 £m (120) (5) (1) (19) (22) (167) 1999 £m 6 – 6 7 13 (8) 5 (2) 3 2000 €m 323 189 512 762 194 (2) 954 (5) (181) 207 21 1,487 (154) 1,333 2000 €m (1,391) (21) – – (87) (1,499) 2000 €m 57 73 130 140 270 – 270 (19) 251 1999 €m 269 363 632 561 178 (5) 734 (14) (12) 25 (1) 1,365 (210) 1,155 1999 €m (183) (7) (2) (29) (33) (254) 1999 €m 9 – 9 11 20 (12) 8 (3) 5 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 43 11 Cash flow statement (continued) Financing Net movement in promissory notes and bank loans Repayment of other loans Issuance of other loans Repayment of finance leases Issue of ordinary shares Redemption of preference shares Total COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 43 NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2000 £m 304 (155) 202 (4) 347 1,287 – 1,634 1999 £m (20) (176) – (6) (202) 9 (4) (197) 2000 €m 499 (254) 331 (7) 569 2,110 – 2,679 1999 €m (31) (268) – (9) (308) 14 (6) (300) The repayment of other loans relates primarily to US$100m of Private Placements and US$150m of Medium Term Notes which matured in the year. The repayment of other loans in 1999 related primarily to a US$200m Eurobond, Dfl 125m Private Placements and US$20m of Medium Term Notes which matured in the year. The issuance of other loans relates to a US$300m Swiss Domestic Bond. Reconciliation of net borrowings Net borrowings at 1 January Increase in cash Increase/(decrease) in short term investments (Increase)/decrease in borrowings Change in net borrowings resulting from cash flows Loans in acquired businesses Inception of finance leases Exchange translation differences Net borrowings at 31 December Net borrowings at 1 January Increase in cash Increase/(decrease) in short term investments (Increase)/decrease in borrowings Change in net borrowings resulting from cash flows Loans in acquired businesses Inception of finance leases Exchange translation differences Net borrowings at 31 December Cash £m 79 7 – – 7 – – (1) 85 Cash €m 127 11 – – 11 – – (1) 137 Short term investments £m 361 Borrowings £m (1,506) – 1,137 – 1,137 – – 11 1,509 – – (347) (347) (48) (3) (123) (2,027) Short term investments €m 581 Borrowings €m (2,425) – 1,865 – 1,865 – – (17) 2,429 – – (569) (569) (79) (5) (185) (3,263) 2000 £m (1,066) 7 1,137 (347) 797 (48) (3) (113) (433) 2000 €m (1,717) 11 1,865 (569) 1,307 (79) (5) (203) (697) 1999 £m (962) 59 (297) 202 (36) – (11) (57) (1,066) 1999 €m (1,366) 90 (451) 308 (53) – (17) (281) (1,717) Net borrowings comprise cash and short term investments, loan capital, finance leases, promissory notes and bank loans and are analysed further in notes 19 to 22. 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 44 44 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Acquisitions 12 During the year a number of acquisitions were made for a total consideration amounting to £952m/€1,562m, after taking account of loans of £48m/€79m and net cash acquired of £6m/€10m. The most significant were Miller Freeman Europe for a total consideration of £360m/€585m and the CMD Group for a total consideration of £199m/€326m, subject to additional deferred consideration in 2004 if high performance targets are met. The net assets of the businesses acquired are incorporated at their fair value to the combined businesses. Fair value adjustments include the valuation of intangible assets and the restatement of tangible fixed assets and current assets and liabilities in accordance with Reed Elsevier accounting policies. Summaries of these adjustments, which are provisional pending the completion of fair value assessments in 2001, and the consideration given are set out in the tables below: Goodwill Intangible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets Investments Current assets Current liabilities Loans Current and deferred tax Net assets acquired Consideration (after taking account of £6m net cash acquired) Less: deferred to future years Net cash flow Goodwill Intangible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets Investments Current assets Current liabilities Loans Current and deferred tax Net assets acquired Consideration (after taking account of €10m net cash acquired) Less: deferred to future years Net cash flow Book value on acquisition £m Fair value adjustments £m 152 9 17 13 68 (125) (48) (8) 78 528 309 (3) – (5) (3) – – 826 Book value on acquisition €m Fair value adjustments €m 249 15 28 21 112 (205) (79) (13) 128 866 507 (5) – (8) (5) – – 1,355 Fair value £m 680 318 14 13 63 (128) (48) (8) 904 904 (56) 848 Fair value €m 1,115 522 23 21 104 (210) (79) (13) 1,483 1,483 (92) 1,391 Before the amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets and exceptional acquisition related costs, the businesses acquired in 2000 contributed £179m/€294m to turnover, £12m/€20m to operating profit and £33m/€54m to net cash inflow from operating activities for the part year under Reed Elsevier ownership. 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 45 13 Goodwill and intangible assets Goodwill £m Intangible assets £m Cost At 1 January 2000 Acquisitions Sale of businesses Exchange translation differences At 31 December 2000 Accumulated amortisation At 1 January 2000 Sale of businesses Charge for the year Exchange translation differences At 31 December 2000 Net book amount At 1 January 2000 At 31 December 2000 14 Tangible fixed assets Cost At 1 January 2000 Acquisitions Capital expenditure Disposals Exchange translation differences At 31 December 2000 Accumulated depreciation At 1 January 2000 Acquisitions Disposals Charge for the year Exchange translation differences At 31 December 2000 Net book amount At 1 January 2000 At 31 December 2000 2,899 680 (42) 193 3,730 1,197 (39) 255 65 1,478 1,702 2,252 3,081 318 (74) 183 3,508 1,383 (42) 210 82 1,633 1,698 1,875 Land and buildings £m Plant, equipment and computer systems £m 170 4 5 (21) 10 168 45 – – 7 4 56 125 112 743 20 139 (116) 40 826 482 10 (104) 111 23 522 261 304 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 45 NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Total £m 5,980 998 (116) 376 7,238 2,580 (81) 465 147 3,111 3,400 4,127 Total £m 913 24 144 (137) 50 994 527 10 (104) 118 27 578 386 416 Goodwill €m Intangible assets €m 4,667 1,115 (69) 292 6,005 1,927 (64) 418 99 2,380 2,740 3,625 4,961 522 (121) 286 5,648 2,227 (69) 344 127 2,629 2,734 3,019 Land and buildings €m Plant, equipment and computer systems €m 274 7 8 (34) 15 270 72 – – 11 7 90 202 180 1,196 32 228 (191) 65 1,330 776 16 (171) 183 36 840 420 490 Total €m 9,628 1,637 (190) 578 11,653 4,154 (133) 762 226 5,009 5,474 6,644 Total €m 1,470 39 236 (225) 80 1,600 848 16 (171) 194 43 930 622 670 At 31 December 2000 and 1999, all assets were included at cost. No depreciation was provided on freehold land. The net book amount of tangible fixed assets includes £17m/€27m (1999 £18m/€28m) in respect of assets held under finance leases. 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 46 46 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 15 Fixed asset investments At 1 January 2000 Share of attributable profit Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets Dividends received from joint ventures Acquisitions Additions Disposals Exchange translation differences At 31 December 2000 Investments in joint ventures £m Other investments £m 89 12 (3) (6) 12 – (37) 5 72 30 – – – 1 53 (5) 2 81 Total £m 119 12 (3) (6) 13 53 (42) 7 153 Investments in joint ventures €m Other investments €m 143 20 (6) (10) 20 – (61) 10 116 49 – – – 1 87 (8) 2 131 Total €m 192 20 (6) (10) 21 87 (69) 12 247 The principal joint venture at 31 December 2000 is Giuffrè (an Italian legal publisher in which Reed Elsevier has a 40% shareholding). The cost and net book amount of goodwill and intangible assets in joint ventures were £37m/€60m and £27m/€43m respectively (1999 £74m/€119m and £49m/€79m). At 31 December 2000, the Reed Elsevier plc Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) held 590,257 (1999 618,790) Reed International ordinary shares and 320,000 (1999 320,000) Elsevier ordinary shares with an aggregate market value at that date of £7.2m/€11.7m (1999 £5.1m/€8.2m). The EBT purchases Reed International and Elsevier shares which, at the Trustee’s discretion, can be used in respect of the exercise of executive share options. Further details of these share option schemes are set out in the Remuneration Report on pages 20 to 26. 16 Stocks Raw materials Work in progress Finished goods Total 17 Debtors – amounts falling due within one year Trade debtors Amounts owed by joint ventures Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income Total 18 Debtors – amounts falling due after more than one year Trade debtors Pension prepayment Prepayments, accrued income and other debtors Total Note 4 2000 £m 17 26 71 114 2000 £m 652 3 89 116 860 2000 £m 1 128 35 164 1999 £m 20 29 64 113 1999 £m 530 1 42 93 666 1999 £m 9 127 12 148 2000 €m 27 42 115 184 2000 €m 1,050 5 143 187 1,385 2000 €m 2 206 56 264 1999 €m 32 47 104 183 1999 €m 853 2 68 149 1,072 1999 €m 14 204 20 238 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 47 19 Cash and short term investments Cash at bank and in hand Short term investments Total COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 47 NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2000 £m 85 1,509 1,594 1999 £m 79 361 440 2000 €m 137 2,429 2,566 1999 €m 127 581 708 Short term investments include deposits of under one year if the maturity or notice period exceeds 24 hours, commercial paper investments and interest bearing securities that can be realised without significant loss at short notice. 20 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Borrowings Other loans Promissory notes and bank loans Obligations under finance leases Trade creditors Other creditors Taxation Proposed dividends Accruals and deferred income Total 21 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Borrowings Other loans repayable: Within one to two years Within two to five years After five years Obligations under finance leases Other creditors Taxation Accruals and deferred income Total Note 23 Note 23 2000 £m 4 1,395 5 1,404 245 213 193 177 1,147 3,379 2000 £m 4 205 402 12 623 27 197 26 873 1999 £m 158 967 4 1,129 178 145 120 127 977 2,676 1999 £m 3 81 279 14 377 14 208 21 620 2000 €m 6 2,246 8 2,260 394 343 311 285 1,848 5,441 2000 €m 6 330 648 19 1,003 43 317 43 1,406 1999 €m 254 1,559 5 1,818 287 233 193 204 1,573 4,308 1999 €m 5 130 449 23 607 23 335 33 998 Financial instruments 22 Details of the objectives, policies and strategies pursued by Reed Elsevier in relation to financial instruments are set out in the Review of 2000 Financial Performance on pages 2 to 15. For the purpose of the disclosures which follow in this note, short term debtors and creditors have been excluded, as permitted under FRS13. 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 48 48 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 22 Financial instruments (continued) Currency and interest rate profile of financial liabilities The currency and interest rate profile of the aggregate financial liabilities of £2,147m/€3,457m (1999 £1,595m/€2,568m), after taking account of interest rate and cross currency interest rate swaps, is set out below: 2000 US dollar Sterling Euro Other currencies Total 1999 US dollar Sterling Euro Other currencies Total Floating rate financial liabilities £m Fixed rate financial liabilities £m Floating rate financial liabilities €m Fixed rate financial liabilities €m Fixed rate financial liabilities Weighted average interest rate Weighted average duration (years) 890 43 223 65 1,221 779 – 141 6 926 1,433 69 359 105 1,966 1,254 – 227 10 1,491 6.8% – 5.6% 5.9% 6.6% 8.0 – 6.0 0.7 7.7 Floating rate financial liabilities £m Fixed rate financial liabilities £m Floating rate financial liabilities €m Fixed rate financial liabilities €m Fixed rate financial liabilities Weighted average interest rate Weighted average duration (years) 500 1 58 31 590 888 – 97 20 1,005 805 2 93 50 950 1,430 – 156 32 1,618 6.9% – 4.7% 6.7% 6.7% 7.4 – 1.7 0.7 6.7 Included within fixed rate financial liabilities as at 31 December 2000 are £nil/€nil (1999 £154m/€248m) of US dollar term debt that matures within five months of the year end and £73m/€118m of interest rate swaps denominated principally in US dollars that mature within twelve months of the year end (1999 £106m/€171m denominated principally in euros and maturing within nine months). Currency and interest rate profile of financial assets The currency and interest rate profile of the aggregate financial assets of £1,694m/€2,727m (1999 £479m/€771m), after taking account of interest rate swaps, is set out below: 2000 US dollar Sterling Euro Other currencies Total 1999 US dollar Sterling Euro Other currencies Total Floating rate financial assets £m Non interest bearing financial assets £m Floating rate financial assets €m Non interest bearing financial assets €m 103 622 834 35 1,594 67 16 1 3 87 166 1,001 1,343 56 2,566 107 26 2 5 140 Floating rate financial assets £m Non interest bearing financial assets £m Floating rate financial assets €m Non interest bearing financial assets €m 67 146 149 78 440 24 15 – – 39 108 235 240 125 708 39 24 – – 63 At 31 December 2000, there were fixed rate financial assets of £13m/€21m (1999 £nil/€nil) denominated in US dollars, with a weighted average interest rate of 8.0% and a weighted average duration of 1.3 years. Floating rate interest rates payable on US commercial paper are based on US dollar commercial paper rates. Other financial assets and liabilities bear interest by reference to LIBOR or other national LIBOR equivalent interest rates. Included within non interest bearing financial assets are £81m/€130m (1999 £30m/€48m) of investments denominated principally in sterling and US dollars which have no maturity date. 