to business editor 29th february 2000 for immediate release the following announcement was today issued london stock exchange jardine matheson holdings limited 1999 preliminary of results improving trend in asian markets dairy farm and international motors performance impacts good from robert fleming strong cash flows support continued investment core businesses year ended 31st december us m 1998 change revenue 10 675 11 244 5 net profit excluding non recurring items 176 191 8 207 51 311 earnings per share 34 26 49 304 29 07 32 9 dividends 25 00 21 60 16 i am confident that group has skills strategy compete successfully its changing marketplace we will see opportunities growth our henry keswick chairman an increasing sense optimism is evident asia particular financial have rebounded strongly commercial property values rentals hong kong are beginning recover despite these improvements consumer spending remains fragile this be a key issue
