e20vf
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
September 29, 2006
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 20-F
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(Mark One)
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR
(g) OF THE |
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SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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OR |
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES |
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EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 |
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OR |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES |
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EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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OR |
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SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE |
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SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of event requiring this shell company report |
For the transition period
from to
Commission File
Number 333-12430
M (2003) plc
Formerly Marconi plc
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
ENGLAND AND WALES
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
8 Salisbury Square
London EC4Y 8BB
United Kingdom
(Address of principal executive office)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to
Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to
Section 12(g) of the Act:
American
Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts,
each American Depositary Share representing 2 ordinary shares,
nominal value 5 pence per share
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
Indicate the
number of outstanding shares of each of the issuers
classes of capital or common stock as of March 31, 2006:
2,793,011,951 Ordinary Shares of 5p each
Indicate by
check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as
defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
YES o NO þ
If this report
is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the
registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
YES o NO þ
Note
Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required
to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under
those Sections.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed
all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding
12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
YES þ NO o
Indicate by
check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer,
an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition
of accelerated filers and large accelerated filer in
Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated
filer o Accelerated
filer o Non-accelerated
filer þ
Indicate by
check mark which financial statement item the registrant has
elected to follow.
ITEM 17 o ITEM
18 þ
If this is an
annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is
a shell company (as defined in
Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act).
YES o NO þ
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS
DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all
documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12,
13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to
the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
YES þ NO o
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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* |
We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of responding to this
Item. |
i
PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION
On May 19, 2003, M (2003) plc (then known as Marconi
plc) and Marconi Corporation plc (now known as telent
plc) concluded the financial restructuring of the Marconi
group. The financial restructuring was effected through separate
schemes of arrangement under the U.K. Companies Act 1985 for
each of M (2003) plc and Marconi Corporation plc. As a
result of the restructuring, the shares that
M (2003) plc held in Marconi Corporation plc were
cancelled. Marconi Corporation plc became the new parent holding
company of the Marconi group and M (2003) plc ceased to be
a member of the Marconi group. On October 21, 2003, Marconi
plc changed its name to M (2003) plc.
M (2003) plc no longer conducts any business and does
not intend to revive any business operations. In this annual
report, the terms we, us,
our and the Company refer to M
(2003) plc and, prior to May 19, 2003, its
subsidiaries and joint ventures, as the context requires.
Under the terms of the M (2003) plc scheme of
arrangement, all of our assets, other than those necessary to
fund the administration of the scheme and the Company will be
distributed to scheme creditors in accordance with the scheme of
arrangement. While M (2003) plc shares, and ADRs
representing M (2003) plc shares, remain outstanding
following the effectiveness of the financial restructuring, the
Directors believe that there will be no circumstances under
which any value will be returned to shareholders of M
(2003) plc. As that is the case, the Directors believe M
(2003) plc shares and ADRs are worthless.
M (2003) plc is incorporated as a public limited company
under the laws of England and Wales. We state our financial
statements in United Kingdom (U.K.) pounds sterling. In this
annual report, references to pounds sterling, pounds or £
and to pence or p are to the currency of the United Kingdom,
references to euro or
are to the
common legal currency of the members of the European monetary
union, and references to United States (U.S.) dollars, U.S.$ or
$ are to the currency of the United States of America.
Our fiscal year ends on March 31. Unless otherwise
specified, all references in this annual report to our fiscal
year refer to a twelve-month financial period ending
March 31. For example, fiscal 2006 represents the fiscal
year beginning on April 1, 2005 and ending on
March 31, 2006.
The consolidated financial statements contained in this annual
report have been prepared in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States, known as
U.S. GAAP.
Various amounts and percentages set forth in this annual report
may have been rounded and, accordingly, may not total.
1
PART I
Item 1: Identity of Directors, Senior Management
and Advisers
This item is not applicable.
Item 2: Offer Statistics and Expected
Timetable
This item is not applicable.
Item 3: Key Information
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected historical consolidated financial information
presented below as at and for each of the five years ended
March 31, 2002 through 2006, has been derived from our
audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance
with U.S. GAAP.
On May 19, 2003, we and Marconi Corporation plc concluded
the financial restructuring of the Marconi group through two
separate schemes of arrangement under the U.K.
Companies Act 1985. As a result of the restructuring, Marconi
Corporation plc became the new parent holding company of the
Marconi group, replacing us, and we ceased to be a member of the
Marconi group. Additional details on the restructuring are
included elsewhere in this document.
2
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
(continued)
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2006 | |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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2003 | |
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2002 | |
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£000 | |
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£000 | |
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£000 | |
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£000 | |
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£000 | |
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STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
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Revenues
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Network Equipment
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100,000 |
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1,131,000 |
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1,812,000 |
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Network Services
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68,000 |
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743,000 |
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969,000 |
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Other
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22,000 |
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465,000 |
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Total
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168,000 |
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1,896,000 |
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3,246,000 |
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Operating
loss(1)
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(622 |
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(1,284 |
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(58,000 |
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(608 |
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(6,392 |
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Other income/(expense),
net(2)
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327 |
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361 |
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2,335,000 |
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(295 |
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23 |
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Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes,
minority interest and cumulative effect of changes in accounting
principles
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(295 |
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(923 |
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2,277,000 |
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(903 |
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(6,369 |
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Income/(loss) from continuing operations before cumulative
effects of changes in accounting principles
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(259 |
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(1,108 |
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2,276,000 |
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(756 |
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(6,094 |
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Cumulative effects of changes in accounting
principles(3)
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(240 |
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Net income/(loss)
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(259 |
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(1,108 |
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2,276,000 |
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(807 |
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(6,150 |
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Cash dividends declared per common share
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£ per share
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$ equivalent per share
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BALANCE SHEET DATA:
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Total assets
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7,687 |
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8,266 |
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8,961 |
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3,111 |
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4,925 |
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Net assets/(liabilities)
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7,593 |
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7,852 |
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8,960 |
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(2,500 |
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(1,493 |
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Capital stock
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799,000 |
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799,000 |
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799,000 |
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1,220 |
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1,203 |
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Shares issued and outstanding (thousands)
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2,793,011 |
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2,793,011 |
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2,793,011 |
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2,793,011 |
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2,793,011 |
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Notes:
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(1) |
For fiscal 2002, operating loss is reflected after business
restructuring and asset impairment charges of
£5,319 million. |
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(2) |
For fiscal 2006 and 2005, other income is entirely comprised of
bank interest. For fiscal 2004, other income includes a gain on
financial restructuring of £2,183 million and a gain
on settlement of equity forward contracts of
£123 million. For fiscal 2002, other income includes a
gain on early retirement of debt of £166 million which
was previously shown as extraordinary income. This
reclassification was made on adoption of SFAS 145,
Recission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64,
Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical
Corrections. |
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(3) |
We adopted
EITF 00-19,
Accounting for Derivative Instruments Indexed to, and
Potentially Settled in, the Companys Own Stock, in
fiscal 2002. The value of such instruments, as of the
implementation date, was recorded as a cumulative effect of a
change in accounting principles of £240 million in
fiscal 2002. |
3
EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION
The Noon Buying Rate for pounds sterling expressed in
U.S. dollars per pounds sterling on September 26, 2006
was £1.00 = U.S.$1.8954.
The following table sets forth the high and low noon buying rate
for pounds sterling expressed in U.S. dollars per pound
sterling for each of the previous six months:
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2006 |
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High |
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Low |
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April
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1.8220 |
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1.7389 |
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May
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1.8911 |
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1.8286 |
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June
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1.8817 |
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1.8108 |
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July
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1.8685 |
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1.8203 |
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August
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1.9102 |
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1.8711 |
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September (through September 26)
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1.9050 |
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1.8630 |
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The following table sets forth the average noon buying rate for
pounds sterling expressed in U.S. dollars per pound
sterling for each of the five most recent fiscal years, based on
the noon buying rate on the last business day of each month.
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Fiscal Year Ended March 31, |
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Average |
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2002
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1.4320 |
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2003
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1.5541 |
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2004
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1.8400 |
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2005
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1.8506 |
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2006
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1.7795 |
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RISK FACTORS
As a result of our financial restructuring, we have ceased
business operations and shall distribute our remaining assets to
our creditors.
On May 19, 2003, we concluded the financial restructuring
of the Marconi group. The financial restructuring was effected
through separate schemes of arrangement under the U.K. Companies
Act 1985 for each of M (2003) plc and Marconi Corporation
plc. As a result of the restructuring, the shares that
M (2003) plc held in Marconi Corporation plc were
cancelled. Marconi Corporation plc became the new parent holding
company of the Marconi group and we ceased to be a member of the
Marconi group. M (2003) plc no longer conducts any
business and does not intend to revive any business operations.
Under the terms of the M (2003) plc scheme of arrangement,
all of our assets, other than those necessary to fund the
administration of the scheme and the Company, will be
distributed to scheme creditors in accordance with the scheme of
arrangement. While M (2003) plc shares, and ADRs
representing M (2003) plc shares, remain outstanding
following the effectiveness of the financial restructuring, the
Directors believe that there will be no circumstances under
which any value will be returned to shareholders of M
(2003) plc. As that is the case, the Directors believe M
(2003) plc shares and ADRs are worthless.
On September 25, 2006, a meeting of the Companys
creditors considered and approved an amended scheme of
arrangement for the Company. Subject to approval by the High
Court at a hearing which is expected to take place on or around
October 3, 2006, the directors intend to propose a special
resolution to the Companys shareholders at an
Extraordinary General Meeting, to be held on October 27,
2006 (the same day as the 2006 Annual General Meeting), to put
the Company into Members Voluntary Liquidation. A separate
letter explaining this proposal in greater detail will be issued
to shareholders.
4
The accounts will be prepared on a liquidation basis once the
liquidation of the Company has been approved by the
shareholders. Management believes the only adjustment necessary
to prepare the accounts on a liquidation basis is the
recognition of an additional liability of £7,593,000 for
the costs associated with liquidating the company in accordance
with the Scheme of Arrangement which was effective on
May 19, 2003.
5
Item 4: Information on the Company
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY
M (2003) plc, formerly Marconi plc, is a public limited
company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales and
operating under the U.K. Companies Act 1985. M (2003) plc
was incorporated as a public limited company in England in 1999.
The address and telephone number of its registered office are 8
Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8BB, United Kingdom and +44 (0)24
7656 3704.
Until the effectiveness on May 19, 2003 of the schemes of
arrangement described below under the caption Financial
Restructuring, M (2003) plc was the parent company of
Marconi Corporation plc and its subsidiaries, which operated
(and continues to operate) the business of the Marconi group. As
a result of the effectiveness of those schemes of arrangement,
we ceased to be a member of the Marconi group and ceased
business operations.
Financial Restructuring
On May 19, 2003, the Marconi group concluded its financial
restructuring. The restructuring was effected through two
separate schemes of arrangement under the U.K.
Companies Act 1985. A scheme of arrangement is a procedure under
English law through which a company may enter into a voluntary
compromise or arrangement with one or more classes of its
creditors to effect a restructuring of its financial
obligations. One scheme of arrangement involved all of the
creditors of Marconi Corporation plc, other than certain
excepted categories of creditors but including the syndicate
banks and bondholders to whom our primary financial indebtedness
was owed. The second scheme of arrangement involved creditors of
M (2003) plc. As a result of the restructuring, the shares
that M (2003) plc held in Marconi Corporation plc were
cancelled. Marconi Corporation plc became the new parent holding
company of the Marconi group, and M (2003) plc ceased to be
a member of the Marconi group.
The financial restructuring covered approximately
£4.8 billion of creditors claims, comprising
£4.0 billion of syndicated bank debt and externally
held U.S. dollar and euro denominated bonds and
£800 million of related party debt. In exchange for
the cancellation of their claims against us and Marconi
Corporation plc, on May 19, 2003 the creditors covered by
these schemes of arrangement received:
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Cash: £340 million in cash; |
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Senior Notes: U.S.$717,139,584 (approximately
£437 million) in aggregate principal amount of new
guaranteed senior secured notes due April 2008 issued by Marconi
Corporation plc, with interest payable quarterly in cash at a
rate of 8% per annum. Since the implementation of the
schemes, Marconi Corporation plc has fully redeemed for
U.S. dollars these Notes; |
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Junior Notes: U.S.$486,881,472 (approximately
£297 million) in aggregate principal amount of new
guaranteed junior secured notes due October 2008 issued by
Marconi Corporation plc, with interest payable quarterly in cash
at a rate of 10% per annum or, at our option, in kind, by
issuing additional junior notes, at a rate of 12% per
annum. Since the implementation of the schemes, Marconi
Corporation plc has fully redeemed for U.S. dollars these
Notes; and |
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Marconi Corporation plc Shares: 995 million ordinary
shares, representing 99.5% of Marconi Corporation plcs
issued ordinary share capital on May 19, 2003. |
In addition, Marconi Corporation plc issued 5 million
ordinary shares, representing 0.5% of its issued ordinary share
capital upon consummation of the financial restructuring, and
warrants to subscribe for up to 50 million additional
ordinary shares, equal to 5% of its issued ordinary share
capital upon consummation of the financial restructuring, to
shareholders of M (2003) plc.
In connection with the financial restructuring, our ordinary
shares were delisted from the London Stock Exchange. Under the
terms of the M (2003) plc scheme of arrangement, all of our
assets, other than those necessary to fund the administration of
the scheme and the Company, will be distributed to
6
scheme creditors in accordance with the scheme of arrangement.