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 49 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 49 NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 22 Financial instruments (continued) Forward rate agreements are used principally to fix the interest expense on short term borrowings. At 31 December 2000, agreements totalling £1,767m/€2,845m (1999 £387m/€623m) were in place to enter into interest rate swaps and interest rate options at future dates. Of these, individual agreements totalling £946m/€1,523m (1999 £247m/€398m) were to fix the interest expense on US dollar borrowings commencing in 2001 and 2002 for periods of between two and ten years, at a weighted average interest rate of 6.8% In addition, interest rate options totalling £671m/€1,080m (1999 £nil/€nil) and starting in 2001 were to fix the interest expense on US dollar borrowings for periods of three to five years, at rates of between 5.7% and 6.7%. The other agreements totalling £150m/€242m (1999 £140m/€225m) were to fix the interest income on sterling short term investments commencing in 2001 for a period of four months at a weighted average interest rate of 7.2%. Maturity profile of financial liabilities The maturity profile of financial liabilities at 31 December comprised: Repayable: Within one year Within one to two years Within two to five years After five years Total 2000 £m 1,426 54 237 430 2,147 1999 £m 1,131 23 112 329 1,595 2000 €m 2,296 87 382 692 3,457 1999 €m 1,821 37 180 530 2,568 Financial liabilities repayable within one year include US commercial paper and euro commercial paper. Short term borrowings are supported by available committed facilities and by centrally managed cash and short term investments. As at 31 December 2000, a total of £4,497m/€7,240m (1999 £617m/€993m) of undrawn committed facilities were available, of which £2,389m/€3,846m (1999 £222m/€357m) matures within one year and £2,108m/€3,394m within two to three years (1999 £395m/€636m within two to five years). Included within this amount is £3,154m/€5,078m of committed facilities arranged in anticipation of the Harcourt acquisition (see note 27). Secured borrowings under finance leases were £17m/€27m (1999 £18m/€28m). Currency exposure The business policy is to hedge all significant transaction exposures on monetary assets and liabilities fully and consequently there are no material currency exposures that would give rise to gains and losses in the profit and loss account in the functional currencies of the operating units. Fair values of financial assets and liabilities The notional amount, book value and fair value of financial instruments are as follows: Notional amount £m Book value £m 2000 Fair value £m Notional amount £m Book value £m 1999 Fair value £m Primary financial instruments held or issued to finance operations Investments Cash Short term investments Other financial assets Short term borrowings and current portion of long term borrowings Long term borrowings Other financial liabilities Provisions Derivative financial instruments held to manage interest rate and currency exposure Interest rate swaps Interest rate options Forward rate agreements Forward foreign exchange contracts Foreign exchange options Total financial instruments 1,612 671 885 1,776 50 4,994 4,994 81 85 1,509 19 (1,404) (623) (34) (86) (453) (1) – – – – (1) (454) 81 85 1,512 19 (1,398) (614) (34) (86) (435) (49) (17) (1) (38) (1) (106) (541) 854 – 450 486 – 1,790 1,790 30 79 361 9 (1,129) (377) (23) (66) (1,116) – – – – – – (1,116) 30 79 361 9 (1,123) (363) (23) (66) (1,096) 14 – – (7) – 7 (1,089) 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 50 50 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 22 Financial instruments (continued) Primary financial instruments held or issued to finance operations Investments Cash Short term investments Other financial assets Short term borrowings and current portion of long term borrowings Long term borrowings Other financial liabilities Provisions Derivative financial instruments held to manage interest rate and currency exposure Interest rate swaps Interest rate options Forward rate agreements Forward foreign exchange contracts Forward foreign exchange options Total financial instruments Notional amount €m Book value €m 2000 Fair value €m Notional amount €m Book value €m 1999 Fair value €m 130 137 2,429 31 (2,260) (1,003) (55) (139) (730) (2) – – – – (2) (732) 130 137 2,434 31 (2,251) (987) (55) (139) (700) (79) (27) (2) (61) (2) (171) (871) 1,375 – 725 782 – 2,882 2,882 48 127 581 14 (1,818) (607) (36) (106) (1,797) – – – – – – (1,797) 48 127 581 14 (1,808) (585) (36) (106) (1,765) 23 – – (12) – 11 (1,754) 2,595 1,080 1,425 2,859 81 8,040 8,040 The amounts shown as the book value of derivative financial instruments represent accruals or deferred income arising from these financial instruments. For certain instruments, including cash and investments, it has been assumed that the carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of long term debt has been based on current market rates offered to Reed Elsevier for debt of the same remaining maturities. The fair values for interest rate swaps, interest rate options and forward rate agreements represent the replacement cost calculated using market rates of interest at 31 December 2000 and 1999. The fair values of all other items have been calculated by discounting expected future cash flows at market rates. Hedges The unrecognised and deferred gains and losses on financial instruments used for hedging purposes are as follows: Unrecognised Deferred On hedges at 1 January 2000 Arising in previous years included in 2000 profit and loss account Arising in previous years not included in 2000 profit and loss account Arising in 2000 not included in 2000 profit and loss account On hedges at 31 December 2000 Of which: Expected to be included in 2001 profit and loss account Expected to be included in 2002 profit and loss account or later On hedges at 1 January 2000 Arising in previous years included in 2000 profit and loss account Arising in previous years not included in 2000 profit and loss account Arising in 2000 not included in 2000 profit and loss account On hedges at 31 December 2000 Of which: Expected to be included in 2001 profit and loss account Expected to be included in 2002 profit and loss account or later Gains £m 22 (21) 1 1 2 1 1 Unrecognised Gains €m 35 (33) 2 1 3 2 1 Losses £m (15) 15 – (108) (108) (40) (68) Losses €m (24) 24 – (174) (174) (64) (110) Gains £m – – – 17 17 6 11 Deferred Gains €m – – – 27 27 10 17 Losses £m (18) 8 (10) (14) (24) (12) (12) Losses €m (29) 13 (16) (23) (39) (19) (20) 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 51 Obligations under leases 23 Future finance lease obligations are: Repayable: Within one year Within one to two years Within two to five years After five years Less: interest charges allocated to future periods Total Obligations falling due within one year Obligations falling due after more than one year Total Annual commitments under operating leases are: On leases expiring: Within one year Within two to five years After five years Total COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 51 NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Note 2000 £m 1999 £m 2000 €m 1999 €m 20 21 6 4 1 11 (5) 17 5 12 17 2000 £m 4 31 38 73 5 4 4 10 (5) 18 4 14 18 1999 £m 4 26 36 66 10 6 2 18 (9) 27 8 19 27 2000 €m 6 50 62 118 8 6 6 16 (8) 28 5 23 28 1999 €m 6 42 58 106 Of the above annual commitments, £71m/€115m relates to land and buildings (1999 £62m/€100m) and £2m/€3m to other leases (1999 £4m/€6m). 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 52 52 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 24 Provisions for liabilities and charges At 1 January 2000 Acquisitions Transfers Provided Utilised Exchange translation differences At 31 December 2000 At 1 January 2000 Acquisitions Transfers Provided Utilised Exchange translation differences At 31 December 2000 Surplus property £m Deferred taxation £m 64 – – 16 (1) 5 84 Surplus property €m 103 – – 26 (2) 8 135 36 (2) 7 (5) – 1 37 Deferred taxation €m 58 (3) 11 (8) – 2 60 Other £m 13 – – 1 (7) – 7 Other €m 21 – – 2 (11) (1) 11 Total £m 113 (2) 7 12 (8) 6 128 Total €m 182 (3) 11 20 (13) 9 206 The surplus property provision relates to lease obligations for various periods up to 2012 and represents estimated sub-lease shortfalls in respect of properties which have been, or are in the process of being, vacated. Deferred taxation is analysed as follows: Deferred taxation liabilities Pension prepayment Revaluation gains Deferred taxation assets Excess of amortisation over related tax allowances Acquisition related provisions Total 2000 £m 37 42 79 (8) (34) (42) 37 1999 £m 36 33 69 (9) (24) (33) 36 2000 €m 60 67 127 (13) (54) (67) 60 1999 €m 58 53 111 (14) (39) (53) 58 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 53 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 53 NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Contingent liabilities 25 There are contingent liabilities amounting to £10m/€16m (1999 £23m/€37m) in respect of borrowings of former subsidiaries. 26 Combined shareholders’ funds At 1 January 2000 Profit attributable to parent companies’ shareholders Ordinary dividends paid and proposed Issue of ordinary shares, net of expenses Exchange translation differences At 31 December 2000 At 1 January 2000 Profit attributable to parent companies’ shareholders Ordinary dividends paid and proposed Issue of ordinary shares, net of expenses Exchange translation differences At 31 December 2000 Combined share capitals £m 168 – – 17 – 185 Combined share capitals €m 270 – – 28 – 298 Combined share premium accounts £m 341 – – 1,268 12 1,621 Combined share premium accounts €m 549 – – 2,079 (18) 2,610 Combined reserves £m 1,346 33 (245) – 101 1,235 Combined reserves €m 2,168 54 (402) – 168 1,988 Total £m 1,855 33 (245) 1,285 113 3,041 Total €m 2,987 54 (402) 2,107 150 4,896 On 5 December 2000, following a joint international offering, Reed International issued 113,700,000 new 12.5 pence ordinary shares at 625 pence each and Elsevier issued 66,255,000 new €0.06 ordinary shares at €14.50 each. The purpose of the offering was to finance the proposed acquisition by Reed Elsevier of the Scientific, Technical and Medical business and the Schools Education and Testing businesses of Harcourt General, Inc. (see note 27). Combined share capital excludes the shares of Elsevier held by Reed International. Combined reserves include a £4m/€6m (1999 £4/€6m) capital redemption reserve following the redemption of non equity shares in Reed International in 1999. Harcourt acquisition 27 On 8 November 2000, Reed Elsevier plc group launched, through a US subsidiary, Reed Elsevier Inc., a tender offer for the common stock and Series A cumulative convertible stock of Harcourt General, Inc. (‘Harcourt’). The offer was unanimously recommended by the Harcourt board. The Smith family, which owns approximately 28% of the common stock of Harcourt, have undertaken to tender all their shares in the tender offer and to support the offer. Reed Elsevier Inc. has also signed a definitive agreement with The Thomson Corporation to on-sell the Harcourt Higher Education business and the Corporate and Professional Services businesses, other than educational and clinical testing. Following completion of the offer and the on-sale of businesses, Reed Elsevier plc will have acquired Harcourt’s Scientific, Technical and Medical business and its Schools Education and Testing businesses for a net cost of approximately US$4.5 billion after taking into account Harcourt’s net debt, taxes payable on the on-sale proceeds and the assumption of other corporate liabilities. In the year to 31 October 2000, these businesses had sales of US$1.7 billion and net assets of US$1.1 billion (including US$0.7 billion of goodwill and intangible assets) before corporate net debt of US$1.2 billion. The acquisition and the on-sale to Thomson are subject to customary regulatory approvals, which may require some divestment of assets. Exchange rates 28 The following exchange rates have been applied in preparing the combined financial statements: Euro to sterling US dollars to sterling Euro to US dollars US dollars to euro Profit and loss Balance Sheet 2000 1.64 1.51 1.09 0.92 1999 1.52 1.62 0.94 1.07 2000 1.61 1.49 1.08 0.93 1999 1.61 1.62 0.99 1.01 129691 pp27-54 Reed 12/3/01 9:53 pm Page 54 54 COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AUDITORS’ REPORT To the shareholders of Reed International P.L.C. and Elsevier NV We have audited the combined financial statements of Reed International P.L.C., Elsevier NV, Reed Elsevier plc, Elsevier Reed Finance BV and their respective subsidiaries (together ‘the combined businesses’) on pages 28 to 53, which have been prepared under the accounting policies set out on pages 28 and 29. Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors The directors of Reed International P.L.C. and Elsevier NV are responsible for preparing the Annual Reports and Financial Statements, including as described on page 19, preparation of the financial statements of the combined businesses, which are required to be prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom and Dutch accounting standards. Our responsibilities, as independent auditors of the combined financial statements, are set out in auditing standards generally accepted in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands and by our respective professions’ ethical guidance. We report to you our opinion as to whether the combined financial statements give a true and fair view. We read the other information contained in the Annual Reports and Financial Statements, including the corporate governance statement, and consider whether it is consistent with the audited combined financial statements. We consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the combined financial statements. Basis of audit opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in financial statements. