FLLYR: GPG: Preliminary Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2009

1 Mar 2010 8:30 am

GPG 01/03/2010 FLLYR

REL: 0830 HRS Guinness Peat Group Plc

FLLYR: GPG: Preliminary Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2009

GUINNESS PEAT GROUP plc ("GPG" or "the Company" or "the Group")

PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2009

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

As foreshadowed in the August Market Update, 2009 was another poor year for GPG with an accounting loss of GBP36 million.

That result was somewhat worse than anticipated, mainly as a consequence of items largely beyond our control, such as forex fluctuations which moved from a gain of GBP7 million in the Interim to a loss of GBP8 million for the full year.

Other significant inputs were -

- A gain of GBP10 million on the sale of MYOB shares.

- MMC Contrarian became a 68% owned subsidiary and intends to expand its financial services business which is an area where GPG has had success in the past.

- A notable achievement was the capital reconstruction of Capral - the culmination of GPG's very considerable "hands on" involvement in rescuing this business in 2009. The reduction in our shareholding to 44%, combined with earlier trading losses, crystallised a deficit of GBP15 million but, hopefully, the last loss from this source. Now, for the first time in many years, Capral has a sound financial and trading platform from which to produce acceptable returns, notwithstanding the challenges still remaining.

- As expected, Coats was right in the firing line of the global downturn, (particularly evident in the textile industries) but has emerged very well in the circumstances. A net loss of GBP3 million was again due to a mismatch of various country taxes of GBP21 million exceeding the original net profit of GBP18 million. Continuing strong cash flow enabled Coats to reduce its borrowings by GBP81 million during the year.

- A loss of GBP5 million in respect of CIC Australia Ltd (formerly Canberra Investment Corporation). That essentially relates to the writedown of a property joint venture and is a "one off" which does not diminish our confidence in CIC's future prospects.

BALANCE SHEET

GPG remains in a strong financial position as shown in the Simplified Balance Sheet below -

Simplified Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2009 GBP million Cash at Bank 265 Debtors 13 Coats 295 CIC Australia 28 Capral 37 Turners & Growers 69 MMC Contrarian 37 Tower NZ 85 Trading subsidiaries 4 Share portfolio at market 298 1,131 Creditors & provisions (73) Capital Notes (191) SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS GBP867

CAPITAL AND DIVIDEND

Having regard to GPG's 20 year record, rather than the disappointing results of the last two years, the Board has maintained the standard 1p dividend and 1 for 10 bonus issue (the 17th in succession, multiplying an original 1990 holding 5.06 times). The share election scheme will operate in lieu of cash dividend at the rate of 1 new share for each 35 shares already held.

OUTLOOK

In 2008, GPG committed to returning value to shareholders in 2010 but which was subsequently qualified by global financial conditions in 2009. That objective has now been restored as a top priority and the Board is actively working on proposals for its early implementation.

There are still technical and other issues to resolve before a more specific announcement can be made. However, it is planned to have a process in place prior to the AGM to be held on 7 May.

Ron Brierley CHAIRMAN 26 February 2010

Guinness Peat Group plc

Consolidated Income Statement

Unaudited Audited Year ended 31 December 2009 2008 Restated* GBPm GBPm Continuing Operations Revenue 1,176 1,139

Cost of sales (800) (770)

Gross profit 376 369

Profit on disposal of investments and other net investment income 27 60

Distribution costs (166) (171) Administrative expenses (198) (190)

Operating profit 39 68

Share of (loss)/profit of joint ventures (6) 1

Share of profit/(loss) of associated undertakings 9 (9)

Finance costs (net) (31) (36)

Profit before taxation from continuing operations 11 24

Tax on profit from continuing operations (28) (48)

Loss for the year from continuing operations (17) (24)

Discontinued Operations Loss from discontinued operations (21) (49)

Loss for the year (38) (73)

Attributable to: EQUITY HOLDERS OF THE PARENT (36) (50) Non-controlling interests (2) (23) (38) (73)

Loss per Ordinary Share from continuing and discontinued operations:

Basic (2.25p) (3.24p) Diluted (2.25p) (3.24p)

Loss per Ordinary Share from continuing operations: Basic (1.21p) (1.76p) Diluted (1.21p) (1.76p)

*Restated to reflect the results of Capral Ltd as a discontinued operation (note 7).