While M (2003) plc shares, and ADRs representing M
(2003) plc shares, remain outstanding following the
effectiveness of the financial restructuring, the Directors
believe that there will be no circumstances under which any
value will be returned to shareholders of
M (2003) plc. As that is the case, the Directors
believe M (2003) plc shares and ADRs are worthless.
Prior to the financial restructuring, we had issued options in
respect of M (2003) plcs shares to Marconi group
employees under a number of different option plans. In order to
hedge some of the potential cost of acquiring the shares
necessary to satisfy the groups obligations under these
plans, we, through an ESOP trust entity, entered into contracts,
which we refer to as ESOP derivative transactions, to purchase
shares in the future at prices that were fixed at the dates of
the contracts. In connection with the restructuring process, on
March 26, 2003 we and Marconi Corporation plc entered into
a final settlement with the banks, which we refer to as the ESOP
derivative banks, that were the counterparties under the ESOP
derivative transactions. This settlement agreement definitively
settled the claims of the ESOP derivative banks against M
(2003) plc and Marconi Corporation plc in relation to the
ESOP derivative transactions. Under the settlement, which was
conditional on Marconi Corporation plcs financial
restructuring becoming effective, we paid a total of
£35 million to the ESOP derivative banks and the
claims of the ESOP derivative banks under the ESOP derivative
transactions were excluded from our and Marconi Corporation
plcs schemes of arrangement.
On May 6, 2004, the M (2003) plc scheme supervisors
authorized a further distribution to creditors as a consequence
of the settlement of a Marconi Corporation plc scheme claim,
referred to as the Millionerrors claim. At the time of this
distribution, the prevailing share price and exchange rate
resulted in the distribution of consideration approximately
equivalent to 2 pence per pound of admitted claims.
On September 25, 2006, a meeting of the Companys
creditors considered and approved an amended scheme of
arrangement for the Company. Subject to approval by the High
Court at a hearing which is expected to take place on or around
October 3, 2006, the directors intend to propose a special
resolution to the Companys shareholders at an
Extraordinary General Meeting, to be held on October 27,
2006 (the same day as the 2006 Annual General Meeting), to put
the Company into Members Voluntary Liquidation. A separate
letter explaining this proposal in greater detail will be issued
to shareholders.
The accounts will be prepared on a liquidation basis once the
liquidation of the Company has been approved by the
shareholders. Management believes the only adjustment necessary
to prepare the accounts on a liquidation basis is the
recognition of an additional liability of £7,593,000 for
the costs associated with liquidating the company in accordance
with the Scheme of Arrangement which was effective on
May 19, 2003.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Until the effectiveness on May 19, 2003 of the schemes of
arrangement of M (2003) plc and Marconi Corporation plc, M
(2003) plc was the parent company of Marconi Corporation
plc and its subsidiaries, which operated the business then
conducted by the Marconi group. As a result of the effectiveness
of the M (2003) plc and Marconi Corporation plc schemes of
arrangement, we ceased to be a member of the Marconi group and
ceased our business operations. The business of the Marconi
group continues to be operated by Marconi Corporation plc, the
current parent holding company of the Marconi group, and its
subsidiaries.
As a consequence of the schemes of arrangement, we no longer
conduct any business, and we do not intend to revive any
business operations.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Our registered office is located at 8 Salisbury Square, London
EC4Y 8BB, United Kingdom. We currently have no property, plant
or equipment.
7
Item 5: Operating and Financial Review and
Prospects
On May 19, 2003, the Marconi group concluded its financial
restructuring, which was effected through two separate schemes
of arrangement under the U.K. Companies Act 1985. As a result of
the restructuring, we ceased to be a member of the Marconi group
and ceased business operations. See the additional discussion of
our financial restructuring in History and Development of
the Company Financial Restructuring. Because
the financial restructuring occurred approximately seven weeks
into fiscal 2004, and because we ceased business operations
thereafter, any discussion of our results or of specific
financial statement line items between fiscal 2005 and fiscal
2004 is not meaningful. For fiscal 2005 and 2006, other income
represents bank interest. Tax charges/credits include
adjustments for
non-deductible expenses
and under/over provisions in previous years.
In connection with the financial restructuring of the Marconi
group, the shares that M (2003) plc held in Marconi
Corporation plc were cancelled, and M (2003) plc divested
fully of its interests in the Marconi group for nil proceeds.
This resulted in a gain of £3,281 million on the
transfer of ownership of the Marconi group being equivalent to
its consolidated net liabilities. On the same date the scheme of
arrangement of Marconi Corporation plc came into effect
resulting in an £804 million receivable from the
Marconi group being waived by M (2003) plc and its
subsidiary undertakings reducing the net gain to
£2,477 million. This was accounted for in fiscal 2004
by a gain of £2,183 million recorded in the
consolidated statement of operations within other income and a
credit of £294 million recorded in the consolidated
statement of shareholders equity relating principally to
the minimum pension liability.
Expenses incurred by the Scheme Supervisors in the
administration of the scheme post May 19, 2003 through
March 31, 2004 were approximately £0.3 million.
Expenses incurred by the Scheme Supervisors were approximately
£1.3 million in fiscal 2005 and approximately
£0.6 million in fiscal 2006.
Because the financial restructuring was implemented by way of
two separate schemes of arrangement under section 425 of
the U.K. Companies Act 1985, the gain on financial restructuring
described above will not give rise to any taxable amounts.
Pursuant to the M (2003) plc scheme of arrangement, the
remaining assets of M (2003) plc will be distributed to
scheme creditors, and it is intended that M (2003) plc will
be dissolved. There will be no circumstances under which any
value will be returned to shareholders under the terms of the
scheme.
We have no external sources of liquidity. We have cash on hand
sufficient to meet our anticipated ongoing administrative costs
for the foreseeable future. Under the terms of the M
(2003) plc scheme of arrangement, all of our assets, other
than those necessary to fund the administration of the scheme
and the Company, will be distributed to scheme creditors in
accordance with the scheme of arrangement. The Directors
therefore believe that there will be no future circumstances
under which the Company will have any internal sources of
liquidity other than the cash currently on hand.
At March 31, 2006, our cash and cash equivalents totaled
approximately £7.4 million, as compared to
£8 million at March 31, 2005. All of our debts
were compromised at the time of the financial restructuring of
the Marconi group, and we have incurred no new debt since that
time.
As at March 31, 2006, we had no off-balance sheet
arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a
current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues,
expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures
or capital resources.
We have no contractual obligations of the type requiring tabular
disclosure under Item 5.F.
8
Item 6: Directors, Senior Management and
Employees
DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Directors
The current members of our board of directors are:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Age |
|
Title |
|
|
|
|
|
John Jameson White
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
Chairman |
Christopher James Shaw
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
Director |
Richard Anthony Robinson
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
Director |
The business address of John White, Christopher Shaw and Richard
Robinson is 8 Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8BB, United
Kingdom.
John Jameson White was appointed Chairman of our
board of directors in August 2003. Mr. White, who is a
solicitor, became a partner with the law firm CMS Cameron
McKenna in 1964 having joined the firm in 1957. During his
period with the firm, he became the first Chairman of the CMS
European Banking Group.
Christopher James Shaw was appointed to our board
of directors in August 2003. Mr. Shaw became a licensed
insolvency practitioner in 1987. He has worked for KPMG LLP
since May 1989 as a senior manager in their corporate recovery
department, primarily on members voluntary liquidations.
Richard Anthony Robinson was appointed to our
board of directors in September 2003. He is a Chartered
Accountant and is currently working as a consultant. Previously
he held various finance appointments within Marconi Corporation
plc (previously The General Electric Company, p.l.c.) between
1987 to 1991 and from 1993 to 2003, latterly as VP
Corporate Finance. He spent 2 years working for Guinness
PLC between 1991 and 1993. He is also a Director of Plessey
Holdings Ltd and Torro Advisors Ltd.
Executive Officers
Kevin David Smith was appointed company secretary
in August 2003. Mr. Smith is a chartered secretary and was
previously company secretary at Kalamazoo Computer Group plc.
COMPENSATION
The names of our current directors appear in the table at the
beginning of this section. The following table shows emoluments
paid or payable to all directors of the Company as a group for
the period to March 31, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Directors emoluments
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
The aggregate of emoluments of the highest paid director was
£20,587 in fiscal 2006 (fiscal 2005: £23,834).
None of the directors received any compensation in fiscal 2006
in respect of any pension or defined benefit scheme.
9
BOARD PRACTICES
General
Our board currently comprises a chairman and two directors, one
of whom acts as the Companys Chief Financial Officer. The
board also acts as the Companys audit committee. There are
no other board committees.
The board meets as and when circumstances require to discharge
its statutory and regulatory obligations and to consider matters
relating to the Companys scheme of arrangement.
The periods during which the current directors have served are
given above, in Directors and Senior
Management. The current terms of office of Christopher
James Shaw and Richard Anthony Robinson will expire on
December 31, 2006, subject to extension by agreement among
the directors. John Jameson White will retire from his
directorship at the Annual General Meeting on October 27,
2006, as required under the Companys Articles of
Association, but is standing for reappointment. If
Mr. White is reappointed as a director, his term of office
will also expire on December 31, 2006, subject to extension
by agreement among the directors. The directors service
contracts provide that upon termination, the directors are not
entitled to any fee, compensation or other payment in respect of
the period after the termination date.
EMPLOYEES
All of our former employees were transferred to Marconi
Corporation plc as a result of our restructuring on May 19,
2003. The company currently has no employees.
SHARE OWNERSHIP
The following table shows the interests of directors in ordinary
shares of 5 pence each in M (2003) plc:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On | |
|
|
|
|
|
At March 31, | |
|
|
Appointment | |
|
Acquired | |
|
Disposed | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
R A Robinson
|
|
|
11,442 |
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
11,442 |
|
C J Shaw
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
nil |
|
J J White
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
|
R A Robinson had the following interests in share options as a
result of his previous employment within the Marconi group.
There are no circumstances under which any value will be
attributable to these share options:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At March 31, | |
Plan |
|
Appointment | |
|
Granted | |
|
Exercised | |
|
Lapsed | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
The Marconi Launch Plan
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
The Marconi Long Term Incentive Plan
|
|
|
15,164 |
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
15,164 |
|
Total
|
|
|
16,164 |
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
16,164 |
|
|
|
|
Item 7: Major Shareholders and Related Party
Transactions
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS
Trading in our shares on the London Stock Exchange ceased on
May 16, 2003, and our shares were subsequently delisted.
10
As at September 19, 2006, there were 746 registered
holders of our American depositary receipts. Each ADR issued
represents two ordinary shares. Of these registered ADR holders,
718 have addresses in the United States. One of the
registered ADR holders is The Depository Trust Company, which
represents the total number of ADRs held in book-entry form. The
ADR holders collectively held 98,775,469 ADRs, or
approximately 7.1% of our total issued share capital as at
September 18, 2006.
To our knowledge, there are no holders of 5% or more of the
ordinary shares in M (2003) plc as at September 28,
2006.
To our knowledge, we are not owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by another corporation, by any foreign government or
by any other natural or legal person or persons, severally or
jointly.
To our knowledge, other than our recent restructuring described
herein, there are no arrangements the operation of which may at
a subsequent date result in us undergoing a change in control.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Since the completion of our financial restructuring in May,
2003, we have not entered into any transactions with related
parties.
Item 8: Financial Information
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Under the M (2003) plc scheme of arrangement, any and all
legal claims against M (2003) plc as at March 27,
2003, whether liquidated or unliquidated, or actual or
contingent, were compromised. Therefore, there are no
circumstances under which any of these claims will result in
liability for M (2003) plc. Certain of these claims,
however, may result in payments by the M (2003) plc scheme
of arrangement. Since March 27, 2003, we are not and have
not been engaged in, nor, so far as we are aware, do we have
pending or threatened by or against us, any additional legal or
arbitration proceedings which may have or have had a significant
effect on our financial position as a whole.
DIVIDEND POLICY
As a result of its scheme of arrangement, M (2003) plc
shall not be making any dividends or distributions to its
shareholders. See Key Information Risk
Factors As a result of our restructuring, we have
ceased business operations and shall dispose of our remaining
assets for the benefit of our creditors.
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
On September 25, 2006, a meeting of the Companys
creditors considered and approved an amended scheme of
arrangement for the Company. Subject to approval by the High
Court at a hearing which is expected to take place on or around
October 3, 2006, the directors intend to propose a special
resolution to the Companys shareholders at an
Extraordinary General Meeting, to be held on October 27,
2006 (the same day as the 2006 Annual General Meeting), to put
the Company into Members Voluntary Liquidation. A separate
letter explaining this proposal in greater detail will be issued
to shareholders.
The accounts will be prepared on a liquidation basis once the
liquidation of the Company has been approved by the
shareholders. Management believes the only adjustment necessary
to prepare the accounts on a liquidation basis is the
recognition of an additional liability of £7,593,000 for
the costs associated with liquidating the company in accordance
with the Scheme of Arrangement which was effective on
May 19, 2003.