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgements made by the directors in the preparation of financial statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the circumstances, consistently applied and adequately disclosed. We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the combined financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall presentation of information in the combined financial statements. Opinion In our opinion the combined financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the combined businesses as at 31 December 2000, and of their profits for the year then ended. Deloitte & Touche Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors London 21 February 2001 Deloitte & Touche Accountants Amsterdam 21 February 2001 129691 pp55-72 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 55 REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. . C . L P. l a n o i t a n r e t n I d e e R REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 56 Financial highlights 57 Directors’ report 60 Accounting policies 61 Financial statements 64 Notes to the financial statements 70 Auditors’ report 71 Shareholder information 129691 pp55-72 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 56 56 REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED 31 DECEMBER PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT Adjusted profit before tax Adjusted profit attributable to shareholders Profit before tax Profit/(loss) attributable to shareholders PER SHARE INFORMATION Adjusted earnings per ordinary share Net dividend per ordinary share Dividend cover Earnings/(loss) per ordinary share Ordinary share prices – high – low Market capitalisation (£m) 1996 £m 426 319 306 194 28.1p 13.60p 1.9 17.1p 605p 491p 6,257 1997 £m 435 322 45 (7) 28.3p 14.60p 1.8 (0.6)p 648p 507p 6,956 1998 £m 409 302 552 408 26.4p 15.00p 1.7 35.7p 716p 428p 5,379 1999 £m 376 279 57 (33) 24.4p 10.00p 2.4 (2.9)p 630p 344p 5,310 2000 £m 365 270 102 17 23.3p 10.00p 2.1 1.5p 700p 391p 8,837 (i) All amounts presented are based on the 52.9% share of Reed Elsevier combined profits attributable to the Reed International shareholders (see note 9 to the financial statements). The statutory profit for Reed International includes the impact of sharing the UK tax credit with Elsevier as a reduction in reported profits. On this basis, the consolidated profit before tax, attributable profit and basic earnings per share for the year ended 31 December 2000 are £96m, £11m and 1.0p respectively. (ii) Adjusted figures are shown before amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets, exceptional items and equalisation adjustments. The Reed Elsevier businesses focus on adjusted profit and cash flow as additional performance measures. (iii) The figures for the years ended 31 December, 1996 and 1997 have been restated to include retrospective amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets on the introduction of FRS10: Goodwill and Intangible Assets in 1998. (iv) The earnings per ordinary share and dividend per ordinary share for the year ended 31 December 1996 have been restated to take into account the two-for- one share split of the ordinary shares on 2 May 1997. (v) Dividend cover is calculated as the number of times adjusted profit attributable to shareholders, after taking account of the sharing of the UK tax credit with Elsevier, covers the annual dividend. (vi) Share prices quoted are the closing mid-price. Market capitalisation is at the year end date. 129691 pp55-72 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 57 REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. 57 DIRECTORS’ REPORT The directors present their report, together with the financial statements of the company, for the year ended 31 December 2000. As a consequence of the merger of the company’s businesses with those of Elsevier, described on page 16, the shareholders of Reed International and Elsevier can be regarded as having the interests of a single economic group. The Reed Elsevier combined financial statements represent the combined interests of both sets of shareholders and encompass the businesses of Reed Elsevier plc, Elsevier Reed Finance BV and their respective subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, together with the parent companies, Reed International and Elsevier (‘the combined businesses’). This directors’ report and the financial statements of the company should be read in conjunction with the combined financial statements and other reports set out on pages 2 to 54, as well as the Report of the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer in the Annual Review and Summary Financial Statements. Principal activities The company is a holding company and its principal investments are its direct 50% shareholding in Reed Elsevier plc and its 39% shareholding in Elsevier Reed Finance BV, which are engaged in publishing and information activities and financing activities, respectively. The remaining shareholdings in these two companies are held by Elsevier. Reed International also has an indirect equity interest in Elsevier. Reed International and Elsevier have retained their separate legal identities and are publicly held companies with separate stock exchange listings in Amsterdam, London and New York. Financial statement presentation The consolidated financial statements of Reed International include the 52.9% economic interest that shareholders have under the equalisation arrangements in the Reed Elsevier combined businesses, accounted for on a gross equity basis. Under the terms of the merger agreement, dividends paid to Reed International and Elsevier shareholders are equalised at the gross level inclusive of the UK tax credit received by certain Reed International shareholders. Because of the tax credit, Reed International normally requires less cash to fund its net dividend than Elsevier does to fund its gross dividend. An adjustment is, therefore, required in the statutory profit and loss account of Reed International to share this tax benefit between the two sets of shareholders in accordance with the equalisation agreement. The equalisation adjustment arises only on dividends paid by Reed International to its shareholders and it reduces the statutory attributable earnings of the company by 47.1% of the total amount of the tax credit, which in 2000 was £6m (1999 £6m). In addition to the reported figures, adjusted profit figures are presented as additional performance measures. These exclude the tax credit equalisation adjustment, the amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets and exceptional items and provide a basis for performance comparison that is not dependent on the choice of adoption method of FRS10 on accounting for goodwill and intangible assets. Profit and loss account The 2000 and 1999 results were significantly impacted by the company’s share of amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets and exceptional items of Reed Elsevier plc. The share of operating profits was £106m, up from £91m in 1999, reflecting reduced exceptional items offset by higher amortisation. The share of operating exceptional items comprised reorganisation costs of £40m (1999 £85m) and acquisition related costs of £20m (1999 £15m). Share of operating exceptional items in 1999 included £26m in respect of Year 2000 compliance costs. The profit for the year also included the share of profits on sale of fixed asset investments and businesses of £45m (1999 £4m). The reported attributable profit for Reed International was £11m (1999 £39m loss). The adjusted profit attributable to shareholders – before exceptional items and the amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets – was £270m (1999 £279m). Adjusted earnings per share decreased by 5% to 23.3p (1999 24.4p). Including the effect of the tax credit equalisation as well as the amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets and exceptional items, the basic earnings per share was 1.0p (1999 3.4p loss). Balance sheet The balance sheet of Reed International reflects the shareholders’ 52.9% economic interest in net assets of Reed Elsevier, which at 31 December 2000 amounted to £1,609m (1999 £981m). The £628m increase in net assets principally reflects the net proceeds of £694m from the joint international share offering with Elsevier, less Reed International’s share in the retained losses of Reed Elsevier plc and Elsevier Reed Finance BV, after dividends paid and payable. 129691 pp55-72 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 58 58 REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. DIRECTORS’ REPORT (continued) Dividends The board is recommending a final dividend of 6.9p per ordinary share to be paid on 14 May 2001 to shareholders on the Register on 20 April 2001 which, when added to the interim dividend already paid on 18 September 2000 amounting to 3.1p per ordinary share, makes the total dividend for the year 10.0p (1999 10.0p). The total dividend on the ordinary shares for the financial year will amount to £123m (1999 £116m), leaving a retained loss of £112m (1999 £155m). Directors The following served as directors during the year: MH Armour JF Brock CHL Davis DJ Haank RJ Nelissen S Perrick A Prozes (appointed 7 August 2000) RWH Stomberg M Tabaksblat G J A van de Aast (appointed 6 December 2000) DGC Webster Brief biographical details of the directors at the date of this Report are given on page 5 of the Annual Review and Summary Financial Statements. Messrs Prozes and van de Aast, having been appointed since the last Annual General Meeting, will retire at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. Messrs Tabaksblat, Stomberg and Perrick will retire by rotation at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. Being eligible, they will each offer themselves for re-election. The notice periods applicable to the service contracts of Messrs Prozes and van de Aast are set out in the Remuneration Report on page 21. Messrs Tabaksblat, Stomberg and Perrick do not have a service contract with the company or Reed Elsevier plc. Details of directors’ remuneration and their interests in the share capital of the company are provided in the Remuneration Report on pages 20 to 26. Share capital During the period 3,119,645 ordinary shares in the company were issued in connection with the following share option schemes: 824,500 under a UK SAYE share option scheme at prices between 320.6p and 499.2p per share. 2,295,145 under executive share option schemes at prices between 188.75p and 585.25p per share. In December 2000, 113,700,000 ordinary shares in the company were issued as a result of a joint international offering by Reed International and Elsevier. The purpose of the offering was to finance the proposed acquisition by Reed Elsevier of the Scientific, Technical and Medical business and the Schools Education and Testing businesses of Harcourt General, Inc. At 20 February 2001, the company had received notification of the following substantial interests in the company’s issued ordinary share capital: Lord Hamlyn Prudential Corporation 43,302,816 shares 63,010,273 shares 3.43% 4.99% At the 2000 Annual General Meeting a resolution was passed to extend the authority given to the company to purchase up to 10% of its ordinary shares by market purchase. At 31 December 2000, this authority remained unutilised. A resolution to further extend the authority is to be put to the 2001 Annual General Meeting. 129691 pp55-72 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 59 REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. 59 DIRECTORS’ REPORT (continued) United Kingdom charitable and political donations Reed Elsevier companies in the United Kingdom made donations during the year for charitable purposes amounting to £29,000 of which £1,000 was for educational purposes. There were no donations for political purposes. Statement of directors’ responsibilities The directors are required by English company law to prepare financial statements for each financial period, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and the group, and of the profit or loss for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the directors ensure that suitable accounting policies, consistently applied and supported by reasonable and prudent judgements and estimates, have been used, and accounting standards have been followed. The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the law. The directors have general responsibility for taking reasonable steps to safeguard the assets of the group and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. Corporate governance The company has complied in all material respects throughout the period under review with the provisions of Section 1 of the Combined Code – the Principles of Good Governance and Code of Best Practice, issued by the Financial Services Authority. Details of how the provisions of the Combined Code have been applied and the directors’ statement on internal control are set out in the Structure and Corporate Governance report on pages 16 to 19. Going concern After making enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and that, therefore, it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements. Payments to suppliers Reed Elsevier companies agree terms and conditions for business transactions with suppliers and payment is made on these terms. The average time taken to pay suppliers was between 30 and 45 days. Auditors Resolutions for the reappointment of Deloitte & Touche as auditors of the company and authorising the directors to fix their remuneration will be submitted to the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. By order of the Board SJ Cowden Secretary 21 February 2001 Registered Office: 25 Victoria Street London SW1H 0EX 129691 pp55-72 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 60 60 REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of preparation The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention in accordance with applicable accounting