SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
11 November 2004
BT Group plc
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
BT Centre
81 Newgate Street
London
EC1A 7AJ
England
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F..X... Form 40-F.....
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the
information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ..... No ..X..
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________
Enclosures: 1. Interim Results - Highlights announcement made on
11 November 2004.
BT Group Half Year Results and Interim Report
Chairman's Statement
The group is making exciting progress, delivering strong financial results
whilst transforming the business. I am very pleased to report that we will be
paying an interim dividend of 3.9 pence per share, 22 per cent higher than last
year.
We continue to invest in our business at a rate well above others in Europe.
This investment, together with our continuing research and development
programmes, are helping BT take a world leading position.
Sir Christopher Bland, 10 November 2004
_____________________________________________________________________
Review
The results for the half year show that the transformation of our business is
progressing well. Group turnover was flat year on year (excluding regulatory
reductions on fixed to mobile termination rates, which have no impact on
profitability, underlying turnover was up 1 per cent). The strong growth in new
wave turnover continued with an increase of 34 per cent driven by particularly
strong growth in our ICT solutions, broadband and mobility businesses. This
strong growth was offset by a 6 per cent decline in turnover from our
traditional businesses.
Group profit before taxation, goodwill, exceptional items and leaver costs
increased by 4 per cent reflecting an improvement in operational efficiency and
a reduction in interest payable, partially offset by the costs of supporting the
growth in new wave activities. Reported profit before taxation was 2 per cent
lower as a result of higher leaver costs.
Earnings per share before goodwill, exceptional items and leaver costs were
9.4 pence, an increase of 7 per cent. Reported earnings per share were
2 per cent higher at 8.6 pence.
Net debt has fallen to GBP8.3 billion, 6 per cent below last year. Free cash
flow generated in the first half amounted to GBP0.8 billion.
An interim dividend of 3.9 pence per share will be paid on 7 February 2005 to
shareholders on the register on 31 December 2004.
We are winning business across the globe. Our agreement to acquire Infonet for
GBP520 million, subject to shareholder approval and regulatory clearances, is
another step in BT's transformation into a leading provider of IT and networking
services.
We now have more than 3.3 million broadband DSL customers, with the latest
million connections achieved in less than six months, which is a new connection
every 15 seconds.
We remain committed to our strategy and continue to deliver our key strategic
goals. Our traditional business continues to operate in what remains a
challenging environment. Our new wave businesses show strong growth both in the
UK and internationally. We expect to continue to see the benefits from our
investment in new wave activities and cost transformation plans.
______________________________________________________________________________
Group profit and loss account for the six months ended 30 September
(unaudited, restated - see note 1)
2004 2003
GBPm GBPm
Group turnover 9,169 9,154
Group operating profit 1,353 1,470
Share of operating loss of ventures (2) (7)
Profit (loss) on sale of investments and group undertakings 28 (1)
Profit on sale of property fixed assets 15 1
Net interest payable (411) (459)
Profit before taxation 983 1,004
Taxation (251) (285)
Profit after taxation 732 719
Minority interests 1 7
Profit attributable to shareholders 733 726
Interim dividend (332) (278)
Earnings per share
- basic 8.6p 8.4p
- diluted 8.5p 8.4p
Earnings per share before goodwill amortisation and exceptional
items
- basic 8.5p 8.5p
- diluted 8.5p 8.5p
Interim dividend per share 3.9p 3.2p
Results are wholly from continuing activities.
______________________________________________________________________________
Group cash flow statement for the six months ended 30 September
(unaudited)
2004 2003
GBPm GBPm
Inflow from operating activities, including ventures 2,620 2,784
Outflow for returns on investments (397) (459)
and servicing of finance
Taxation paid (42) (9)
Outflow for capital expenditure and financial investments (1,430) (1,113)
Free cash flow before acquisitions, disposals and dividends 751 1,203
Inflow (outflow) for acquisitions and disposals 11 (4)
Equity dividends paid (454) (368)
Inflow before use of liquid resources and financing 308 831
Management of liquid resources 89 501
Outflow from financing (375) (1,151)
Increase in cash 22 181
Decrease in net debt from cash flows 209 831
______________________________________________________________________________
Group balance sheet
30 September 31 March
2004 2003 2004
(unaudited)
(restated*) (restated*)
GBPm GBPm GBPm
Fixed assets 16,066 16,092 16,015
Current assets 10,655 11,099 10,550
Current liabilities (8,371) (9,135) (8,523)
Net current assets 2,284 1,964 2,027
Total assets less current liabilities 18,350 18,056 18,042
Creditors: amounts falling due after more
than one year 12,413 12,584 12,426
Provisions for liabilities and charges 2,475 2,351 2,504
Minority interests 48 50 46
Capital and reserves 3,414 3,071 3,066
18,350 18,056 18,042
_____________________________________________________________________________
*See note 1 for details of restatement
Notes
1 This statement has been prepared in accordance with the
accounting policies in the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2004,
except that during the year ending 31 March 2005, the group has adopted UITF
Abstract 38 'Accounting for ESOP trusts' and the related amendments to UITF
Abstract 17 (revised 2003) 'Employee Share Schemes'.
An additional charge of GBP3 million for the year ended 31 March 2004 and of
GBP2 million for the half year ended 30 September 2003 has been made to the
group profit and loss account. The effect on the group's balance sheet at 31
March 2004 has been to reduce fixed assets by GBP53 million, to reduce other
creditors by GBP25 million and to reduce shareholders' funds by GBP28 million.
2 The figures for the year ended 31 March 2004 are extracts from those accounts
except where amended for the restatement noted above. A copy of the statutory
accounts for that year, on which the auditors have issued an unqualified report,
has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.
If you have any queries as a shareholder please call Freefone 0808 100 4141.
Further information about BT and these financial results may be found on the
internet at
www.btplc.com/investorcentre
BT Group plc
81 Newgate Street, London EC1A 7AJ
________________________________________________________________________
Independent Review Report to BT Group plc
Introduction
We have been instructed by the company to review the financial information which
comprises the group profit and loss account, group cash flow statement, group
balance sheet and the related notes. We have read the other information
contained in the interim report and considered whether it contains any apparent
misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial information.
Directors' responsibilities
The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is
the responsibility of, and has been approved by the directors. The directors are
responsible for preparing the interim report in accordance with the Listing
Rules of the Financial Services Authority which require that the accounting
policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent
with those applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where any
changes, and the reasons for them, are disclosed.
Review work performed
We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4
issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review
consists principally of making enquiries of group management and applying
analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data
and, based thereon, assessing whether the accounting policies and presentation
have been consistently applied unless otherwise disclosed. A review excludes
audit procedures such as tests of controls and verification of assets,
liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less in scope than an audit
performed in accordance with United Kingdom auditing standards and therefore
provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly we do not express
an audit opinion on the financial information. This report including the
conclusion has been prepared for and only for the company for the purpose of the
Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority and for no other purpose. We
do not, in producing this report, accept or assume responsibility for any other
purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands
it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.
Review conclusion
On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that
should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months
ended 30 September 2004.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants
London. 10 November 2004
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BT Group PLC
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Patricia Day
--------------------
Patricia Day, Assistant Secretary. Head of Shareholder Services
Date: 11 November 2004