11
Item 9: The Offer and Listing
STOCK PRICE HISTORY/ MARKETS
From November 30, 1999, the ordinary shares of M
(2003) plc were listed on the London Stock Exchange. On
May 16, 2003, trading in the ordinary shares of M
(2003) plc on the London Stock Exchange ceased and
delisting followed. On October 17, 2000, the ADRs of M
(2003) plc were added to quotation on the NASDAQ National
Market, and on July 3, 2002, they were removed from
quotation on the NASDAQ National Market and began trading on the
over-the-counter
bulletin board in the United States. The following table
summarizes information regarding prices and trading of the M
(2003) plc ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange and
the ADRs on the NASDAQ National Market and the
over-the-counter
bulletin board for the periods indicated:
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
London Stock | |
|
|
|
|
Exchange | |
|
ADRs | |
|
|
(Sterling pence) | |
|
(US dollars) | |
|
|
High | |
|
Low | |
|
High | |
|
Low | |
|
|
| |
Fiscal Year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 1, 2001 to March 31, 2002
|
|
|
424.00 |
|
|
|
6.25 |
|
|
|
12.85 |
|
|
|
0.18 |
|
April 1, 2002 to March 31, 2003
|
|
|
12.55 |
|
|
|
1.27 |
|
|
|
0.44 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004
|
|
|
1.80 |
(*) |
|
|
0.60 |
(*) |
|
|
0.18 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
Fiscal Quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 1, 2004 to June 30, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
July 1, 2004 to September 30, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
October 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
January 1, 2005 to March 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
April 1, 2005 to June 30, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
July 1, 2005 to September 30, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
October 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
January 1, 2006 to March 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
Month
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
May 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
June 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
July 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
August 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
September 2006 (through September 19)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
* |
To May 16, 2003, which was the last day of dealings in M
(2003) plc shares |
Item 10: Additional Information
MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
Please see our annual report on
Form 20-F for the
period to March 31, 2003 for a description of our
memorandum and articles of association.
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
During the past two years, we have not entered into any material
contracts.
12
EXCHANGE CONTROLS
There are currently no decrees or regulations under the laws of
the United Kingdom restricting the import or export of capital
or affecting the remittance of dividends or other payments to
holders of M (2003) plc ordinary shares or American
depositary shares who are non-residents of the United Kingdom.
However, as explained elsewhere in this document, there will be
no future remittances as dividends under any circumstances.
TAXATION
Prospective and existing holders of our shares or of ADRs
representing our shares should be aware that the Directors
believe that there will be no circumstances under which any
additional value will be returned to shareholders of M
(2003) plc.
United States Federal Income Taxation
The following summary describes material U.S. federal
income tax consequences that may be relevant to the acquisition,
ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares and/or ADRs.
This summary addresses only U.S. federal income tax
considerations for holders that hold our ordinary shares and/or
ADRs as capital assets. This summary does not purport to be a
comprehensive description of all the tax considerations that may
be relevant to a decision to acquire or dispose of our ordinary
shares and/or ADRs. In particular, this summary does not address
tax considerations applicable to holders that may be subject to
special tax rules including, without limitation, the following:
(a) financial institutions; (b) insurance companies;
(c) dealers or traders in securities, currencies or
notional principal contracts; (d) tax-exempt entities;
(e) persons that will hold our ordinary shares and/or ADRs
as part of a hedging or conversion
transaction or as a position in a straddle or as
part of a synthetic security or other integrated
transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
(f) persons that have a functional currency
other than the U.S. dollar; (g) persons that own (or
are deemed to own) 10% or more (by voting power) of our share
capital; (h) regulated investment companies;
(i) persons who hold our ordinary shares and/or ADRs
through partnerships or other pass-through entities;
(j) real estate investment trusts; and
(k) S corporations. Further, this summary does not
address alternative minimum tax consequences.
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, U.S. Treasury regulations and judicial and
administrative interpretations thereof, in each case as in
effect and available on the date of this document. All of the
foregoing is subject to change, which change could apply
retroactively and could affect the tax consequences described
below.
Prospective holders should consult their own tax adviser with
respect to the U.S. federal, estate, state, local, gift and
other tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of our
ordinary shares and/or ADRs.
U.S. Holders should also review the discussion below
under United Kingdom Taxation for the
U.K. tax consequences to a U.S. holder of our ordinary
shares and/or ADRs.
For purposes of this summary a U.S. holder is a
beneficial owner of our ordinary shares and/or ADRs that is, for
U.S. federal income tax purposes: (a) a citizen or
resident of the United States; (b) a corporation created or
organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state
thereof, including the District of Columbia; (c) an estate,
the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income
taxation regardless of its source; or (d) a trust if
(i) a court within the United States is able to exercise
primary supervision over its administration and (ii) one or
more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of the
substantial decisions of such trust. If a partnership holds our
ordinary shares or ADRs, the consequences to a partner will
generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the
activities of the partnership. A partner of a partnership
holding our ordinary shares or ADRs should consult its tax
adviser. A Non-US holder is a beneficial owner of
our ordinary shares or ADRs that is not a U.S. holder.
13
|
|
|
Sale or Other Disposition of M (2003) plc Shares and/or
ADRs |
Subject to the discussion Passive Foreign
Investment Company Considerations, a U.S. holder will
generally recognize a gain or loss for U.S. federal income
tax purposes upon the sale or exchange of our ordinary shares
and/or ADRs in an amount equal to the difference between the
U.S. dollar value of the amount realized from such sale or
exchange and the U.S. holders tax basis in those
ordinary shares or ADRs, as the case may be. That gain or loss
will be a capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital
gain (taxable at a reduced rate for individuals, trusts or
estates) if our ordinary shares or ADRs, as appropriate, were
held for more than one year. Any such gain or loss would
generally be treated as from sources within the United States.
The deductibility of capital losses is subject to significant
limitations.
Deposits and withdrawals of ordinary shares by holders in
exchange for ADRs will not result in the realization of gain or
loss for United States federal income tax purposes.
A U.S. holder that receives foreign currency on the sale or
other disposition of our ordinary shares and/or ADRs will
realize an amount equal to the U.S. dollar value of the
foreign currency on the date of sale (or in the case of cash
basis and electing accrual basis taxpayers, the U.S. dollar
value of the foreign currency on settlement date). If a
U.S. holder receives foreign currency upon a sale or
exchange of our ordinary shares and/or ADRs, gain or loss, if
any, recognized on the subsequent sale, conversion or
disposition of that foreign currency will be ordinary income or
loss, and will generally be income or loss from sources within
the United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.
However, if such foreign currency is converted into
U.S. dollars on the date received by the U.S. holder,
a cash basis or electing accrual U.S. holder should not
recognize any gain or loss on such conversion.
Subject to the discussion under Backup
Withholding and Information Reporting, a
Non-U.S. holder
generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or
withholding tax on any gain realized on the sale or exchange of
our ordinary shares and/or ADRs unless: (a) that gain is
effectively connected with the conduct by that
Non-U.S. holder of
a trade or business in the United States, or (b) in the
case of any gain realized by an individual
Non-U.S. holder,
that holder is present in the United States for 183 days or
more in the taxable year of the sale or exchange and certain
other conditions are met.
|
|
|
Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations |
A corporation organized outside the United States generally will
be classified as passive foreign investment company, or a PFIC,
for U.S. federal income tax purposes in any taxable year in
which either: (a) at least 75% of its gross income is
passive income, or (b) on average at least 50%
of the gross value of its assets is attributable to assets that
produce passive income or are held for the
production of passive income. Passive income for this purpose
generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents and
gains from commodities and securities transactions. In
determining whether it is a PFIC a foreign corporation is
required to take into account a pro rata portion of the income
and assets of each corporation in which it owns, directly or
indirectly, at least a 25% interest.
Based on our current assets it is likely that we were
characterized as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax
purposes for the taxable year ended 31 March, 2006. Because
this is a factual determination made annually at the end of the
taxable year, there can be no assurance that we will not be
considered a PFIC for any future taxable year. If we were a PFIC
in any year, special, possibly materially adverse, consequences
would, as discussed below, result for U.S. holders.
If we are a PFIC in any year during which a U.S. holder
owns our ordinary shares and/or ADRs the U.S. holder will
be subject to additional taxes on any gain realized from the
sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares and/or ADRs
(whether or not we continue to be a PFIC).
Some of the rules with respect to dispositions described above
may be avoided if a U.S. holder makes a valid
mark-to-market
election. A
mark-to-market election
is only available however to U.S. holders in any tax year
that the PFIC stock is considered regularly traded
on a qualified exchange within the meaning of
applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. Our stock is not
currently traded on a qualified exchange and we do
not expect it to be in the future. PFIC stock is regularly
traded if, among other
14
requirements, it is traded on at least 15 days during each
calendar quarter. Prospective holders should consult their
own tax advisers as to whether our ordinary shares and/or ADRs
would qualify for the
mark-to-market election
and whether such election is advisable.
The foregoing rules with respect to dispositions may be avoided
if a U.S. holder is eligible for and timely makes a valid
QEF election (in which case the U.S. holder
would be required to include in income on a current basis its
pro rata share of our ordinary income and net capital gains). In
order to be able to make the QEF election, we would be required
to provide a U.S. holder with certain information. We may
decide not to provide the required information.
Each U.S. holder of our ordinary shares and/or ADRs must
make an annual return on IRS Form 8621, reporting gains
realized with respect to each PFIC in which it holds a direct or
indirect interest.
Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding
whether an investment in our ordinary shares or ADRs will be
treated as an investment in PFIC stock and the consequences of
an investment in a PFIC.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Backup withholding and information reporting requirements may
apply to the proceeds of a sale or redemption of our ordinary
shares or ADRs. We, our agent, a broker, or any paying agent, as
the case may be, may be required to withhold tax from any
payment that is subject to backup withholding at a maximum rate
of 28% of such payment if the U.S. holder fails (a) to
furnish the U.S. holders taxpayer identification
number, (b) to certify that the U.S. holder is not
subject to backup withholding or (c) to otherwise comply
with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding
rules. The backup withholding rate may be subject to change each
year. Certain U.S. holders, including, among others,
corporations, are not subject to the backup withholding and
information reporting requirements.
Non-U.S. holders
who hold our ordinary shares or ADRs through a U.S. broker
or agent or through the U.S. office of a
non-U.S. broker or
agent may be required to comply with applicable certification
procedures to establish that they are not U.S. holders in
order to avoid the application of such information reporting
requirements and backup withholding. Backup withholding is not
an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup
withholding rules from a payment to a holder generally may be
claimed as a credit against such holders U.S. federal
income tax liability provided that the required information is
furnished timely to the IRS.
|
|
|
Prospective holders should consult their own tax advisers
as to their qualification for exemption from backup withholding
and the procedure for obtaining this exemption. |
United Kingdom Taxation
The following summary describes certain U.K. tax consequences
for certain holders of our ordinary shares and/or ADRs. It is
intended to apply only to U.S. holders (as defined in the
section above under United States Federal Income
Taxation) who are not also residents of the U.K. for U.K.
tax purposes or carrying on a business in the U.K. through a
branch, agency or permanent establishment and who hold our
ordinary shares and/or ADRs as investments. It may not apply to
certain classes of holders, such as dealers in securities.
This summary is based on current U.K. law and H.M.
Revenue & Customs (HMRC) practice at the date
hereof. A U.S. holders tax position could be affected,
depending on the circumstances, by the terms of the double tax
treaty concluded between the governments of the U.S. and the
U.K. on July 24, 2001 and amended by a protocol agreed on
July 12, 2002 and which came into force on March 31,
2003 (the Treaty). If you are in doubt as to whether you
are entitled to benefits under the Treaty, you should consult
your own tax advisers.
This summary is not intended to be comprehensive, and
prospective holders of our ordinary shares and ADRs are
recommended to consult their professional advisers to determine
their tax position.
15
|
|
|
Taxation of capital gains |
A U.S. holder who is not resident, and in the case of an
individual also not ordinarily resident, in the U.K. for U.K.
tax purposes will not be liable for U.K. taxation on capital
gains realized on the disposal of his or her shares or ADRs
unless at the time of the disposal:
|
|
|
|
|
the U.S. holder carries on a trade, profession or vocation
in the U.K. through a permanent establishment; and |
|
|
|
the shares or ADRs are or have been used, held or acquired for
the purposes of the trade, profession, vocation or permanent
establishment. |
A U.S. holder who is an individual and who has ceased to be
resident or ordinarily resident for tax purposes in the U.K. on
or after March 17, 1998 and continues not to be resident or
ordinarily resident in the U.K. for a period of less than five
years of assessment and who disposes of his shares or ADRs
during that period may also be liable on his return to the U.K.
to U.K. tax on capital gains, subject to any available exemption
or relief, even though he is not resident or ordinarily resident
in the U.K. at the time of the disposal. There are special rules
for individuals who leave the U.K. part way through a year of
assessment. These rules also apply to an individual who is
resident or ordinarily resident in the U.K. but falls to be
regarded as resident outside the U.K. for the purposes of any
double tax treaty (a Treaty Non-Resident) and who becomes
Treaty Non-Resident on or after March 16, 2005.
U.K. stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax (SDRT)
U.K. stamp duty or SDRT is payable upon the transfer or issue of
shares to, or to a nominee or agent of, a person whose business
is or includes issuing depositary receipts or providing
clearance services. For this purpose, the current rate of stamp
duty and SDRT is 1.5%, rounded up, in the case of stamp duty, to
the nearest £5. The rate is applied, in each case, to the
amount or value of the consideration or, in some circumstances,
to the value of the shares.
