|
Quarterly
analysis of turnover & profit | Financial
statistics | Operational
statistics and regulatory information | Additional
information for shareholders | Glossary
of terms and US equivalents |
Cross-reference to Form 20-F
Back
to contents
Quarterly
analysis of turnover and profit
(UNAUDITED)
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 1999
|
|
Quarters |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Total |
|
|
|
£m |
£m |
£m |
£m |
£m |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Total turnover
- ongoing activities |
|
|
4,239 |
4,403 |
4,684 |
4,897 |
18,223 |
| Group's share
of associates' and joint ventures' turnover |
|
|
(196) |
(246) |
(410) |
(418) |
(1,270) |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Group turnover
- ongoing activities |
|
|
4,043 |
4,157 |
4,274 |
4,479 |
16,953 |
| Other operating
income |
|
|
37 |
34 |
31 |
66 |
168 |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Group operating
profit - ongoing activities |
|
|
898 |
913 |
1,012 |
993 |
3,816 |
| Group's share
of operating loss of associates |
| and joint ventures |
|
|
(78) |
(56) |
(101) |
(107) |
(342) |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Total operating
profit - ongoing activities |
|
|
820 |
857 |
911 |
886 |
3,474 |
| Profit on sale
of fixed asset investments and |
| group undertakings
(a) |
|
|
- |
1,107 |
- |
- |
1,107 |
| Net interest
payable |
|
|
(97) |
(86) |
(53) |
(50) |
(286) |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Profit on ordinary
activities before taxation |
|
|
723 |
1,878 |
858 |
836 |
4,295 |
| Tax on profit
on ordinary activities: |
| Corporation and
similar taxes |
|
|
(224) |
(544) |
(266) |
(259) |
(1,293) |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Profit on ordinary
activities after taxation |
|
|
499 |
1,334 |
592 |
577 |
3,002 |
| Minority interests |
|
|
(13) |
- |
3 |
(9) |
(19) |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Profit for the
financial period |
|
|
486 |
1,334 |
595 |
568 |
2,983 |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Basic earnings
per share |
|
|
7.6p |
20.7p |
9.2p |
8.8p |
46.3p |
| Basic earnings
per share before exceptional items |
|
|
7.6p |
8.7p |
9.3p |
9.1p |
34.7p |
| Diluted earnings
per share |
|
|
7.4p |
20.2p |
9.0p |
8.6p |
45.3p |
| Diluted earnings
per share before |
| exceptional items |
|
|
7.4p |
8.5p |
9.1p |
8.9p |
34.0p |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| (a)Including
gain on MCI shares sold |
|
|
- |
1,133 |
- |
- |
1,133 |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
| |
| |
| (UNAUDITED)
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 1998 |
|
Quarters |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Total |
|
|
£m |
£m |
£m |
£m |
£m |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Total
turnover - ongoing activities |
|
3,844 |
4,003 |
4,083 |
4,109 |
16,039 |
| Total
turnover - discontinued activities |
|
584 |
580 |
208 |
- |
1,372 |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Total
turnover, including discontinued activities |
|
4,428 |
4,583 |
4,291 |
4,109 |
17,411 |
| Group's
share of associates' and joint ventures' turnover |
|
(630) |
(632) |
(352) |
(157) |
(1,771) |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Group
turnover - ongoing activities |
|
3,798 |
3,951 |
3,939 |
3,952 |
15,640 |
| Other
operating income (a) |
|
25 |
26 |
279 |
42 |
372 |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Group
operating profit - ongoing activities |
|
891 |
813 |
1,149 |
804 |
3,657 |
| Group's
share of operating profit (loss) of associates |
| and
joint ventures |
|
28 |
(68) |
(81) |
(75) |
(196) |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Total
operating profit (loss): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ongoing activities |
|
862 |
783 |
1,062 |
729 |
3,436 |
|
Discontinued activities |
|
57 |
(38) |
6 |
- |
25 |
|
|
919 |
745 |
1,068 |
729 |
3,461 |
| Profit
(loss) on sale of fixed asset investments and |
| group
undertakings |
|
20 |
(2) |
45 |
- |
63 |
| Net
interest payable |
|
(58) |
(59) |
(94) |
(99) |
(310) |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Profit
on ordinary activities before taxation |
|
881 |
684 |
1,019 |
630 |
3,214 |
| Tax
on profit on ordinary activities: |
|
Corporation and similar taxes |
|
(278) |
(215) |
(285) |
(199) |
(977) |
| Windfall
tax |
|
- |
(510) |
- |
- |
(510) |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Profit
(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation |
|
603 |
(41) |
734 |
431 |
1,727 |
| Minority
interests |
|
(4) |
6 |
(14) |
(13) |
(25) |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Profit
(loss) for the financial period |
|
599 |
(35) |
720 |
418 |
1,702 |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Basic
earnings (loss) per share |
|
9.4p |
(0.5p) |
11.3p |
6.5p |
26.6p |
| Basic
earnings per share before exceptional items |
|
9.4p |
7.4p |
8.3p |
6.5p |
31.7p |
| Diluted
earnings (loss) per share |
|
9.3p |
(0.5p) |
11.1p |
6.4p |
26.2p |
| Diluted
earnings per share before |
| exceptional
items |
|
9.3p |
7.3p |
8.2p |
6.4p |
31.2p |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| (a)
Including MCI merger break up fee net of expenses |
|
- |
- |
238 |
- |
238 |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
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Financial
statistics
| Financial
ratios |
| YEARS
ENDED 31 MARCH |
|
|
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Basic
earnings per share - pence |
27.8 |
31.6 |
32.8 |
26.6 |
46.3 |
| Growth
in dividends per share % (a) |
6.0 |
5.6 |
6.1 |
6.4 |
7.4 |
| Return
on capital employed % (b) |
15.7 |
18.4 |
19.1 |
19.5 |
18.4 |
| Gearing
- net debt to equity % (c) |
17.8 |
7.4 |
