News & Events - Archived News

[ Up ]
 
Tate & Lyle Announcement of Interim Results for the 27 Weeks Ended September 30, 2000
Press Release
November 13, 2000
 
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 9, 2000--Tate & Lyle, a world leader in sugar, cereal sweeteners and starches, today announced their interim results for the 27 weeks ended September 30, 2000.
                    ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTERIM RESULTS
              For the 27 weeks ended September 30, 2000
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 2000         2000          1999
INTERIM RESULTS TO SEPTEMBER   27 weeks     27 weeks      26 weeks
                               $million  (pound)million (pound)million
                                 (a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales                            $3,183  (pound)2,122 (pound)2,132
Total operating profit:
  group and share of joint
  ventures and associates          $159    (pound)106   (pound)166
Profit before tax,
  exceptional items and
  goodwill amortization            $102     (pound)68   (pound)127
(Loss)/profit before
  taxation                          ($3)    ((pound)2)  (pound)127
Earnings per share (diluted)
  before exceptional items    14.0(cent)         9.3p        17.4p
(Loss)/earnings per share
  (diluted) after
  exceptional items          (9.8(cent))        (6.5p)       17.4p
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) US dollar equivalents are provided at the average exchange rate
for the period of $1.5=(pound)

"Overall, we are making good progress in the delivery of the strategy as set out in the last Annual Report, and we are pursuing strategic solutions for both our US sugar businesses. This remains a high priority. Trading conditions have not improved since the Annual General Meeting and in US sugar there has been a further deterioration in recent weeks. If current conditions persist, it will be difficult in the second half of this financial year to improve on the results for the first half. Our response to these circumstances is to intensify our focus on cost reduction and cash management."

Sir David Lees                                        Larry Pillard
Chairman                                              Chief Executive
    ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTERIM RESULTS
    For the 27 weeks ended September 30, 2000
    --  Good progress on strategic initiatives
    --  Profits significantly impacted by difficult trading conditions
    --  Operating cash inflow of (pound)195 million ($293 million)
    --  Unchanged interim dividend of 5.5p(b) (8.3(cent))
(b) This is unchanged from the interim dividend for the first half
    year to March 27, 1999, the appropriate comparative period
    following the change of year-end.

INTERIM REPORT

Overview

Profit before tax, goodwill amortization and exceptional items for the 27 weeks to September 30, 2000 was (pound)68 million, ($102 million) compared to (pound)127 million in the 26-week period to September 25, 1999, and was, as expected, below the (pound)82 million achieved in the 26 weeks to March 2000. Unprecedentedly poor market conditions have resulted in continuing losses in US sugar, and competitive markets at Staley and Amylum have also depressed profitability. Furthermore, the Group as a whole has seen a (pound)12 million increase in energy costs compared with the 26 weeks to September 25, 1999. We expect Group energy costs for the 2001 financial year to be over (pound)30 million higher than in the year to March 2000. We continue to refocus the Group towards higher-margin and higher-growth businesses, disposing of underperforming assets and eliminating costs wherever possible. The acquisition of the minorities in Amylum and Staley, and the sale of the commodity Australian sugar business, Bundaberg, were completed in this period, and eight smaller businesses have also been sold. Since the period end, we have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding for the sale of Western Sugar, and further details relating to this agreement are described below. We announced on August 1, 2000 that we had entered into a joint development agreement with DuPont's Bio-Based Materials business to develop the process that turns a carbohydrate base into 1,3-propanediol ('PDO'), which is then used to manufacture DuPont SoronaTM, the most advanced polymer platform in DuPont's science portfolio. This is an excellent fit with our global carbohydrates business and an important opportunity to advance our strategy of growing through developing new value-added products. It is expected that a pilot plant for the process will be completed by the year-end. We continue to benefit from cost cutting initiatives, including the UK and North American Business Improvement Projects and other programs, although the benefit is currently masked by market conditions. The Board has declared an interim dividend of 5.5p (8.3(cent)) per share, to be paid on January 16, 2001 to shareholders registered on December 8, 2000. This is unchanged from the interim dividend for the first half year to March 27, 1999, the appropriate comparative period following the change of year-end.