Provided that the instrument of transfer is not executed in the
U.K. and remains at all subsequent times outside the U.K., no
U.K. stamp duty will be payable on the transfer of ADRs. An
agreement to transfer ADRs will not give rise to a liability to
SDRT.
The purchase of shares, as opposed to ADRs, may give rise to a
charge to U.K. stamp duty or SDRT at the rate of 0.5%, rounded
up, in the case of stamp duty, to the nearest £5. The rate
is applied to the price payable for the shares at the time of
the transfer or agreement to transfer. SDRT is generally the
liability of the purchaser. It is customarily also the purchaser
who pays U.K. stamp duty.
DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY
We are subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and file reports and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may
read and copy all or any portion of the reports and their
exhibits at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Securities and Exchange Commission at 100 F Street, NE,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of such material may also be
obtained at prescribed rates by writing to the Office of Public
Reference of the Securities and Exchange Commission at 100 F
Street, NE, Washington, D.C., 20549. You may obtain more
information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by
calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330. The
Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains a web site
that contains reports and information about issuers, like us,
who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that web
site is www.sec.gov.
16
Item 11: Quantitative and Qualitative
Disclosures about Market Risk
Since the conclusion of the financial restructuring of the
Marconi group on May 19, 2003, M (2003) plc has not
had any material exposure to market risk.
Item 12: Description of Securities other than
Equity Securities
This item is not applicable.
17
PART II
Item 13: Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and
Delinquencies
Since our financial restructuring, we have had no defaults,
arrearages or delinquencies.
Item 14: Material Modifications to the Rights of
Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
Since our financial restructuring, neither we nor anyone else
have taken any actions that would have modified or qualified the
rights evidenced by any class of our registered securities.
Item 15: Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our
management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness and design and
operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of
March 31, 2006. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our
disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of that
date. Since the date of the evaluation, there have been no
significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors
that could significantly affect the controls. Therefore, no
corrective actions were taken.
Item 16A: Audit Committee Financial
Expert
We consider Richard Anthony Robinson to be the financial expert
serving on our audit committee as defined by Item 16A(b).
Mr. Robinson is an independent non-executive director.
Item 16B: Code of Ethics
We have not adopted a code of ethics as defined by
Item 16B(b). Since we no longer conduct any business and do
not intend to revive any business operations, we do not believe
that a code of ethics is necessary.
Item 16C: Principal Accountant Fees and
Services
Audit and audit-related fees consist of professional services
rendered by our principal accounting firm, Deloitte &
Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and
their respective affiliates (collectively
Deloitte & Touche) for the audits of the
consolidated financial statements of the Company, statutory
audits, income tax provision procedures and other work in
connection with documents filed with the SEC. Our audit and
audit related fees were £38,000 in fiscal 2006 (2005:
£35,000). Tax fees charged by Deloitte & Touche
were £nil for each of fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005, and fees
for other services were £nil in each of fiscal 2006 and
fiscal 2005. All services performed by the auditors are
pre-approved by the Companys audit committee, in
accordance with the committees auditors independence
policy.
Item 16E: Purchases of Equity Securities by the
Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
During fiscal 2006, neither we nor any affiliated
purchaser made any purchases of any class of our equity
securities that is registered pursuant to section 12 of the
Exchange Act.
18
PART III
Item 17: Financial Statements
Financial statements are being furnished pursuant to the
instructions of Item 18 of
Form 20-F.
Item 18: Financial Statements
M (2003) plc is furnishing consolidated financial
statements beginning at page F-l.
Item 19: Exhibits
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
.1** |
|
Memorandum and Articles of Association of M (2003) plc |
|
2 |
.1 |
|
Specimen ordinary share certificate of M (2003) plc |
|
2 |
.2 |
|
Deposit Agreement dated as of September 6, 2000 between M
(2003) plc and The Bank of New York, as depositary, and
Owners and beneficial holders of American Depositary Receipts |
|
2 |
.3 |
|
American Depositary Receipt of M (2003) plc (included in
Exhibit 2.2) |
|
2 |
.4 |
|
Marconi Corporation plc and M (2003) plcs Proposals
in Relation to Schemes of Arrangement under Section 425 of
the UK Companies Act 1985, dated March 31, 2003 between
Marconi Corporation plc, M (2003) plc and their respective
scheme creditors. |
|
12 |
.1* |
|
Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) or
Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
12 |
.2* |
|
Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) or
Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
13 |
.1* |
|
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002. |
|
|
|
|
* |
Filed with this annual report. |
|
|
** |
Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on
Form 20-F (File
No. 0-30294) filed with the SEC on September 28, 2001. |
|
|
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on
Form 20-F (File
No. 0-30924) filed with the SEC on September 5, 2000. |
|
|
|
Incorporated by reference to the Report under cover of
Form 6-K (File No.
0-30924) furnished to the SEC on March 31, 2003. |
19
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all the
requirements for filing on
Form 20-F and that
it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this
annual report on its behalf.
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/
Kevin David Smith
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name: Kevin David Smith |
|
Title: Company Secretary |
|
Date: September 28, 2006 |
20
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
M (2003) plc and subsidiaries
Consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2006
and 2005 and
for the three years ended March 31, 2006
|
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|
Page | |
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| |
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|
|
F-2 |
|
|
|
|
F-3 |
|
|
|
|
F-4 |
|
|
|
|
F-5 |
|
|
|
|
F-7 |
|
|
|
|
F-8 |
|
|
|
|
F-9 |
|
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the board of directors and shareholders of M (2003) plc:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of
M (2003) plc and its subsidiaries and joint ventures
(together the Company) as of March 31, 2006 and
2005 and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash
flows, other comprehensive income/(loss), and shareholders
equity for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended
March 31, 2006. These consolidated financial statements are
the responsibility of the Companys management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial
statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not
required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of
its internal control over financial reporting. An audit includes
consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a
basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the
circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements referred
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of the Company as of March 31, 2006 and 2005, and
the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows
for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended
March 31, 2006 in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
Our audits also comprehended the translations of certain pounds
sterling amounts into US Dollars and, in our opinion, such
translations have been made in conformity with the basis
described in note 2. Such US Dollar amounts are
presented solely for the convenience of readers in the United
States of America.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Birmingham, England
September 29, 2006
F-2
M (2003) plc and subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
2006 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
|
U.S.$000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
12,741 |
|
|
|
7,365 |
|
|
|
8,130 |
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
557 |
|
|
|
322 |
|
|
|
136 |
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
13,298 |
|
|
|
7,687 |
|
|
|
8,266 |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS
|
|
|
13,298 |
|
|
|
7,687 |
|
|
|
8,266 |
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
|
|
|
162 |
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
|
414 |
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
162 |
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
|
414 |
|
|
|
|
Shareholders equity/(deficit)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares, £0.05 par value;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized: 6,000,000,000 shares in 2006 and 2005;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued and outstanding: 2,793,011,951 shares in 2006 and
2005
|
|
|
241,596 |
|
|
|
139,651 |
|
|
|
139,651 |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
1,140,674 |
|
|
|
659,349 |
|
|
|
659,349 |
|
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(1,369,134 |
) |
|
|
(791,407 |
) |
|
|
(791,148 |
) |
|
|
|
Total shareholders equity
|
|
|
13,136 |
|
|
|
7,593 |
|
|
|
7,852 |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
13,298 |
|
|
|
7,687 |
|
|
|
8,266 |
|
|
|
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
M (2003) plc and subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
2006 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
U.S.$000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Network equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
Network services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
68,000 |
|
|
|
|
Total Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
168,000 |
|
Direct costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
138,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Gross margin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
1,076 |
|
|
|
622 |
|
|
|
1,284 |
|
|
|
49,000 |
|
|
Research and development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,000 |
|
|
Amortization of goodwill and intangibles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
Business restructuring charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
1,076 |
|
|
|
622 |
|
|
|
1,284 |
|
|
|
88,000 |
|
Operating loss
|
|
|
(1,076 |
) |
|
|
(622 |
) |
|
|
(1,284 |
) |
|
|
(58,000 |
) |
Other income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on financial restructuring
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,183,000 |
|
|
Gain on settlement of equity forward contracts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
123,000 |
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
576 |
|
|
|
333 |
|
|
|
361 |
|
|
|
29,000 |
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income/(loss) before income taxes
|
|
|
(510 |
) |
|
|
(295 |
) |
|
|
(923 |
) |
|
|
2,277,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax (charge)/credit
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
(185 |
) |
|
|
(1,000 |
) |
|
|
|
Net income/(loss)
|
|
|
(448 |
) |
|
|
(259 |
) |
|
|
(1,108 |
) |
|
|
2,276,000 |
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share basic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income/(loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.92 |
|
Earnings per share diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income/(loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.92 |
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
M (2003) plc and subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal year ended March 31, |
|
|
2006 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
U.S.$000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income/(loss)
|
|
|
(448 |
) |
|
|
(259 |
) |
|
|
(1,108 |
) |
|
|
2,276,000 |
|
Cash paid on settlement of equity forward contracts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(35,000 |
) |
Gain on financial restructuring
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,183,000 |
) |
Gain on settlement of equity forward contracts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(123,000 |
) |
Stock compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,000 |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
Cash paid for restructuring
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(20,000 |
) |
Net operating cash flow provided by discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effect
of acquisitions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
(322 |
) |
|
|
(186 |
) |
|
|
(46 |
) |
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(26,000 |
) |
|
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
|
|
|
(553 |
) |
|
|
(320 |
) |
|
|
284 |
|
|
|
(29,000 |
) |
|
|
|
Net cash used in operating activities
|
|
|
(1,323 |
) |
|
|
(765 |
) |
|
|
(870 |
) |
|
|
(12,000 |
) |
|
|
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal year ended March 31, |
|
|
2006 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
U.S.$000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maturities and sales of debt and marketable equity securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(209,000 |
) |
|
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,000 |
) |
|
Cash outflow from disposals
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(568,000 |
) |
|
Cash element of scheme consideration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(333,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,115,000 |
) |
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term debt repayments, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22,000 |
) |
|
Term loan repayments, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,000 |
) |
|
Restricted cash transferred to secured accounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
964,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash from financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
941,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
(1,323 |
) |
|
|
(765 |
) |
|
|
(870 |
) |
|
|
(186,000 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
|
|
|
14,064 |
|
|
|
8,130 |
|
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
|
195,000 |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
|
|
|
12,741 |
|
|
|
7,365 |
|
|
|
8,130 |
|
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow activity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash receipts/(payments) for interest
|
|
|
566 |
|
|
|
327 |
|
|
|
363 |
|
|
|
(1,000 |
) |
Cash payment for income taxes
|
|
|
(401 |
) |
|
|
(232 |
) |
|
|
(185 |
) |
|
|
(1,000 |
) |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6
M (2003) plc and subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME/(LOSS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal year ended March 31, |
|
|
2006 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
U.S.$000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income/(loss)
|
|
|
(448 |
) |
|
(259) |
|
|
(1,108 |
) |
|
|
2,276,000 |
|
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum pension liability, (net of income tax of £nil)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
295,000 |
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
|
|
|
(448 |
) |
|
(259) |
|
|
(1,108 |
) |
|
|
2,571,000 |
|
|
|
|
Disclosure of tax and reclassification amounts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments, net of tax of £1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
Less: reclassification adjustment for loss included in net loss,
net of tax of £nil
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated translation adjustments, net of tax of £nil
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14,000 |
) |
|
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net
income/(loss), net of tax of £nil
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net translation adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-7
M (2003) plc and subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS
EQUITY/(DEFICIT)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional |
|
Retained |
|
other |
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares |
|
paid-in |
|
earnings/ |
|
comprehensive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount |
|
capital |
|
(deficit) |
|
income/(loss) |
|
Total |
|
|
Shares |
|
£,000s |
|
£,000s |
|
£,000s |
|
£,000s |
|
£,000s |
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2003
|
|
|
2,793,011,951 |
|
|
|
139,651 |
|
|
|
1,080,349 |
|
|
|
(3,441,000 |
) |
|
|
(282,000 |
) |
|
|
(2,503,000 |
) |
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,275,960 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,275,960 |
|
Capital contribution for stock based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(46,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(46,000 |
) |
Transfer on Financial Restructuring
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(375,000 |
) |
|
|
375,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Translation adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12,000 |
) |
|
|
(12,000 |
) |
Elimination upon financial restructuring
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
294,000 |
|
|
|
294,000 |
|
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2004
|
|
|
2,793,011,951 |
|
|
|
139,651 |
|
|
|
659,349 |
|
|
|
(790,040 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,960 |
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,108 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,108 |
) |
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2005
|
|
|
2,793,011,951 |
|
|
|
139,651 |
|
|
|
659,349 |
|
|
|
(791,148 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,852 |
|
|
|
|
Net Loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(259 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(259 |
) |
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2006
|
|
|
2,793,011,951 |
|
|
|
139,651 |
|
|
|
659,349 |
|
|
|
(791,407 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,593 |
) |
|
|
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-8
M (2003) plc and subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
1. |
Nature of Business and basis of preparation: |
Nature of business
Until May 19, 2003, the Company was the ultimate holding
company for the Marconi Group. Through its subsidiaries the
Marconi Group was a multi-regional vendor of telecommunications
equipment and services and was organized into two main
divisions: Core and Capital. The Core business included the
provision of optical networks, broadband routing and switching,
broadband access, outside plant and power, other network
equipment and associated installation, maintenance and other
value-added services. The Marconi Groups customers
included telecommunications companies and providers of internet
services for their public networks and some large corporations,
government departments and agencies, utilities and educational
institutions for their private networks. The Capital business
comprised certain non-core businesses that were managed for
value and ultimately for disposal. These included an investment
in Easynet Group plc as well as a number of other minor
activities, investments and assets with whom the Company had a
base of installed equipment.