1.6 |
36.1 |
6.3 |
| Interest
cover (d) |
10.3 |
16.9 |
19.7 |
11.2 |
12.1 |
| Dividend
cover (a) (e) |
1.6 |
1.7 |
1.7 |
1.8 |
1.7 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| (a)
1997 and 1998 figures exclude the effects of the special dividend
of 35p per share paid in September 1997. |
| (b)
The ratio is based on profit before tax and interest on long-term
borrowings, to average capital employed. Capital employed is represented
by total assets less current liabilities, excluding corporate taxes
and dividends payable, and provisions other than those for deferred
taxation. Year-end figures are used in the computation of the average,
except in the case of short-term investments and borrowings where
average daily balances are used in their place. |
| (c)
The ratio is based on borrowings net of cash and short-term investments
to capital and reserves and minority interests. |
| (d)
The number of times net interest payable is covered by operating profit.
In 1995 and 1997, net interest excludes the premium paid on the repurchase
of bonds. |
| (e)
The number of times dividends are covered by earnings. The figure
for 1998 excludes the effect of the windfall tax charge and the figure
for 1999 excludes the gain on sale of the MCI shares. |
| |
| Expenditure
on research and development |
| YEARS
ENDED 31 MARCH |
|
|
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
|
£m |
£m |
£m |
£m |
£m |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Total
expenditure |
|
271 |
282 |
291 |
307 |
268 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
| Expenditure
on tangible fixed assets |
| YEARS
ENDED 31 MARCH |
| Plant
and equipment |
| Transmission
equipment |
|
1,060 |
1,114 |
1,131 |
1,219 |
1,416 |
| Exchange
equipment |
605 |
566 |
445 |
512 |
411 |
| Other
network equipment |
378 |
491 |
503 |
502 |
558 |
| Computers
and office equipment |
343 |
333 |
350 |
372 |
464 |
| Motor
vehicles and other |
214 |
195 |
175 |
230 |
230 |
| Land
and buildings |
75 |
87 |
143 |
211 |
205 |
| Decrease
in engineering stores |
(4) |
(15) |
(28) |
(16) |
(15) |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Total
expenditure on tangible fixed assets |
|
2,671 |
2,771 |
2,719 |
3,030 |
3,269 |
| Decrease
(increase) in creditors |
|
(33) |
(224) |
104 |
(10) |
(49) |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Cash
outflow on purchase of tangible fixed assets |
|
2,638 |
2,547 |
2,823 |
3,020 |
3,220 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Financial
statistics have been restated where necessary to provide consistency
with the presentation of the 1999 financial year figures. |
|
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Operational
statistics and regulatory information
| Call
growth |
| YEARS
ENDED 31 MARCH |
|
|
|
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
|
|
|
---------------------------------------------------- |
| % growth in fixed
network call volumes over the previous year: |
| Inland |
|
|
7 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
9 |
| International
(a) |
|
|
5 |
9 |
7 |
9 |
11 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
|
---------------------------------------------------- |
| (a) Outgoing,
incoming and transit. |
|
| Growth is estimated
by reference to turnover growth attributable to calls, adjusted to
eliminate the effect of price changes. |
|
| Exchange
line connections |
| AT 31 MARCH |
| Business( '000) |
|
|
6,459 |
6,798 |
7,160 |
7,521 |
7,982 |
| % growth over
previous year |
|
|
5.4 |
5.2 |
5.3 |
5.0 |
6.1 |
| Residential ('000) |
|
|
20,613 |
20,500 |
20,393 |
20,130 |
20,067 |
| % growth (reduction)
over previous year |
|
|
0.7 |
(0.5) |
(0.5) |
(1.3) |
(0.3) |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
|
---------------------------------------------------- |
| Total exchange
line connections ('000) |
|
|
27,072 |
27,298 |
27,553 |
27,651 |
28,049 |
| % growth over
previous year |
|
|
1.8 |
0.8 |
0.9 |
0.4 |
1.4 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
|
---------------------------------------------------- |
|
| BT
Cellnet (Cellular telephones in the UK) |
| AT 31 MARCH |
| Digital GSM ('000) |
|
|
34 |
353 |
1,125 |
2,303 |
4,163 |
| Analogue ('000) |
|
|
1,700 |
2,036 |
1,573 |
774 |
359 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
|
---------------------------------------------------- |
| Total ('000) |
|
|
1,734 |
2,389 |
2,698 |
3,077 |
4,522 |
| % growth over
previous year |
|
|
70.2 |
37.8 |
12.9 |
14.0 |
47.0 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
|
---------------------------------------------------- |
|
| Optical
fibre |
| AT 31 MARCH |
| Fibre - kilometres
in the network ('000) |
|
|
2,782 |
3,043 |
3,302 |
3,591 |
4,058 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
|
---------------------------------------------------- |
|
| Payphones |
| AT 31 MARCH |
| Total public
payphones in the UK ('000) |
|
|
129 |
133 |
136 |
138 |
142 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
|
---------------------------------------------------- |
|
| People
employed |
| AT 31 MARCH |
|
| Total employees
('000) |
|
|
137.5 |
130.7 |
127.5 |
124.7 |
124.7 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
|
---------------------------------------------------- |
|
| Classified
directory business in the UK |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The
company is providing the following information with respect to its
classified directory business in the UK in accordance with undertakings
made with the Office of Fair Trading in 1996. For the year ended 31
March 1999, the classified directory business of BT made an operating
profit of £190m (1998 - £179m) on turnover of £439m (1998 - £420m)
and, at 31 March 1999, it employed net assets of £151m (1998 - £136m).