Guinness Peat Group plc

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Unaudited Audited Year ended 31 December 2009 2008 GBPm GBPm

Loss for the year (38) (73)

Gains on revaluation of fixed asset investments 41 22 Losses on cash flow hedges (4) (11) Exchange gains on translation of foreign operations 15 114 Actuarial losses on retirement benefit schemes (13) (58) Net income recognised directly in equity 39 67

Transfers Transferred to profit or loss on sale of fixed asset investments (13) (80) Transferred to profit or loss on sale of businesses (6) (9) Transferred to profit or loss on cash flow hedges 4 1 (15) (88)

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE EXPENSE FOR THE YEAR (14) (94)

Attributable to: EQUITY HOLDERS OF THE PARENT (12) (71) Non-controlling interests (2) (23)

(14) (94)

Guinness Peat Group plc

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

Unaudited Audited 31 December 2009 2008 GBPm GBPm NON-CURRENT ASSETS Intangible assets 192 218 Property, plant and equipment 424 508 Investments in associated undertakings 157 126 Investments in joint ventures 47 59 Fixed asset investments 220 177 Deferred tax assets 20 11 Pension surpluses 27 29 Trade and other receivables 24 25 1,111 1,153

CURRENT ASSETS Inventories 179 261 Trade and other receivables 239 302 Current asset investments 15 7 Derivative financial instruments 3 7 Cash and cash equivalents 402 362 838 939

Non-current assets classified as held for sale 3 7

TOTAL ASSETS 1,952 2,099

CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and other payables 256 306 Current income tax liabilities 8 8 Other borrowings 80 109 Derivative financial instruments 16 20 Provisions 65 79 425 522

NET CURRENT ASSETS 413 417

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and other payables 13 18 Deferred tax liabilities 22 21 Capital notes 191 172 Other borrowings 235 295 Derivative financial instruments 3 7 Retirement benefit obligations: Funded schemes 39 32 Unfunded schemes 56 64 Provisions 24 19 583 628

TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,008 1,150

NET ASSETS 944 949

Guinness Peat Group plc

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position (continued)

Unaudited Audited 31 December 2009 2008 GBPm GBPm EQUITY Share capital 81 71 Share premium account 63 61 Translation reserve 123 118 Unrealised gains reserve 68 36 Other reserves 274 281 Retained earnings 258 311 EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 867 878 Non-controlling interests 77 71 TOTAL EQUITY 944 949

Net asset backing per share * 53.50p 56.23p

* The net asset backing per share at 31 December 2008 has been adjusted for the 2009 Capitalisation Issue.

Guinness Peat Group plc

Reconciliation of Consolidated Changes in Equity

Year ended 31 December 2009

Share Share premium Translation Unrealised Other Retained

Capital Account Reserve gains reserve Reserves Earnings Total GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm

Balance as at 1 January 2008 64 61 13 94 295 424 951

Total comprehensive income and (expense) for the year - - 105 (58) (10) (108) (71) Dividends (note 12) - - - - - (13) (13) Capitalisation issue of shares 6 - - - (6) - - Scrip dividend alternative 1 - - - - 8 9 Share based payments - - - - 2 - 2

Balance as at 31 December 2008 71 61 118 36 281 311 878

Total comprehensive income and (expense) for the year - - 5 32 (1) (48) (12) Dividends (note 12) - - - - - (14) (14) Capitalisation issue of shares (note 11) 7 - - - (7) - - Scrip dividend alternative (note 11) 2 (2) - - - 7 7 Other share issues (note 11) 1 4 - - - - 5 Share based payments - - - - 1 - 1 Acquisition of non-controlling interests - - - - - 2 2