Results for the 27 weeks to September 30, 2000(1)

Sales were almost unchanged at (pound)2,122 million ($3,183 million) (comparable half year (pound)2,132 million). Operating profit was (pound)106 million ($159 million) (comparable half year (pound)166 million) and included losses of (pound)5 million (comparable half year (pound)3 million) from discontinued businesses and a (pound)1 million (comparable half year nil) charge for amortization of goodwill relating to the purchase of minorities in Amylum and Staley. Exceptional items totaled (pound)69 million (comparable half year nil), comprising the profits on the sale of other businesses of (pound)6 million, less a (pound)75 million write down in recognition of the proposed sale of Western Sugar, which includes goodwill of (pound)25 million previously written off to reserves. The effect of the write down on shareholders' funds is a reduction of (pound)50 million. Profit before tax, goodwill amortisation and exceptional items was (pound)68 million ($102 million) (comparable half year (pound)127 million). Loss before tax and after goodwill amortisation and exceptional items was (pound)2 million (comparable half year profit of (pound)127 million). Currency movements benefited profit before tax by (pound)1 million, with a (pound)7 million gain in the Americas segment offsetting adverse movements of (pound)3 million in the European segment and (pound)3 million elsewhere in the Group. The underlying tax charge remained at 27%. Diluted earnings per share before goodwill amortization and exceptional items were 9.3p (14.0(cent)) (comparable half year 17.4p), and after exceptional items losses per share were 6.5p (9.8(cent)) (comparable half year earnings of 17.4p). Net cash inflow from operating activities was satisfactory despite adverse trading conditions, contributing (pound)195 million ($293 million) against (pound)306 million last year. Capital expenditure at (pound)57 million (comparable half year (pound)50 million), remained below depreciation. The sale of Bundaberg for (pound)159 million, completed in July, together with other disposals totaling (pound)19 million, contributed to the funding of the (pound)212 million cash consideration for the purchase of the Amylum and Staley minorities, completed in August. 24.08 million new ordinary shares worth (pound)69 million were also issued in August as the balance of the consideration for this acquisition.

US Sugar Strategic Review

As part of our overall strategy, we have been active in evaluating and pursuing options for the Group's US sugar businesses, Domino and Western Sugar, both of which are trading unprofitably. We have signed a conditional non-binding memorandum of understanding with the Rocky Mountain Sugar Growers Co-operative ('RMSGC') for the sale of Western to RMSGC. Whilst this is an important initial step towards a solution, discussions may take some months to conclude. Any disposal of Western is likely to be at a substantial discount to net asset value. In recognition of this, a (pound)75 million write down has been charged as an exceptional item, and this includes goodwill of (pound)25 million previously written off to reserves. Fixed assets at Western Sugar at the end of September were (pound)103 million before the write down. We continue to explore options for Domino, although the prospects for a speedy resolution have been further impaired by worsening conditions in the US sugar market.

Amylum Integration

Following the completion of the purchase of the minorities in Amylum and Staley on 14 August, good initial progress has been made towards the full integration of the Amylum businesses with the rest of the Tate & Lyle Group and towards the creation of a global starch business. Teams are pursuing benefits in operations, sales, procurement, logistics, and also in support services such as tax, treasury and accounting. For a number of product lines, particularly in value-added starches, this will lead, in time, to world markets being served flexibly through co-ordinated production plants in America and Europe, as already happens in the citric acid business. Our target is for annual benefits to exceed (pound)50 million within three years.