Since the classified directory business is integrated with the company's
wider operations, this financial information incorporates the effects
of certain apportionments and allocations of expenditures and assets. |
|
| BT
is required to submit annual audited accounts in respect of the classified
directory business to the Director of the Office of Fair Trading within
nine months of the company's financial year end. Copies of these accounts,
when available, may be obtained free of charge from the Financial
Director, Yellow Pages at Queens Walk, Reading, RG1 7PT. |
|
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Additional
information for shareholders
Background
The company was incorporated
under the laws of England and Wales on 1 April 1984 as a public limited
company wholly owned by Her Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom.
In a series of three offers to the public, HM Government reduced its holding
from 100% in December 1984 to less than 1% in July 1993. HM Government
now owns less than 0.2% of the outstanding ordinary shares.
Listings
The principal listing of BT's
ordinary shares is on the London Stock Exchange. The shares are also listed
on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. American Depositary Shares (ADSs), each representing
10 ordinary shares, have been issued by Morgan Guaranty Trust Company
of New York, as Depositary for the American Depositary Receipts (ADRs)
evidencing the ADSs, and are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. ADSs
also trade, but are not listed, on the London Stock Exchange. Trading
on the New York Stock Exchange is under the symbol "BTY". BT
shares are traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under the Code "9484".
| Share
and ADS prices |
|
|
Pence
per ordinary share |
US$
per ADS |
|
|
-------------------------- |
-------------------------- |
|
|
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
|
|
pence |
pence |
$ |
$ |
|
|
-------------------------- |
-------------------------- |
| YEAR
ENDED 31 MARCH 1997 |
| 1
April - 30 June 1996 |
|
382.5 |
326.5 |
58.625 |
49.25 |
| 1
July - 30 September 1996 |
|
397 |
336 |
60.5 |
53 |
| 1
October - 31 December 1996 |
|
410 |
345 |
68.75 |
54.125 |
| 1
January - 31 March 1997 |
|
461.5 |
393 |
73.75 |
66.375 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
-------------------------- |
-------------------------- |
| YEAR
ENDED 31 MARCH 1998 |
| 1
April - 30 June 1997 |
|
482.5 |
424 |
78.75 |
69.5 |
| 1
July - 30 September 1997 |
|
501.5 |
379.5 |
82.5 |
60.875 |
| 1
October - 31 December 1997 |
|
483.5 |
439.5 |
81.75 |
71.875 |
| 1
January - 31 March 1998 |
|
685 |
480.75 |
113.875 |
79.875 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
-------------------------- |
-------------------------- |
| YEAR
ENDED 31 MARCH 1999 |
| 1
April - 30 June 1998 |
|
757 |
630 |
125.4375 |
102.25 |
| 1
July - 30 September 1998 |
|
902 |
745.5 |
148.75 |
124.25 |
| 1
October - 31 December 1998 |
|
908 |
676 |
154.25 |
116.375 |
| 1
January - 31 March 1999 |
|
1,118.5 |
899.5 |
179
.9375 |
148.25 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
-------------------------- |
-------------------------- |
| YEAR
ENDING 31 MARCH 2000 |
| 1
April - 18 May 1999 |
|
1,089 |
970 |
175.125 |
159 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
-------------------------- |
-------------------------- |
| The
prices are the highest and lowest closing middle market prices for
BT ordinary shares, as derived from the Daily Official List of the
London Stock Exchange and the highest and lowest sales prices of ADSs,
as reported on the New York Stock Exchange composite tape. |
|
| Fluctuations
in the exchange rate between the pound sterling and the US dollar
affect the dollar equivalent of the pound sterling price of the company's
ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange and, as a result, are
likely to affect the market price of the ADSs on the New York Stock
Exchange. |
|
Relative
TSR performance over the five financial years to 31 March 1999

Total Shareholder
Return (TSR) is the measure of the returns that a company has provided
for its shareholders, and is therefore a good indicator of a company's
overall performance. The TSR indices on the above graph are the product
of share price movement plus gross dividends reinvested in the shares
to July 1997 and net dividends thereafter.