standards. The basis of the merger of the Reed International and Elsevier businesses is set out on page 16. As permitted by section 230 of the Companies Act 1985, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account. Determination of profit The Reed International share of the Reed Elsevier combined results has been calculated on the basis of the 52.9% economic interest of the Reed International shareholders in the Reed Elsevier combined businesses, after taking account of results arising in Reed International and its subsidiary undertakings. Dividends paid to Reed International and Elsevier shareholders are equalised at the gross level inclusive of the UK tax credit received by certain Reed International shareholders. In the financial statements, an adjustment is required to equalise the benefit of the tax credit between the two sets of shareholders in accordance with the equalisation agreement. This equalisation adjustment arises only on dividends paid by Reed International to its shareholders and reduces the attributable earnings of the company by 47.1% of the total amount of the tax credit. The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the combined financial statements are set out on pages 28 and 29. Basis of valuation of assets and liabilities Reed International’s 52.9% economic interest in the net assets of the combined businesses has been shown on the balance sheet as interests in joint ventures, net of the assets and liabilities reported as part of Reed International and its subsidiaries. Joint ventures are accounted for using the gross equity method. In the parent company accounts, investments are stated at cost, less provision, if appropriate, for any impairment in value. Translation of foreign currencies into sterling Profit and loss items are translated at average exchange rates. In the consolidated balance sheet, assets and liabilities are translated at rates ruling at the balance sheet date or contracted rates where applicable. The gains or losses relating to the retranslation of Reed International’s 52.9% economic interest in the net assets of the combined businesses are taken directly to reserves. Taxation Deferred taxation is provided in full for timing differences using the liability method. No provision is made for tax which might become payable on the distribution of retained profits by foreign subsidiaries or joint ventures unless there is an intention to distribute such retained earnings giving rise to a charge. Deferred tax assets are only recognised to the extent that they are considered recoverable in the short term. Deferred taxation balances are not discounted. 129691 pp55-72 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 61 REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. 61 CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Turnover Including share of turnover of joint ventures Less: share of turnover of joint ventures Administrative expenses Operating loss (before joint ventures) Share of operating profit of joint ventures Before amortisation and exceptional items Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets Exceptional items Operating profit including joint ventures Share of non operating exceptional items of joint ventures Net interest Group Share of net interest of joint ventures Profit on ordinary activities before taxation Tax on profit on ordinary activities UK corporation tax Share of tax of joint ventures Profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders Ordinary dividends paid and proposed Retained loss taken to reserves ADJUSTED FIGURES Profit before tax Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders Note 3 1 1 6 7 8 Note 9 9 2000 £m 1,994 (1,994) – (1) (1) 414 (248) (60) 106 105 45 45 5 (59) (54) 96 (85) (2) (83) 11 (123) (112) 2000 £m 365 270 Adjusted figures, which exclude the amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets, exceptional items and related tax effects, are presented as additional performance measures. EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE (EPS) Basic EPS Diluted EPS EPS based on 52.9% economic interest in the Reed Elsevier combined businesses Adjusted EPS The above amounts derive from continuing activities. Note 10 10 10 10 2000 pence 1.0 1.0 1.5 23.3 1999 £m 1,793 (1,793) – (1) (1) 414 (197) (126) 91 90 4 4 3 (46) (43) 51 (90) 5 (95) (39) (116) (155) 1999 £m 376 279 1999 pence (3.4) (3.4) (2.9) 24.4 129691 pp55-72 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 62 62 REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Net cash outflow from operating activities Dividends received from Reed Elsevier plc Interest received Returns on investments and servicing of finance Taxation Ordinary dividends paid Cash inflow before changes in short term investments and financing (Increase)/decrease in short term investments Issue of ordinary shares Increase in net funding balances to Reed Elsevier plc group Financing Change in net cash Note 11 11 11 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders Exchange translation differences Total recognised gains and losses for the year Recognised gains and losses include gains of £75m (1999 losses of £37m) in respect of joint ventures. 2000 £m (1) 97 4 4 (1) (98) 1 (431) 709 (279) 430 – 2000 £m 11 60 71 RECONCILIATION OF SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders Ordinary dividends paid and proposed Issue of ordinary shares, net of expenses Redemption of preference shares Exchange translation differences Equalisation adjustments Net increase/(decrease) in shareholders’ funds Shareholders’ funds at 1 January Shareholders’ funds at 31 December Consolidated Company 2000 £m 11 (123) 708 – 60 (28) 628 981 1,609 1999 £m (39) (116) 4 (4) – 9 (146) 1,127 981 2000 £m 95 (123) 708 – – 4 684 1,051 1,735 1999 £m (2) 172 3 3 7 (173) 7 2 – (9) (9) – 1999 £m (39) 9 (30) 1999 £m 179 (116) 4 (4) – – 63 988 1,051 129691 pp55-72 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 63 REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. 63 BALANCE SHEETS AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2000 Fixed assets Investment in joint ventures: Share of gross assets Share of gross liabilities Share of net assets Investments Current assets Debtors Short term investments Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Net assets Capital and reserves Called up share capital Share premium account Capital redemption reserve Profit and loss reserve Shareholders’ funds The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors, 21 February 2001. M Tabaksblat Chairman MH Armour Chief Financial Officer Note 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 19 19 Consolidated Company 2000 £m 1999 £m 2000 £m 1999 £m 3,534 (2,733) 801 – 801 513 431 944 (100) 844 1,645 (36) 1,609 158 926 4 521 1,609 2,825 (1,968) 857 – 857 233 – 233 (73) 160 1,017 (36) 981 143 233 4 601 981 – – – 1,005 1,005 513 431 944 (178) 766 1,771 (36) 1,735 158 926 4 647 1,735 – – – 1,005 1,005 233 – 233 (151) 82 1,087 (36) 1,051 143 233 4 671 1,051 129691 pp55-72 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 64 64 REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1 Income from interests in joint ventures Share of operating profit before amortisation and exceptional items (based on 52.9% economic interest in the Reed Elsevier combined businesses) Effect of tax credit equalisation on distributed earnings Items consolidated within Reed International group Note 2 Share of non operating exceptional items Reed Elsevier combined results (52.9%) Items consolidated within Reed International group 2000 £m 419 (6) 1 414 45 – 45 1999 £m 419 (6) 1 414 4 – 4 Segmental analysis of the Reed Elsevier combined results is shown in the Reed Elsevier combined financial statements. Effect of tax credit equalisation on distributed earnings 2 The equalisation adjustment arises only on dividends paid by Reed International to its shareholders and reduces the earnings of the company by 47.1% of the total amount of the tax credit, as set out in the accounting policies on page 60. Operating loss 3 The operating loss comprises administrative expenses and includes £255,000 (1999 £510,000) paid in the year to Reed Elsevier plc under a contract for the services of directors and administrative support. The company has no employees (1999 nil). Auditors’ remuneration 4 Audit fees payable for the group were £22,000 (1999 £21,000). Non audit fees payable by the company to its auditors in connection with the share offering were £350,000 (1999 £nil). Directors’ emoluments 5 Information on directors’ remuneration, share options, longer term incentive plans, pension contributions and entitlements is set out in the Remuneration Report on pages 20 to 26 and forms part of these financial statements. 6 Net interest Interest payable and similar charges On loans from Reed Elsevier plc group Interest receivable and similar income On short term investments On loans to Reed Elsevier plc group Net interest income 2000 £m 1999 £m – 2 3 5 (4) – 7 3 129691 pp55-72 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 65 REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. 65 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 7 Tax on profit on ordinary activities UK corporation tax Share of tax arising in joint ventures: Before amortisation and exceptional items On amortisation and exceptional items Total 2000 £m 2 94 (11) 85 UK corporation tax has been provided at 30.00% (1999 30.25%). The share of tax arising in joint ventures is high as a proportion of the share of profit before tax principally due to non-tax deductible amortisation and the non-recognition of potential deferred tax assets. 8 Dividends Ordinary shares of 12.5 pence each Interim Final (2000 proposed) Total 9 Adjusted figures 2000 pence 3.10 6.90 10.00 1999 pence 4.60 5.40 10.00 Profit before tax Effect of tax credit equalisation on distributed earnings Profit before tax based on 52.9% economic interest in the Reed Elsevier combined businesses Adjustments: Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets Exceptional items Adjusted profit before tax Profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders Effect of tax credit equalisation on distributed earnings Profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders based on 52.9% economic interest in the Reed Elsevier combined businesses Adjustments: Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets Exceptional items Adjusted profit attributable to ordinary shareholders Basic earnings/(loss) per ordinary share Effect of tax credit equalisation on distributed earnings Earnings/(loss) per share based on 52.9% economic interest in the Reed Elsevier combined businesses Adjustments: Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets Exceptional items Adjusted earnings per ordinary share 2000 £m 35 88 123 2000 £m 96 6 102 248 15 365 11 6 17 248 5 270 2000 pence 1.0 0.5 1.5 21.4 0.4 23.3 1999 £m (5) 103 (8) 90 1999 £m 53 63 116 1999 £m 51 6 57 197 122 376 (39) 6 (33) 197 115 279 1999 pence (3.4) 0.5 (2.9) 17.2 10.1 24.4 129691 pp55-72 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 66 66 REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 10 Earnings per ordinary share (EPS) Basic EPS Diluted EPS EPS based on 52.9% economic interest in the Reed Elsevier combined businesses Adjusted EPS Basic EPS Diluted EPS EPS based on 52.9% economic interest in the Reed Elsevier combined businesses Adjusted EPS The diluted EPS figures are calculated after taking account of the effect of share options. 11 Cash flow statement Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash flow from operating activities Operating loss Net movement in debtors and creditors Net cash outflow from operating activities Reconciliation of net borrowings At 1 January 2000 Cash flow At 31 December 2000 2000 Weighted average number £m of shares (millions) Earnings Note 11 11 17 270 1,156.4 1,161.2 1,156.4 1,156.4 Earnings 1999 Weighted average number £m of shares (millions) 1,145.1 (39) 1,145.3 (39) 1,145.1 (33) 1,145.1 279 9 9 2000 £m (1) – (1) Short term investments £m Net funding balances to Reed Elsevier plc group £m – 431 431 197 279 476 EPS pence 1.0 1.0 1.5 23.3 EPS pence (3.4) (3.4) (2.9) 24.4 1999 £m (1) (1) (2) Total £m 197 710 907 129691 pp55-72 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 67 12 Fixed asset investments – consolidated Investment in joint ventures Share of operating profit Share of non operating exceptional items Share of net interest payable Share of profit before tax Share of taxation Share of profit/(loss) after tax Dividends received Exchange translation differences Equalisation adjustments Net movement in the year At 1 January At 31 December The investment in joint ventures comprises the group’s share at the following amounts of: Fixed assets Current assets Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Provisions Minority interests Total REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. 67 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2000 £m 106 45 (59) 92 (83) 9 (97) 60 (28) (56) 857 801 2000 £m 2,484 1,050 (2,200) (462) (68) (3) 801 1999 £m 91 4 (46) 49 (95) (46) (172) 9 – (209) 1,066 857 1999 £m 2,066 759 (1,576) (328) (60) (4) 857 Included within share of current assets and creditors are cash and short term investments of £412m (1999 £233m) and borrowings of £1,072m (1999 £797m) respectively. 13 Fixed asset investments – company Cost and net book amount – 2000 and 1999 14 Debtors Amounts owed by Reed Elsevier plc group Other debtors Total Subsidiary undertakings £m 244 Joint ventures £m 761 Total £m 1,005 Consolidated Company 2000 £m 512 1 513 1999 £m 233 – 233 2000 £m 512 1 513 1999 £m 233 – 233 1999 £m 1 63 9 78 151 Amounts falling due after more than one year are £40m (1999 £40m). These amounts are denominated in sterling and earn interest at a fixed rate of 9.8% (1999 9.8%) for a duration of seven years (1999 eight years). At 31 December 2000 these amounts had a fair value of £49m (1999 £44m). 