Manchester United plc 2013 Third Quarter Results

Manchester United (NYSE: MANU; “the Company” and “the Group”) – one of the most popular and successful sports teams in the world - today announced financial results for the three and nine month periods ended 31 March 2013.

Highlights

• Increased third quarter commercial revenue 31.9% year on year.
• Innovative Training Centre sponsorship as part of our eight year partnership with Aon.
• Announced three new Sponsorship deals – gloops (regional; Japan) our first social gaming agreement; Ekspres Bank (financial services, Denmark); and BIDV (financial services, Vietnam).
• 2013 Summer Tour – in addition to Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong the Tour will also include Thailand.
• Won the 2012/13 Premier League title for a record 20 English League titles with four games to spare.

Commentary

Ed Woodward, Executive Vice Chairman commented, ‘Each of our three primary sectors – Commercial, Broadcasting and Matchday – delivered strong top-line gains and helped us achieve a record third quarter for both revenue and adjusted EBITDA. In addition, we are delighted to be continuing and deepening our relationship with Aon, as our new Training Kit, Training Centre and Tour Partner, for an additional eight years’.

Outlook

For fiscal 2013, Manchester United continues to expect:

• Revenue to be £350m to £360m.
• Adjusted EBITDA to be £107m to £110m.

Key Financials (unaudited)
£ million (except earnings per share)		Three months ended 31 March						Nine months ended 31 March
		2013		2012		Change		2013		2012		Change
Commercial revenue		36.0		27.3		31.9%		114.5		89.5		27.9%
Broadcasting revenue		21.7		16.9		28.4%		75.0		76.4		(1.8%)
Matchday revenue		34.0		26.6		27.8%		88.6		79.9		10.9%
Total revenue		91.7		70.8		29.5%		278.1		245.8		13.1%
Adjusted EBITDA*		25.0		20.4		22.5%		91.5		84.6		8.2%
(Loss)/profit before tax		(3.1)		2.8		-		19.2		15.7		22.3%
Tax credit/(expense)		6.7		(1.7)		-		21.1		22.5		(6.2%)
Profit for the period (i.e. Net Income)		3.6		1.1		227.3%		40.3		38.2		5.5%
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to owners of the Company (Pounds Sterling)		0.02		0.01		100.0%		0.25		0.24		4.2%
Gross debt**		367.6		423.3		(13.2%)		367.6		423.3		(13.2%)
Cash and cash equivalents		36.2		25.6		41.4%		36.2		25.6		41.4%

* Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure. See the accompanying Supplemental Notes and Exhibit for the reconciliation and definition of this non-IFRS measure and the reasons we believe this measure provides useful information to investors regarding the Group’s financial condition and results of operations.

** Gross debt has decreased by 15.9% since 30 June 2012 (£436.9 million).

Revenue Analysis

Commercial

Commercial revenue for the third quarter increased 31.9% year on year to £36.0 million driven by the addition of several new sponsorship deals. For the third quarter:

• Sponsorship revenue increased 52.2% to £21.0 million;
• Retail, Merchandising, Apparel & Product Licensing increased 9.5% to £9.2 million; and
• New Media & Mobile increased 13.7% to £5.8 million.

Broadcasting

Broadcasting revenues for the third quarter increased 28.4% year on year to £21.7 million. The main reason for this increase relates to progress to the Champions League Round of 16 (compared to exiting at the group stages in the prior year).

Matchday

Matchday revenues for the third quarter increased 27.8% year on year to £34.0 million, due primarily to an additional three home cup games in the quarter compared to the prior year quarter.

Other Financial Information

Operating expenses

Total operating expenses for the third quarter increased 18.6% year on year to £79.0 million.

Staff costs

Staff costs for the third quarter increased 25.1% year on year to £44.9 million, primarily due to new player signings, existing player wage increases and growth in commercial headcount. The nine months year to date increase is 15.1% year on year to £129.4 million.

Other operating expenses

Other operating expenses for the third quarter increased 50.3% year on year to £21.8 million, primarily due to an increase in domestic cup gateshare costs, catering direct costs, and police and security costs – associated with the four FA cup home games played in the quarter compared with none in the prior year quarter.

