ADVFN Logo ADVFN

We could not find any results for:
Make sure your spelling is correct or try broadening your search.

Trending Now

Toplists

It looks like you aren't logged in.
Click the button below to log in and view your recent history.

Hot Features

Registration Strip Icon for monitor Customisable watchlists with full streaming quotes from leading exchanges, such as LSE, NASDAQ, NYSE, AMEX, Bovespa, BIT and more.

LBY Liberty Group

0.00
0.00 (0.00%)
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Liberty Group LSE:LBY London Ordinary Share ZAE000024543 ORD ZAR0.10
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 0.00 -
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Interim Results

11/08/2004 8:01am

UK Regulatory


RNS Number:8419B
Liberty Group Ld
11 August 2004


Liberty Group Limited

unaudited interim results

for the six months ended 30 June 2004

Liberty Group Limited ("Liberty Life")

(Registration number 1957/002788/06)

(Alpha code LGL)

(Issuer code LIBU)

(ISIN code ZAE000024543)

(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)

These results are available at www.libertylife.co.za.

Features

New business up 16,6% to R6 341,9 million

Indexed new business up 10,6% to R1 968,3 million

Net cash inflows from insurance operations up 37,7% to R2 381,8 million

Value of new business up 26,2% to R330,2 million

New business margin increased to 20,9%

Headline earnings up 29,4% to R460,4 million

Headline earnings per share up 28,6% to 167,2 cents per share

Embedded value up 0,4% to R15 887,1 million

Embedded value per share static at R57,59

Capital adequacy requirement covered 2,55 times by shareholders' funds

Interim dividend maintained at 162,0 cents per share

Commentary on results

Liberty Life has made progress over the last six months in those areas

of the business which it singled out for focus. These areas of

focus include the improvement of service levels, cost reduction, capital

management, new market segments and people. Notwithstanding these achievements,

volatility in local and foreign investment markets and a stronger than expected

Rand had a negative impact on investors' demand for investment products offered

by the life insurance industry. Risk product sales were encouraging with

recurring premium sales of Lifestyle Protector, launched in September last year

exceeding R180 million for the first six months of 2004. Liberty Life produced

strong operational results for the half year to 30 June 2004.

Total new business premiums increased to R6 341,9 million (up 16,6%) and net

cash inflows from insurance operations increased to R2 381,8 million (up

37,7%). The new business margin increased to 20,9% and embedded value per share

of R57,59 at 30 June 2004 remained flat compared with 31 December 2003.

Growth in management expenses of the group was contained to 4,1% (excluding the

effect of the Investec Employee Benefits (IEB) business acquired in the fourth

quarter of 2003).

Liberty Life's headline earnings per share recovered from a low base in respect

of the first six months of 2003 and increased to 167,2 cents (up 28,6%) for the

six months ended 30 June 2004 as a result of favourable operational performance

and better investment returns.

In 2003 the Board decided to maintain the interim dividend at 162,0

cents per share despite the fact that headline earnings per share were

considerably lower. The improvement in headline earnings per share during the

first half of 2004, coupled with the positive performance of the business, has

enabled the Board to again declare an unchanged interim dividend.

Headline Earnings - up 29,4% from R355,9 million to R460,4 million.

Operating profit from life insurance operations - up 32,6% from R252,7 million

to R335,0 million.

The 32,6% increase in operating profit from life insurance

operations largely reflects the impact of improved investment returns on

shareholders' 10% share in policyholders' capital bonuses on certain classes

of business. At 30 June 2003 the weighted average investment return (on the

proxy portfolio used to indicate the level of the 10% participation) was

-3,6%,whereas the return at the end of June 2004 was +0,2%.

Revenue earnings attributable to shareholders' funds -

up 12,0% from R148,2 million to R166,0

million Operating income from financial services operations increased by 27,9%

from R72,3 million for the six months ended 30 June 2003 to R92,5 million for

the six months ended 30 June 2004.