Balance as at 31 December 2009 81 63 123 68 274 258 867

Guinness Peat Group plc

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Unaudited Audited Year ended 31 December 2009 2008 GBPm GBPm

Cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities Net cash inflow from operating activities 121 161 Interest paid (46) (55) Taxation paid (20) (25) Net cash generated by operating activities 55 81

Cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities Dividends received from associated undertakings and joint ventures 10 7 Capital expenditure and financial investment (16) (32) Acquisitions and disposals 27 (23) Net cash generated by/(absorbed in) investing activities 21 (48)

Cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities Issue of ordinary shares 5 - Equity dividends paid to the Company's shareholders (6) (4) Dividends paid to non-controlling interests (6) (4) Decrease in debt (30) (8) Net cash absorbed in financing activities (37) (16)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 39 17 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year 347 309 Exchange gains on cash and cash equivalents 2 21 Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year 388 347

Cash and cash equivalents per the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 402 362 Bank overdrafts (14) (15) Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year 388 347

Guinness Peat Group plc

NOTES TO FINANCIAL INFORMATION

1. The preliminary financial information ("the financial information") set out in this report is based on the Group's unaudited financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union, and complies with the disclosure requirements of the Listing Rules of the UK Financial Services Authority and the Listing Rules of the Australian Securities Exchange. Other than the adoption of IAS 1 (2007) ("Presentation of Financial Statements"), IFRS 8 ("Operating Segments") and IFRIC 14 ("IAS 19 - The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction"), the accounting policies adopted by the Group have been consistently applied to all periods presented.

2. The financial information set out in this report does not constitute the Group's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2009 and 2008. Other than the restatement of the Consolidated Income Statement to reflect aluminium extrusion (Capral Ltd) as a discontinued operation - see note 7 - the financial information for the year ended 31 December 2008 is derived from the statutory accounts for that year, which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on those accounts included a modified opinion, containing an emphasis of matter paragraph to highlight the significant uncertainty in relation to the European Commission competition investigation into alleged market sharing agreements relating to the European haberdashery market. Further details relating to this matter are set out in note 13. The auditors' report did not contain statements under Section 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

Whilst the financial information included in this report has been compiled in accordance with the recognition and measurement principles of applicable IFRS, this report does not itself contain sufficient information to comply with IFRS. GPG expects to publish full financial statements that comply with IFRS and these will be available to shareholders in March 2010.

The financial information in this report is unaudited. However, as in the prior year the auditors anticipate issuing a modified audit opinion which, without qualifying their opinion, will contain an emphasis of matter paragraph to highlight the significant uncertainty in relation to the European Commission competition investigation into alleged market sharing agreements relating to the European haberdashery market. Further details relating to this matter are set out in note 13.

Giving due consideration to the nature of the Group's business and underlying investments as a whole, including the financial resources available to the Group, the directors consider that the Company and the Group are going concerns and this financial information is prepared on that basis.

3. Group foreign exchange movements - during the year ended 31 December 2009, GPG recognised in operating profit GBP8 million of net foreign exchange losses which compares with GBP4 million of net foreign exchange losses in the year ended 31 December 2008. Further net foreign exchange gains of GBP15 million (2008: GBP114 million) were recognised in reserves.

Guinness Peat Group plc

4. Tax on profit from continuing operations

2009 2008 GBPm GBPm

UK Corporation tax at 28.0% (2008: 28.5%) - 2 Overseas tax (21) (18) (21) (16) Deferred tax (7) (32) (28) (48)

The tax charge for 2009 includes non-cash tax of GBP9 million (2008: GBP26 million) in respect of movements in deferred tax assets relating to tax losses. This charge arose from a similar reduction in deferred tax liabilities recognised through the unrealised gains reserve. The tax charges for both years also reflect the impact of unrelieved losses in certain subsidiary undertakings.