Depreciation & amortisation of players’ registrations

Depreciation for the third quarter decreased 9.5% year on year to £1.9 million, from £2.1 million in the prior period; and amortisation of players’ registrations for the quarter increased 7.2% year on year to £10.4 million. The unamortised balance of existing players’ registrations at 31 March 2013 was £126.5 million.

Exceptional items

Exceptional items for the third quarter were £nil compared with £4.4 million in the prior year quarter.

Profit on disposal of players’ registrations

Profit on the disposal of players’ registrations for the third quarter was £2.5 million compared with £2.1 million in the prior year quarter.

Net finance costs

Net finance costs for the third quarter increased £14.8 million year on year to £18.3 million. The main reason for this increase is a net adverse FX swing of £15.7 million year on year on translation of the Group’s US dollar denominated senior secured notes and cash balances, partially offset by a reduction in interest payable of £0.9 million following the re-purchase and retirement earlier in the fiscal year of US$101.7 million of US dollar denominated notes.

Unrealised foreign exchange losses/gains on translation of the Group’s US dollar denominated assets and liabilities are not a cash charge/benefit and could reverse depending on dollar/sterling exchange rate movements. Any foreign exchange gain or loss on a cumulative basis on the Group’s US dollar denominated senior secured notes will not be realised until maturity in 2017 or earlier if the notes are redeemed prior to their maturity date.

Tax

The Group recorded a non-cash tax credit for the third quarter of £6.7 million. The credit reflects management’s revised best estimate of the effective tax rate for the year of 38%, which is lower than the rate estimated as of 31 December 2012. The effective tax rate for the year is higher than the US statutory tax rate of 35%, due to a current mismatch in the recognition of the UK and US deferred tax assets and liabilities. It should be noted that these are all non-cash tax charges. In the prior year third quarter the Group recorded a tax charge of £1.7 million.

Profit for the period

The profit for the period for the third quarter was £3.6 million compared with a profit of £1.1 million in the prior year quarter. Earnings per share attributable to owners of the Company for the third quarter were £0.02 compared with £0.01 in the prior year quarter.

Cash flows

Cash used in operating activities for the third quarter was £23.6 million, a decrease of £0.7 million compared to £24.3 million net cash used in the prior year quarter.

Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment and investment property for the third quarter was £1.3 million, a decrease of £0.3 million compared to £1.6 million in the prior year quarter.

Net player capital expenditure for the third quarter was £1.4 million, an increase of £2.3 million compared to £0.9 million net inflow in the prior year quarter.

Net cash used in financing activities for the third quarter was £7.2 million, an increase of £7.1 million compared to £0.1 million net cash used in the prior year quarter. During the third quarter the Group acquired the remaining 33.3% of the issued share capital of MUTV Limited for a purchase consideration (including transaction costs) of £2.7 million. The Group also repaid the loan stock issued to the former minority shareholder of MUTV Limited amounting to £4.4 million. The Group now holds 100% of the issued share capital of MUTV Limited.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2013 were £36.2 million compared to £25.6 million at 31 March 2012.

Borrowings

Total borrowings were £367.6 million at 31 March 2013 compared to £423.3 million at 31 March 2012. During the nine months we re-purchased and retired the sterling equivalent of £62.6 million of senior secured notes comprising US$101.7 million of US dollar denominated notes. The consideration paid amounted to £67.9 million.

Conference Call Information

The Company’s conference call to review the third quarter and nine months fiscal 2013 results will be broadcast live over the internet today, 2 May 2013 at 08:00 am Eastern Time and will be available on Manchester United’s investor relations website at http://ir.manutd.com. Thereafter, a replay of the webcast will be available for thirty days.

Manchester United is one of the most popular and successful sports teams in the world, playing one of the most popular spectator sports on Earth.