STANLIB's contribution to Liberty Life's earnings increased by 37,0% from R23,5

million for the six months ended 30 June 2003 to R32,2 million for the period

under review. Assets under management and funds under administration (excluding

common assets) increased from R177,5 billion at 31 December 2003 to R184,8

billion at 30 June 2004. Headline earnings of Liberty Ermitage increased by

32,3% from R15,8 million in 2003 to R20,9 million in 2004 as a result of

increases in management fees due to higher assets under management compared to

2003. Assets under management (excluding common assets) increased from US$2

791,3 million at 31 December 2003 to US$3 173,3 million at 30 June 2004. Income

from listed investments increased by 2,0% from R24,6 million for the six months

ended 30 June 2003 to R25,1 million for the six months ended 30 June 2004 and

reflects an increase in dividend income from the shareholders' long-term

portfolio established at the end of 2003, offset by a decrease in dividend

income from reduced shareholdings in GoldFields and Edcon.

Income from other investments increased by 10,5% from R129,0 million for the

six months ended 30 June 2003 to R142,6 million for the six months ended 30

June 2004 as a result of increased cash balances.

Total Earnings - up 69,8% from R293,8 million to R499,0 million.

Total earningsfor the Group for the six months ended 30 June 2004 of

R499,0 million increased from R293,8 million recorded for the same period in

2003. Total earnings pershare increased from 107,3 cents for the six months

ended 30 June 2003 to 181,3 cents for the six months ended 30 June 2004.

The comparative included a goodwill impairment charge of R62,4 million in

respect of Hightree Financial Services.

New Business

Individual new business premiums and inflows increased by 28,1% from R4

185,7 million for the six months ended 30 June 2003 to R5 360,5 million for the

six months ended 30 June 2004. New single premiums and inflows increased by

34,9% from R3 036,3 million to R4 096,0 million with approximately 40% (2003:

17%) of the total flowing into the CPI plus and Excelsior risk profiled asset

portfolios. In 2004 approximately 18% (2003: 36%) of new single premiums were

property-backed sales. New recurring premiums increased by 10,0% from R1 149,4

million to R1 264,5 million with the Lifestyle Protector product, which was

launched in the fourth quarter of 2003, contributing R187,4 million in sales.

New business premiums of R1,3 million were written since the launch in May 2004

of Charter Life's Namibian operations.

Corporate new business premiums and inflows decreased by 21,6% from R1 251,3

million for the six months ended 30 June 2003 to R981,4 million for the six

months ended 30 June 2004. New single premium business decreased by 25,7% on

the back of slow single premium sales in 2004 exacerbated in comparison by

large single premiums received in the prior period. New recurring premiums

decreased by 2,4% continuing the disappointing trend in new underwritten and

corporate selection funds.

Total bancassurance new business sales increased by 39,7% from

R1 207,6 million for the six months ended 30 June 2003 to R1 687,3 million for

the six months ended 30 June 2004. On an indexed basis, bancassurance new

business increased by 58,5%. Complex (high advice) product sales of R1 401,8

million for the first six months of 2004 increased by 34,1% and represent 83,1%

of total bancassurance new business sales, while embedded (mainly funeral and

credit life) product sales of R285,5 million for the first six months of 2004

increased by 75,7% and represent 16,9% of total bancassurance new business

sales.

Market share

The group's share, including Charter Life, of the total South African recurring

individual new business market according to the Life Offices' Association

statistics for the three months ended 31 March 2004 increased to 28,3% compared

with 25,3% for the year ended 31 December 2003. Similarly, our share of the

single premium individual new business market increased to 29,6% for the three

months ended 31 March 2004 compared with 24,5% for the year ended 31 December

2003.

Value of new business and new business margin - up 26,2% from R261,7 million to

R330,2 million

The value of individual new business increased by 33,6% from R239,6 million in

respect of the six months ended 30 June 2003 to R320,0 million for the six

months ended 30 June 2004 as a result of increased new business volumes

(especially the new Lifestyle Protector product). Liberty Corporate Benefits'

value of new business decreased by 53,8% from R22,1 million for the first half

of 2003 to R10,2 million for the six months ended 30 June 2004 due to cost

pressure resulting from lower volumes of both single and recurring new business

premiums and inflows as indicated in the new business commentary above.

The Group's overall new business margin increased to 20,9% at 30 June 2004 from

19,9% at 31 December 2003 and 18,4% at 30 June 2003.

Net cash inflows from insurance operations - up 37,7% from R1 730,2 million to

R2 381,8 million.