On May 19, 2003, M (2003) plc (the Company) and its
former subsidiary Marconi Corporation plc (now known as telent
plc) concluded a financial restructuring (the Financial
Restructuring), which was effected through two separate
schemes of arrangement under the U.K. Companies Act 1985 as
described in note 3. Since the Financial Restructuring the
Group consists of the Company and its non-trading and dormant
subsidiaries listed in note 19. Therefore the Company and
Group have no trading or business activities.
As explained in note 3, the remaining assets of the Company
will be distributed over time to its creditors.
The name of the Company was changed from Marconi plc to M
(2003) plc on October 21, 2003.
Basis of preparation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been
prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the
realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the
normal course of business. As explained in note 3,
following the Financial Restructuring of May 19, 2003 and
pursuant to the Companys Scheme of Arrangement, the
remaining assets of the Company will be distributed over time to
its creditors in order to settle liabilities as they are
incurred.
On September 25, 2006, a meeting of the Companys
creditors considered and approved an amended scheme of
arrangement for the Company. Subject to approval by the High
Court at a hearing which is expected to take place on or around
October 3, 2006, the directors intend to propose a special
resolution to the Companys shareholders at an
Extraordinary General Meeting, to be held on October 27,
2006 (the same day as the 2006 Annual General Meeting), to put
the Company into Members Voluntary Liquidation.
The accounts will be prepared on a liquidation basis once the
liquidation of the Company has been approved by the
shareholders. Management believes the only adjustment necessary
to prepare the accounts on a liquidation basis is the
recognition of an additional liability of £7,593,000 for
the costs associated with liquidating the company in accordance
with the Scheme of Arrangement which was effective on
May 19, 2003.
F-9
|
|
2. |
Summary of significant accounting policies |
Basis of consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of M (2003) plc and its subsidiaries that are more
than 50% owned and controlled. Investments in affiliates in
which the Company exercises significant influence but not
control (generally those with a 20-50% ownership interest) are
accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Investments
in non-listed entities in which the Company has less than a 20%
ownership interest are accounted for under the cost method. All
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon
consolidation.
Use of estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements and
related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America
(U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities
at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts
of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual
results could differ from these estimates.
Income taxes
The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities using
enacted tax rates to calculate temporary differences between the
tax basis of assets and liabilities and the financial statement
carrying amounts. The Company recognizes a valuation allowance
against such deferred tax assets when it is more likely
than not that such assets will not be recovered. All
deferred tax assets or liabilities were eliminated when the
assets, liabilities and businesses to which they relate were
disposed of as part of the Financial Restructuring on
May 19, 2003.
Foreign currency
The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.K.
pounds sterling. The functional currency of each of M
(2003) plcs subsidiaries is the local currency in
which each subsidiary is located. Transactions in currencies
other than the functional currency are translated at the
exchange rate in effect at the date of each transaction.
Differences in exchange rates during the period between the date
a transaction denominated in a foreign currency is consummated
and the date on which it is either settled or translated are
recognized in the statement of operations.
Net income and cash flows of non-U.K. pounds sterling
subsidiaries and equity investments are translated at the
average rates of exchange during the year. The assets and
liabilities of such entities are translated at year-end rates of
exchange. Translation adjustments are included in other
comprehensive income/(loss), as a separate component of
shareholders equity/(deficit). Key exchange rates relative
to U.K. pounds sterling used are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average rates |
|
Year-end rates |
|
|
Fiscal year ended March 31, |
|
As of March 31, |
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
|
|
U.S. Dollar
|
|
|
1.79 |
|
|
|
1.84 |
|
|
|
1.70 |
|
|
|
1.73 |
|
|
|
1.89 |
|
Euro
|
|
|
1.47 |
|
|
|
1.47 |
|
|
|
1.44 |
|
|
|
1.43 |
|
|
|
1.45 |
|
US dollar translations presented in the consolidated balance
sheets, statements of operations, statements of cash flows and
statements of other comprehensive income/(loss) are presented
solely for the convenience of readers in the United States of
America and are translated from pounds sterling at the year end
rate.
Revenue
F-10
No revenue has been recorded since the Financial Restructuring
on May 19, 2003.
Prior to that date, the Company recognized revenue under
Statement of Position (SOP) 81-1, Accounting for
Performance of Construction-Type and certain Production-Type
Contracts,
SOP 97-2,
Software Revenue Recognition and SEC Staff Accounting
Bulletin No. 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial
Statements depending upon the terms of the contract.
Revenue from product sales of hardware and software was
recognized when: persuasive evidence of an arrangement existed;
delivery had occurred or services had been rendered; customer
acceptance had occurred; the price to the buyer was fixed or
determinable; and collectability was reasonably assured.
Revenue from services was recognized at time of performance and
acceptance by the customer.
Revenue from multiple element contracts was allocated based on
the relative fair value of each individual element.
Revenues and estimated profits on long-term contracts were
recognized under the
percentage-of-completion
method of accounting using a
cost-to-cost
methodology. Profit estimates were revised periodically based on
the latest available information. When estimates of total
contract revenues and costs indicated a loss, a provision for
the entire amount of the contract loss was recognised in the
period in which the loss became evident.
Revenue was reported net of sales returns and allowances, early
settlement discounts, sales rebates settled by credit notes,
volume discounts and commissions earned by distributors.
Equity forward contracts
The Company has, in the past, issued share options to employees
under a number of different option plans, collectively known as
the ESOP. Under these plans, options may be
satisfied by way of a transfer of existing Company ordinary
shares acquired in the market by an employee trust or other
vehicle, or, under some of the plans only, by an issue of new
Company shares.
From January 2000, in order to hedge part of the potential cost
of the plans estimated at that time, the independent trustee of
the Marconi Employee Trust (MET), Bedell Cristin Trustees
Limited (BCTL), entered into swap contracts with
three financial institutions (the ESOP Derivative Banks) to
purchase a total of 40 million shares in the future at
prices which were fixed at the date of contract.
At March 31, 2003, the purchase of 38.5 million shares
under these contracts was outstanding. The maximum exposure
under the contracts was £337 million, plus accrued
finance charges. Certain contracts require BCTL to deposit cash
collateral with the relevant ESOP Derivative Banks if the share
price falls to certain levels stipulated in those contracts.
Prior to the financial restructuring the Company funded the
provision of this collateral. The carrying value of the
contracts at March 31, 2003 was £158 million.
An agreement was reached to settle these contracts and they were
closed out on May 19, 2003. The agreed settlement amount
was £35 million which resulted in a gain of
£123 million recorded in the consolidated statement of
operations for fiscal 2004 as part of the gain on disposal of
businesses.
Fair value hedges
Prior to the Financial Restructuring, as part of its overall
risk management strategy, the Company used derivatives to
convert its fixed-rate debt into variable-rate debt, and to
hedge its foreign currency firm commitments. These derivatives
were typically designated as fair value hedges, to manage the
interest rate risk or foreign currency risk of the hedged item
accordingly. The carrying amount of the hedged item is adjusted
for gains or losses attributable to the hedged risk. This
unrealised gain or loss is offset by changes in the fair value
of the derivative. All hedging ineffectiveness was included in
earnings.
Hedge accounting was discontinued prospectively when the
derivative no longer qualified as an effective hedge, the
derivative was terminated or sold, or on the sale or early
termination of the hedged item.
F-11
As a result of the Financial Restructuring on May 19, 2003
(see note 3), the Company does not have any borrowings or
foreign currency commitments.
Net investment hedges
The Companys policy has been to finance its activities in
the same currencies as those used for its foreign investments in
order to hedge foreign currency exposure of net investments in
foreign operations. This policy has been implemented either by
financing in the related currency or using derivatives, such as
currency swaps, which provide a synthetic effect of a foreign
currency loan, thereby reducing the exchange risk. As a result
of the Financial Restructuring, which became effective
May 19, 2003, the Company does not have any borrowings. For
further information on the Companys Financial
Restructuring, refer to note 3.
Cash flow hedges
The Company has previously used interest rate swaps to hedge the
uncertainty of future cash flows due to its floating rate debt,
and foreign currency forward exchange contracts that expire in
less than twelve months to hedge against the effect that
fluctuation in exchange rates may have had on cash flow
associated with forecasted purchases.
Hedge accounting was discontinued prospectively when the
derivative no longer qualified as an effective hedge or the
derivative was terminated or sold. On the sale or early
termination of the hedged item, gains and losses were
immediately reclassified to other (income)/expense.
As a result of the Financial Restructuring on May 19, 2003
(see note 3), the Company does not have any borrowings or
foreign currency commitments.
Pension and other post-retirement benefits
On May 19, 2003 the Company and its then subsidiary,
Marconi Corporation plc, entered into schemes of
arrangement as described in Note 3. As a result of this,
the pension schemes are not part of the M (2003) plc
Group, as at March 31, 2006. Further, the pension schemes
have, always been, and remain, liabilities of the Marconi Group.
Prior to the Financial Restructuring the Company accounted for
its defined benefit pension plans and its non-pension
post-retirement benefit plans using actuarial models required by
SFAS 87, Employers Accounting for Pensions,
and SFAS 106, Employers Accounting for
Post-retirement Benefits Other Than Pensions, respectively.
These models use an attribution approach that generally spreads
individual events over the service lives of the employees in the
plan. Examples of events are plan amendments and
changes in actuarial assumptions such as discount rate, rate of
compensation increases and mortality. The principle underlying
the required attribution approach is that employees render
service over their service lives on a relatively smooth basis
and, therefore, the income statement effects of pensions or
non-pension post-retirement benefit plans are earned in, and
should follow, the same pattern.
One of the main components of the net periodic pension
calculation is the expected long-term rate of return on plan
assets. The required use of expected long-term rate of return on
plan assets may result in recognized pension income that is
greater or less than the actual returns of those plan assets in
any given year. Over time, however, the expected long-term
returns are designed to approximate the actual long-term returns
and, therefore, result in a pattern of income and expense
recognition that more closely matches the pattern of the
services provided by the employees. Differences between actual
and expected returns (to the extent that they exceed 10% of the
market value of assets at the start of the period) were
recognized in the net periodic pension calculation over the
remaining average service lifetimes of active members.
F-12
The Company used long-term historical actual return information,
the mix of investments that comprised plan assets, and future
estimates of long-term investment returns by reference to
external sources to develop its expected return on plan assets.
The discount rate assumptions used for pension and non-pension
post-retirement benefit plan accounting reflect the rates
available on high-quality fixed-income debt instruments on
March 31, 2003. The rate of compensation increase was
another significant assumption used in the actuarial model for
pension accounting and was determined by the Company based upon
its long-term plans for such increases. For retiree medical plan
accounting, the Company reviewed external data and its own
historical trends for health care costs to determine the health
care cost trend rates.
If the unfunded accumulated benefit obligation exceeded the fair
value of the plan assets, the Company recognized an additional
minimum liability that was at least equal to the unfunded
accumulated benefit obligation. Where an additional minimum
liability was recognized an intangible asset was recognized up
to the amount of any unrecognized prior service cost and the
balance was recognized through other comprehensive income.
Product warranty
Prior to the Financial Restructuring on May 19, 2003,
provisions for estimated expenses related to product warranties
were made at the time products were sold. These estimates were
established using historical information on the nature,
frequency, and average cost of warranty claims. Management
actively studied trends of warranty claims and took action to
improve equipment quality and minimize warranty claims.
Stock based compensation
Prior to the Financial Restructuring on May 19, 2003, the
Company had nine plans under which it granted options. The
Company accounted for employee share plans under Accounting
Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. No compensation
cost was recognized for ordinary shares and share options issued
under fixed plans with a price equal to fair market value. For
fixed plans, the measurement date was the grant date. The
Company recognized compensation cost for all ordinary shares and
stock options issued with an exercise price below fair market
value at the grant date and for plans subject to variable
accounting. For variable plans, the compensation cost was
re-measured on the
basis of the current market value of M (2003) plc stock at
the end of each reporting period. For ordinary options, such
expense was recognized over the vesting period of the options.
The Company recognized compensation expense for plans with
performance conditions if achievement of these conditions became
probable.
At the date of the Financial Restructuring, options outstanding
under certain plans lapsed as the employees were no longer
employed by a group company. For the remaining share options
issued under variable plans, the compensation cost has been
re-measured on the basis of a £nil value of M
(2003) plc stock at March 31, 2004 because the
Companys shares were delisted as part of the
restructuring. The full expense has been recognized in fiscal
2004 rather than over the vesting period as there are no
circumstances under which it is expected that any value will be
attributable the these share options.
The Company recorded a stock compensation credit in fiscal 2004
of approximately £37 million. This credit comprised a
charge of £9 million, related to stock options issued
below fair market value and those plans which are variable, and
a credit of £46 million relating to stock options that
were forfeited as a result of the Financial Restructuring. This
credit was reported as part of the gain on financial
restructuring. Share options are considered to have no value as
a result of the financial restructuring in fiscal 2004.