| Analysis
of shareholdings |
|
|
|
Ordinary
shares of 25p each |
| Size
of shareholding |
|
|
|
----------------------------- |
|
|
Number
of shareholders |
Percentage
of total |
Number
of shares held
(millions) |
Percentage
of total |
| AT
31 MARCH 1999 |
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| 1
- 399 |
|
859,404 |
45.1 |
183 |
2.8 |
| 400
- 799 |
|
550,734 |
29.0 |
298 |
4.6 |
| 800
- 1,599 |
|
332,355 |
17.5 |
363 |
5.6 |
| 1,600
- 9,999 |
|
154,331 |
8.1 |
412 |
6.4 |
| 10,000
- 99,999 |
|
3,589 |
0.2 |
89 |
1.4 |
| 100,000
- 999,999 |
|
1,291 |
0.1 |
452 |
7.0 |
| 1,000,000
- 4,999,999 |
|
393 |
- |
833 |
12.9 |
| 5,000,000
and above (a)(b)(c) |
|
175 |
- |
3,839 |
59.3 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Total |
|
1,902,272 |
100.0 |
6,469 |
100.0(d) |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| (a)
Under the BT Executive Share Plan, the BT Performance Share Plan and
the BT Deferred Bonus Plan 6.9 million shares were held in trust in
respect of contingent awards of shares which have been granted to
905 participants. |
|
| (b)
Under the BT Employee Share Ownership Scheme 32 million shares were
held in trust on behalf of 126,851 participants who were beneficially
entitled to the shares. |
|
| (c)
Approximately 93 million shares were represented by ADSs and a
further 11 million shares were held by a nominee of the Tokyo Stock
Exchange on behalf of investors. Analysis by size of holding is not
available for these holdings. |
|
| (d)
18.9% of the shares were in 1,857,208 individual holdings, of
which 165,266 were joint holdings, and 81.1% of the shares were in
45,064 institutional holdings. |
|
| So
far as the company is aware, no person is the beneficial owner of
more than 10% of the company's ordinary shares, nor is the company
directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation
or by HM Government or any other foreign government. There are no
arrangements known to the company the operation of which may at a
subsequent date result in a change in control of the company. |
|
| At
18 May 1999, there were 6,470,161,894 ordinary shares outstanding.
At the same date, approximately 9.2 million ADSs (equivalent to 92
million ordinary shares, or approximately 0.14% of the total number
of ordinary shares outstanding on that date) were outstanding and
were held by 2,172 record holders of ADRs. |
|
| CREST:
London Stock Exchange settlement system |
| The
company's ordinary shares are settled in CREST, the computerised system
for settling sales and purchases of shares. CREST is a voluntary system
which enables shareholders, if they wish, to hold and transfer their
shareholdings electronically rather than by paper. Shareholders who
wish to retain their certificates are able to do so. |
| Personal
equity plans (PEPs) and individual savings accounts (ISAs) |
| PEPs
are no longer eligible for new subscriptions. Information about investing
in BT shares through an ISA may be obtained from Halifax Share Dealing
Limited, Westbank, Water Lane, Leeds LS11 5TL (telephone 0990 33 66
44). ISAs are also offered by other organisations. |
| Dividends |
| The
Board expects to recommend in respect of each financial year an interim
and a final divided, which will normally be payable in February and
September, respectively. The proposed 1999 final dividend will be
paid on 20 September to shareholders on the register on 20 August
1999. |
| The
dividends paid or payable on BT shares and ADSs for the last five
years are shown in the following table. The dividends on the ordinary
shares exclude the associated tax credit. The dividends on the ADSs
paid before 5 April 1999 include the associated UK tax credit available
to certain beneficial owners who are resident in the United States
or Canada for tax purposes, but before deduction of UK withholding
taxes. The amounts shown are not those that were actually paid to
holders of ADSs. For the tax treatment of dividends paid on or after
6 April 1999 see Taxation of dividends below. Dividends have
been translated from pounds sterling into US dollars using exchange
rates prevailing on the date the ordinary dividends were paid. |
| |
Per
ordinary share |
Per
ADS |
Per
ADS |
| YEARS
ENDED |
Interim |
Final |
Total |
Interim |
Final |
Total |
Interim |
Final |
Total |
| 31
MARCH |
pence |
pence |
pence |
£ |
£ |
£ |
US$ |
US$ |
US$ |
| ------------------------------------------------------------ |
--------------------------------- |
-------------------------------- |
-------------------------------- |
| 1995 |
7.05 |
10.65 |
17.70 |
0.881 |
1.331 |
2.212 |
1.375 |
2.055 |
3.430 |
| 1996 |
7.45 |
11.25 |
18.70 |
0.931 |
1.406 |
2.337 |
1.422 |
2.181 |
3.603 |
| 1997
(a) |
7.90 |
11.95 |
19.85 |
0.987 |
1.494 |
2.481 |
1.582 |
2.391 |
3.973 |
| 1998 |
7.55 |
11.45 |
19.00 |
0.944 |
1.431 |
2.375 |
1.540 |
2.400 |
3.940 |
| 1999 |
8.10 |
12.30 |
20.40 |
1.012 |
(b) |
(b) |
1.644 |
(b) |
(b) |
| ------------------------------------------------------------ |
--------------------------------- |
-------------------------------- |
-------------------------------- |
| (a)
In addition a special dividend of 35p per share, excluding the associated
tax credit or £4.375 (US$7.002) per ADS, including the UK associated
tax credit, was paid at the same time as the final dividend for the
1997 financial year. |
| (b)
Qualifying holders of ADSs on record as of 20 August 1999 are entitled
to receive the final dividend which will be paid on 27 September 1999,