Individual business net cash inflows of R2 331,3 million for the six months

ended 30 June 2004 more than doubled compared with the net inflows in the first

six months of 2003 of R858,7 million. Individual policy surrenders and

maturities increased by 3,0% to R3 764,9 million while premium income and

investment contract inflows of R7 755,4 million increased by 28,0%.

Corporate business net cash inflows of R50,5 million for the six months ended

30 June 2004 decreased by 94,2% from R871,5 million for the first six months of

2003. Group scheme member withdrawals increased by 35,9% from R538,0 million

for the six months ended 30 June 2003 to R731,3 million for the same period in

2004 and Group investment terminations and withdrawals increased by 174,7% from

R288,0 million in 2003 to R791,0 million in 2004. A further R2 billion in

outflows will be recorded for the second half of 2004 as a result of known

maturities in property portfolios which will free up capacity for future sales.

In spite of these known outflows, we nevertheless anticipate the net cash flows

for the year to remain positive.

Embedded value per share - static at R57,59

Embedded value at 30 June 2004 amounted to R15 887,1 million or R57,59 per

share compared with the embedded value of R15 816,9 million or R57,58 per share

at 31 December 2003. Shareholders' funds increased by 1,6% from R8 782,2

million at 31 December 2003 to R8 922,4 million at 30 June 2004, while the

value of in-force business decreased by 3,3% from R6 493,8 million at 31

December 2003 to R6 279,1 million at 30 June 2004 due to changes in

assumptions, modelling methodology and lower than expected investment returns.

The financial services subsidiaries fair value adjustment of R685,6 million

increased by 26,7% compared to 31 December 2003, mainly as a result of better

operational results from STANLIB and Liberty Ermitage increasing the respective

values placed on those businesses. The fair value adjustment includes the

reversal of the carrying value of the present value of in-force business

acquired from IEB of R115,6 million, as the embedded value of this business is

included within the value of in force business.

Capital adequacy

The capital adequacy requirement (CAR) for the Group increased by 2,9% from R3

402,7 million at 31 December 2003 to R3 501,9 million at 30 June 2004. The

Group capital adequacy multiple decreased marginally from 2,58 times at 31

December 2003 to 2,55 times at 30 June 2004 and remains amongst the highest in

the industry.

Prospects

We will continue to focus on the business (and value) drivers under our control

such as growing new business, improving service levels, cost reduction, capital

management and people, thereby ensuring sustainable benefits in the short to

medium term. However, future earnings will continue to be impacted by the

performance and volatility of local and international financial markets.

Dividend

Notice is hereby given that interim ordinary dividend No. 77 of 162,0 cents per

share has been declared in respect of the year ending 31 December 2004

(unchanged from the 2003 interim dividend).

The important dates pertaining to this dividend are:

Last day to trade cum dividend on the JSE   Friday, 3 Sept 2004

First trading day ex dividend on the JSE    Monday, 6 Sept 2004

Record date                                 Friday, 10 Sept 2004

Payment date                                Monday, 13 Sept 2004

Share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Monday,

6 September 2004 and Friday, 10 September 2004, both days inclusive.

Where applicable, dividends in respect of certificated shareholders will be

transferred electronically to shareholders' bank accounts on payment date. In

the absence of specific mandates, dividend cheques will be posted to

shareholders. Shareholders who have dematerialised their shares will have their

accounts with their CSDP or broker credited on Monday, 13 September 2004.

Derek Cooper                                                 Myles Ruck

Chairman                                                     Chief Executive

11 August 2004

Accounting policies and presentation

The accounting policies adopted comply with South African Statements of

Generally Accepted Accounting Practice as well as the South African Companies

Act, 1973. The financial information has been prepared on the historical cost

basis, modified by the revaluation of investment property, owner occupied

property and the fair value adjustments required by the accounting statement on

Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement (AC 133). These accounting

policies are consistent with those applied at 31 December 2003 except for the

determination of the operating profit from insurance operations, embedded

value, capital adequacy requirement and value of new business, which reflect

the Statutory Actuary's best estimate for interim reporting purposes. A full

valuation is not performed at half year.