Segmental Analysis before Exceptional Items

Americas

Profits in the segment declined by (pound)35 million to (pound)57 million. Profits at Staley were lower, principally because of reduced sweetener margins. Higher net corn costs, arising from lower by-product pricing, and higher energy costs, affected margins in both sweeteners and starches. Starch margins also suffered from lower pricing for industrial starches. High fructose corn syrup ('HFCS') volumes were flat, as a result of disappointing carbonated soft drink consumption in the US. Citric acid improved as the benefits of increased capacity at the Dayton, Ohio, factory, and in Brazil, began to come through, although results were below our expectations in terms of both volumes and prices. In our North American sugar business, Canadian refining performed well, with higher volumes and good margins. In the US, however, where the sugar market is substantially oversupplied, both beet-processing and cane-refining operations continued to make losses. Margins were squeezed by unprecedentedly low selling prices, coupled with increased energy costs. Our new purpose-built barge began operations in September, transporting partly-processed liquid sugar from Baltimore, which will enable Brooklyn to move to full production as well as reducing transport costs. A rise of over 10% in US raw sugar prices at the end of September and the beginning of October has resulted in a further squeeze on margins and will make a return to profitability at Domino in the second half of this financial year unlikely.

Europe

Profits in the segment declined by (pound)19 million to (pound)48 million. At Amylum, our European cereal sweetener and starch business, profits fell. HFCS volumes in Western Europe were down in the period, due to the poor summer weather in northern Europe and to the rephasing of quota sales more evenly over the year. Glutamate prices were also significantly lower. Starch selling prices increased but there was little or no progress in overall sweetener product pricing. Amylum's Central European joint ventures saw increased volumes and profits over the comparable period. Energy costs increased substantially. We expect higher energy and transport costs to affect Amylum's profitability adversely in the second half. An in-depth cost reduction program has been initiated at Amylum, running parallel to the integration exercise referred to above. In European Sugar, our refineries in London and Lisbon performed well. The weakness of the euro impacted profits in the UK. A range of organic sugars was launched in the UK. The review of the European Union beet sugar regime is expected to be fully completed by March 2001. Our beet operations in Central Europe continued to make satisfactory profits, with good volume increases, particularly in Hungary. Domestic prices in Central Europe benefited from lower stocks.

Rest of the World

Underlying profits from continuing businesses in this segment were little changed. The sale of Bundaberg, which was the largest unit in this segment, was completed on 14 July.

Animal Feed and Bulk Storage

Trading losses on businesses sold during the period totaled (pound)5 million. The profit from continuing businesses, chiefly molasses and storage, was (pound)7 million. The weaker euro affected pricing and profitability in Europe.

The Board

Richard Delbridge, formerly Chief Financial Officer of National Westminster Bank Plc, was appointed to the Board on September 1, 2000. His international experience will further strengthen the Board.

Outlook

Overall, we are making good progress in the delivery of the strategy as set out in the last Annual Report, and we are pursuing strategic solutions for both our US sugar businesses. This remains a high priority. Trading conditions have not improved since the Annual General Meeting and in US sugar there has been a further deterioration in recent weeks. If current conditions persist, it will be difficult in the second half of this financial year to improve on the results for the first half. Our response to these circumstances is to intensify our focus on cost reduction and cash management.

Sir David Lees                                        Larry Pillard
Chairman                                              Chief Executive
November 8, 2000                                      November 8, 2000

An interim statement incorporating the Group profit and loss account for the 27 weeks ended September 30, 2000 will be posted to shareholders. Copies of this Announcement are available from:

John R Hunter, Company Secretary, Tate & Lyle PLC, Sugar Quay, Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6DQ

The Tate & Lyle Group, with headquarters in the UK, operates in over 50 countries with revenues of over (pound)4 billion. It produces and processes sugar from cane and beet, and processes cereals (predominantly maize and wheat) into sweeteners and starches and other products. US operations include A E Staley Manufacturing and Tate & Lyle Citric Acid, Decatur, IL; PM Ag Products, Chicago, IL; Western Sugar, Denver, CO; and Domino Sugar, New York. Tate & Lyle ordinary shares trade on the London Stock Exchange and may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbol Tate LN, on the Reuter Equities 2000 Service under TATE.L and on Quotron under TATEU.EU. In the US its ADRs trade on the NASD OTC Bulletin Board under TATYY (each ADR is equal to four ordinary shares).