subject to approval at the annual general meeting. The US dollar amount
of the final dividend of £1.23 per ADS to be paid to holders of ADSs
will be based on the exchange rate in effect on 20 September 1999,
the date of payment to holders of ordinary shares. This dividend will
be the first to be paid under the new arrangements described in Taxation
of dividends below. |
| The
dividends for the 1998 and 1999 financial years include an adjustment
to take account of the effect of the 1997 special dividend. |
| The
level of dividends will continue to be influenced by such factors
as the effects of competition and regulation in the UK, together with
investment needs and opportunities in the UK and in other countries.
Past relationships between the interim and final dividends are not
necessarily indicative of the future. |
| As
dividends paid by the company are in pounds sterling, exchange rate
fluctuations will affect the US dollar amounts received by holders
of ADSs on conversion by the Depositary of such cash dividends. |
| The
expected dividend payment dates in 2000 are: |
| 2000
interim dividend payable |
February
2000 |
| 2000
final dividend payable |
September
2000 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
------------------------------------------ |
| Dividend
mandate |
| Any
shareholder wishing dividends to be paid directly into a bank or building
society account should contact the Registrar for a dividend mandate
form. Dividends paid in this way will be paid through the Bankers
Automated Clearing System (BACS). |
| Share
dividend plan |
| Shareholders
could elect to receive additional shares in lieu of a cash dividend
under the BT share dividend plan for the following three dividends: |
|
|
Price
per
share pence |
|
Date
paid |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
------------------------------------------ |
| 1998
interim |
16
February 1998 |
480.35 |
| 1998
final |
21
September 1998 |
835.00 |
| 1999
interim |
15
February 1999 |
950.20 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
------------------------------------------ |
| Dividend
investment plan |
| The
share dividend plan has now been withdrawn and is being replaced by
a dividend investment plan which will be available to ordinary shareholders
in respect of the proposed 1999 final dividend to be paid on 20 September
1999. The last date for lodging mandates for the BT dividend investment
plan in respect of the final dividend is 20 August 1999. Under the
plan, the cash from participants' dividends is used to buy further
BT shares in the market. |
| ADR
Shareholder Services Programme |
| Details
of the Morgan Guaranty Trust shareholder services programme, including
reinvestment of dividends, are available from Morgan Guaranty Trust
Company of New York on 1 800 749 1687 (toll free in the United States)
or +1 781 575 4328 (from outside the United States), or on written
request to the ADR Depositary. |
|
| |
| Results
announcements |
| Expected
announcements of results: |
| 1st
quarter |
29
July 1999 |
| 2nd
quarter and half year |
11
November 1999 |
| 3rd
quarter and nine months |
February
2000 |
| 4th
quarter and full year |
May
2000 |
| 2000
annual report and accounts published |
June
2000 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
| ShareGift |
| The
Orr Mackintosh Foundation operates a charity share donation scheme
for shareholders with small parcels of shares whose value makes it
uneconomic to sell them. Details of the scheme can be obtained from
the BT Shareholder Helpline. Information is also available on the
ShareGift Internet site www.sharegift.org |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
| Exchange
rates |
| BTpublishes
its consolidated financial statements expressed in pounds sterling.
The following table details certain information concerning the exchange
rates between pounds sterling and US dollars based on the noon buying
rate in New York City for cable transfers in pounds sterling as certified
for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the
Noon Buying Rate). |
|
| YEARS
ENDED 31 MARCH |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
| |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Period
end |
1.62 |
1.53 |
1.64 |
1.68 |
1.61 |
| Average
(a) |
1.57 |
1.52 |
1.60 |
1.65 |
1.65 |
| High |
1.64 |
1.56 |
1.71 |
1.70 |
1.72 |
| Low |
1.46 |
1.50 |
1.49 |
1.58 |
1.60 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| (a)
The average of the Noon Buying Rates in effect on the last day of
each month during the relevant period. |
| On
18 May 1999, the most recent practicable date for this annual report,
the Noon Buying Rate was US$1.62 to £1.00. |
| Taxation
(US Holders) |
| This
is a summary only of the principal US federal income tax and UK tax
consequences to beneficial owners of ADSs who either are resident
in the United States or hold ordinary shares or ADSs as assets effectively
connected with a US trade or business (US Holders). It is not a complete
analysis or listing of all potential tax consequences of the purchase,
ownership and disposal of ordinary shares or ADSs. |
| Investors
are advised to consult their tax advisers with respect to the tax
consequences of their holdings, including the consequences under applicable
state and local laws. The statements of UK and US tax laws and practices
set out below are based on the laws in force and as interpreted by
the relevant taxation authorities as of the date of this annual report.