Summarised group balance sheet

                                                (unaudited)       (audited)

                                                    30 June     31 December

                                                       2004            2003

                                                         Rm              Rm

Assets

Investments                                        93 126,0        91 508,4

Owner-occupied properties                             750,8           725,4

Goodwill                                               74,6            80,5

Intangible assets                                     174,3           195,5

Tangible assets                                       366,3           363,3

Current assets                                      3 705,0         3 684,8

Total assets                                       98 197,0        96 557,9

Capital, reserves and liabilities

Shareholders' funds                                 8 922,4         8 782,2

Minority interests                                      1,0             1,0

Policyholder liabilities                           85 196,8        83 839,6

Liabilities under insurance contracts              55 419,8        56 296,0

Liabilities under investment contracts             29 777,0        27 543,6

Redeemable bonds                                    1 408,0         1 499,8

Retirement benefit obligation                         158,0           155,1

Deferred tax                                          309,5           313,2

Current liabilities                                 2 201,3         1 967,0

Total capital, reserves and liabilities            98 197,0        96 557,9

Capital adequacy requirement                        3 501,9         3 402,7

Capital adequacy requirement: times covered            2,55            2,58

Summarised group income statement

                                                  (unaudited)

                                            Six months ended 30 June

                                                2004       2003           %

                                                  Rm         Rm      Change

Operating profit from insurance operations

net of tax                                     335,0      252,7       32,6%

Revenue earnings attributable to

shareholders' funds                            166,0      148,2       12,0%

Preference dividend in subsidiary             (40,6)     (45,0)      (9,8%)

Headline earnings                              460,4      355,9       29,4%

Goodwill amortisation and impairment           (6,0)     (71,7)     (91,6%)

Realised investment gains attributable to

shareholders' assets net of

capital gains tax                               44,6        9,6      364,6%

Total earnings                                 499,0      293,8       69,8%

Per share details

                                               cents      cents

Headline earnings per share

Basic                                          167,2      130,0       28,6%

Fully diluted                                  166,3      129,8       28,1%

Total earnings per share

Basic                                          181,3      107,3       68,9%

Fully diluted                                  179,2      107,2       67,2%

Weighted average number of shares in issue

(millions)                                     275,3      273,7        0,6%

Total number of shares in issue (millions)     275,8      273,8        0,7%

Fully diluted weighted average number of

shares (millions)                              298,5      274,1       10,6%


Group embedded value and value of new business

                                     (unaudited)       (audited)

                                         30 June     31 December

                                            2004            2003          %

                                              Rm              Rm     Change

Risk discount rate                         12,5%           11,5%

Shareholders' net assets                 8 922,4         8 782,2       1,6%

Net value of life business in force      6 279,1         6 493,8     (3,3%)

Value of life business in force          6 523,7         6 685,5     (2,4%)

Cost of solvency capital                 (244,6)         (191,7)      27,6%

Financial services entities fair

value adjustment (vii) - Bases and

assumptions                                685,6           540,9      26,8%

Embedded value                          15 887,1        15 816,9       0,4%

Embedded value per share                  R57,59          R57,58


Value of new business and new business margins

                                                  (unaudited)

                                            Six months ended 30 June

                                                2004        2003          %

                                                  Rm          Rm     Change

Value of new business written during the

period                                         330,2       261,7      26,2%

Gross of cost of solvency capital              342,7       267,7      28,0%

Cost of solvency capital                      (12,5)       (6,0)     108,3%

New single premiums                          4 859,6     4 064,4      19,6%

New recurring premiums net of natural

increases

(2004: R392,0 million; 2003: R354,6 million) 1 090,3     1 018,0       7,1%

New business index net of natural increases  1 576,2     1 424,4      10,7%

Value of new business as a percentage of

indexed new

business (new business margin)                 20,9%       18,4%       2,5%

Embedded value profits/(losses)

                                                            (unaudited)

                                                   Six months ended 30 June

                                                        2004           2003

                                                          Rm             Rm

Embedded value at the end of the period             15 887,1       14 622,5

Less capital raised                                   (52,7)          (4,8)

Plus dividends paid                                    318,6          317,4

Less embedded value at the beginning of the period(15 816,9)     (15 126,6)

Embedded value profits/(losses)                        336,1        (191,5)

Return on shareholders' net assets (annualised)         7,8%         (4,5%)

