18 Jun 2009 13:30
Naspers Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Reg. No 1925/001431/06)
JSE Share Code: NPN ISIN: ZAE000015889
LSE ADS Code: NPSN ISIN: US6315121003
("Naspers")
Trading Statement
The Naspers group is presently finalising its annual financial statements for the year to 31 March 2009.
It is expected that earnings per share for the year ended 31 March 2009 will be between 55% and 65% higher compared to the prior year's earnings per share of 967 cents, mainly as a consequence of the non-recurring accounting profit arising on the sale of the pay-television operation in Greece.
Headline earnings per share for the year are expected to be between 15% and 25% lower than the prior year's headline earnings per share of 1 076 cents. This is mainly as a consequence of the increased accounting charge for the amortisation of intangible assets arising from the application of purchase accounting standards to recent acquisitions.
We expect core headline earnings per share to be between 0% and 10% higher than the comparable year core headline earnings per share of 1 130 cents.
Shareholders are reminded that the board considers core headline earnings an appropriate measure of the sustainable operating performance of the group, as it adjusts for non-recurring items and accounting standards that have no operational effect.
Shareholders are advised that the group continues to make steady progress in most of the markets in which it operates. Further details will be provided in the provisional report, due to be released on or about 30 June 2009. The financial information on which this trading statement is based has not been reviewed or reported on by the company's auditors.
Cape Town
18 June 2009
Sponsor: Investec Bank Limited