financial results six month performance 2002 review of first half year very challenging market conditions strong from businesses in asia uk and europe underlying profit 21m up 68 on 13m h1 2001 lower us revenue mitigated by continuing action costs cmp media down 38 pr newswire 21 share gains continue nop sales 3 to end july bmra 2 6 june prn disclose over 10 lse announcements 29 vs 25 improvement second eps 8 9p 3p additional 55m cost savings secured now total 165m 24 off 2000 fixed base 113 5 cash conversion net positive 50 4 m balance sheet strength is a competitive advantage implementation strategy building leader business information investing core emphasis products value organic investment programme increased extend product range improving position operational leverage retaining realising non assets key investor issues quality earnings acquisition risk dependency high tech