5. Associated undertakings and joint ventures

The Group's significant associated undertakings and joint ventures at 31 December were as follows:

2009 2008

Australian Country Spinners Ltd 50.0% 50.0% Green's General Foods Pty Ltd 72.5% 72.5% Autologic Holdings plc 26.2% 23.5% Capral Ltd 44.4% na MMC Contrarian Ltd na 26.4% Peanut Company of Australia Ltd 24.8% 23.8% Rattoon Holdings Ltd 44.4% 44.4% The Maryborough Sugar Factory Ltd 22.9% 24.0% Tower Ltd 35.0% 35.0%

Capral Ltd ("Capral"), a former subsidiary undertaking, which constituted the Group's aluminium extrusion segment, became an associated undertaking on 16 October 2009, as a result of that company's recapitalisation programme (see note 7). Capral, as an associated undertaking, contributed GBPNil to the Group result for the year. The carrying value of Capral at 31 December 2009 amounted to GBP37 million.

MMC Contrarian Ltd ("MMC") ceased to be an associated undertaking when it became a subsidiary undertaking in October 2009 (see note 6). Whilst an associated undertaking, MMC's contribution to the result for the year was a profit of GBP1 million (2008: GBP Nil).

Other significant contributions to the Group's result for the year from Parent Group associated undertakings and joint ventures were:

Guinness Peat Group plc

2009 2008 GBPm GBPm

Green's General Foods Pty Ltd (1) (3) Autologic Holdings plc 2 (8) Rattoon Holdings Ltd - (12) Tower Ltd 6 5

Other contributions to the Group's result for the year from associated undertakings and joint ventures, held by operating subsidiaries, include a CIC joint venture GBP7 million loss (2008: GBP 3 million profit). The CIC joint venture loss for the year includes an impairment charge of GBP12 million (2008: GBP Nil).

6. Purchase of subsidiary undertaking

On 23 October 2009, GPG acquired a controlling interest (54%) in the voting equity shares of MMC Contrarian Ltd ("MMC") in Australia. In November 2009, GPG acquired a further 14% of those shares from non-controlling interests. The net assets acquired, and the related goodwill arising on this acquisition, using the purchase method of accounting, were as follows:

Provisional Book fair value Provisional value adjustments fair value GBP m GBP m GBP m ACQUISITION SUMMARY Intangible assets 6 (2) 4 Deferred tax assets 7 - 7 Cash and cash equivalents 46 - 46 Trade and other payables (2) - (2)

Net assets at acquisition 57 (2) 55 Non-controlling interests (18) Net assets attributable to the Group's interest 37 Total consideration 30 Impairment provisions whilst a fixed asset investment (7)

Profits previously recognised as an associated undertaking 10 (33) Negative goodwill, released to the Consolidated Income Statement

4

Consideration reported above: Cash paid in current year 17 Cash paid in prior years 13 Total consideration 30

MMC would have contributed GBP Nil to the Group's revenue and GBP Nil to its result for the year in respect of the period up to the date of acquisition.

As a consequence of the negative goodwill arising on acquisition, MMC as a subsidiary undertaking contributed a profit of GBP 4 million to the Group result for the year.

MMC contributed an inflow of GBP Nil to the Group's net operating cash flows, paid GBP Nil in respect of investment activities, and paid GBP Nil in respect of financing activities.

Guinness Peat Group plc

7. Disposal of subsidiary undertaking

As stated in note 5, in October 2009 Capral became an associated undertaking. Capral has been treated as a discontinued operation in both the 2009 and the 2008 Consolidated Income Statements. No opening balance sheet has been presented for the prior year in these financial statements as it is unchanged from that previously reported.

The impact of the deemed disposal of Capral was as follows:

GBP m

Intangible assets 2 Property, plant and equipment 64 Inventories 25 Trade and other receivables 41 Cash and cash equivalents 2 Trade and other payables (56) Borrowings (53) Net assets at disposal 25 Non-controlling interests (7) Group share of net assets at disposal 18 Cumulative translation differences recycled from reserves (7) 11 Residual carrying value as an associated undertaking 11 Impact of disposal -

8. Other investments - Fixed asset investments within non-current assets are classified under IFRS as available-for-sale investments, and current asset investments within current assets are classified under IFRS as held-for-trading investments.