No share options were granted in the fiscal years 2006, 2005 and
2004.
F-13
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
Comprehensive income/(loss) represents the net income/(loss) for
the period plus the results of certain shareholders
equity/(deficit) changes that are not reflected in the
consolidated statements of operations.
The accumulated balances of other comprehensive income/(loss)
are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net unrealized |
|
Minimum |
|
Accumulated |
|
|
Net unrealized |
|
Accumulated |
|
gains/(losses) |
|
pension |
|
other |
|
|
gains/(losses) |
|
translation |
|
on derivative |
|
liability |
|
comprehensive |
|
|
on investments |
|
adjustments |
|
instruments |
|
adjustment |
|
income/(loss) |
|
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
|
(1,000 |
) |
|
|
(295,000 |
) |
|
|
(282,000 |
) |
Movement for the year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12,000 |
) |
Transfer on financial restructuring
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,000 |
) |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
295,000 |
|
|
|
294,000 |
|
Balance at March 31, 2004 and 2005 and 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share
Earnings per share (EPS) are computed in accordance with
SFAS 128, Earnings per Share. Basic EPS is computed by
dividing consolidated net income by the weighted average number
of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is
computed by dividing consolidated net income by the sum of the
weighted average number of shares outstanding and the weighted
average number of potentially dilutive common shares, based on
the assumed exercise of dilutive share options under the
Companys stock option plans. Such potentially dilutive
common shares are excluded when the effect would be to reduce a
loss per share.
|
|
|
Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet
adopted |
There are no recently issued accounting pronouncements that have
yet to be adopted that management believe could have a material
impact on the groups financial position and results of
operations.
The accompanying financial statements do not comprise
statutory accounts within the meaning of
Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The Companys
statutory accounts for fiscal 2006 prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United Kingdom
(U.K. GAAP) will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies for
England and Wales.
The auditors report on those accounts was unqualified and
did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) or 237(3)
of the Companies Act 1985.
3. Financial restructuring
Until May 19, 2003, M (2003) plc (the
Company, formerly known as Marconi plc) was the ultimate
holding company for the Marconi Group.
On May 19, 2003, M (2003) plc and its then subsidiary
Marconi Corporation plc concluded a financial restructuring (the
Financial Restructuring), which was effected through
two separate schemes of arrangement under the U.K. Companies Act
1985. Under the schemes of arrangement Marconi Corporation plc
issued new share capital and cancelled the old shares held by
the Company. Therefore the Company ceased to be the ultimate
holding company of the Marconi Group on May 19, 2003 and
from that date ceased to operate any trading activities.
Consequently, the entities included in the consolidated
F-14
financial statements presented in this document for the period
after May 19, 2003 are the Company and its non-trading and
dormant subsidiaries listed in note 19. Trading in the
Companys shares on the London Stock Exchange ceased on
May 16, 2003 and the Companys shares were
subsequently delisted.
The name of the Company changed from Marconi plc to M
(2003) plc on October 21, 2003.
At the date of the Financial Restructuring, as a result of the
shares the Company held in Marconi Corporation plc being
cancelled, the Company divested fully of its interests in the
Marconi Group for nil proceeds. This resulted in a gain of
£3,404 million on the transfer of ownership of the
Marconi Group being equivalent to its consolidated net
liabilities. On the same date the scheme of arrangement of
Marconi Corporation plc came into effect resulting in an
£804 million receivable from the Marconi Group being
waived by the Company and its subsidiary undertakings. The net
gain of £2,600 million was recorded in the
consolidated statement of operations within operating income.
The gain was calculated as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Net (liabilities)/ assets sold
|
|
|
|
|
Tangible fixed assets
|
|
|
251,000 |
|
Investments in joint ventures, affiliates and other investments
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
645,000 |
|
Intangibles, net
|
|
|
95,000 |
|
Inventory
|
|
|
237,000 |
|
Debtors
|
|
|
526,000 |
|
Net cash/ (overdrafts)
|
|
|
1,117,000 |
|
Borrowings (excluding overdrafts)
|
|
|
(4,770,000 |
) |
Accounts payable and other liabilities
|
|
|
(1,081,000 |
) |
Capital lease obligations
|
|
|
(5,000 |
) |
Finance lease creditors
|
|
|
(3,000 |
) |
Minority Interests
|
|
|
(3,000 |
) |
Retirement benefit deficit
|
|
|
(334,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,281,000 |
) |
Accounted for by:
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts waived on Scheme of Arrangement
|
|
|
804,000 |
|
Elimination of amounts included in shareholders equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum pension liability
|
|
|
295,000 |
|
|
Accumulated translation adjustments
|
|
|
(2,000 |
) |
|
Net unrealised gains on derivative instruments
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on Financial Restructuring
|
|
|
2,183,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Financial Restructuring was implemented by way of two
separate schemes of arrangement under section 425 of the
U.K. Companies Act 1985. As a result, the gain described above
will not give rise to any taxable amounts.
On the date of the Financial Restructuring, a further gain of
£123 million was realised on the settlement of equity
forward contracts outstanding and was recorded in the
consolidated statement of operations within other income. See
note 2 and note 14 for further discussion of these
equity forward contracts.
Expenses incurred by the Scheme Supervisors in the
administration of the Scheme post May 19, 2003 to
March 31, 2004 were approximately £0.3 million
and for the year ended March 31, 2005 were approximately
£0.5 million. For the current year ended
March 31, 2006, they were approximately
£0.4 million.
F-15
Pursuant to the Companys Scheme, the remaining assets of
the Company will be distributed over time to its creditors.
There will be no circumstances under which any value will be
returned to shareholders under the terms of the Companys
Scheme.
On September 25, 2006, a meeting of the Companys
creditors considered and approved an amended scheme of
arrangement for the Company. Subject to approval by the High
Court at a hearing which is expected to take place on or around
October 3, 2006, the directors intend to propose a special
resolution to the Companys shareholders at an
Extraordinary General Meeting, to be held on October 27,
2006 (the same day as the 2006 Annual General Meeting), to put
the Company into Members Voluntary Liquidation.
The accounts will be prepared on a liquidation basis once the
liquidation of the Company has been approved by the
shareholders. Management believes the only adjustment necessary
to prepare the accounts on a liquidation basis is the
recognition of an additional liability of £7,593,000 for
the costs associated with liquidating the company in accordance
with the Scheme of Arrangement which was effective on
May 19, 2003.
4. Balance sheet information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Accounts receivable, net:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
322 |
|
|
|
136 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
322 |
|
|
|
136 |
|
|
|
|
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued income and other taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
185 |
|
|
Accrued expenses
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
|
229 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
|
414 |
|
|
|
|
Depreciation expense for fiscal 2006 was £nil (2005,
£nil and 2004, £10 million).
On May 19, 2003 the company underwent the financial
restructuring described in note 3. At the same date the
Company divested fully of its interests in the Marconi Group. It
is anticipated that the funds in hand (and any other assets) at
March 31, 2006 will be used to comply with the terms of the
M (2003) plc scheme of arrangement, which primarily relate
to scheme expenses and complying with the Companys
statutory obligations. In the event that any of the funds (or
any assets) are not used they will be returned to scheme
creditors with the result that under no circumstances will any
of the funds (or other assets) ever become available to pay any
further dividends or distributions to shareholders.
5. Business restructuring charges
In September 2001, following the sudden and significant downturn
in trading in the global telecommunications markets, the results
of an operational review that had three main objectives were
announced. The original objectives were to reorganize the group
into two main reporting divisions: Core and Capital, to reduce
group indebtedness from £4.4 billion at
August 31, 2001 to between £2.7 billion and
£3.2 billion by March 31, 2002 and to reduce the
annual operating cost base. These objectives were later revised
to reflect further operating cost base reductions during fiscal
2004.
Prior to the Financial Restructuring, when management reviewed
the operating income performance of the segments described in
note 8, Segment and related information disclosures,
management used U.K. GAAP operating profit/(loss) before
goodwill and intangible asset amortization, in process research
and development write-offs, U.K. GAAP operating exceptional
items, gains and losses on business disposal and
F-16
the impact of less than 50% owned affiliates. This measure
allocated to those segments does not include business
restructuring charges, which relate to the reorganization of the
business as a whole. A segmental allocation of restructuring
charges is impracticable. Consequently, a segmental analysis has
not been provided.
The following tables show the activity by statement of
operations heading in fiscal 2004 and the balances remaining in
other liabilities at March 31, 2004 following the
implementation of actions required to achieve these objectives.
There has been no movement in these balances since
March 31, 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charged/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(credited) |
|
Utilized during |
|
|
|
|
Balance at |
|
during |
|
fiscal 2004 |
|
Balance at |
|
|
March 31, |
|
fiscal |
|
Net cash |
|
Non cash |
|
March 31, |
|
|
2003 |
|
2004 |
|
payments |
|
movement |
|
2004 |
|
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Direct costs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manufacturing outsourcing
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
(1,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Onerous contracts
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
(2,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
|
(3,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business restructuring costs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee severance
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
(12,000 |
) |
|
|
(2,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Site rationalization
|
|
|
46,000 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
(2,000 |
) |
|
|
(45,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Contractual commitments and other restructuring
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Advisor fees
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,000 |
) |
|
|
(4,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
69,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
(20,000 |
) |
|
|
(54,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
83,000 |
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
(20,000 |
) |
|
|
(65,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manufacturing outsourcing |
In fiscal 2004, £1 million was credited to
restructuring costs relating to the outsourcing of certain
manufacturing operations. The remaining balance was transferred
out of the group as part of the Financial Restructuring at
May 19, 2003.
In fiscal 2004 £2 million was released to the
statement of operations in relation to onerous contracts. The
remaining balance was transferred out of the group as part of
the Financial Restructuring at May 19, 2003.
In fiscal 2004, a charge of £4 million was recorded as
part of the groups cost reduction actions and payments of
approximately £12 million were made. The remaining
balance was transferred out of the group as part of the
Financial Restructuring at May 19, 2003.
In fiscal 2004, a charge of £1 million was recorded as
part of the groups cost reduction actions and payments of
approximately £2 million were made. The remaining
balance was transferred out of the group as part of the
Financial Restructuring at May 19, 2003.
F-17
|
|
|
Contractual commitments and other restructuring |
In fiscal 2004, the remaining balance was transferred out of the
group as part of the Financial Restructuring at May 19,
2003.
In fiscal 2004, payments of approximately £6 million
were made and the remaining balance was transferred out of the
group as part of the Financial Restructuring at May 19,
2003.
Amortization of intangibles for fiscal 2006 was £nil (2005,
£nil and 2004, £6 million). All intangible assets
were disposed of as part of the Financial Restructuring
described in Note 3.
|
|
7. |
Pension plans and other post-retirement plans |
On May 19, 2003 the Company and its then subsidiary,
Marconi Corporation plc, entered into schemes of arrangement as
described in Note 3. As a result of this, the pension
schemes are not part of the M (2003) plc Group as at
March 31, 2006. Further, the pension schemes have always
been, and remain, liabilities of the Marconi Group.
At May 19, 2003, the actuarial assumptions used were
unchanged from March 31, 2003. The actuarial assumptions
used to develop the periodic benefit cost and funded status was
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension benefits | |
|
Pension benefits | |
|
|
U.K. plans | |
|
Overseas plans | |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
% | |
|
% | |
|
% | |
|
% | |
|
% | |
|
% | |
|
|
| |
Weighted average assumptions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discount rate for pension expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.7 |
|
|
Discount rate for year end disclosure
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.0 |
|
|
Expected return on plan assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.5 |
|
|
Rate of compensation increases
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.4 |
|
|
Rate of pension increases
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
The table below presents data with respect to net periodic
benefit expense/(income) excluding those related to discontinued
operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension benefits | |
|
Pension benefits | |
|
|
U.K. plans | |
|
Overseas plans | |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
£000 | |
|
£000 | |
|
£000 | |
|
£000 | |
|
£000 | |
|
£000 | |
|
|
| |
Components of net periodic benefit expense/(income):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expected return on plan assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of unrecognized transition liability
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net periodic benefit expense of defined benefit plans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net curtailment loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net periodic benefit expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-18
|
|
|
Defined contribution plans |
The former U.S. subsidiaries of the Company operate 401(k)
plans for eligible employees who contribute a percentage of
their pre-tax compensation with the Company matching these
contributions up to prescribed limits. For fiscal 2006, the
matching contributions were £nil (2005, £nil and 2004,
£1 million).
|
|
8. |
Segment and related information disclosures |
The Companys reportable segments for trading activities
prior to the Financial Restructuring on May 19, 2003 have
been determined based upon the nature of the products and
services that were offered to its customers, which were managed
separately and were comprised of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
The Network Equipment segment developed, manufactured, sold and
supported optical networks, transmission systems and network
management software for customers in the carrier network market.
It also provided to customers in the carrier network market a
broad range of access products. In addition, it supplied
customers in both the carrier and the enterprise network markets
a broad range of high-performance, high-capacity broadband
switches, which select paths for sending large amounts of voice
and data traffic through a network. |
|
|
|
The Network Services segment provided a broad range of support
services to the communications industry worldwide tailored to
suit customers needs. It supported both the Companys
products and those of other network equipment manufacturers. |
|
|
|
The Other segment contains the Companys other investments
and businesses not included in other segments. |
Management referred to Network Equipment and Network Services in
aggregate as the Core division and Other as the Capital division.