About Manchester United

Through our 135 year heritage we have won 61 trophies, enabling us to develop the world’s leading sports brand and a global community of 659 million followers. Our large, passionate community provides Manchester United with a worldwide platform to generate significant revenue from multiple sources, including sponsorship, merchandising, product licensing, new media & mobile, broadcasting and matchday.

Cautionary Statement

This press release contains forward looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on such statements because they are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties relating to the Company’s operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many are beyond the Company’s control. Forward-looking statements include information concerning the Company’s possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of its business strategy. These statements often include words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “seek,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “contemplate,” “possible” or similar expressions. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on our current expectations and estimates of future events and trends, which affect or may affect our businesses and operations. You should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although the Company believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect its actual financial results or results of operations and could cause actual results to differ materially from those in these forward-looking statements. These factors are more fully discussed in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1, as amended (File No. 333-182535) and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-35627).

Key Performance Indicators
		Three months ended 31 March				Nine months ended 31 March
		2013		2012		2013		2012
Commercial % of total revenue		39.2%		38.6%		41.2%		36.4%
Nike and Aon % of Commercial		38.9%		48.5%		37.1%		44.3%
Partners and other % of Commercial		61.1%		51.5%		62.9%		55.7%
Broadcasting % of total revenue		23.7%		23.8%		27.0%		31.1%
Matchday % of total revenue		37.1%		37.6%		31.8%		32.5%
Home Matches Played
FAPL		5		5		15		15
UEFA competitions		1		2		4		5
Domestic Cups		4		-		5		1
Away Matches Played
UEFA competitions		1		2		4		5
Domestic Cups		1		2		2		4
Other
Employees at period end		792		710		792		710
Staff costs % of revenue		48.9%		50.7%		46.5%		45.7%

Phasing of Premier League home games		Quarter 1		Quarter 2		Quarter 3		Quarter 4		Total
2012/13 season		3		7		5		4		19
2011/12 season		3		7		5		4		19

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT (unaudited; in £ thousands, except per share and shares outstanding data)
		Three months ended 31 March								Nine months ended 31 March
		2013				2012				2013				2012
Revenue			91,721				70,768				278,093				245,828
Operating expenses			(79,069	)			(66,544	)			(227,049	)			(203,001	)
Profit on disposal of players’ registrations			2,520				2,066				8,025				7,896
Operating profit			15,172				6,290				59,069				50,723
Finance costs			(18,607	)			(3,662	)			(40,360	)			(35,724	)
Finance income			285				198				441				676
Net finance costs			(18,322	)			(3,464	)			(39,919	)			(35,048	)
(Loss)/profit before tax			(3,150	)			2,826				19,150				15,675
Tax credit/(expense)			6,784				(1,709	)			21,170				22,543
Profit for the period			3,634				1,117				40,320				38,218
Attributable to: Owners of the Company			3,634				1,035				40,151				37,984
Non-controlling interest			-				82				169				234
			3,634				1,117				40,320				38,218
Earnings per share attributable to the owners of the Company:
Basic and diluted earnings per share (Pounds Sterling)			0.02				0.01((1	))			0.25				0.24((1	))
Weighted average shares outstanding (Thousands)			163,826				155,352				162,586				155,352

⁽¹⁾ As adjusted retrospectively to reflect the reorganisation transactions described in supplemental note 1.1.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (unaudited; in £ thousands)
				31 March 2013		30 June 2012		31 March 2012
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment				252,888		247,866		243,863
Investment property				14,111		14,197		14,210
Goodwill				421,453		421,453		421,453
Players’ registrations				126,457		112,399		99,362
Trade and other receivables				2,500		3,000		13,000
Non-current tax receivable				-		-		2,500
Deferred tax asset				16,402		-		-
				833,811		798,915		794,388
Current assets
Derivative financial instruments				546		967		401
Trade and other receivables				74,297		74,163		45,199
Current tax receivable				2,500		2,500		-
Cash and cash equivalents				36,211		70,603		25,576
				113,554		148,233		71,176
Total assets				947,365		947,148		865,564