TATE & LYLE 
GROUP PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT 
Results for the 27 weeks ended September 30, 2000 
27 weeks 27 weeks 
ended ended 
Sept 30 Sept 30 
2000 2000 
$million(b) (pound) million 
Total sales 
- ongoing activities 3,023 2,015
discontinued activities 160 107 
Total sales, 
including discontinued
activities 3,183 2,122
Less share of sales 
of joint ventures
and associates (262) (175)
Group sales 2,921 1,947 
Group operating profit 
before goodwill amortization 137 91
Goodwill amortization (2) (1) 
Group operating profit 135 90 Share of profits of 
joint ventures and associates 24 16
Total operating profit: 
group and share
of joint ventures and
associates 159 106
Ongoing activities 167 111 Discontinued activities (8) (5) 
Exceptional write down 
on planned sale of business (112) (75)
Exceptional profit 
on sale of businesses 9 6
Exceptional profit 
on sale of fixed assets -- --
Profit before interest 56 37 Net interest payable (53) (35) Share of joint ventures' 
and associates' interest (6) (4)
(Loss)/profit before taxation (3) (2) UK taxation -- -- Overseas taxation (33) (22) 
(Loss)/profit after taxation (36) (24) Minority interests (9) (6) 
(Loss)/profit for the period (45) (30) Dividends paid and proposed (42) (28) 
Retained (loss)/earnings (87) (58) 
(Loss)/earnings per share 
- basic (9.8)(cent) (6.5)p
- diluted (9.8)(cent) (6.5)p
Dividends per ordinary share 8.3(cent) 5.5p 
Before goodwill amortization 
and exceptional items
Profit before taxation (million) 102 68 Diluted earnings per share 14.0(cent) 9.3p 
26 weeks 52 weeks 
ended ended 
Sept 25 March 25 
1999 2000
(pound) million (pound) million Total sales 
- ongoing activities 1,899 3,636
- discontinued activities 233 454
Total sales, 
including discontinued
activities 2,132 4,090
Less share of sales 
of joint ventures
and associates (196) (352)
Group sales 1,936 3,738 
Group operating profit 
before goodwill amortization 140 237
Goodwill amortization -- -- 
Group operating profit 140 237 Share of profits of 
joint ventures and associates 26 47
Total operating profit: 
group and share
of joint ventures and
associates 166 284
Ongoing activities 169 285 Discontinued activities (3) (1) 
Exceptional write down 
on planned sale of business -- (50)
Exceptional profit 
on sale of businesses -- 25
Exceptional profit 
on sale of fixed assets -- 7
Profit before interest 166 266 Net interest payable (34) (65) Share of joint ventures' 
and associates' interest (5) (10)
(Loss)/profit before taxation 127 191 UK taxation (6) (8) Overseas taxation (28) (55) 
(Loss)/profit after taxation 93 128 Minority interests (13) (17) 
(Loss)/profit for the period 80 111 Dividends paid and proposed (56) (99) 
Retained (loss)/earnings 24 12 
(Loss)/earnings per share 
- basic 17.5p 24.3p
- diluted 17.4p 24.2p
Dividends per ordinary share 12.3p 21.4p 
Before goodwill amortization 
and exceptional items
Profit before taxation (million) 127 209 Diluted earnings per share 17.4p 29.9p 
(b) US dollar equivalents are provided at the average exchange rate 