15 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Other creditors Proposed dividend Taxation Amounts owed to group undertakings Total Consolidated Company 2000 £m 2 88 10 – 100 1999 £m 1 63 9 – 73 2000 £m 2 88 10 78 178 129691 pp55-72 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 68 68 REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 16 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Amounts owed to Reed Elsevier plc group Consolidated Company 2000 £m 36 1999 £m 36 2000 £m 36 1999 £m 36 These amounts are denominated in sterling and earn interest at a fixed rate of 10.5% (1999 10.5%) for a duration of five years (1999 six years). At 31 December 2000 these amounts had a fair value of £43m (1999 £44m). 17 Called up share capital Ordinary shares of 12.5p each Unclassified shares of 12.5p each Total Authorised No. shares 1,262,450,655 209,002,521 £ million 158 26 184 Issued and fully paid 2000 1999 No. shares £ million 1,262,450,655 – 158 – 158 No. shares 1,145,631,010 – £ million 143 – 143 On 5 December 2000, the company issued 113,700,000 new 12.5 pence ordinary shares at 625 pence each following a joint international offering by Reed International and Elsevier. The purpose of the offering was to finance the proposed acquisition by Reed Elsevier of the Scientific, Technical and Medical business and the Schools Education and Testing businesses of Harcourt General, Inc. The nominal value of the shares issued by the company was £14.2m and the net proceeds were £694m. Details of shares issued under share option schemes are set out in note 18. Share option schemes 18 During the year a total of 3,119,645 ordinary shares in the company, having a nominal value of £0.4m, were allotted in connection with the exercise of share options. The consideration received by the company was £13.4m. Options were granted during the year under the Reed Elsevier plc Executive Share Option Scheme and the Reed Elsevier plc Senior Executive Long Term Incentive Scheme to subscribe for 3,401,931 and 14,370,866 ordinary shares, respectively, at prices between 436.5p and 700p per share. Options were also granted during the year under the Reed Elsevier plc SAYE Share Option Scheme to subscribe for 2,542,410 ordinary shares at a price of 336.2p per share. Options to subscribe for 2,244,137 ordinary shares in the company lapsed. Options outstanding at 31 December 2000 over the company’s ordinary share capital were: UK and overseas executive share option schemes Senior Executive Long Term Incentive Scheme UK SAYE share option scheme Number of ordinary shares 23,725,375 14,370,866 4,374,895 Range of subscription prices 208.75p – 700p 436.50p – 700p 320.60p – 499.20p Exercisable 2001-2010 2005 2001-2006 The above entitlements will, upon exercise, be met by the issue of new ordinary shares. Excluded from the above are options which, upon exercise, will be met by the Reed Elsevier plc Employee Benefit Trust from shares purchased in the market. These comprise 601,071 nil cost options granted to certain directors and senior executives of Reed Elsevier plc, details of which are shown in the Remuneration Report on pages 20 to 26, and 2,514,405 options granted at subscription prices ranging between 424p and 677.25p. 19 Reserves At 1 January 2000 Issue of ordinary shares, net of expenses Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders Ordinary dividends paid and proposed Exchange translation differences Equalisation adjustments At 31 December 2000 Share premium account £m 233 693 – – – – 926 Consolidated Capital redemption reserve £m 4 – – – – – 4 Profit and loss reserve £m 601 – 11 (123) 60 (28) 521 Total £m 838 693 11 (123) 60 (28) 1,451 Equalisation adjustments relate to equity accounting effects in respect of the proceeds of the joint international offering (see note 17). 129691 pp55-72 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 69 19 Reserves (continued) At 1 January 2000 Issue of ordinary shares, net of expenses Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders Ordinary dividends paid and proposed At 31 December 2000 REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. 69 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Company Share premium account £m 233 693 – – 926 Capital redemption reserve £m 4 – – – 4 Profit and loss reserve £m 671 – 99 (123) 647 Total £m 908 693 99 (123) 1,577 Reed International’s share of the revenue reserves of the Reed Elsevier combined businesses is £651m (1999 £710m). Contingent liabilities 20 There are contingent liabilities in respect of borrowings of the Reed Elsevier plc group and Elsevier Reed Finance BV group guaranteed by Reed International as follows: Guaranteed jointly and severally with Elsevier Guaranteed solely by Reed International 2000 £m 1,827 – 1999 £m 1,431 1 Financial instruments disclosures in respect of the borrowings covered by the above guarantees are given in note 22 to the Reed Elsevier combined financial statements on pages 47 to 50. Capital commitments 21 Details of the capital commitments of the company’s joint ventures are disclosed in note 27 to the Reed Elsevier combined financial statements on page 53. 22 Principal joint ventures The principal joint ventures are: Reed Elsevier plc Incorporated and operating in Great Britain 25 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0EX £10,000 ordinary ‘R’ shares £10,000 ordinary ‘E’ shares £100,000 71/2% cumulative preference non voting shares Holding company for operating businesses involved in scientific, legal, educational and business publishing Equivalent to a 50% equity interest Elsevier Reed Finance BV Incorporated in the Netherlands Van de Sande Bakhuyzenstraat 4, 1061 AG Amsterdam 101 ordinary ‘R’ shares 154 ordinary ‘E’ shares Holding company for financing businesses Equivalent to a 39% equity interest The ‘E’ shares in Reed Elsevier plc and Elsevier Reed Finance BV are owned by Elsevier. Principal subsidiary undertakings 23 The principal subsidiary undertaking is: Reed Holding BV Incorporated in the Netherlands Van de Sande Bakhuyzenstraat 4, 1061 AG Amsterdam 40 ordinary shares % holding 100% – 100% 100% – % holding 100% Reed Holding BV owns 4,049,951 shares of a separate class in Elsevier. Subject to renewal of the authority to allot shares at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, the boards of Elsevier intend to allot an additional 629,298 R-shares to Reed Holding BV so as to maintain Reed International’s 5.8% indirect equity interest in Elsevier (5.2% at 31 December 2000 following the joint international offering by Reed International and Elsevier). 129691 pp55-72 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 70 70 REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. We have audited the Reed International P.L.C. financial statements (‘the financial statements’) on pages 60 to 69 which have been prepared under the accounting policies set out on page 60. Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report, including, as described on page 59, preparation of the Financial Statements, which are required to be prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom law and accounting standards. Our responsibilities, as independent auditors, are established by statute, the Auditing Practices Board, the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority, and by our profession’s ethical guidance. We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view and are properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 1985. We also report to you if, in our opinion, the directors’ report is not consistent with the financial statements, if the company has not kept proper accounting records, if we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit, or if information specified by law or the Listing Rules regarding directors’ remuneration and transactions with the company and other members of the group is not disclosed. We review whether the corporate governance statement on page 59 reflects the company’s compliance with the seven provisions of the Combined Code specified for our review by the Financial Services Authority, and we report if it does not. We are not required to consider whether the board’s statements on internal control cover all risks and controls, or to form an opinion on the effectiveness of the group’s corporate governance procedures or its risk and control procedures. We read the other information contained in the Annual Report, including the corporate governance statement, and consider whether it is consistent with the audited financial statements. We consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial statements. Basis of audit opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with United Kingdom auditing standards issued by the Auditing Practices Board. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgements made by the directors in the preparation of the financial statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the circumstances of the company and the group, consistently applied and adequately disclosed. We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we consider necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall presentation of information in the financial statements. Opinion In our opinion the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and the group as at 31 December 2000 and the profit of the group for the year then ended and have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 1985. Deloitte & Touche Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors London 21 February 2001 129691 pp55-72 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 71 REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. 71 SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION Analyses of ordinary shareholders Ordinary shareholders Individuals Institutions and companies* Totals Holders 31 Dec 2000 24,470 9,820 34,290 *Nominees have been included under institutions and companies. Ordinary shareholdings 1-1,000 1,001-10,000 10,001-100,000 100,001-1,000,000 1,000,001-10,000,000 Over 10,000,000 Totals Holders 31 Dec 2000 15,153 16,743 1,532 675 165 22 34,290 % held 31 Dec 2000 71.36 28.64 100.00 % held 31 Dec 2000 44.19 48.83 4.47 1.97 0.48 0.06 100.00 Shares held 31 Dec 2000 74,880,498 1,187,570,157 1,262,450,655 Shares held 31 Dec 2000 8,024,368 46,661,348 46,857,776 213,720,474 427,981,927 519,204,762 1,262,450,655 % held 31 Dec 2000 5.93 94.07 100.00 % held 31 Dec 2000 0.63 3.70 3.71 16.93 33.90 41.13 100.00 Registrar The Reed International share register is administered by Computershare Services PLC. Enquiries concerning shareholdings in Reed International, dividend payments, share certificates and change of personal details should be addressed to Computershare Services PLC, PO Box 82, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 7NH (telephone – 0870 702 0000, textphone – 0870 702 0005). In addition, a Reed International shareholder can obtain information concerning their shareholding, or initiate changes to standing instructions, via the Internet at www-uk.computershare.com/investor. Individual Savings Account Details of an ISA facility for Reed International ordinary shares may be obtained by writing to Halifax Share Dealing Ltd, Corporate ISAs, Trinity Road, Halifax HX1 2RG (telephone 0870 600 9966). Share dealing facility A Reed International postal share dealing service is operated by Cazenove & Co, 12 Tokenhouse Yard, London EC2R 7AN (telephone 020 7606 1768). Financial diary The financial diary for 2001 is shown on page 35 of the Annual Review and Summary Financial Statements. Capital gains tax The mid-market price of Reed International’s £1 ordinary shares on 31 March 1982 was 282p each which, when adjusted for the four for one share split on 28 July 1986 and the subsequent two for one share split on 2 May 1997, gives an equivalent amount of 35.25p for each 12.5p ordinary share. Share price information The Reed International share price may be obtained via the Internet at www.reedelsevier.com, through the CEEFAX and ORACLE service and also from national newspapers. American Depositary Shares Enquiries concerning Reed International American Depositary Shares (ADSs) should be addressed to Citibank Shareholder Services, PO Box 2502, Jersey City, New Jersey 07303-2502 (telephone +1 877-CITI-ADR – toll free if dialled from within the United States). Alternatively, information can be obtained via the Internet at www.citibank.com/adr. Reed International’s CUSIP number is 758212872 and its trading symbol is RUK. 129691 pp55-72 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 72 129691 pp73-82 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 73 ELSEVIER NV V N r e i v e s l E ELSEVIER NV ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 74 Five year financial summary 75 Supervisory Board’s report 75 Executive Board’s report 76 Financial statements 78 Accounting policies 79 Notes to the financial statements 82 Other information 129691 pp73-82 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 74 74 ELSEVIER NV FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY (in €m, unless otherwise indicated) PROFIT Adjusted profit attributable PER SHARE INFORMATION (in €) Adjusted EPS Cash dividend per ordinary share Pay-out Share price, high Share price, low Share price, closing OTHER DATA Average number of shares outstanding (in millions) Number of shares outstanding at year end (in millions) Market capitalisation Price/earnings ratio 1996 360 0.51 0.34 67% 13.79 9.67 13.25 704 706 9,355 26 1997 440 0.62 0.43 69% 17.88 12.03 14.88 707 707 10,526 24 1998 425 0.60 0.39 66% 17.83 9.94 11.93 708 708 8,447 20 1999 401 0.57 0.27 47% 15.25 8.95 11.86 708 709 8,409 21 2000 419 0.59 0.28 47% 16.07 9.30 15.66 715 776 12,152 27 (i) Financial information for 1996 to 1998 has been calculated on the basis of the official exchange rate of Dfl 2.20371 to one euro. Percentage changes and financial ratios have been calculated using historic guilder figures and may be affected by rounding. (ii) Adjusted profit attributable and adjusted EPS are before amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets, exceptional items and related tax effects. (iii) Per share information has been calculated using the average number of shares outstanding, taking into account that the R-shares can be converted into ten ordinary shares. (iv) Pay-out is the cash dividend as a percentage of adjusted EPS. (v) The closing price is the final quotation at year end on the Stockmarket of Euronext Amsterdam N.V. for ordinary shares. (vi) The price/earnings ratio is the closing share price divided by adjusted EPS. (vii) The number of shares outstanding at year end include the R-shares, assuming that they have been converted into ten ordinary shares. A further 629,298 R-shares, equivalent to 6,292,980 ordinary shares on conversion, are intended to be allotted to Reed International so as to maintain its 5.8% indirect equity interest in Elsevier following the joint international share offering (see note 9 to the financial statements). (viii) Market capitalisation is the number of shares outstanding at year end multiplied by the closing price. 