Performance highlights

Our interim results show good growth and continued improvement despite the difficult economic conditions.

1

Constant currency restates the prior period results to 2009’s average exchange rates.

2

Total underlying operating profit includes share of profit of associates but excludes the amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition.

3

Operating profit by region excludes share of profit of associates and the amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition.

4

Underlying operating margin is based on revenue and operating profit excluding share of profit of associates and the amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition.

5

Underlying basic earnings per share excludes the amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition, hedge accounting ineffectiveness, the change in the fair value of investments and minority interest put options and the tax attributable to these amounts.

6

Organic growth is calculated by adjusting for acquisitions (excluding current period acquisitions and including a full period in respect of prior period acquisitions), disposals (excluded from both periods) and exchange rate movements (translating the prior period at current period exchange rates) and compares the current period results against the prior period.

7

Unless stated otherwise, all figures in this document relate to the six months ended 31 March.

8

Unless otherwise indicated, the data shown in the Our business, Our sectors and Corporate responsibility sections relates to the continuing business only.