RE: Half year8 Dec 2020 18:42
The US assets have a NBV of circa £2.8bn, including goodwill at year end. Debt was £1.7bn, exc leases, however a further £300m made available for covid. We do not know how much if any used or will be required as yet. If sell price equals NBV then could have upto £1.1bn less any provision required for termination charges if required, hopefully we will know soon. I cannot see govt nationalising buses as in the too difficult box and for what benefit! They will control bus companies anyway via subsidy rules and regulation. I do agree that we do need clarity re role of buses in future years. Still positive re a shareholder return as can see II's pushing for it the question is how much and when!