This report represented by the directors is a constituent
document of the group financial statements at 30 June 2006.
Except where otherwise stated, all amounts set out in tabular
form are expressed in millions of Rand.
NATURE OF BUSINESS
Murray & Roberts Holdings Limited is an investment holdings
company with interests in the construction & engineering,
construction services & materials and fabrication & manufacture
sectors. The company does not trade and all of its activities are
undertaken through a number of subsidiaries, joint ventures
and associates. Details of the major operating subsidiaries and
associate companies are disclosed in Annexure 1 to the annual
financial statements.
GROUP FINANCIAL RESULTS
Group earnings for the year ended 30 June 2006 were
R561,3 million (2005: R492,6 million), representing diluted
earnings per share of 165 cents (2005: 143 cents). Diluted
headline earnings per share were 162 cents (2005: 146 cents).
Full details of the financial position and results of the Group are
set out in these financial statements.
SHARE CAPITAL
Full details of the authorised, and issued capital of the company
at 30 June 2006 are contained in note 11 of the financial
statements. There were no changes to the authorised and
issued share capital during the year under review.
Share Scheme
Particulars relating to The Murray & Roberts Trust (the Trust) are
set out in note 11 of the financial statements. During the year,
the Trust granted an aggregate total of 2 135 000 ordinary
shares (2005: 2 480 000 ordinary shares) to senior executives,
including executive directors.
At June 2006, the Trust held 9 965 386 ordinary shares
(2005: 13 924 893 ordinary shares) against the commitment of
11 074 000 ordinary shares (2005: 12 222 315 ordinary shares).
The total number of ordinary shares that may be utilised for
purposes of the Share Scheme is limited to 10% of the total
issued share capital of the company from time to time, currently
33 189 262 ordinary shares (2005: 33 189 262 ordinary shares).
30 000 000 unissued ordinary shares are the subject of a
general authority granted to directors, in terms of Section 221
of the Companies Act, 1973, as amended, which authority
remains valid until the next annual general meeting to be held
on 25 October 2006. At that meeting, shareholders will be
asked to place 30 000 000 unissued ordinary shares under the
control of the directors.
Purchase of own shares
In terms of the general authority obtained at the last annual
general meeting, the company or its subsidiaries may
repurchase ordinary shares to a maximum of 20% of the issued
ordinary shares. 675 644 ordinary shares were repurchased
during the year in terms of this general authority. Approval will
be sought at the forthcoming annual general meeting on
25 October 2006 to renew this general authority.
A further 33 189 403 ordinary shares were repurchased during
the year pursuant to the Groups broad based black economic
empowerment transaction which was effected by way of a
scheme of arrangement which is more fully reported below.
DIVIDEND
The following dividends were declared in respect of the year
ended 30 June 2006:
Interim dividend number 108 of 20 cents per ordinary share
(2005: 15 cents)
Final dividend number 109 of 40 cents per ordinary shares
(2005: 30 cents)
SUBSIDIARIES
Acquisition of a further interest in Clough Limited
(Clough)
The Group increased its shareholding in Clough from 30,3% to
46,1% in November 2005. This represented 90 million Clough
shares at a cost of A$45 million. The Group has secured the
rights to a further 30 million Clough shares to be issued by
Clough within two years in return for a convertible loan credit
facility of A$15 million which was also granted in November
2005.
Acquisition of 100% of Concor Limited
Shareholders are referred to the announcement published on
26 April 2005 where the Group announced its firm intention to
make an offer for the entire issued share capital in Concor
Limited, excluding those shares already held by Mexican Wave
Investments (Pty) Limited (Mexican Wave), a subsidiary of
Murray & Roberts. The Groups firm intention to make an offer
was subject to a due diligence investigation and approval by
the regulatory authorities including the Competition authorities.
On 14 October 2005 Murray & Roberts Limited proposed a
scheme of arrangement in terms of Section 311 of the
Companies Act, 1973, as amended, between Concor and its
shareholders other than Mexican Wave in terms of which
Murray & Roberts would acquire all the issued share capital of
Concor other than those shares held by Mexican Wave. In
terms of the scheme, Hochtief Aktiengesellshaft (Hochtief)
would receive a consideration of 1977 cents per Concor share
Report of the directors