for the period of $1.5=(pound) 
TATE & LYLE 
GROUP BALANCE SHEET 
Summarized balance sheet as at September 30, 2000 
Unaudited Unaudited 
Sept 30 Sept 30 
2000 2000 
$ million(c) (pound) million 
Fixed assets Intangible assets 228 152 Tangible assets 2,295 1,530 Investments 264 176 
2,787 1,858 
Current assets Stock 563 375 Debtors 786 524 Investments and 
cash at bank and in hand 264 176
1,613 1,075 
Creditors 
- due within one year
Borrowings (237) (158) Other (627) (418) Net current assets 749 499 
Total assets less 
current liabilities 3,536 2,357
Creditors 
- due after one year
Borrowings (1,283) (856) Other (11) (7) Provisions for 
liabilities and charges (374) (249)
Total net assets 1,868 1,245 
Capital and reserves Called up share capital 185 123 Share premium 
account and other reserves 744 496
Profit and loss account 870 580 
Shareholders' funds 1,799 1,199 Minority interests 69 46 
1,868 1,245 
Unaudited Audited 
Sept 25 March 25 
1999 2000
(pound) million (pound) million 
Fixed assets Intangible assets -- 1 Tangible assets 1,692 1,678 Investments 190 175 
1,882 1,854 
Current assets Stock 374 479 Debtors 591 535 Investments and 
cash at bank and in hand 201 261
1,166 1,275 
Creditors 
- due within one year
Borrowings (302) (434) Other (537) (530) Net current assets 327 311 
Total assets less 
current liabilities 2,209 2,165
Creditors 
- due after one year
Borrowings (766) (632) Other (11) (12) Provisions for 
liabilities and charges (237) (257)
Total net assets 1,195 1,264 
Capital and reserves Called up share capital 117 117 Share premium 
account and other reserves 443 445
Profit and loss account 478 539 
Shareholders' funds 1,038 1,101 Minority interests 163 
1,195 1,264 
(c) US dollar equivalents are provided at the average exchange rate 
for the period of $1.5=(pound) 
TATE & LYLE 
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
For the 27 weeks ended September 30, 2000 
27 weeks 26 weeks 52 weeks 
ended ended ended 
Sept 30 Sept 25 March 25 
2000 1999 2000
(pound) (pound) (pound) million million million 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash inflow from operating 
activities 195 306 450 
Dividends from joint ventures 
and associates 7 1 12 
Returns on investment and 
servicing of finance Net interest paid (44) (32) (62) Dividends paid to minority 
interests in subsidiary 
undertakings (1) (3) (6) 
------- --------- (45) (35) (68)
------- --------- 
Taxation paid (34) (26) (44) 
Capital expenditure and 
financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed 
assets (57) (50) (126) Sale of tangible fixed assets - 1 23 Purchase of fixed asset 
investments - (7) (11)(d) Sale of fixed asset investments - 2 2 
------- --------- (57) (54) (112)
------- --------- Acquisitions and disposals Purchase of businesses and 
subsidiaries (net of cash 
acquired) (217) (2) (2) Sale of businesses 153(e) 2 9 Refinancing of existing joint 
ventures - (8) (8)(d) Sale of interests in joint 
ventures and associates 15 - 68 Capital repayments by joint 