The statements are subject to changes occuring after that date in
UK or US law or practice, in the interpretation thereof by the relevant
taxation authorities, or in any double taxation convention between
the United States and the UK. |
| In
particular, this summary is based on the current convention between
the United States and the UK for the avoidance of double taxation
with respect to taxes on income and capital gains (the Treaty) and
the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Treaty is currently
under renegotiation. |
|
|
| Taxation
of dividends |
| For
dividends paid on or before 5 April 1999, US Holders were generally
entitled to receive the cash dividend plus a Treaty payment from the
Inland Revenue of one quarter of the dividend, subject to a UK withholding
tax of 15% of the aggregate amount paid. As an example for illustration
purposes only, a US Holder who was entitled to a dividend of £80 was
also entitled to a Treaty payment of £20, reduced by the withholding
tax of 15% on the gross amount of £100, i.e, £15, leaving a net cash
payment of £85. The full dividend plus the full Treaty payment including
the UK tax withheld was taxable income for US purposes, and the US
tax withheld generally was available as a US credit or deduction. |
| For
dividends paid on or after 6 April 1999, the Treaty payment reduces
to one ninth of the dividend (i.e. one tenth of the gross payment).
As a result of the UK withholding tax (which cannot exceed the amount
of the hypothetical Treaty payment), US Holders will no longer receive
any Treaty payment. In the above example, the cash dividend would
be £80, and the hypothetical Treaty payment would be £8.89 (one ninth
of £80). However, since the UK withholding tax (15% of £88.89) would
exceed the amount of the hypothetical Treaty payment, no Treaty payment
will be made and the US Holder will receive only the cash dividend
(here, £80). A US Holder will be taxable in the US on the full dividend
and full hypothetical Treaty payment (£88.89), and will be treated
as having paid a foreign tax equal to the hypothetical Treaty payment
(here, £8.89). The foreign tax deemed paid generally will be available
as a US credit or deduction. |
| For
US federal income tax purposes, a distribution will be treated as
ordinary dividend income to the extent paid out of current or accumulated
earnings and profits, and thereafter as return of capital. Dividends
paid by the company will not be eligible for the US dividends received
deduction. The amount of any dividend paid in pounds sterling will
equal its US dollar value based on the spot rate in effect on the
date the dividend is received. Additional gain or loss resulting from
a subsequent conversion or other disposition of the pounds sterling
will be ordinary income or loss. |
| Taxation
of capital gains |
| Unless
a US resident carries on a trade through a branch or agency in the
UK, and the disposal of ordinary shares and/or ADSs is related to
the activities of that trade, UK capital gains tax is not charged
on US residents who dispose of ordinary shares and/or ADSs. |
| For
US federal income tax purposes, a US Holder will recognise a gain
or loss on the sale or other disposition of shares or ADSs. Such gain
or loss will be a capital gain or loss if the shares or ADSs disposed
of are held as capital assets. Capital gains of an individual US Holder
are subject to US tax at preferential rates if specified holdings
periods are met. |
| US
information reporting and back-up withholding |
| Dividends
paid on and proceeds received from the sale or disposition of ordinary
shares or ADSs may be subject to information reporting to the IRS
and back-up withholding at a 31% rate. Back-up withholding will not
apply, however, to a holder who provides a correct taxpayer identification
number or certificate of foreign status and makes any other required
certification or who is otherwise exempt. |
| UK
stamp duty |
| A
transfer for value of an ordinary share will generally be subject
to UK stamp duty or to UK stamp duty reserve tax. No UK stamp duty
will be payable on the transfer of an ADS, provided that the separate
instrument of transfer is not executed in, and always remains outside,
the UK. |
| Inheritance
and gift taxes |
| US-domiciled
holders of ordinary shares and ADSs generally will not be subject
to UK inheritance tax on a gift of ordinary shares and/or ADSs if
the gift would be subject to US federal gift tax. Similarly, ordinary
shares and/or ADSs passing on the death of a US-domiciled shareholder
generally will not be subject to UK inheritance tax if the estate
would be subject to US estate tax. |
|
| Exchange
controls and other limitations affecting security holders |
| There
are currently no government laws, decrees or regulations in the United
Kingdom that restrict the export or import of capital, including,
but not limited to, UK foreign exchange control restrictions, or that
affect the remittances of dividends or other payments to non-resident
holders of the company's ordinary shares, except as otherwise described
in Taxation (US Holders) above and except in respect of the government
of, or any resident of, Iraq or any person treated as so resident
or in respect of the governments of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,
and of Serbia. There are no limitations under the laws of the United
Kingdom restricting the right of non-residents to hold or to vote
shares in the company. |
| Publications |
|
| BT
produces a series of documents reporting on the company's financial,
economic, social and environmental performance. These publications
are available to shareholders on request. |
|
| Document |
Publication
date |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
----------------------------- |
| Annual
Review and summary financial statement |
June |
| Annual
Report and Form 20-F |
June |