Return on embedded value (annualised)                   4,3%         (2,5%)

Analysis of embedded value profits/(losses)

                                                              (unaudited)

                                                   Six months ended 30 June

                                                           2004        2003

                                                             Rm          Rm

Investment return on shareholders' net assets and fair

value adjustment                                          334,6     (344,4)

Translation losses in respect of foreign assets          (24,2)      (40,8)

Other investment returns on shareholders' assets          358,8     (303,6)

Expected return on value of life business (iv) - Bases

and assumptions                                           361,5       362,6

Investment experience variation on life business

in-force                                                (219,4)     (258,7)

Other experience variations (viii) - Bases and

assumptions                                              (11,3)      (29,0)

Changes in economic assumptions (ix) - Bases and

assumptions                                              (87,5)       142,4

Changes in non-economic assumptions (x) - Bases and

assumptions                                             (223,2)     (123,1)

Value of new business                                     330,2       261,7

Changes in modelling methodology (xi) - Bases and

assumptions                                             (148,8)     (203,0)

Embedded value profits/(losses)                           336,1     (191,5)

Bases and assumptions

(i)  Future investment returns on the major classes were set with reference to

     the market yield on medium-term South African government stock. The

     investment returns used are:

          Investment return p.a

                                                             2004      2003

          Government stock                                   10,5%      9,5%

          Equities                                           12,5%     11,5%

          Property                                           11,5%     10,5%

(ii)  The risk discount rate has been set equal to the

      investment return on equity assets                     12,5%     11,5%

(iii) Maintenance expense inflation rate                      6,5%      5,5%

(iv)  The expected return on value of life business is obtained by applying the

      previous year's discount rate for the full analysis period to the value

      of life business in force at the beginning of the year and the current

      discount rate for half of the analysis period to the value of new

      business.

(v)   Tax has been allowed for on the Four Funds Tax basis with tax rates of

      30%. Full tax relief on expenses to the extent permitted was assumed.

      Capital Gains Tax (CGT) has been taken into account in the embedded value

      and allowance has been made for future expected Secondary Tax on

      Companies.

(vi)  Other bases, bonus rates and assumptions:

      In general, parameters reflect best estimates of future experience,

      consistent with the Financial Soundness Valuation basis used by the

      Statutory Actuary, excluding any first- or second-tier margins. However,

      in contrast to the valuation basis assumption, the embedded value does

      make allowance for expected automatic premium and benefit increases.

(vii) Basis of calculation of financial services entities fair value

      adjustment:

      The fair value adjustment reflects the excess of the fair value over the

      value of the tangible assets as included in the shareholders' funds.

      This adjustment consisted of the following:

                                                       (unaudited)   (audited)

                                                          30 June  31 December

                                                             2004         2003

                                                               Rm           Rm

      Liberty Group Properties (Proprietary) Limited        230,0        216,0

      Liberty Ermitage Jersey Limited                       184,0        140,0

      STANLIB Limited                                       387,2        306,9

      Carrying value of in-force business acquired from

      Investec Employee Benefits                           (115,6)      (122,0)

                                                            685,6        540,9

     In the case of Liberty Group Properties (Proprietary) Limited and Liberty

     Ermitage Jersey Limited a price earnings ratio multiple was applied to the

     net after tax recurring earnings of the subsidiaries. The multiples used

     for both Liberty Group Properties (Proprietary) Limited and Liberty

     Ermitage Jersey Limited were maintained at 10 times recurring earnings.

     In the case of STANLIB Limited a price earnings ratio multiple was applied

     to the net after tax recurring earnings of STANLIB Limited. The multiple

     used was maintained at 10 times recurring earnings, the R387,2 million

     represents Liberty Life's 37,4% share of the excess over the net asset

     value of STANLIB Limited and effectively values the ordinary and

     preference shares in STANLIB Limited at R1.7 billion.

(viii)The amount of R11,3 million shown for other experience variations arises

      mainly from worse than expected withdrawal experience.

(ix)  The amount of R87,5 million arises from a change in economic assumptions

      to a higher level as set out in (i) above.

(x)   The amount of R223,2 million shown for changes in non-economic

      assumptions mainly arises from changes to the withdrawal bases and

      expense bases in respect of corporate business and shareholders'

      expenses.

