Notes to the consolidated financial statements
8. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share (EPS) is calculated by dividing the (loss)/profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. Treasury shares held are excluded from the weighted average number of shares for basic EPS.
| Loss 31.3.2009 £m |
Weighted average number of shares 31.3.2009 million |
Loss per share 31.3.2009 pence |
Earnings 31.3.2008 £m |
Weighted average number of shares 31.3.2008 million |
Earnings per share 31.3.2008 pence |
|
| Basic EPS | (12.7) | 518.0 | (2.45) | 158.1 | 518.0 | 30.52 |
The weighted average number of shares for diluted EPS is calculated by including the treasury shares held.
| Loss 31.3.2009 £m |
Weighted average number of shares 31.3.2009 million |
Loss per share 31.3.2009 pence |
Earnings 31.3.2008 £m |
Weighted average number of shares 31.3.2008 million |
Earnings per share 31.3.2008 pence |
|
| Diluted EPS | (12.7) | 518.6 | (2.45) | 158.1 | 518.6 | 30.48 |
Adjusted EPS is considered by the directors to give a better indication of the Group’s underlying performance and is calculated as follows:
| Loss/ (earnings) 31.3.2009 £m |
Weighted average number of shares 31.3.2009 million |
Loss/ (earnings) per share 31.3.2009 pence |
Earnings 31.3.2008 £m |
Weighted average number of shares 31.3.2008 million |
Earnings per share 31.3.2008 pence |
|
| Basic EPS | (12.7) | 518.0 | (2.45) | 158.1 | 518.0 | 30.52 |
| Deferred tax | 132.5 | 25.58 | (13.6) | (2.62) | ||
| Amortisation of debt fair value | (5.6) | (1.08) | (6.1) | (1.18) | ||
| Adjusted EPS | 114.2 | 518.0 | 22.05 | 138.4 | 518.0 | 26.72 |
9. Dividends paid and proposed
| Year to 31.3.2009 £m |
Year to 31.3.2008 £m |
|
| Declared and paid during the year: | ||
| Equity dividends on ordinary shares: | ||
| Final dividend for 2007/08: 8.07 pence (2006/07: 7.52 pence) | 41.8 | 39.0 |
| Interim dividend for 2008/09: 4.29 pence (2007/08: 4.00 pence) | 22.2 | 20.7 |
| Dividends paid | 64.0 | 59.7 |
| Proposed for approval by shareholders at the AGM: | ||
| Final dividend for 2008/09: 8.50 pence (2007/08: 8.07 pence) | 44.0 | 41.8 |