ventures - 1 1 
------- --------- (49) (7) 68
------- --------- Equity dividends paid (42) (79) (135) Net cash (outflow)/inflow before
financing and management of 
liquid resources (25) 106 171 
======== ======= ========= 
(d) In addition to(pound)8 million direct equity refinancing of joint 
ventures,(pound)4 million increase in loans to joint ventures 
represented refinancing in the 52 weeks to March 2000. (e) In addition,(pound)10 million
of borrowings were transferred out 
of the Group as part of the disposal of subsidiaries. 
TATE & LYLE 
NOTES TO STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
For the 27 weeks ended September 30, 2000 
Net Cash Inflow From Operating Activities 
27 weeks 26 weeks 52 weeks 
ended ended ended 
Sept 30, Sept 25, March 25, 
2000 1999 2000
(pound)million (pound)million (pound)million ----------------------------------
Operating profit 90 140 237 Depreciation of tangible 
fixed assets 66 68 136 Amortization of goodwill 1 - - Change in working 
capital 38 98 79 Provisions against fixed 
asset investments - - (2)
------------- -------------- 195 306 450 
============== ============= ============== 
Cash Flow/Net Debt Reconciliation ----------------------------------------------
Net cash (outflow)/inflow 
before financing and 
management of 
liquid resources (25) 106 171 
Raised on issue of share 
capital - 1 2 
Changes in debt not involving cash flow: -- Reduction/(increase) 
on disposal of 
subsidiaries 10 - (1) -- Exchange movements (18) 12 10 -- Amortization of bond 
discount - - (1)
------------- -------------- (Increase)/reduction in 
net borrowings (33) 119 181 Net borrowings at the 
start of the period (805) (986) (986)
------------- -------------- Net borrowings at the 
end of the period (838) (867) (805) 
============== ============= ============== 
Net Debt/Balance Sheet Reconciliation ----------------------------------------
Investments and cash at 
bank and in hand 176 201 261 Borrowings due within 
one year (158) (302) (434) Borrowings due after 
one year (856) (766) (632)
------------- -------------- Net borrowings at the 
end of the period (838) (867) (805) 
============== ======== =============== 
TATE & LYLE 
STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES 
For the 27 weeks ended September 30, 2000 
STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES 
27 weeks 26 weeks 52 weeks 
ended ended ended 
Sept 30, Sept 25, March 25, 
2000 1999 2000
(pound)million (pound)million (pound)million --------------------------------
(Loss)/profit for the 
period (30) 80 111 Unrealized deficit on 
revaluation of 
tangible fixed 
assets (7) - - Currency difference on 
foreign currency net 
investments 51 (10) (1)
------------- -------------- Total recognized gains 
for period 14 70 110 
============= ============= ============== Average exchange rates 
US dollar (pound)1=$ 1.50 1.60 1.60 Euro (pound)1=(euro) 1.64 1.52 1.56 
Period end exchange rates 
US dollar (pound)1=$ 1.48 1.64 1.59 Euro (pound)1=(euro) 1.68 1.57 1.64 