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (continued) (unaudited; in £ thousands)
				31 March 2013			30 June 2012(1)				31 March 2012(1)
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity
Share capital					52			50				50
Share premium					68,822			25				25
Merger reserve					249,030			249,030				249,030
Hedging reserve					398			666				99
Retained earnings/(deficit)					23,548			(12,671	)			12,272
Equity attributable to owners of the Company					341,850			237,100				261,476
Non-controlling interests					-			(2,003	)			(2,096	)
					341,850			235,097				259,380
Non-current liabilities
Derivative financial instruments					1,571			1,685				1,628
Trade and other payables					21,384			22,305				22,645
Borrowings					362,102			421,247				416,676
Deferred revenue					17,980			9,375				11,619
Provisions					1,092			1,378				1,530
Deferred tax liabilities					22,416			26,678				31,995
					426,545			482,668				486,093
Current liabilities
Derivative financial instruments					154			-				6
Current tax liabilities					1,128			1,128				1,127
Trade and other payables					76,804			83,664				47,509
Borrowings					5,487			15,628				6,604
Deferred revenue					94,936			128,535				64,408
Provisions					461			428				437
					178,970			229,383				120,091
Total equity and liabilities					947,365			947,148				865,564

⁽¹⁾ As adjusted retrospectively to reflect the reorganisation transactions described in supplemental note 1.1.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (unaudited; in £ thousands)
		Share capital		Share premium			Merger reserve		Hedging reserve			Retained earnings/ (deficit)			Total attributable to owners of the Company			Non- controlling interests			Total equity
Balance at 1 July 2011		-		249,105			-		(466	)		(25,886	)		222,753			(2,330	)		220,423
Profit for the period		-		-			-		-			37,984			37,984			234			38,218
Cash flow hedges, net of tax		-		-			-		565			-			565			-			565
Currency translation differences		-		-			-		-			174			174			-			174
Total comprehensive income for the period		-		-			-		565			38,158			38,723			234			38,957
Proceeds from shares issued		50		25			-		-			-			75			-			75
Capital reorganisation(1)		-		(249,105	)		249,030		-			-			(75	)		-			(75	)
Balance at 31 March 2012		50		25			249,030		99			12,272			261,476			(2,096	)		259,380
(Loss)/profit for the period		-		-			-		-			(14,998	)		(14,998	)		93			(14,905	)
Cash flow hedges, net of tax		-		-			-		567			-			567			-			567
Currency translation differences		-		-			-		-			55			55			-			55
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period		-		-			-		567			(14,943	)		(14,376	)		93			(14,283	)
Dividends		-		-			-		-			(10,000	)		(10,000	)		-			(10,000	)
Balance at 30 June 2012		50		25			249,030		666			(12,671	)		237,100			(2,003	)		235,097
Profit for the period		-		-			-		-			40,151			40,151			169			40,320
Cash flow hedges, net of tax		-		-			-		(268	)		-			(268	)		-			(268	)
Currency translation differences		-		-			-		-			(68	)		(68	)		-			(68	)
Total comprehensive (loss)/ income for the period		-		-			-		(268	)		40,083			39,815			169			39,984
Equity settled share-based payments		-		-			-		-			634			634			-			634
Proceeds from shares issued(2)		2		68,797			-		-			-			68,799			-			68,799
Acquisition of non-controlling interest in MUTV Limited(3)		-		-			-		-			(4,498	)		(4,498	)		1,834			(2,664	)
Balance at 31 March 2013		52		68,822			249,030		398			23,548			341,850			-			341,850

⁽¹⁾ Adjusted retrospectively to reflect the reorganisation transactions described in supplemental note 1.1.

⁽²⁾ See supplemental note 1.2.

