RELX 2019 I Interim Results 10
Operating and financial review
Profit
Underlying adjusted operating profit grew ahead of revenue at 4%, reflecting the benefit of process innovation across the Group. Acquisitions and disposals had a net nil impact on adjusted operating profit. Currency effects increased adjusted operating profit by 4%. Total adjusted operating profit, including the impact of acquisitions and disposals and currency effects, was £1,240m (2018: £1,149m), up 8%.
Reported operating profit, after amortisation of acquired intangible assets and acquisition-related costs, was £1,048m (2018: £969m). The amortisation charge in respect of acquired intangible assets, including the share of amortisation in joint ventures, slightly increased to £147m (2018: £142m). Acquisition-related costs were £38m (2018: £32m).
Underlying operating cost growth was 1%, reflecting investment in global technology platforms and the launch of new products and services, partly offset by continued process innovation. Actions continue to be taken across our businesses to improve cost-efficiency. Total operating costs, including the impact of acquisitions, disposals and currency effects, increased by 6%.
The overall adjusted operating margin of 31.9% was 0.4 percentage points higher than in the prior period. On an underlying basis, including cycling and timing effects, the margin improved by 0.5 percentage points. Acquisitions and disposals had a net nil impact on adjusted operating margin and currency effects decreased the margin by 0.1 percentage points.
Adjusted interest expense, excluding the net pension financing charge of £6m (2018: £5m), was £97m (2018: £95m).
Adjusted profit before tax was £1,143m (2018: £1,054m), up 8%.
The adjusted effective tax rate on adjusted profit before tax was 21.7%, in line with the rate for the full year 2018, but 0.5 percentage points lower than the rate for the first half of 2018 of 22.2%. The adjusted effective tax rate excludes movements in deferred taxation assets and liabilities related to goodwill and acquired intangible assets, but includes the benefit of tax amortisation where available on those items. Adjusted operating profits and taxation are grossed up for the equity share of taxes in joint ventures.
The reported tax charge was £223m (2018: £192m).
The adjusted net profit attributable to RELX PLC shareholders of £895m (2018: £818m) was up 9%. Adjusted earnings per share was up 12% at 45.9p (2018: 41.1p). At constant rates of exchange, adjusted earnings per share increased by 8%.
The reported net profit attributable to RELX PLC shareholders was £779m (2018: £678m).