BASIS OF PREPARATION

The foregoing accounts are prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the 2000 Annual Report for the period ended March 25, 2000 The balance sheet as at March 25, 2000 has been abridged from the full Group accounts, which received an auditors' report which was unqualified and did not contain any statement concerning accounting records or failure to obtain necessary information and explanations. The full Group accounts have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

The results for the 27 weeks ended September 30, 2000, the 26 weeks ended September 25, 1999 and the 52 weeks ended March 25, 2000 are neither audited nor reviewed. The balance sheet at 30 September 2000 is neither audited nor reviewed. The balance sheet at September 25, 1999 was reviewed by the auditors, whose report did not identify any material modification.

TATE & LYLE
                           ANALYSIS OF SALES
                          27 weeks           26 weeks         52 weeks
                          ended               ended              ended
                          Sept 30             Sept 25         March 25
                          2000                1999                2000
                         (pound)million (pound)million  (pound)million
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sweeteners and starches
--  Americas                   990            882           1,702
--  Europe                     609            622           1,167
--  Rest of the world          257            271             520
                          -------------  -------------  --------------
                              1,856         1,775           3,389
Animal feed and
   bulk storage                215            309             595
Other businesses and
   activities                   51             48             106
                          -------------  -------------  --------------
                             2,122          2,132           4,090
                          =============  =============  ==============
      Included in the analysis of sales are the following amounts
              relating to associates and joint ventures:
Sweeteners and starches
--  Americas                    88             91             159
--  Europe                      64             58             104
--  Rest of the world           19             16              31
                          -------------  -------------  --------------
                               171            165             294
Animal feed and
   bulk storage                  3             18              33
Other businesses and
   activities                    1             13              25
                          -------------  -------------  --------------
                               175            196             352
                          =============  =============  ==============
      Included in the analysis of sales are the following amounts
                 relating to discontinued activities:
Sweeteners and starches
--  Americas                     -                   -          -
--  Europe                       -                   -          -
--  Rest of the world           26                  71        127
                          -------------  -------------  --------------
                                26                  71        127
Animal feed and
   bulk storage                 76                 151        305
Other businesses and
   activities                    5                  11         22
                          -------------  -------------  --------------
                               107                 233        454
                          =============  =============  ==============
                              TATE & LYLE
                  ANALYSIS OF PROFIT BEFORE INTEREST
                          27 weeks       26 weeks       52 weeks
                          ended          ended          ended
                          Sept 30,        Sept 25,        March 25,
                          2000           1999           2000
BEFORE EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS (pound)million (pound)million  (pound)million
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sweeteners and starches
--  Americas                    57             92             156
--  Europe                      48             67             112
--  Rest of the world            6              5              12
                          -------------  -------------  --------------
                               111            164             280
Animal feed and
   bulk storage                  2              7              11
Other businesses and
   activities                   (7)            (5)             (7)
                          -------------  -------------  --------------
                               106            166             284
                          =============  =============  ==============
AFTER EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sweeteners and starches
--  Americas                   (18)            92             170
--  Europe                      48             65             121
--  Rest of the world           12              7              (1)
                          -------------  -------------  --------------
                                42            164             290
Animal feed and
   bulk storage                 (1)             7             (17)
Other businesses and
   activities                   (4)            (5)             (7)
                          -------------  -------------  --------------
                                37            166             266
                          =============  =============  ==============
  Included in the above tables are the following amounts relating to
                       discontinued activities:
Sweeteners and starches
--  Americas                     -              -               -
--  Europe                       -              -               -
--  Rest of the world           (2)            (3)(f)           -(f)
                          -------------  -------------  --------------
                                (2)            (3)(f)           -(f)
Animal feed and
   bulk storage                 (5)            (3)             (7)
Other businesses and
   activities                    2              3               6
                          -------------  -------------  --------------
                                (5)            (3)(f)          (1)(f)
                          =============  =============  ==============
(f) Includes an exceptional profit of(pound)2 million.
                              TATE & LYLE
                        ANALYSIS OF NET MARGIN
                                   27 weeks   26 weeks   52 weeks
                                      ended      ended      ended
                                    Sept 30,   Sept 25,  March 25,
                                       2000       1999       2000
                                          %          %          %
BEFORE EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sweeteners and starches
--  Americas                            5.8       10.4        9.2
--  Europe                              7.9       10.8        9.6
--  Rest of the world                   2.3        1.8        2.3
                                   --------   --------   --------
Sweeteners and starches average         6.0        9.2        8.3
                                   --------   --------   --------
Animal feed and bulk storage            0.9        2.3        1.8
                                   --------   --------   --------
Group                                   5.0        7.8        6.9
                                   --------   --------   --------
AFTER EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sweeteners and starches
--  Americas                           (1.8)      10.4       10.0
--  Europe                              7.9       10.5       10.4
--  Rest of the world                   4.7        2.6       (0.2)
                                   --------   --------   --------
Sweeteners and starches average         2.3        9.2        8.6
                                   --------   --------   --------
Animal feed and bulk storage           (0.5)       2.3       (2.9)
                                   --------   --------   --------
Group                                   1.7        7.8        6.5
                                   --------   --------   --------
                              TATE & LYLE
                            RATIO ANALYSIS
                                   27 weeks   26 weeks   52 weeks
                                   ended      ended      ended
                                   Sept 30,   Sept 25,   March 25,
                                   2000       1999       2000
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gearing
           =   net borrowings
               --------------
                 net assets
           =         838
                    -----
                    1,245
           =     0.67 or 67%            67%        73%        64%