⁽³⁾ See supplemental note 5.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited; in £ thousands)
		Three months ended 31 March						Nine months ended 31 March
		2013			2012			2013			2012
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash (used in)/generated from operations (see supplemental note 3)		(4,938	)		(6,055	)		56,925			13,779
Interest paid		(18,963	)		(18,601	)		(46,897	)		(43,553	)
Interest received		285			444			442			823
Income tax (paid)/received		-			(64	)		600			(3,274	)
Net cash (used in)/generated from operating activities		(23,616	)		(24,276	)		11,070			(32,225	)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(1,311	)		(1,597	)		(10,649	)		(9,638	)
Purchases of investment property		-			-			-			(7,364	)
Purchases of players’ registrations		(3,009	)		(864	)		(41,267	)		(53,153	)
Proceeds from sale of players’ registrations		1,606			1,751			7,969			6,124
Net cash used in investing activities		(2,714	)		(710	)		(43,947	)		(64,031	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of shares (see supplemental note 1.2)		-			-			70,258			-
Expenses directly related to the issue of shares (see supplemental note 1.2)		-			-			(1,459	)		-
Acquisition of additional interest in subsidiary (see supplemental note 5)		(2,664	)		-			(2,664	)		-
Repayment of other borrowings		(4,534	)		(86	)		(67,330	)		(28,463	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(7,198	)		(86	)		(1,195	)		(28,463	)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(33,528	)		(25,072	)		(34,072	)		(124,719	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		66,631			50,900			70,603			150,645
Exchange gains/(losses) on cash and cash equivalents		3,108			(252	)		(320	)		(350	)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		36,211			25,576			36,211			25,576

SUPPLEMENTAL NOTES

1 General information

Manchester United plc (“the Company”) and its subsidiaries (together “the Group”) is a professional football club together with related and ancillary activities. The Company is incorporated under the Companies Law (2011 Revision) of the Cayman Islands. The Company became the parent of the Group as a result of reorganisation transactions which were completed immediately prior to the completion of the public offering of Manchester United plc shares on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) in August 2012 as described more fully below.

1.1 The reorganisation transactions

The Group had historically conducted business through Red Football Shareholder Limited, a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales, and its subsidiaries. Prior to the reorganisation transactions, Red Football Shareholder Limited was a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Red Football LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. On 30 April 2012, Red Football LLC formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Manchester United Ltd., an exempted company with limited liability incorporated under the Companies Law (2011 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, as amended and restated from time to time. On 8 August 2012, Manchester United Ltd. changed its legal name to Manchester United plc.

On 9 August 2012, Red Football LLC contributed all of the equity interest of Red Football Shareholder Limited to Manchester United plc. As a result of these reorganisation transactions, Red Football Shareholder Limited became an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Manchester United plc.

The new parent, Manchester United plc. had 155,352,366 shares in issue immediately after the reorganisation transactions and before the issue of new shares pursuant to the public offering. The reorganisation transactions have been treated as a capital reorganisation arising at the reorganisation date (9 August 2012). In accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, historic earnings per share calculations and the balance sheet as at 30 June 2012 and 31 March 2012 reflect the capital structure of the new parent rather than that of the former parent, Red Football Shareholder Limited.

1.2 Initial public offering (“IPO”)

On 10 August 2012, the Company issued a further 8,333,334 ordinary shares at an issue price of $14 per share and listed such shares on the NYSE. Net of underwriting costs and discounts, proceeds of $110,250,000 (£70,258,000) were received. Expenses of £1,459,000 directly attributable to this issue of new shares have been offset against share premium.

2 Earnings per share

Basic and diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit for the period attributable to owners of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period, as adjusted for the reorganisation transactions described in supplemental note 1.1. The Company did not have any dilutive shares during the period (2012: none).

		Unaudited three months ended 31 March						Unaudited nine months ended 31 March
		2013			2012			2013		2012
Profit for the period attributable to owners of the Company (£’000)		3,634			1,035			40,151		37,984
Weighted average Class A ordinary shares (thousands)		39,826			31,352	(1)		38,586		31,352	(1)
Weighted average Class B ordinary shares (thousands)		124,000			124,000	(1)		124,000		124,000	(1)
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to owners of the Company (Pounds Sterling)		0.02			0.01	(1)		0.25		0.24	(1)

⁽¹⁾ As adjusted retrospectively to reflect the reorganisation transactions described in supplemental note 1.1.