| Report
for Shareholders |
February
and September |
| Quarterly
results releases |
February,
May, |
|
July
and November |
| Historical
Cost Financial Statements for the Businesses and Activities (as required
by Oftel) |
July |
| Current
Cost Financial Statements for the Businesses and Activities, |
| including
long-run incremental cost information for the Network Business (as
required by Oftel) |
September |
| Group
Current Cost Financial Statements |
September |
| Environmental
Performance Report |
October |
| Social
Report (An issue of responsibility) |
June |
| Statement
of Business Practice |
June |
| Sustainability
Report |
October |
| Quality
of Service Report |
May
and November |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
----------------------------- |
|
Most
documents may be accessed on the Internet at
www.bt.com/shares
|
| For
printed copies contact the BT Shareholder Helpline on Freefone 0808
100 4141 or, alternatively, contact The Registrar in the UK,
BT North America Inc. in the United States or The Toyo Trust
& Banking Co. Limited in Japan at the addresses on page 115
of the printed document. |
| |
|
| The
Registrar |
BT Shareholder
Helpline |
| Lloyds
TSB Registrars (450) |
Tel Freefone
0808 100 4141 |
| The
Causeway |
Fax (01903) 833062 |
| Worthing,
West Sussex |
From overseas: |
| BN99
6DA, United Kingdom |
Tel +44 1903
833950 |
| |
Fax +44 1903
833062 |
| |
|
| |
e-mail
bt@lloydstsb-registrars.co.uk |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| BT North America
Inc. |
ADR Depositary |
| Investor Relations |
Morgan Guaranty
Trust Company |
| 40 East 52nd
Street |
of New York |
| New York, NY
10022, |
ADR Service Center |
| United States |
P.O. Box 8205 |
| Tel 1 800 331
4568 |
Boston, MA 02266-8205 |
| (toll free within
the United States and Canada) |
United States |
| or +1 212 418
7787 |
Tel 1 800 634
8366 (toll free) |
| (from outside
the United States and Canada) |
or (781) 575
4328 |
| Fax +1 212 418
7788 |
|
| |
e-mail adr@jpmorgan.com |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| BT (Japan)
KK |
Share Handling
Agent in Japan |
| ARK Mori Building |
The Toyo Trust
& Banking Co. Limited |
| 12-32 Akasaka
1-Chome |
Tokyo Office: |
| Minato-Ku, Tokyo
107-6024 |
10-11 Higashisuna
7-Chome |
| Tel (03) 5562
6000 |
Koto-Ku, Tokyo
137-8081 |
| |
(Corporate Agency
Department) |
| |
Tel (03) 5683
5111 |
| |
|
| |
Osaka Office: |
| |
6-3 Fushimi-machi
3-Chome |
| |
Chuo-Ku, Osaka
541-8502 |
| |
(Corporate Agency
Department) |
| |
Tel (06) 222
3111 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Shareholder
enquiries |
General enquiries |
Lloyds
TSB Registrars maintain BT's share register and the separate BT Employee
Share Ownership Scheme register. They also provide a BT Shareholder
Helpline service.
Shareholders
should contact the Registrar (details above) if they have any enquiries
about their shareholding. |
British Telecommunications
plc |
| BT Centre |
| 81 Newgate Street |
| London EC1A 7AJ |
| United Kingdom |
| Tel (0171) 356
5000 |
| Fax (0171) 356
5520 |
| From overseas: |
| Tel +44 171 356
5000 |
| Fax +44 171 356
5520 |
| |
|
| |
A full list of
BT contacts, and an electronic feedback facility, is available at
www.btplc.com/feedback/feedback.cfm |
back
to top
Glossary
of terms and US equivalents
| Term
used in UK annual report |
US
equivalent or definition |
|
| Accounts |
Financial statements |
| Advance corporation
tax (ACT) |
No direct US
equivalent. Tax payable on cash dividends treated as advance
payments on the company's UK income tax due |
| Associates |
Equity investees |
| Capital allowances |
Tax depreciation |
| Capital redemption
reserve |
Other additional
capital |
| Creditors |
Accounts payable
and accrued liabilities |
| Creditors: amounts
falling due within one year |
Current liabilities |
| Creditors: amounts
falling due after more than one year |
Long-term liabilities |
| Debtors: amounts
falling due after more than one year |
Other non-current
assets |
| Employee share
schemes |
Employee stock
benefit plans |
| Employment costs |
Payroll costs |
| Finance lease |
Capital lease |
| Financial year |
Fiscal year |
| Fixed asset investments |
Non-current investments |
| Freehold |
Ownership with
absolute rights in perpetuity |
| Inland calls |
Local and long-distance
calls |
| Interests in
associates and joint ventures |
Securities of
equity investees |
| Loans to associates
and joint ventures |
Indebtedness
of equity investees not current |
| Net asset value |
Book value |
| Operating profit |
Net operating
income |
| Other debtors |
Other current
assets |
| Own work capitalised |
Costs of group's
employees engaged in the construction |
|
of plant and
equipment for internal use |
| Profit |
Income |
| Profit and loss
account (statement) |
Income statement |
| Profit and loss
account |
| (under 'capital
and reserves' in balance sheet) |
Retained earnings |
| Profit for financial
year |
Net income |
| Profit on sale
of fixed assets |
Gain on disposal
of non-current assets |
| Provision for
doubtful debts |
Allowance for
bad and doubtful accounts receivable |
| Provisions |
Long-term liabilities
other than debt and specific |
|
accounts payable |
| Recognised gains
and losses (statement) |
Comprehensive
income |
| Redundancy charges |
Early release
scheme expenses |
| Reserves |
Shareholders'
equity other than paid-up capital |
| Share premium
account |
Additional paid-in
capital or paid-in surplus (not distributable) |
| Shareholders'
funds |
Shareholders'
equity |
| Stocks |
Inventories |
| Tangible fixed
assets |
Property, plant
and equipment |
| Trade debtors |
Accounts receivable
(net) |
| Turnover |
Revenues |
back
to top
Cross
reference to Form 20-F
The information in
this document that is referred to in the following table shall be deemed
to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for all purposes.