(xi)  The amount of R148,8 million shown for changes in modelling methodology

      arises mainly from allowing more accurately for expected future Secondary

      Tax on Companies.

(xii) Non-recurring expenses amounting to R50,3 million were identified in

      2004. These were largely due to discontinued salary costs, the renovation

      of Liberty Life Centre, and impairment to internally developed software.

      These expenses are included in the analysis of embedded value profits but

      do not form part of the future projections.

Summarised group cash flow statement

                                                            (unaudited)

                                                      Six months ended 30 June

                                                         2004          2003

                                                           Rm            Rm

Cash flows from operating activities                  2 480,9       2 603,4

Cash flows from investing activities                (2 623,6)     (2 343,2)

Cash flows from financing activities                     51,9           8,1

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents   (90,8)         268,3

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year          345,5         273,5

Foreign exchange movements on cash balances            (39,8)         (8,2)

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period          214,9         533,6

New business

                                       Recurring premium        Single premium

                                              (unaudited)           (unaudited)

                                        Six months ended      Six months ended

                                                 30 June               30 June

                                       2004         2003        2004      2003

                                         Rm           Rm          Rm        Rm

     Individual business            1 264,5      1 149,4     4 096,0   3 036,3

     Corporate business               217,8        223,2       763,6   1 028,1

     Total new business             1 482,3      1 372,6     4 859,6   4 064,4

     Change                            8,0%                     19,6%

     New business index

                                        Total premium

                                            (unaudited)

                                       Six months ended

                                                30 June

                                     2004           2003                 %

                                       Rm             Rm            Change

     Individual business          5 360,5        4 185,7              28,1%

     Corporate business             981,4        1 251,3             (21,6%)

     Total new business           6 341,9        5 437,0              16,6%

     Change

     New business index           1 968,3        1 779,0              10,6%

Net cash inflow from insurance operations

                                         Individual Business Corporate Business

                                              (unaudited)        (unaudited)

                                            Six months ended  Six months ended

                                                30 June            30 June

                                            2004      2003      2004      2003

                                              Rm        Rm        Rm        Rm

Net premium income and inflows

from investment contracts                7 755,4   6 060,4   1 967,8   1 943,7

     Single                              4 095,3   2 914,2     763,9   1 028,1

     Recurring                           3 660,1   3 146,2   1 203,9     915,6

Claims, policyholders' benefits and

payments under investment

contracts                               (5 424,1) (5 201,7) (1 917,3) (1 072,2)

Net cash inflow                          2 331,3     858,7      50,5     871,5

                                                  Total

                                               (unaudited)

                                             Six months ended

                                                  30 June

                                              2004          2003          %

                                                Rm            Rm     Change

Net premium income and inflows

from investment contracts                  9 723,2       8 004,1      21,5%

Single                                     4 859,2       3 942,3      23,3%

Recurring                                  4 864,0       4 061,8      19,7%

Claims, policyholders' benefits and

payments under investment

contracts                                (7 341,4)     (6 273,9)      17,0%

Net cash inflow                            2 381,8       1 730,2      37,7%

Analysis of shareholders' funds

                                                     Group funds invested

                                                (unaudited)       (audited)

                                                    30 June     31 December

                                                       2004            2003

                                                         Rm              Rm

Charter Life (excluding

operating profit from

insurance operations)                                 924,6           885,6

Financial services operations                       1 141,4         1 137,5

Listed investments                                  1 596,8         1 303,6

Edcon                                                  44,8            38,6

GoldFields                                            106,3           153,6

Metro Cash and Carry                                  223,5           232,1

SABMiller                                             769,7           655,1

Other                                                 452,5           224,2

Other investments                                   5 259,6         5 455,5

Cash, preference shares and unit

trusts                                              2 361,0         2 096,6

Foreign assets                                      1 454,7         1 560,0

Redeemable bonds                                  (1 407,3)       (1 499,8)

Unlisted investments                                   76,3            76,6

Fixed assets and working capital                    1 211,2         1 708,9

Share of pooled portfolios                          1 563,7         1 513,2

Management expenses

Normal taxation

Secondary tax on companies

Total                                               8 922,4         8 782,2

                                                   Group net revenue earned

                                                              (unaudited)