On 15 August 2012, the Company issued a further 139,895 Class A ordinary shares pursuant to the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Award Plan and listed such shares on the NYSE. The number of shares in issue as of 31 December 2012 was 163,825,595 shares comprising 39,825,595 Class A ordinary shares and 124,000,000 Class B ordinary shares.

3 Cash (used in)/generated from operations

			Unaudited three months ended 31 March						Unaudited nine months ended 31 March
			2013 £’000			2012 £’000			2013 £’000			2012 £’000
Profit for the period			3,634			1,117			40,320			38,218
Tax (credit)/expense			(6,784	)		1,709			(21,170	)		(22,543	)
(Loss)/profit before tax			(3,150	)		2,826			19,150			15,675
Depreciation charges			1,974			2,111			5,743			5,671
Amortisation of players’ registrations			10,389			9,747			30,872			29,767
Profit on disposal of players’ registrations			(2,520	)		(2,066	)		(8,025	)		(7,896	)
Net finance costs			18,322			3,464			39,919			35,048
Share-based payments			153			-			634			-
Fair value losses/(gains) on derivative financial instruments			224			(25	)		215			(265	)
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables			(12,393	)		3,652			2,334			11,123
Decrease in trade and other payables and deferred revenue			(17,879	)		(25,637	)		(33,623	)		(74,782	)
Decrease in provisions			(58	)		(127	)		(294	)		(562	)
Cash (used in)/generated from operations			(4,938	)		(6,055	)		56,925			13,779

4 Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to profit for the period

			Unaudited three months ended 31 March						Unaudited nine months ended 31 March
			2013 £’000			2012 £’000			2013 £’000			2012 £’000
Adjusted EBITDA			25,015			20,419			91,538			84,628
Adjustments:
Depreciation			(1,974	)		(2,111	)		(5,743	)		(5,671	)
Amortisation of players’ registrations			(10,389	)		(9,747	)		(30,872	)		(29,767	)
Exceptional items			-			(4,337	)		(3,879	)		(6,363	)
Profit on disposal of players’ registrations			2,520			2,066			8,025			7,896
Net finance costs			(18,322	)		(3,464	)		(39,919	)		(35,048	)
Tax credit/(expense)			6,784			(1,709	)		21,170			22,543
Profit for the period			3,634			1,117			40,320			38,218

5 Transactions with non-controlling interest

On 2 January 2013, the Group acquired the remaining 33.3% of the issued share capital of MUTV Limited for a purchase consideration (including transaction costs) of £2,664,000. The Group now holds 100% of the issued share capital of MUTV Limited. The carrying amount of the non-controlling interests in MUTV Limited on the date of acquisition was (£1,834,000). The Group derecognised non-controlling interests of (£1,834,000) and recorded a decrease in equity attributable to owners of the Company of £4,498,000. The effect of changes in the ownership interest of MUTV Limited on the equity attributable to owners of the Company during the period is summarised as follows:

			Unaudited three months ended 31 March						Unaudited nine months ended 31 March
			2013 £’000			2012 £’000			2013 £’000			2012 £’000
Carrying amount of non-controlling interests acquired			(1,834	)		-			(1,834	)		-
Consideration paid to non-controlling interests			(2,664	)		-			(2,664	)		-
Amount recognised in equity attributable to owners of the Company			(4,498	)		-			(4,498	)		-

Non-IFRS Measures: Definitions and Use/Importance

The definition of the non-IFRS measure utilised in this Press Release is set out below together with the reasons why we believe this measure provides useful information to investors regarding the Group’s financial condition and results of operations.

1. Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as profit for the period before net finance costs, tax credit/(expense), depreciation, amortisation of, and profit on disposal of, players’ registrations and exceptional items. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful as a measure of comparative operating performance from period to period and among companies as it is reflective of changes in pricing decisions, cost controls and other factors that affect operating performance, and it removes the effect of our capital structure (primarily interest expense), asset base (primarily depreciation and amortisation) and items outside the control of our management (primarily income taxes and interest income and expense). Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for an analysis of our results as reported under IFRS as issued by the IASB. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to profit for the period is presented in supplemental note 4.