Revenues and operating profits are measured on a segmental basis
in accordance with U.K. GAAP for 2003. In 2004 all revenues and
operating profits were analyzed as discontinued operations in
the UK GAAP accounts but have been analyzed consistently with
prior years below. The principal measurement differences between
U.K. GAAP and U.S. GAAP as related to the information
reported on a segmental basis are the result of differences in
the accounting for pensions and post-retirement benefits,
reorganization costs, goodwill and employee share options.
Capital employed is also reported under U.K. GAAP. It is not
practicable to identify the total capital employed of network
equipment and network services separately as the same assets
are, generally, used to generate sales in each of these
segments. The operating results of these segments are separately
reportable.
Management used the U.K. GAAP operating (loss)/profit before
goodwill and intangible asset amortization, in-process research
and development write-offs, U.K. GAAP exceptional items, gains
and losses on business disposals and the impact of 50% or less
owned affiliates as its measure of segment profitability. In the
tables below, this measure is referred to as segment operating
(loss)/profit.
The following tables present the Companys revenues,
operating (loss)/income before exceptional items, goodwill
amortization and other items, and other financial data from the
Companys reportable
F-19
segments presented in accordance with U.K. GAAP and then
reconciled to U.S. GAAP financial information consolidated
totals:
|
|
|
Analysis of reportable segments (U.K. GAAP) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
operating |
|
Capital |
As of and For the Year Ended |
|
Revenues |
|
(loss)/profit |
|
employed |
March 31, 2006 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Other (including intra activity sales)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(361 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment total U.K. GAAP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(361 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
operating |
|
Capital |
As of and For the Year Ended |
|
Revenues |
|
(loss)/profit |
|
employed |
March 31, 2005 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Other (including intra activity sales)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(226 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment total U.K. GAAP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(226 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
operating |
|
Capital |
As of and For the Year Ended |
|
Revenues |
|
(loss)/profit |
|
employed |
March 31, 2004 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Network equipment
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
(28,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Network services
|
|
|
68,000 |
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other (including intra activity sales)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment total U.K. GAAP
|
|
|
168,000 |
|
|
|
(38,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Analysis of revenue by product (U.K. GAAP)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
£000 | |
|
£000 | |
|
£000 | |
|
|
| |
Network Equipment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Optical Networks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
BBRS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,000 |
|
European Access
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,000 |
|
North American Access
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,000 |
|
Outside Plant & Power
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,000 |
|
Other Network Equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
Network Services:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IC&M
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
VAS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
68,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Network Equipment and Network Services revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
168,000 |
|
|
|
|
Total capital revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total discontinued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
168,000 |
|
|
|
|
F-20
|
|
|
Reconciliation of U.K. GAAP segmental information to
U.S. GAAP |
Revenue
There are no differences between U.K. and U.S. GAAP when
reporting revenue for fiscal 2006, 2005 or 2004.
Operating (loss)/income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Segmental operating loss per U.K. GAAP
|
|
|
(361 |
) |
|
|
(226 |
) |
|
|
(38,000 |
) |
|
Amortization expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13,000 |
) |
|
Operating exceptional items
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,000 |
) |
|
|
|
U.K. GAAP operating loss
|
|
|
(361 |
) |
|
|
(226 |
) |
|
|
(53,000 |
) |
U.S. GAAP adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share option plans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,000 |
) |
|
Pension and other post-retirement benefits
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,000 |
) |
|
Goodwill and intangible asset amortization and impairment charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,000 |
|
|
Other
|
|
|
(261 |
) |
|
|
(1,058 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. GAAP operating loss
|
|
|
(622 |
) |
|
|
(1,284 |
) |
|
|
(58,000 |
) |
|
Gain on financial restructuring
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,183,000 |
|
|
Gain on settlement of equity forward contracts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
123,000 |
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
333 |
|
|
|
361 |
|
|
|
29,000 |
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. GAAP income/(loss) from continuing operations before
income taxes, minority interests and cumulative effects of
changes in accounting principles
|
|
|
(295 |
) |
|
|
(923 |
) |
|
|
2,277,000 |
|
|
|
|
Capital employed/total assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Total U.K. GAAP segment capital employed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.K. GAAP capital employed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. GAAP adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provisions for restructuring not included in U.S. GAAP
capital employed
|
|
|
7,593 |
|
|
|
7,852 |
|
|
|
|
Total U.S. GAAP assets
|
|
|
7,593 |
|
|
|
7,852 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.K. U.S. GAAP adjustments |
The following describes the significant U.K. GAAP to
U.S. GAAP adjustments as they relate to segment information.
|
|
|
|
|
Pension and other post-retirement benefits |
Under both U.K. GAAP and U.S. GAAP pension costs are
provided for so as to provide for future pension liabilities.
However, there are differences in the prescribed methods of
valuation, which give rise to GAAP adjustments to the pension
cost and obligation or prepayment. Furthermore, under U.K. GAAP
the notional interest cost associated with the pension and
post-retirement benefit obligation is classified as interest
expense, whereas under U.S. GAAP it is classified with
employee costs.
F-21
Under U.S. GAAP, the carrying amounts of certain hedged
items are adjusted for gains or losses attributable to the
hedged risk. This unrealized gain is offset by changes in the
fair value of the derivative. Additionally, on the sale or early
termination of the hedged items, gains and losses are
immediately reclassified to other (income)/expense. Under U.K.
GAAP, these gains and losses are amortized until the date of
termination.
Revenue by geography (U.S. GAAP)
Revenue to unaffiliated customers by geographic region is as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Revenue by territory of destination:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United Kingdom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,000 |
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
|
United States
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
Central and Latin America (CALA)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total the Americas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,000 |
|
|
|
|
Asia Pacific (APAC)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total external revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
168,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended March 31, |
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Revenue by territory of origin:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United Kingdom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,000 |
|
Italy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,000 |
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
98,000 |
|
|
|
|
United States
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,000 |
|
Central and Latin America (CALA)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total the Americas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,000 |
|
|
|
|
Asia Pacific (APAC)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total external revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
168,000 |
|
|
|
|
No other individual country contributed more than 10% of revenue
in any of the years reported.
F-22
Revenue by product (U.S. GAAP)
Revenue by product is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended March 31, |
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
|
Optical networks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
Access systems
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
Broadband routing and switching
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
Other network equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
|
Network Equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Value-added services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,000 |
|
|
Installation, commissioning and maintenance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
|
Network Services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
68,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Core revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
168,000 |
|
Capital businesses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total external revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
168,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9. |
Commitments and contingencies |
Legal proceedings
Under the M (2003) plc scheme of arrangement, any and all
legal claims against M (2003) plc as at March 27,
2003, whether liquidated or unliquidated, or actual or
contingent, were compromised. Therefore, there are no
circumstances under which any of these claims will result in
liability for M (2003) plc. Certain of these claims,
however, may result in payments by the M (2003) plc scheme
of arrangement.
Since March 27, 2003, we are not and have not been engaged
in, nor, so far as we are aware, do we have pending or
threatened by or against us, any legal or arbitration
proceedings which may have or have had in period a significant
effect on our financial position as a whole.
|
|
10. |
Investments in affiliates |
Fiscal 2004
At March 31, 2003, the Company had two investments, which
it accounted for using the equity method, Easynet Group plc
(Easynet) and Confirmant. All investments in affiliates were
disposed of as a result of the Financial Restructuring on
May 19, 2003, as described in note 3.
|
|
11. |
Investment in securities |
On May 19, 2003 all investments in securities were disposed
of as part of the Financial Restructuring described in
note 3.
Holders of ordinary shares in the Company are entitled to one
vote per share on matters to be voted on by the shareholders,
and to receive dividends when and as declared by the board.
Shareholders are not entitled to pre-emptive rights and have no
subscription, redemption or conversion privileges. The ordinary
shares do not have cumulative voting rights. The rights,
preferences and privileges of holders of ordinary shares are
subject to the rights of the holders of shares of any series of
preferred shares issued or that may be issued in the future.
F-23
|
|
13. |
Employee stock option plans |
Prior to the Financial Restructuring the Company accounted for
employee stock option plans under APB 25 and had nine plans
under which it granted options: the GEC Employee 1992
Savings-Related Share Option Plan, the GEC 1984 Managers
Share Option Plan, the GEC 1997 Executive Share Option Plan, the
Marconi 1999 Stock Option Plan, the Marconi U.K. Sharesave Plan,
the Marconi International Sharesave Plan, the Marconi Launch
Share Plan, the Marconi Long Term Incentive Plan and the Marconi
Phantom Option Plan. In addition, during fiscal 2002, the
Company granted options in its ADRs under the Marconi Employee
Stock Purchase Plan for the Companys employees in North
America.
As of March 31, 2003, the Company had granted options under
the following eight plans in respect of the acquisitions of
Reltec, Mariposa, MSI and Northwood Technologies: the 1998
Equity Participation Plan of Reltec Corporation, the amended and
restated 1995 Stock Purchase and Option Plan for employees of
Reltec Holdings Inc., and subsidiaries, the MSI 1995 Stock
Option Plan, the MSI 1999 Stock Option Plan, the MSIH Stock
Option Plan, the Mariposa Technology, Inc. 1998 Employee
Incentive Plan and the Marconi Restricted Share Plan.
Under the terms of the stock option plans, employees have been
granted rights to purchase ordinary shares and/or phantom
options. The terms of the grant vary and each of the main plans
is described below.
At the date of the Financial Restructuring, options outstanding
under the majority of plans lapsed as the employees were no
longer employed by a group company. For the remaining share
options issued under variable plans, the compensation cost has
been re-measured on the basis of a £nil value of
M (2003) plc stock at March 31, 2004 because the
Companys shares were delisted as part of the
restructuring. The full expense has been recognized in fiscal
2004 rather than over the vesting period as the options are not
expected to hold any future value.
Non-savings related plans
The Marconi Launch Share Plan
Under this plan, employees at November 30, 1999 were, at
the discretion of the board, granted the right to receive up to
1,000 Company ordinary shares, which would be exercisable
provided that two conditions are met. The first condition is
that the market price of a Company ordinary share must have
doubled from 801.5p to £16.03 during the period between
November 30, 1999 and November 30, 2004. The second
condition is that a participant must normally remain in
employment until November 30, 2002 or, if later, at the
time that the first condition is met. The Company applied
variable plan accounting for grants under this plan and would
have accounted for the compensation expense if the first
condition had been met. At March 31, 2004, 19,589,228
Company shares were outstanding to be purchased under the plan.
Metapath Software Corporation Amended and Restated 1995 Stock
Option Plan, the Metapath Software International, Inc. Amended
and Restated 1999 Stock Option Plan, and the Mobile Systems
International Holdings Limited Share Option Plan.
Each of these option plans had been in place over MSI shares
prior to the acquisition by the Company in June 2000. Following
the acquisition, MSI option holders who would become employees
of the Company exchanged options over MSI shares for options
over Marconi plc shares. Following the exchange the option
holder was kept in the same economic position as before the
exchange through an adjustment to the exercise price and an
increase in the number of shares under option. The option holder
was given a choice to retain their options with their existing
vesting schedule, or to elect to accept an amended vesting
schedule (vesting one third of their options on each of the
first, second and third anniversaries of the acquisition)
together with an award of restricted stock over the same number
of shares as they had shares under option. Compensation expense
was recognized on the shares that were unvested at the
acquisition date (based on the intrinsic value of the shares as
of the acquisition date) over the vesting period. The fair value
of all shares issued at the date of acquisition, less the amount
allocated to
F-24
compensation expense, has been recorded as a cost of the
acquisition. Certain arrangements under the Marconi Restricted
Share Plan, the Marconi 1999 Stock Option Plan, the MSI 1995
Plan and the MSIH Plan were modified subsequent to acquisition.
As a result, the modified arrangements became subject to
variable accounting.
At March 31, 2004, 2,530,225 Company shares were
outstanding. For fiscal 2004, a charge of approximately
£2 million was recorded related to these plans to
recognize in full the remaining compensation cost relating to
the outstanding shares.
|
|
|
Mariposa Technology, Inc. 1998 Employee Incentive Plan |
Prior to the acquisition by the Company in October 2000, options
had been granted under The Mariposa Technology, Inc. 1998
Employee Incentive Plan over Mariposa Technology, Inc. shares.
Following the acquisition, option holders who would become
employees of the Company exchanged options over Mariposa
Technology, Inc, shares for options over Company shares.
Following the exchange the option holder was kept in the same
economic position as before the exchange through an adjustment
to the exercise price and an increase in the number of shares
under option. Compensation expense was recognized on the shares
that were unvested at the acquisition date (based on the
intrinsic value of the shares as of the acquisition date) over
the vesting period. The fair value of all shares issued at the
date of acquisition, less the amount allocated to compensation
expense, has been recorded as a cost of the acquisition.
At March 31, 2004, 320,684 Company shares were outstanding.