129691 pp73-82 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 75 ELSEVIER NV 75 Executive Board CHL Davis, Chairman MH Armour DJ Haank BOARDS Supervisory Board M Tabaksblat, Chairman GJ de Boer-Kruyt JF Brock O ter Haar RJ Nelissen S Perrick R WH Stomberg DGC Webster THE SUPERVISORY BOARD’S REPORT As required by Article 33 of the Articles of Association, we herewith submit the Executive Board’s annual report and financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2000 to the shareholders’ meeting for adoption. The financial statements have been examined by Deloitte & Touche, Accountants, Amsterdam. We refer to the Report of the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer and to the other reports contained within the Reed Elsevier Annual Review and Summary Financial Statements 2000 and the Reed Elsevier Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2000. These reports explain the business results of 2000, the financial state of the company at the end of 2000, and the key strategic issues. The equalisation agreement between Elsevier and Reed International has the effect that shareholders can be regarded as having the interests of a single economic group and provides that Elsevier shall declare dividends such that the dividend on one Elsevier ordinary share, which shall be payable in euros, will equal 1.538 times the cash dividend, including the related UK tax credit, paid on one Reed International ordinary share. In that context, the Combined Supervisory and Executive Board (‘the Combined Board’) determines the amounts of the company’s profit to be distributed and retained. The ordinary shares and the R-shares are entitled to receive distribution in proportion to their nominal value. The Combined Board may resolve to pay less per R-share, but not less than 1% of the nominal value. Details of dividends are contained in the Review of 2000 Financial Performance on page 15. The Supervisory Board 21 February 2001 THE EXECUTIVE BOARD’S REPORT Registered office Van de Sande Bakhuyzenstraat 4 1061 AG Amsterdam We refer to the Report of the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer and to the other reports contained within the Reed Elsevier Annual Review and Summary Financial Statements 2000 and the Reed Elsevier Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2000. These reports explain the business results of 2000, the financial state of the company at the end of 2000, and the key strategic issues. The share of profits attributable to the shareholders of Elsevier was €27m/Dfl 60m (1999 €48m/Dfl 106m loss). Net assets at 31 December 2000, largely representing the investments in Reed Elsevier plc and Elsevier Reed Finance BV, were €2,448m/Dfl 5,395m (1999 €1,493m/Dfl 3,290m). The Executive Board 21 February 2001 Registered office Van de Sande Bakhuyzenstraat 4 1061 AG Amsterdam 129691 pp73-82 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 76 76 ELSEVIER NV PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Turnover Including share of turnover of joint ventures Less: share of turnover of joint ventures Administrative expenses Operating loss (before joint ventures) Share of operating profit of joint ventures Before amortisation and exceptional items Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets Exceptional items Operating profit including joint ventures Share of non operating exceptional items of joint ventures Net interest Group Share of net interest of joint ventures Profit on ordinary activities before taxation Tax on profit on ordinary activities Profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders Ordinary dividends paid and proposed Retained loss taken to reserves ADJUSTED FIGURES Profit before tax Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders Note 1 2 Note 3 3 2000 €m 3,091 (3,091) – (3) (3) 654 (384) (95) 175 172 70 70 7 (92) (85) 157 (130) 27 (200) (173) 2000 €m 566 419 Adjusted figures, which exclude the amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets, exceptional items and related tax effects, are presented as additional performance measures. EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS) Basic EPS Diluted EPS Adjusted EPS Note 3 3 2000 € 0.04 0.03 0.59 1999 €m 2,577 (2,577) – (5) (5) 608 (284) (182) 142 137 6 6 3 (66) (63) 80 (128) (48) (179) (227) 1999 €m 540 401 1999 € (0.07) (0.07) 0.57 129691 pp73-82 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 77 ELSEVIER NV 77 CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Net cash outflow from operating activities Dividends received from joint ventures Interest received Returns on investments and servicing of finance Taxation Investment in joint venture Acquisitions and disposals Ordinary dividends paid Cash outflow before financing Increase in short term investments Issue of ordinary shares Net repayment of debenture loans (Increase)/decrease in funding balances to joint ventures Financing Change in net cash BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2000 Fixed assets Current assets Debtors Short term investments Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Net current assets/(liabilities) Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Provisions Net assets Share capital issued Paid-in surplus Legal reserves Other reserves Shareholders’ funds 2000 €m (2) 623 4 4 4 (533) (533) (160) (64) (952) 956 (2) 62 1,016 – 2000 €m 1,674 5 971 976 (154) 822 2,496 (6) (42) 2,448 47 1,328 432 641 2,448 1999 €m (5) 254 3 3 – – – (255) (3) (2) 8 – (3) 5 – 1999 €m 1,559 61 19 80 (102) (22) 1,537 (8) (36) 1,493 43 385 847 218 1,493 Note 4 5 6 7 8 9 129691 pp73-82 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 78 78 ELSEVIER NV ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of preparation These statutory financial statements report the profit and loss account, cash flow and financial position of Elsevier, and have been prepared in accordance with Dutch generally accepted accounting principles. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts shown in the financial statements are in millions of euro. As a consequence of the merger of the company’s businesses with those of Reed International, described on page 16, the shareholders of Elsevier and Reed International can be regarded as having the interests of a single economic group, enjoying substantially equivalent ordinary dividend and capital rights in the earnings and net assets of the Reed Elsevier combined businesses. Elsevier holds a majority interest in Elsevier Reed Finance BV (61%) and is therefore required to prepare consolidated financial statements. However, management believes that a better insight into the financial position and results of Elsevier is provided by looking at the investment in the combined businesses in aggregate, as presented in the Reed Elsevier combined financial statements on pages 28 to 53. Therefore, the Reed Elsevier combined financial statements form part of the notes to Elsevier’s statutory financial statements. Elsevier’s investments in the Reed Elsevier combined businesses are accounted for using the gross equity method, as adjusted for the effects of the equalisation arrangement between Reed International and Elsevier. The arrangement lays down the distribution of dividends and net assets in such a way that Elsevier’s share in the profit and net assets of the Reed Elsevier combined businesses equals 50%. All settlements accruing to shareholders from the equalisation arrangement are taken directly to reserves. Because the dividend paid to shareholders by Elsevier is equivalent to the Reed International dividend plus the UK tax credit, Elsevier distributes a higher proportion of the combined profit attributable than Reed International. Reed International’s share in this difference in dividend distributions is settled with Elsevier and has been credited directly to reserves under equalisation. Elsevier can pay a nominal dividend on its R-shares that is lower than the dividend on the ordinary shares. Reed International will be compensated by direct dividend payments by Reed Elsevier plc. Equally, Elsevier has the possibility to receive dividends directly from Dutch affiliates. The settlements flowing from these arrangements are also taken directly to reserves under equalisation. Other accounting policies Goodwill and intangible assets are capitalised on acquisition and amortised over a maximum period of 20 years. Past service liabilities have been fully funded. Other assets and liabilities are stated at face value. Balance sheet amounts expressed in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rates effective at the balance sheet date. Currency translation differences arising from the conversion of investments in joint ventures, expressed in foreign currencies, are directly credited or charged to shareholders’ funds. Tax is calculated on profit from Elsevier’s own operations, taking into account profit not subject to tax. The difference between the tax charge and tax payable in the short term is included in the provision for deferred tax. This provision is based upon relevant rates, taking into account tax deductible losses, which can be compensated within the foreseeable future. 129691 pp73-82 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 79 ELSEVIER NV 79 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Operating loss 1 Operating loss is stated after the following: Gross remuneration Salaries Total 2000 €m – – Gross remuneration represents the remuneration for present and former directors of Elsevier in respect of services rendered to Elsevier and the combined businesses. Fees for present and former members of the Supervisory Board of Elsevier of €0.2m (1999 €0.5m) are included in gross remuneration. In so far as gross remuneration is related to services rendered to Reed Elsevier plc and Elsevier Reed Finance BV, it is borne by these companies. 2 Net interest Interest on receivables from joint ventures Other interest Net interest income 3 Adjusted figures Profit before tax Adjustments: Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets Exceptional items Adjusted profit before tax Profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders Adjustments: Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets Exceptional items Adjusted profit attributable to ordinary shareholders Earnings/(loss) per ordinary share Adjustments: Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets Exceptional items Adjusted earnings per ordinary share Fixed assets 4 Investments in joint ventures At 1 January Investment in joint venture Share in profits/(losses) Dividends received Currency translation Equalisation (see note 9) At 31 December 2000 €m 2 5 7 2000 €m 157 384 25 566 27 384 8 419 2000 € 0.04 0.54 0.01 0.59 2000 €m 1,559 533 24 (623) 75 106 1,674 1999 €m 5 5 1999 €m 2 1 3 1999 €m 80 284 176 540 (48) 284 165 401 1999 € (0.07) 0.40 0.24 0.57 1999 €m 1,661 – (48) (254) 202 (2) 1,559 129691 pp73-82 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 80 80 ELSEVIER NV NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 4 Fixed assets (continued) The investment in joint ventures comprises the group’s share at the following amounts of: Fixed assets Current assets Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Provisions Minority interests Total The investments in joint ventures are: – Reed Elsevier plc, London (50%) – Elsevier Reed Finance BV, Amsterdam (61%) 2000 €m 3,781 1,229 (2,572) (697) (61) (6) 1,674 1999 €m 3,144 1,021 (2,053) (491) (55) (7) 1,559 In addition, Elsevier holds Dfl 0.3m par value in shares with special dividend rights in Reed Elsevier Overseas and Reed Elsevier Nederland, both with registered offices in Amsterdam. These shares are included in the amount shown under investments in joint ventures above. They enable Elsevier to receive dividends from companies within the same tax jurisdiction. 5 Debtors Joint ventures Other accounts receivable Total The accounts receivable from joint ventures bear interest. 6 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Proposed dividend Joint ventures Accounts payable and other debts Total 7 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Debenture loans 2000 €m – 5 5 2000 €m 140 5 9 154 2000 €m 6 Debenture loans consist of four convertible personnel debenture loans with a weighted average interest rate of 5.4%. Depending on the conversion terms, the surrender of Dfl 1,000 par value debenture loans qualifies for the acquisition of 40–60 Elsevier ordinary shares. 