9. Loss per share - The calculation of basic loss per Ordinary Share from continuing and discontinued operations is based on loss for the year attributable to equity shareholders of the parent and the weighted average number of 1,595,344,762 Ordinary Shares in issue during the year.

The calculation of basic loss per Ordinary Share from continuing operations is based on loss for the year from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders of the parent and the weighted average number of 1,595,344,762 Ordinary Shares in issue during the year.

The comparatives for the year ended 31 December 2008 have been adjusted for the 2009 Capitalisation Issue. No opening balance sheet has been presented for the prior year in these financial statements as it is unchanged from that previously reported.

Calculations of loss per Ordinary Share are based on results to the nearest GBP '000.

10. The net tangible assets (net assets excluding intangible assets) per share at 31 December 2009 were 46.38p (2008: 46.78p as adjusted for the 2009 Capitalisation Issue).

Guinness Peat Group plc

11. Changes in the issued share capital during the year ended 31 December 2009 comprise the following:

GBP 000 At 1 January 2009 70,940 Employee options exercised 1,247 Scrip dividend alternative shares issued (15 May 2009) 1,586 Capitalisation Issue (5 June 2009) 7,272 At 31 December 2009 81,045

12. Dividends - The directors have approved the payment of an interim dividend of 1 pence per share, payable on 17 May 2010, making a total of 1 pence per share for the year. This is subject to a right for shareholders to elect, instead of the cash dividend, to receive one new Ordinary Share for every 35 existing shares held at the appropriate record date. An interim dividend of 0.91 pence per share (adjusted to reflect the 2009 Capitalisation Issue) in respect of the year ended 31 December 2008 was paid on 15 May 2009 to GPG shareholders.

There are local regulatory differences in the countries in which the Group's shares are listed, which can result in different taxation treatment and timing. This may have a significant effect on the tax treatment of the dividend for shareholders resident outside the UK. Shareholders are advised to obtain their own professional advice.

The tax treatment of the cash dividend and the scrip dividend alternative, including the availability of tax credits such as franking credits, will be dealt with more fully in a Circular which will be published at the same time as the Company's Annual Report (see note 14 below). Shareholders are recommended to obtain their own professional advice.

13. European Commission Investigation - As noted in previous reports, in September 2007 the European Commission concluded its investigation into European fasteners - the last part outstanding of its general investigation into thread and haberdashery markets which began in 2001. It imposed fines against several producers, including a fine against the Coats plc Group of EUR 110.3 million (equivalent to GBP 97.7 million at 31 December 2009 exchange rates). This fine is in respect of the Commission's allegation of a market sharing agreement in the European haberdashery market. Coats totally rejects this allegation. Coats is vigorously contesting the Commission's decision in an appeal which has been lodged with the European General Court (formerly known as the Court of First Instance) in Luxembourg.

Coats plc has provided the European Commission with payment bonds to cover its exposure to the full extent of the fine. In respect of certain of these obligations, the Company has provided to the bond issuers a counter indemnity for Coats plc's performance.

As stated in previous reports, the Group remains of the view that any anticipated eventual payment of this fine is adequately covered by existing provisions.

14. The Annual General Meeting of the Company (the "2010 AGM") will be held on 7 May 2010 to consider, amongst other things, the 2010 Capitalisation Issue. Notice of the 2010 AGM will be incorporated in the Annual Report which will be published on the Company's Website at www.gpgplc.com in March 2010. A circular accompanying the Notice of the 2010 AGM will contain details of the Interim Dividend, the Scrip Dividend Alternative and the 2010 Capitalisation Issue. The shares representing the 2010 Capitalisation Issue cannot be allotted until shareholders have given their approval at the 2010 AGM.