                                                           Six months ended

                                                                30 June

                                                            2004       2003

                                                              Rm         Rm

Charter Life (excluding

operating profit from

insurance operations)                                       22,9       25,4

Financial services operations                               69,6       46,9

Listed investments                                          25,1       24,6

Edcon                                                        1,6        4,3

GoldFields                                                   0,7        6,2

Metro Cash and Carry

SABMiller                                                   14,7       13,9

Other                                                        8,1        0,2

Other investments                                          142,6      129,0

Cash, preference shares and unit

trusts                                                      72,8       61,7

Foreign assets                                              42,5       51,1

Redeemable bonds                                          (51,3)     (62,4)

Unlisted investments                                       (1,2)        9,6

Fixed assets and working capital

Share of pooled portfolios                                  79,8       69,0

Management expenses                                       (47,1)     (39,2)

Normal taxation                                           (16,0)      (5,0)

Secondary tax on companies                                (31,1)     (33,5)

Total                                                      166,0      148,2

                                          Group investment gains/(losses)

                                                                (unaudited)

                                                             Six months ended

                                                                      30 June

                                                           2004        2003

                                                             Rm          Rm

Charter Life (excluding

operating profit from

insurance operations)                                       1,3         2,5

Financial services operations                            (51,7)      (57,8)

Listed investments                                         85,4     (123,2)

Edcon                                                       6,2        48,4

GoldFields                                               (47,3)      (79,7)

Metro Cash and Carry                                      (8,5)         8,1

SABMiller                                                 114,5      (95,9)

Other                                                      20,5       (4,1)

Other investments                                        (57,3)     (147,9)

Cash, preference shares and unit

trusts                                                      0,9         1,9

Foreign assets                                           (93,7)     (236,8)

Redeemable bonds                                           98,0       246,5

Unlisted investments                                        0,8      (32,1)

Fixed assets and working capital

Share of pooled portfolios                               (63,3)     (127,4)

Management expenses

Normal taxation

Secondary tax on companies

Total                                                    (22,3)     (326,4)

Statement of changes in group shareholders' funds

                                                             (unaudited)

                                                      Six months ended 30 June

                                                           2004        2003

                                                             Rm          Rm

Shareholders' funds at 31 December as previously

published                                               8 782,2     8 588,1

Restatement of opening retained surplus on

implementation of AC133                                              (91,5)

Shareholders' funds restated as at 1 January            8 782,2     8 496,6

Total earnings                                            499,0       293,8

Unrealised investment losses on shareholders' assets

net of capital gains tax                                 (87,9)     (291,1)

Ordinary dividends                                      (318,6)     (317,4)

2002 Final dividend No. 74 of 116 cents - LDR 20 March

2003                                                                (317,4)

2003 Final dividend No. 76 of 116 cents - LDR 26 March

2004                                                    (318,6)

Translation difference relating to equity component of

the redeemable bonds                                      (5,0)      (12,5)

Subscriptions for shares                                   52,7         4,8

Shareholders' funds at end of period                    8 922,4     8 174,2

Commitments

                                                (unaudited)       (audited)

                                                    30 June     31 December

                                                       2004            2003

                                                         Rm              Rm

Capital commitments                                    84,9           164,8

Under contracts                                        72,9           147,7

Authorised by the directors but not contracted         12,0            17,1

Operating lease commitments                            98,6            48,5

Less than 5 years                                      71,9            45,9

5 to 10 years                                          26,7             2,6

Total commitments                                     183,5           213,3

Group figures above include the Group's share of commitments of joint ventures

amounting to R54,8 million (2003: R57,8 million).

The expenditure will be financed by available bank facilities, cash resources

and funds internally generated.

Transfer Secretaries

Computershare Investor Services 2004 (Proprietary) Limited

(Registration number 2004/003647/07)

70 Marshall Street, Johannesburg, 2001.

PO Box 61051, Marshalltown, 2107.

Sponsor

Merill Lynch


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
IR URSWRSWRWAAR

1 Year Liberty Group Chart

1 Year Liberty Group Chart

1 Month Liberty Group Chart

1 Month Liberty Group Chart

Your Recent History

Delayed Upgrade Clock