8 Provisions Deferred taxation Pension Total 2000 €m 41 1 42 1999 €m 57 4 61 1999 €m 100 – 2 102 1999 €m 8 1999 €m 35 1 36 129691 pp73-82 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 81 9 Shareholders’ funds Balance as at 1 January 1999 Redenomination of share capital into euros Issue of ordinary shares, net of expenses Loss attributable Ordinary dividends paid and proposed Dividends from joint ventures Currency translation Equalisation Balance as at 1 January 2000 Issue of ordinary shares, net of expenses Profit attributable Ordinary dividends paid and proposed Dividends from joint ventures Currency translation Equalisation Balance as at 31 December 2000 ELSEVIER NV 81 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Share capital issued €m 32 11 – – – – – – 43 4 – – – – – 47 Paid-in surplus €m 388 (11) 8 – – – – – 385 943 – – – – – 1,328 Legal reserves €m 949 – – (48) – (254) 202 (2) 847 – 27 – (623) 75 106 432 Other reserves €m 143 – – – (179) 254 – – 218 – – (200) 623 – – 641 Total €m 1,512 – 8 (48) (179) – 202 (2) 1,493 947 27 (200) – 75 106 2,448 On 5 December 2000, the company issued 66,255,000 new €0.06 ordinary shares at €14.50 each following a joint international offering by Reed International and Elsevier. The purpose of the offering was to finance the proposed acquisition by Reed Elsevier of the Scientific, Technical and Medical business and the Schools Education and Testing business of Harcourt General, Inc. The nominal value of the shares issued by the company was €4.0m and the net proceeds were €933m. During 1999, the ordinary shares of Dfl 0.10 par value were redenominated as ordinary shares of €0.06 par value. This resulted in an increase in share capital of €11m which was transferred from the paid-in surplus account. The authorised share capital consists of 2,100m ordinary shares and 30m registered R-shares. As at 31 December 2000, the issued share capital consisted of 735,717,794 (1999 668,251,106) ordinary shares of €0.06 par value and 4,049,951 (1999 4,049,951) R-shares of €0.60 par value. The R-shares are held by a subsidiary company of Reed International. The R-shares are convertible at the election of the holder into ten ordinary shares each. They have otherwise the same rights as the ordinary shares, except that Elsevier may pay a lower dividend on the R-shares. Subject to renewal of the authority to allot shares at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, the boards of Elsevier intend to allot an additional 629,298 R-shares to Reed Holding BV so as to maintain Reed International’s 5.8% indirect equity interest in Elsevier. Within paid-in surplus, an amount of €1,151m (1999 €208m) is free of tax. On 31 December 2000, there were options outstanding for the purchase of 24.3m (1999 12.8m) shares at an average price of €11.78 (1999 €11.98). The average term of these options is four years (1999 three years). 10 Contingent liabilities There are contingent liabilities in respect of borrowings of the Reed Elsevier plc group and the Elsevier Reed Finance BV group guaranteed by Elsevier as follows: Guaranteed jointly and severally with Reed International Guaranteed solely by Elsevier 2000 €m 2,941 – 1999 €m 2,305 1 Financial instruments disclosures in respect of the borrowings covered by the above guarantees are given in note 22 to the Reed Elsevier combined financial statements on pages 47 to 50. The financial statements were signed by the Boards of Directors, 21 February 2001. M Tabaksblat Chairman MH Armour Chief Financial Officer 129691 pp73-82 Reed 12/3/01 9:55 pm Page 82 82 ELSEVIER NV OTHER INFORMATION AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ELSEVIER NV We have audited the 2000 financial statements of Elsevier NV, Amsterdam, as set out on pages 76 to 81, which include the Reed Elsevier combined financial statements, set out on pages 28 to 53 of the Reed Elsevier Annual Reports and Financial Statements, dated 21 February 2001. The financial statements are the responsibility of the company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. Basis of audit opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the Netherlands. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. Opinion In our opinion, the financial statements of Elsevier NV, which include the Reed Elsevier combined financial statements, give a true and fair view of the financial position of Elsevier NV at 31 December 2000 and of the result and cash flow for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the Netherlands and comply with the legal requirements for financial statements as included in Part 9, Book 2 of the Netherlands Civil Code. Deloitte & Touche Accountants Amsterdam 21 February 2001 PROPOSAL FOR ALLOCATION OF PROFIT Interim dividend on ordinary shares Final dividend on ordinary shares Dividend on R-shares Retained loss 2000 €m 60 140 – (173) 27 1999 €m 79 100 – (227) (48) The Combined Supervisory and Executive Board determines the part of the profit to be retained. The profit to be distributed is paid on the ordinary shares and the R-shares in proportion to their nominal value. The Combined Board may resolve to pay less per R-share, but not less than 1% of the nominal value. The company is bound by the Governing Agreement with Reed International, which provides that Elsevier shall declare dividends such that the dividend on one Elsevier ordinary share, which shall be payable in euros, will equal 1.538 times the dividend, including the related UK tax credit, paid on one Reed International ordinary share. 129691 pp83-92 Reed 12/3/01 9:56 pm Page 83 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US INVESTORS n o i t a m r o f n i l a n o i t i d d A s r o t s e v n i S U r o f ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US INVESTORS 84 Reed Elsevier combined businesses 89 Reed International P.L.C. 91 Elsevier NV 129691 pp83-92 Reed 12/3/01 9:56 pm Page 84 84 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US INVESTORS REED ELSEVIER COMBINED BUSINESSES SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN US DOLLARS Basis of preparation The summary financial information is a simple translation of the Reed Elsevier combined financial statements into US dollars at the stated rates of exchange. The financial information provided below is prepared under UK and Dutch GAAP as used in the preparation of the Reed Elsevier combined financial statements. It does not represent a restatement under US GAAP which would be different in some significant respects. Exchange rates for translation Sterling Profit and loss and cash flow Balance sheet Euro Profit and loss and cash flow Balance sheet Profit and loss account FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Net sales – continuing Adjusted operating profit Profit before tax Profit/(loss) attributable Adjusted profit before tax Adjusted profit attributable Cash flow statement FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Net cash inflow from operating activities Dividends received from joint ventures Returns on investments and servicing of finance Taxation (including US$47m (1999 US$120m) exceptional net inflow) Capital expenditure Acquisitions and disposals Ordinary dividends paid to the shareholders of the parent companies Cash outflow before changes in short term investments and financing (Increase)/decrease in short term investments Financing Increase in cash Adjusted operating cash flow Adjusted operating cash flow conversion 2000 US$ 1.51 1.49 0.921 0.925 2000 US$m 5,690 1,197 290 50 1,042 772 2000 US$m 1,228 9 (157) (166) (208) (1,149) (297) (740) (1,717) 2,468 11 1,170 98% 1999 US$ 1.62 1.62 1.066 1.006 1999 US$m 5,492 1,283 170 (102) 1,150 854 1999 US$m 1,231 6 (131) (160) (198) (266) (548) (66) 481 (319) 96 1,263 98% 129691 pp83-92 Reed 12/3/01 9:56 pm Page 85 SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN US DOLLARS (continued) Balance sheet AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2000 Capital employed Goodwill and intangible assets Other fixed assets Trading working capital Other working capital Total Funded by: Combined shareholders’ funds Other net liabilities Net borrowings Total ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US INVESTORS 85 REED ELSEVIER COMBINED BUSINESSES 2000 US$m 6,149 848 (714) (207) 6,076 4,531 900 645 6,076 1999 US$m 5,508 818 (639) (155) 5,532 3,005 800 1,727 5,532 129691 pp83-92 Reed 12/3/01 9:56 pm Page 86 86 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US INVESTORS REED ELSEVIER COMBINED BUSINESSES SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN UK AND DUTCH GAAP AND US GAAP The combined financial statements are prepared in accordance with UK and Dutch GAAP, which differ in certain significant respects from US GAAP. The principal differences that affect net income and combined shareholders’ funds are explained below and their approximate effect is shown on page 88. Goodwill and other intangible assets In the 1998 financial year, Reed Elsevier adopted the new UK financial reporting standard FRS10: Goodwill and Intangible Assets, and changed its accounting policy for goodwill and intangible assets. Under the new policy, goodwill and intangible assets are being amortised through the profit and loss account over their estimated useful lives, up to a maximum of 20 years. In view of this and the consideration given to the determination of appropriate prudent asset lives, the remaining asset lives for US GAAP purposes were reviewed and determined consistently with those adopted for the new UK and Dutch GAAP treatment. This re-evaluation of asset lives under US GAAP, which was effective from 1 January 1998, significantly increased the periodic amortisation charge, as the unamortised value of existing assets, which were previously being amortised over periods up to 40 years, are now amortised over shorter periods. The gross cost under US GAAP, as at 31 December 2000, of goodwill is £3,757m (1999 £3,042m) and of other intangible assets including those held in joint ventures is £3,900m (1999 £3,285m). Accumulated amortisation under US GAAP, as at 31 December 2000, of goodwill is £1,497m (1999 £1,180m) and of other intangible assets including those held in joint ventures is £1,433m (1999 £1,174m). Deferred taxation The combined businesses provide in full for timing differences using the liability method. Under US GAAP, deferred taxation is provided on all temporary differences under the liability method subject to a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets where applicable, in accordance with SFAS 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. The principal adjustments to apply US GAAP are to provide deferred taxation on temporary differences arising from the amortisation under US GAAP of goodwill and other intangible assets and the recognition of deferred tax assets on timing differences where those assets are not considered recoverable in the short term. Acquisition accounting Under UK and Dutch GAAP, severance and integration costs in relation to acquisitions are only expensed as incurred. Due to their size and incidence, under UK and Dutch GAAP, those costs are disclosed as exceptional items charged to operating profit. Under US GAAP, certain integration costs may be provided as part of purchase accounting adjustments on acquisition. Pensions The combined businesses account for pension costs under the rules set out in SSAP24. Its objectives and principles are broadly in line with SFAS 87, Employers’ Accounting for Pensions. However, SSAP24 is less prescriptive in the application of the actuarial methods and assumptions to be applied in the calculation of pension costs. Under US GAAP, plan assets are valued by reference to market-related values at the date of the financial statements. Liabilities are assessed using the rate of return obtainable on fixed or inflation-linked bonds. Under UK GAAP, pension plan assets and liabilities are based on the results of the latest actuarial valuation. Pension assets are valued at the discounted present value determined by expected future income. Liabilities are assessed using the expected rate of return on plan assets. Short term obligations expected to be refinanced Under US GAAP, where it is expected to refinace short term obligations on a long term basis and this is supported by an ability to consummate the refinancing, such short term obligations should be excluded from current liabilities and shown as long term obligations. Under UK and Dutch GAAP, such obligations can only be excluded from current liabilities where, additionally, the debt and facility are under a single agreement or course of dealing with the same lender or group of lenders. Short term obligations at 31 December 2000 of £1,101m (1999 £395m) would thus be excluded from current liabilities under US GAAP and shown as long term obligations. 