Interest Cover -- Tate & Lyle PLC
   and its subsidiaries
           =    Operating profit
              --------------------
              Net interest payable
                                       (pound)    (pound)    (pound)
                                       million    million    million
Operating profit before
 exceptional items                       90        140        237
   Add/(less) exceptional items         (69)         -        (18)
                                      --------   --------   --------
Operating profit after
 exceptional items                       21        140       219
                                      ========   ========   ========
Interest cover --                      21/35 =   140/34 =   219/65 =
 after exceptionals                   0.6 times  4.1 times  3.4 times
Interest cover --                     90/35  =   140/34 =   237/65 =
 before exceptionals                  2.6 times  4.1 times  3.6 times
Dividend Cover
       =         EPS (basic)
         -----------------------------
         Total ordinary dividend/share
After exceptional                      (6.5)=     17.5 =     24.3 =
                                       -----      ----       ----
                                        5.5       12.3       21.4
                                        n/a      1.4 times  1.1 times
Before exceptional                      9.3 =     17.5 =     30.0 =
                                        ---       ----       ----
                                        5.5       12.3       21.4
                                      1.7 times  1.4 times  1.4 times
Return on Net Operating Assets
       =    Profit before interest and tax
            ------------------------------
            Average net operating assets(2)
After exceptional
       =          37           x  12
         ---------------------    --
         0.5 x (2,038 + 2,065)     6
       =         3.6%                     3.6%      15.6%      12.5%
Before exceptional
       =        106            x  12
         ---------------------    --
         0.5 x (2,038 + 2,065)     6
       =        10.3%                    10.3%      15.6%      13.4%
                                       (pound)    (pound)    (pound)
                                       million    million    million
(2)Total net assets                      1,245      1,195      1,264
Add back: Net borrowings                   838        867        805
          Unallocated
          (assets)/liabilities
          - dividends and tax             (45)          8         (4)
                                      --------   --------   --------
Net operating assets                     2,038      2,070      2,065
                                      --------   --------   --------
                              TATE & LYLE
                   EARNINGS PER SHARE CALCULATION -
                        AFTER EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS
               For the 27 weeks ended September 30, 2000
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares in issue
     Opening                                      457,594,347
     Closing                                      480,994,342
                                          ---------------------
a)   Average (weighted by days in issue)          463,404,780
                                          =====================
                                               (pound) million
Earnings
     Loss after tax                                       (24)
     Minority interests                                    (6)
     Preference dividend                                    -
                                          ---------------------
b)   Basic Earnings                                       (30)
                                          =====================
BASIC LOSS PER SHARE
 is b/a or 6.5 pence/share.
Dilutive options and convertible
 preference shares outstanding at
 September 30, 2000:
    SAYE scheme                                     1,566,596
    Less notional shares repurchased               (1,307,479)
    Executive scheme                                        -
    Less notional shares repurchased                        -
                                          ---------------------
                                                      259,117
    Add average shares in issue                   463,404,780
                                          ---------------------
c)   Adjusted number of shares                    463,663,897
                                          =====================

    No adjustments are needed to basic earnings for the purpose of
calculating diluted earnings per share.
    DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE is b/c or 6.5 pence/share.

                              TATE & LYLE
                   EARNINGS PER SHARE CALCULATION -
                       BEFORE EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS
               For the 27 weeks ended September 30, 2000
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares in issue
     Opening                                     457,594,347
     Closing                                     480,994,342
                                             ---------------------
a)   Average (weighted by days in issue)         463,404,780
                                             =====================
                                                  (pound) million
Earnings before exceptional items
     Exceptional costs                                    69
     Tax on exceptional costs                              4
     Exceptional costs minority interest                   -
                                             ---------------------
     Exceptional costs net of tax
      and minorities                                      73
     Basic Earnings after exceptional items              (30)
                                             ---------------------
b)   Basic Earnings before exceptional items              43
                                             =====================
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
 is b/a or 9.3 pence/share.
Dilutive options and convertible
 preference shares outstanding at
 September 30, 2000:
    SAYE scheme                                    1,566,596
    Less notional shares repurchased              (1,307,479)
    Executive scheme                                       -
    Less notional shares repurchased                       -
                                             ---------------------
                                                     259,117
    Add average shares in issue                  463,404,780
                                             ---------------------
c)   Adjusted number of shares                   463,663,897
                                             =====================
No adjustments are needed to basic earnings for the purpose of
calculating diluted earnings per share.
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE BEFORE EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS is b/c or 9.3
pence/share.