Guinness Peat Group plc

In order to accommodate the different market practices of the London Stock Exchange "(LSE"), Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX") and New Zealand Stock Market ("NZSX"), being those markets on which GPG's shares are quoted, and subject to approval of the Capitalisation Issue by shareholders, the Stock Events timetable will be as follows *:

Preliminary Announcement of Results, Interim Dividend and accompanying Scrip Dividend Alternative and the proposed Capitalisation Issue Friday 26/02/10 Shares marked ex-dividend (ASX) Friday 05/03/10 Shares marked ex-dividend (LSE) Wednesday 10/03/10 Record date for dividend Friday 12/03/10 Head securities quoted ex-dividend (NZSX) Monday 15/03/10 Last date for receipt of 2010 AGM proxies Wednesday 05/05/10 2010 AGM Friday 07/05/10 Final date for receipt of Scrip Dividend Alternative elections Monday 10/05/10 Allotment of Scrip Shares (5.00pm UK time) Friday 14/05/10 Dispatch of FASTER mailings notifying NZ holders of the change in holdings following the Scrip Dividend allotment Monday 17/05/10 Dispatch of Scrip Dividend holding statements (AUS) Monday 17/05/10 Dealings commence in Scrip Dividend Shares Monday 17/05/10 Dispatch of Scrip Dividend Share Certificates (UK) Monday 17/05/10 Update of UK CREST accounts (5.00am UK time) Monday 17/05/10 Payment of Cash Dividend ** Monday 17/05/10 Shares marked Ex-Capitalisation on ASX and traded on deferred settlement basis Monday 24/05/10 Record date for Capitalisation Issue Friday 28/05/10 Head securities quoted Ex-Capitalisation (NZSX) Monday 31/05/10 Allotment of Capitalisation Shares (5.00pm UK time) Friday 04/06/10 Update of UK CREST accounts (5.00am UK time) Monday 07/06/10 Post out Capitalisation Share Certificates (UK) Monday 07/06/10 Shares marked Ex-Capitalisation in UK (LSE) Monday 07/06/10 Dispatch of FASTER statements in NZ notifying NZ holders of change in holdings following Capitalisation Issue Tuesday 08/06/10 Last day of deferred settlement trading on ASX Tuesday 08/06/10 Post out holding statements (AUS) Tuesday 08/06/10

Notes

* Actions take place on all three Exchanges on the date specified unless otherwise indicated.

** The cash payments will be made to shareholders on the Australian and New Zealand share registers in Australian and New Zealand dollars respectively, calculated at the rates of exchange ruling at 4.30pm (UK time) on 10 May 2010.

To ensure the integrity of the three registers over record dates and 'ex' dates, they may be closed for transmissions between them at certain times.

15. Directors - The following persons were, except as noted, directors of GPG during the whole of the year and up to the date of this report:

Sir Ron Brierley A I Gibbs R Langley (appointed 28 May 2009) B A Nixon Dr G H Weiss

Guinness Peat Group plc

16. Directors' Report - The Chairman's Statement appearing in the Preliminary Results and signed by Sir Ron Brierley provides a review of the operations of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2009.

17. Publication - This statement will be available at the registered office of the Company, First Floor, Times Place, 45 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5GP. A copy will also be displayed on the Company's website on www.gpgplc.com.

On behalf of the Board B A Nixon Director 26 February 2010

UNITED KINGDOM First Floor, Times Place, 45 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5GP Tel: 020 7484 3370 Fax: 020 7925 0700

AUSTRALIA c/o PKF Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers Level 10, 1 Margaret Street, Sydney 2000, Australia Tel: 02 9251 4100 Fax: 02 9240 9821

NEW ZEALAND c/o Computershare Investor Services Limited Private Bag 92119, Auckland 1020, New Zealand Tel: 09 488 8700 Fax: 09 488 8787

Registered in England No. 103548 End CA:00191834 For:GPG Type:FLLYR Time:2010-03-01:08:30:14

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