129691 pp83-92 Reed 12/3/01 9:56 pm Page 87 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US INVESTORS 87 REED ELSEVIER COMBINED BUSINESSES Ordinary dividends Under UK and Dutch GAAP, dividends are provided for in the year in respect of which they are proposed by the directors. Under US GAAP, such dividends would not be provided for until they are formally declared by the directors. Exceptional items Exceptional items are material items within the combined businesses’ ordinary activities which, under UK and Dutch GAAP, are required to be disclosed separately due to their size or incidence. These items do not qualify as extraordinary under US GAAP and are considered a part of operating results. Adjusted earnings In the combined financial statements adjusted profit and cash flow measures are presented as permitted by UK and Dutch GAAP as an additional performance measure. US GAAP does not permit the presentation of alternative earnings measures. Accordingly, adjusted profit is not regarded as an alternative performance measure under US GAAP. Stock based compensation SFAS 123: Accounting for Stock Based Compensation, establishes a fair value based method of computing compensation cost. It encourages the application of this method in the profit and loss account instead of intrinsic value based methods. Where fair value based methods are not applied in the profit and loss account, the proforma effect on net income is disclosed. The disclosure only provisions of SFAS 123 have been adopted. If compensation costs based on fair value at the grant date had been recognised in the profit and loss account, net income under US GAAP would have been reduced by £23m in 2000 (1999 £5m). Recently issued accounting pronouncements SFAS 133: Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, was issued in June 1998 and, as amended by SFAS 138, is effective for the financial year beginning 1 January 2001. The standard requires all derivative instruments to be valued at fair value in the balance sheet. Changes in fair value are accounted for through the profit and loss account or comprehensive income statement, depending on the derivative’s designation and effectiveness as a hedging instrument. On implementation, a cumulative transition adjustment of £1m to the 2000 US GAAP net income and £86m in other comprehensive income will be made. Under UK and Dutch GAAP, derivative instruments are recorded at appropriate historical cost amounts, with fair values shown as a disclosure item. FRS17: Retirement Benefits, was issued by the UK Accounting Standards Board in November 2000. As under SFAS 87, plan assets and liabilities are determined by, respectively, market-related values at the date of the financial statements and by discounting plan obligations using a market derived discount factor. Under FRS17, actuarial gains and losses are recognised in full in the balance sheet with movements recognised in the statement of total recognised gains and losses. This will differ from current US GAAP which does not require the full recognition of actuarial gains and losses, and also requires the amortisation of actuarial gains and losses to be recognised in the profit and loss account. FRS17 is required to be fully implemented in the 2003 financial year, with disclosures of the impact required from 2001. The impact of adopting the standard cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. FRS19: Deferred Tax, was issued by the UK Accounting Standards Board in December 2000. FRS19 requires deferred tax on timing differences to be provided in full, except on timing differences arising where non-monetary assets are revalued and where there is no commitment to sell the asset and on the retained earnings of subsidiaries, joint ventures or associates where there is no commitment to remit such earnings. FRS19 is required to be implemented in the 2002 financial year. The standard is not expected to have a material impact on implementation. 129691 pp83-92 Reed 12/3/01 9:56 pm Page 88 88 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US INVESTORS REED ELSEVIER COMBINED BUSINESSES EFFECTS ON NET INCOME OF MATERIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN UK AND DUTCH GAAP AND US GAAP FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Net income/(loss) under UK and Dutch GAAP US GAAP adjustments: Amortisation of goodwill and other intangible assets Deferred taxation Pensions Other items Net income/(loss) under US GAAP 2000 £m 33 (78) 85 22 (2) 60 1999 £m (63) (83) 67 6 – (73) EFFECTS ON COMBINED SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS OF MATERIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN UK AND DUTCH GAAP AND US GAAP AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2000 Combined shareholders’ funds under UK and Dutch GAAP US GAAP adjustments: Goodwill and other intangible assets Deferred taxation Pensions Other items Ordinary dividends not declared in the period Combined shareholders’ funds under US GAAP 2000 £m 3,041 604 (203) 86 2 177 3,707 1999 £m 1,855 553 (180) 63 5 127 2,423 2000 €m 54 (128) 139 36 (3) 98 2000 €m 4,896 973 (327) 138 3 285 5,968 1999 €m (95) (126) 101 9 – (111) 1999 €m 2,987 890 (290) 102 8 204 3,901 129691 pp83-92 Reed 12/3/01 9:56 pm Page 89 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US INVESTORS 89 REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN US DOLLARS Basis of preparation The summary financial information is a simple translation of Reed International’s consolidated financial statements into US dollars at the stated rates of exchange. The financial information provided below is prepared under UK GAAP as used in the preparation of the Reed International consolidated financial statements. It does not represent a restatement under US GAAP which would be different in some significant respects. Consolidated profit and loss account FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders: statutory Profit/(loss) attributable to 52.9% interest in Reed Elsevier combined businesses Adjusted profit attributable Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets Exceptional items Total Data per American Depositary Share Earnings per American Depositary Share based on 52.9% interest in Reed Elsevier combined businesses Adjusted Basic Net dividend per American Depositary Share Balance sheet AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2000 Shareholders’ funds Exchange rates for translation of sterling Profit and loss and cash flow Balance sheet 2000 US$m 17 408 (374) (8) 26 2000 US$ $1.41 $0.09 $0.60 2000 US$m 2,397 2000 US$:£ 1.51 1.49 1999 US$m (63) 452 (319) (186) (53) 1999 US$ $1.58 $(0.19) $0.65 1999 US$m 1,589 1999 US$:£ 1.62 1.62 Adjusted earnings per American Depositary Share is based on Reed International’s 52.9% share of the adjusted profit attributable of the Reed Elsevier combined businesses, which excludes amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets and exceptional items. Adjusted figures are described in note 9 to the Reed International consolidated financial statements. Reed International shares are quoted on the New York Stock Exchange and trading is in the form of American Depositary Shares (ADSs), evidenced by American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), representing four Reed International ordinary shares of 12.5p each. (CUSIP No. 758212872; trading symbol, RUK; Citibank are the ADS Depositary.) 129691 pp83-92 Reed 12/3/01 9:56 pm Page 90 90 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US INVESTORS REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN UK AND US GAAP Reed International accounts for its 52.9% economic interest in the Reed Elsevier combined businesses, before the effect of tax credit equalisation, by the gross equity method in conformity with UK GAAP which is similar to the equity method in US GAAP. Using the equity method to present its net income and shareholders’ funds under US GAAP, Reed International reflects its 52.9% share of the effects of differences between UK and US GAAP relating to the combined businesses as a single reconciling item. The most significant differences relate to the capitalisation and amortisation of goodwill and other intangibles, and deferred taxes. A more complete explanation of the accounting policies used by the Reed Elsevier combined businesses and the differences between UK and US GAAP is given on pages 86 and 87. The Reed Elsevier Annual Report 2000 on Form 20-F provides further information for US investors. EFFECTS ON NET INCOME OF MATERIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN UK AND US GAAP FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Net income/(loss) under UK GAAP Impact of US GAAP adjustments to combined financial statements Net income/(loss) under US GAAP Earnings/(loss) per ordinary share under US GAAP (pence) EFFECTS ON SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS OF MATERIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN UK AND US GAAP AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2000 Shareholders’ funds under UK GAAP Impact of US GAAP adjustments to combined financial statements Ordinary dividends not declared in the period Shareholders’ funds under US GAAP 2000 £m 11 16 27 2.3p 2000 £m 1,609 264 88 1,961 1999 £m (39) (8) (47) (4.1)p 1999 £m 981 238 63 1,282 129691 pp83-92 Reed 12/3/01 9:56 pm Page 91 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US INVESTORS 91 ELSEVIER NV SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN US DOLLARS Basis of preparation The summary financial information is a simple translation of Elsevier’s statutory financial statements into US dollars at the stated rates of exchange. The financial information provided below is prepared under Dutch GAAP as used in the preparation of the Elsevier statutory financial statements. It does not represent a restatement under US GAAP which would be different in some significant respects. Profit and loss account FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Adjusted profit attributable Data per American Depositary Share Adjusted earnings per American Depositary Share Dividend per American Depositary Share Balance sheet AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2000 Shareholders’ funds Exchange rates for translation of euros Profit and loss and cashflow Balance sheet 2000 US$m 386 2000 US$ 1.09 0.52 2000 US$m 2,264 2000 €:$ 1.086 1.081 1999 US$m 427 1999 US$ 1.22 0.58 1999 US$m 1,502 1999 €:$ 0.938 0.994 Adjusted earnings per American Depositary Share is based on Elsevier’s 50% share of the adjusted profit attributable of the Reed Elsevier combined businesses, which excludes amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets and exceptional items. Adjusted figures are described in note 3 to the Elsevier statutory financial statements. Elsevier shares are quoted on the New York Stock Exchange and trading is in the form of American Depositary Shares (ADSs), evidenced by American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), representing two Elsevier ordinary shares of €0.06 each. (CUSIP No. 290259100; trading symbol, ENL; Citibank are the ADS Depositary.) SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DUTCH AND US GAAP Elsevier accounts for its 50% economic interest in the Reed Elsevier combined businesses, before the effect of tax credit equalisation, by the equity method in conformity with Dutch GAAP which is similar to the equity method in US GAAP. Using the equity method to present its net income and shareholders’ funds under US GAAP, Elsevier reflects its 50% share of the effects of differences between Dutch and US GAAP relating to the combined businesses as a single reconciling item. The most significant differences relate to the capitalisation and amortisation of goodwill and other intangibles, and deferred taxes. A more complete explanation of the accounting policies used by the Reed Elsevier combined businesses and the differences between Dutch and US GAAP is given on pages 86 and 87. The Reed Elsevier Annual Report 2000 on Form 20-F provides further information for US investors. EFFECTS ON NET INCOME OF MATERIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DUTCH AND US GAAP FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Net income/(loss) under Dutch GAAP Impact of US GAAP adjustments to combined financial statements Net income/(loss) under US GAAP Earnings/(loss) per share under US GAAP (euros) EFFECTS ON SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS OF MATERIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DUTCH AND US GAAP AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2000 Shareholders’ funds under Dutch GAAP Impact of US GAAP adjustments to combined financial statements Ordinary dividends not declared in the period Shareholders’ funds under US GAAP 2000 €m 27 31 58 €0.08 2000 €m 2,448 396 140 2,984 1999 €m (48) 2 (46) €(0.06) 1999 €m 1,493 358 100 1,951 129691 pp83-92 Reed 12/3/01 9:56 pm Page 92 92 PRINCIPAL OPERATING LOCATIONS Reed Elsevier plc 25 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0EX, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7222 8420 Fax: +44 (0)20 7227 5799 Van de Sande Bakhuyzenstraat 4 1061 AG Amsterdam, The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0)20 515 9341 Fax: +31 (0)20 618 0325 125 Park Avenue, 23rd Floor New York, NY 10017, USA Tel: +1 212 309 5498 Fax: +1 212 309 5480 Elsevier Reed Finance BV Van de Sande Bakhuyzenstraat 4 1061 AG Amsterdam, The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0)20 515 9341 Fax: +31 (0)20 618 0325 Elsevier Science Sara Burgerhartstraat 25 1055 KV Amsterdam, The Netherlands www.elsevier.nl Elsevier Science, UK The Boulevard, Langford Lane Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, UK www.elsevier.co.uk Elsevier Science, US 655 Avenue of the Americas New York NY10010, USA www.elsevier.com Excerpta Medica Asia 19th Floor Eight Commercial Tower 8 Sun Yip Street Chai Wan, Hong Kong MDL Information Systems 14600 Catalina Street San Leandro California 94577 USA www.mdl.com For further information or contact details, please consult our website: www.reedelsevier.com LEXIS-NEXIS 9393 Springboro Pike Miamisburg, Ohio 45342, USA www.lexis-nexis.com LEXIS-NEXIS, New York 125 Park Avenue, 22nd Floor New York NY 10017, USA www.lexis-nexis.com LEXIS-NEXIS International Halsbury House, 35 Chancery Lane London WC2A 1EL, UK www.butterworths.co.uk Editions du Juris-Classeur 141 rue de Javel, 75747 Paris Cedex 15, France www.ed-juris-classeur.fr Reed Educational & Professional Publishing Halley Court, Jordan Hill Oxford OX2 8EJ, UK www.repp.com Cahners Business Information 245 West 17th Street New York NY10011, USA www.cahners.com Reed Business Information Quadrant House, The Quadrant Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS, UK www.reedbusiness.com Elsevier Business Information Hanzestraat 1 7006 RH Doetinchem The Netherlands www.ebi.nl Reed Exhibition Companies Oriel House, 26 The Quadrant Richmond, Surrey TW9 1DL, UK www.reedexpo.com Reed Exhibition Companies Merrit View 383 Main Avenue Norwalk CT06851, USA www.reedexpo.com 129691 Cover 12/3/01 9:45 pm Page 4 Designed by Corporate Edge +44 (0)20 7855 5830, typeset and printed by Pillans & Wilson Greenaway 129691 Cover 12/3/01 9:44 pm Page 1 R E E D E L S E V I E R A N N U A L R E P O R T S & F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T S 2 0 0 0 

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