For fiscal 2004, a charge of approximately £7 million
was recorded related to these plans to recognize in full the
remaining compensation cost relating to the outstanding shares.
|
|
|
The Marconi Long Term Incentive Plan |
Under the long term incentive plan (LTIP), participants could be
granted performance-related awards entitling them, at the end of
a three-year period, to be granted a right to call for a number
of ordinary shares of the Company without payment based on
corporate performance of the business in which they worked and
of the Company as a whole over that period. The annual award was
limited to a maximum value of 50% of base salary. Any right so
granted would normally become exercisable in three equal
tranches. The first tranche would become exercisable
immediately, and the second and third tranches would normally
become exercisable on the first and second anniversaries of the
date of grant. All full-time employees of the Company, directors
of the Company and executive directors of the Company were
eligible to participate in the long-term incentive plan, at the
discretion of the remuneration committee of the board of
directors of the Company. No newly issued shares could be used
to satisfy options under this plan. The Company applied variable
plan accounting for grants under this plan and recognized
compensation cost when achievement of the performance conditions
became probable. At March 31, 2004, 617,963 Company shares
were outstanding. No new shares have since been granted and no
charges recorded.
Additional plans at March 31, 2003:
At May 19, 2003, the outstanding options relating to the
following employee stock option plans lapsed due to the
Financial Restructuring as a result of which the participants
were no longer employees of the Company. There has been no
movement since that date on options under any of these plans.
Savings related plans
|
|
|
The Marconi U.K. Sharesave Plan |
F-25
|
|
|
The Marconi International Sharesave Plan |
|
|
|
The Marconi International Sharesave Plan Italian
Appendix |
|
|
|
The Marconi Employee Stock Purchase Plan for Employees in North
America |
Non-savings related plans
|
|
|
The Marconi 1999 Share Option Plan |
|
|
|
The Marconi Phantom Option Plan |
|
|
|
Marconi Restricted Share Plan |
|
|
|
The Marconi Associated Companies Share Option Plan |
|
|
|
Existing GEC share option plans |
|
|
|
The 1998 Equity Participation Plan of Reltec Corporation, the
Amended and Restated 1995 Stock |
|
|
|
Purchase and Option Plan for Employees of Reltec Holdings, Inc.
and Subsidiaries |
|
|
|
The Northwood Technologies Inc. Stock Option Plan |
Option activity under the non-savings related plans is as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
average |
|
|
Number of |
|
exercise |
|
|
shares |
|
price |
|
|
|
Outstanding March 31, 2003
|
|
|
197,121,951 |
|
|
|
3.24 |
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lapsed
|
|
|
(174,063,851 |
) |
|
|
3.61 |
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding March 31, 2004
|
|
|
23,058,100 |
|
|
|
0.43 |
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lapsed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding March 31, 2005
|
|
|
23,058,100 |
|
|
|
0.43 |
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lapsed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding March 31, 2006
|
|
|
23,058,100 |
|
|
|
0.43 |
|
|
|
|
All options were granted with an exercise price equal to the
market value of shares as of date of grant, with the exception
of those granted for acquisitions and the LTIP as noted above.
F-26
Of the total number of non-savings related options outstanding
at March 31, 2006, none are expected to be exercised as the
Companys shares were delisted as part of the Financial
Restructuring and there are no circumstances under which any
value will be attributed to these share options. All options are
considered to be anti-dilutive.
|
|
14. |
Fair values of financial instruments |
The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating
the fair values of financial instruments:
At March 31, 2003 the carrying value and fair value of the
equity forward contracts was £158 million. As a result
of the Financial Restructuring, which was concluded on
May 19, 2003, an agreement was reached and these equity
forward contracts were settled for £35 million. See
note 2, Summary of significant accounting policies, for
further discussion of these equity forward contracts.
|
|
15. |
Valuation and qualifying accounts |
There has been no movement on these accounts since
March 31, 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net effect of |
|
Effect of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
Additions/ |
|
acquisitions |
|
exchange rate |
|
|
|
March 31, |
Description |
|
2003 |
|
(release) |
|
less disposals |
|
changes |
|
Utilization |
|
2004 |
|
|
£ |
|
£ |
|
£ |
|
£ |
|
£ |
|
£ |
|
|
|
Allowance for doubtful accounts
|
|
|
78,000 |
|
|
|
(2,000 |
) |
|
|
(76,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warranty reserve
|
|
|
43,000 |
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
(43,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
121,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(119,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table reconciles net (loss)/income available for
ordinary shareholders and the weighted average ordinary shares
outstanding for basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share
for the periods:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Net (loss)/income
|
|
|
(259 |
) |
|
|
(1,108 |
) |
|
|
2,276,000 |
|
Basic (loss)/earnings per ordinary share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding (millions)
|
|
|
2,793.0 |
|
|
|
2,793.0 |
|
|
|
2,793.0 |
|
|
Basic (loss)/earnings per ordinary share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.92 |
|
Diluted (loss)/earnings per ordinary share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding (millions)
|
|
|
2,793.0 |
|
|
|
2,793.0 |
|
|
|
2,793.0 |
|
|
Effect of dilutive options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,793.0 |
|
|
|
2,793.0 |
|
|
|
2,793.0 |
|
|
Diluted (loss)/earnings per ordinary share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.92 |
|
For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004,
the effect of share options is anti-dilutive and has therefore
been excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average
number of shares.
F-27
The geographic analysis of income/(loss) from continuing
operations before income taxes, minority interests and
cumulative changes in accounting principles is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
United Kingdom
|
|
|
(259 |
) |
|
|
(923 |
) |
|
|
2,304,000 |
|
Non-United Kingdom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(27,000 |
) |
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
(259 |
) |
|
|
(923 |
) |
|
|
2,277,000 |
|
|
|
|
Income tax benefit/(provision) includes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Current income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United Kingdom
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
(185 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Non-United Kingdom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Total current taxes
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
(185 |
) |
|
|
(1,000 |
) |
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United Kingdom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-United Kingdom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total income taxes
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
(185 |
) |
|
|
(1,000 |
) |
|
|
|
The differences between the Companys tax on profit on
ordinary activities, and the statutory income tax rate in the
United Kingdom are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Taxes computed at the statutory rate: (30% 2006, 2005 and 2004)
|
|
|
(78 |
) |
|
|
(277 |
) |
|
|
683,000 |
|
Non-deductible/(non-taxable) items
|
|
|
108 |
|
|
|
462 |
|
|
|
(682,000 |
) |
Over provision in prior years
|
|
|
(100 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other, net
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax (benefit)/provision
|
|
|
(36 |
) |
|
|
185 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
Effective tax rate
|
|
|
14 |
% |
|
|
20 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
All deferred tax assets or liabilities were eliminated when the
assets, liabilities and businesses to which they relate were
disposed as part of the Financial Restructuring of May 19,
2003.
The Financial Restructuring was implemented by way of two
separate schemes of arrangement under section 425 of the
U.K. Companies Act 1985. As a result, the gain on disposal
described in note 3 will not give rise to any taxable
amounts.
|
|
18. |
Related party transactions |
The Company and its subsidiaries have had no related party
transactions during the fiscal years 2006 and 2005. The Company
and its subsidiaries had sales and purchases with equity
investments, joint
F-28
ventures and associates, which are not consolidated, during
fiscal 2004. All transactions are in the ordinary course of
business. The primary transactions between the Company and
related parties are summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended |
|
|
March 31, 2004 |
|
|
£000 |
|
|
|
Statement of operations:
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
All the contracts and other arrangements are with Atlantic
Telecommunications Limited/ GaMMa, Alstom and the joint ventures
described below which management believe have been on
arms-length terms and which were part of the Group prior
to the Financial Restructuring on May 19, 2003.
|
|
|
Atlantic Telecommunications Limited/ GaMMa |
The Company owned 19.7% of Atlantic Telecommunications Limited
(Atlantic). Atlantic went into administration on October 5,
2001. GaMMa acquired certain assets from Atlantic in bankruptcy.
The Company received a 14.3% beneficial holding in GaMMa in
December 2001, in consideration of the waiver of retention of
title claims against certain assets of Atlantic, the grant of
software licenses and procurement of the assignment of the
indefeasible right of use terms granted by Easynet. Under the
terms of the agreement with GaMMa, the Company received warrants
equating to 1.7% of the authorized share capital of GaMMa.
CosmoCom
As of June 18, 2003, Marconi Capital Limited owned 5.7% of
CosmoCom, Inc. CosmoCom, Inc. developed and deployed call center
products and services. Marconi Communications International
Limited, or MCIL, entered into a Value Added Reseller Agreement
with CosmoCom, Inc. on March 3, 2000, as amended by
Amendment No. 1, dated September 8, 2000, the VAR,
whereby MCIL would act as a reseller of certain CosmoCom, Inc.
products. Subject to other terms of the VAR, including the
termination provisions contained therein, MCIL was required to
purchase products and/or services of $12,000,000 over
approximately a three year period. On or about October 29,
2001, MCIL advised CosmoCom, Inc. that it was terminating the
VAR, and is making no further purchases at this time. During the
term of the VAR, MCIL purchased approximately $1.5 million
of products and/or services.
|
|
|
Marconi (Malaysia) SDN BHD |
Marconi Communications S.p.A. owns a 30% shareholding in Marconi
(Malaysia) SDN BHD, a business that sells and installs
telecommunications equipment. During the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2003, the Company supplied network equipment
products totaling £23.1 million to Marconi (Malaysia)
SDN BHD, at arms-length terms.
The Company formed a joint venture company with Railtrack
Telecom Services Limited, or RTSL, on April 26, 2001 to
support the deployment of next generation broadband wireless
networks. The Company and RTSL each had a 50 percent
interest in the joint venture company until February 2003 when
the Company settled litigation with RTSL and RTSL assumed full
control of Ultramast. Albany Partnership Ltd., or APT, a wholly
owned subsidiary of the Company until the Financial
Restructuring, had a consultancy agreement with Ultramast to
provide it with telecommunications consultancy services to
design, construct and maintain masts for the next generation
networks. Ultramast also had an agreement with ipsaris Limited
under which ipsaris was nominated as the preferred supplier for
connectivity for the telecommunications network.
F-29
Confirmant
Confirmant was a 50-50 joint venture between Marconi Corporation
plc and Oxford Glyco Sciences (U.K.) Limited, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Oxford Glyco Sciences plc. Confirmant was formed
in June 2001 for the purpose of completing and then offering for
subscription a proteomic database and for providing managed
hosting services to the biotech sector. Although the
Companys outstanding contracts with Confirmant have not
been formally cancelled, all members of the Confirmant board of
directors have acknowledged that they are de facto cancelled
and, therefore, the Company has no remaining liability under
those contracts.
Easynet Group plc
In February 2002, the Company was obliged to acquire by a put
option 1,324,054 ordinary shares in Easynet for
£20 million. The Company disputed the legal basis of
the put option and entered into litigation with Railtrack Group.
In February 2003, the litigation with Railtrack Group was
settled and the Company became beneficial owners of the
1,324,054 Easynet ordinary shares under the put option.
Consequently, the £20 million and related impairment
have been reflected in equity in loss of affiliates. The put
option increased the equity holding to 72.7% and the holding of
voting shares to 51.6%. However, under the Articles of
Association of Easynet and a relationship agreement with
Easynet, the voting rights in Easynet are limited to 49.9%.
Accordingly, Easynet applied in April 2003 to the U.K. Listing
Authority to cancel the 1,324,054 ordinary shares and non-voting
convertible shares have been issued to the Company in exchange.
Since the Company were not able to exercise control over Easynet
at anytime, the Company continued to account for Easynet using
the equity method of accounting.
No significant transactions with directors or other executive
officers of the Company have occurred during fiscal 2006, 2005,
or 2004.
|
|
19. |
Subsidiary company and equity investee information |
The following table provides information on the principal
subsidiary undertakings and other associated companies that the
Company considers to have had a significant impact on the
assessment of the assets and liabilities, the financial position
and/or the profits and losses of the Company to March 31,
2004. Except where stated otherwise, each of these companies was
wholly owned by a member of the Company and the share capital
was fully paid up to May 19, 2003.
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Registered Office |
|
|
|
Network Equipment and Services
|
|
|
|
Marconi Communications Limited
|
|
New Century Park, PO Box 53, Coventry CV3 1HJ, England |
|
Marconi Communications S.p.A.
|
|
Via Ludovico Calda 5, 16153 Genoa, Italy |
|
Marconi Communications, Inc.
|
|
c/o The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center,
1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 19801, U.S.A |
|
Marconi Communications GmbH
|
|
Gerberstrasse 33, D 71522 Backnang, Germany |
Other Associated Companies
|
|
|
|
Easynet Group plc (72.7% group equity share; 49.9% voting
share)(1)
|
|
44-46 Whitfield Street, London W1T 2RJ, England |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
See note 10, Investments in affiliates. |
F-30
The undertakings in which the Companys interest at
March 31, 2006 was more than 20% are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
percentage |
|
|
Country of |
|
Principal |
|
of ordinary |
Undertakings |
|
incorporation |
|
activity |
|
shares held |
|
|
|
Ancrane
|
|
England and Wales |
|
Non trading |
|
|
100% |
|
M Ansty Limited
|
|
England and Wales |
|
Dormant |
|
|
100% |
|
M Nominees Limited
|
|
England and Wales |
|
Dormant |
|
|
100% |
|
Photoniqa Limited
|
|
England and Wales |
|
Dormant |
|
|
100% |
|
Yeslink Unlimited*
|
|
England and Wales |
|
Dormant |
|
|
100% |
|
|
|
|
|
* |
Yeslink Unlimited is a subsidiary of Photoniqa Limited. |
All other subsidiary undertakings were disposed of as part of
the Financial Restructuring on May 19, 2003 described in
note 3.
F-31