| Item |
Page |
| 1
Description of business |
| Business
review |
| -
Introduction |
8 |
| -
Global venture with AT&T |
8-9 |
| -
Concert Communications Services |
9-10 |
| -
Europe |
10 |
| -
Asia Pacific |
11 |
| -
Latin America |
11 |
| -
Syntegra |
11 |
| -
The UK |
11-17 |
| -
Research and development |
17 |
| -
Organisation and employees |
17-18 |
| -
Regulation, competition and prices |
19-23 |
| -
Relationship with HM Government |
23 |
| Additional
information for shareholders |
|
| -
Background |
109 |
|
| 2
Description of property |
| Business
review |
| -
Property |
17 |
|
| 3
Legal proceedings |
| Business
review |
| -
Legal proceedings |
23 |
| Note
27 to the financial statements |
|
| -
Financial commitments and contingent liabilities |
85 |
|
| 4
Control of registrant |
| Report
on directors' remuneration |
| -
Directors' interests |
52-54 |
| Additional
information for shareholders |
| -
Analysis of shareholdings |
110 |
|
| 5
Nature of trading market |
| Additional
information for shareholders |
| -
Listings |
109 |
| -
Share and ADS prices |
109 |
| -
Analysis of shareholdings |
110 |
|
| 6
Exchange controls and other limitations |
| affecting
security holdings |
|
| Additional
information for shareholders |
| -
Exchange controls and other limitations |
| affecting
security holders |
113 |
|
| 7
Taxation |
| Additional
information for shareholders |
| -
Taxation (US Holders) |
112-113 |
|
| 8
Selected financial data |
| Five
year financial summary |
24-25 |
| Additional
information for shareholders |
| -
Dividends |
111-112 |
| -
Exchange rates |
112 |
|
| 9
Management's discussion and analysis
of financial condition and results of operations |
| Financial
review |
26-39 |
|
|
| Item |
Page |
| 9A
Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about
market risk |
| Financial
review |
| -
Treasury policy |
33-34 |
| -
Foreign currency and interest rate exposure |
34 |
| Note
33 to the financial statements |
|
| -
Financial instruments and risk management |
90-93 |
| |
| 10
Directors and officers of registrant |
| Board
of directors |
40-41 |
| Report
of the directors |
42-43 |
| Corporate
governance |
| -
The Board |
44 |
| -
Principal Board committees |
44 |
| Report
on directors' remuneration |
| -
Directors' service agreements and |
| -
contracts of appointment |
55 |
|
| 11
Compensation of directors and officers |
| Report
on directors' remuneration |
47-55 |
|
| 12
Options to purchase securities from registrant
or subsidiaries |
| Report
on directors' remuneration |
|
| -
Directors' interests |
52-54 |
| Note
31 to the financial statements |
|
| -
Employee share schemes |
87-89 |
|
| 13
Interest of management in certain transactions |
| Report
of the directors |
|
| -
Interest of management in certain transactions |
42 |
|
| 14
Description of securities to be registered |
| n/a |
|
| 15
Defaults on senior securities |
| n/a |
|
| 16
Changes in securities and changes in
security for registered securities |
| n/a |
|
| 17
Financial statements |
| n/a |
|
| 18
Financial statements |
| Report
of the auditors |
58 |
| Accounting
policies |
59-61 |
| Group
profit and loss account |
62 |
| Group
statement of total recognised gains and losses |
63 |
| Group
cash flow statement |
64 |
| Balance
sheets |
65 |
| Notes
to the financial statements |
66-96 |
| United
States Generally |
| Accepted
Accounting Principles |
97-101 |
| Subsidiary
undertakings, joint ventures |
| and
associates |
102-103
|
|
back
to top
|