Dignity plc reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the 26 weeks period ended June 30, 2017. For the period, the company reported revenue of £169.8 million as compared to £158.0 million for the same period last year. Operating profit was £58.7 million as compared to £54.7 million for the same period last year. Underlying operating profit was £59.5 million as compared to £55.6 million for the same period last year. Profit before tax was £45.3 million as compared to £41.5 million for the same period last year. Profit for the period attributable to equity shareholders was £36.1 million as compared to £32.6 million for the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share for profit attributable to equity shareholders was 72.3 pence as compared to 65.7 pence for the same period last year. Net cash generated from operating activities was £42.9 million as compared to £45.9 million for the same period last year. Purchase of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets was £12.8 million as compared to £7.1 million for the same period last year. Maintenance capital expenditure was £9.5 million as compared to £5.9 million for the same period last year. Underlying profit after taxation was £36.9 million or 74.1 pence per share as compared to £33.5 million or 67.7 pence per share for the same period last year. Net capital expenditure was £12.4 million as compared to £6.6 million for the same period last year. Net debt was £520.8 million as on June 30, 2017 compared to £490.9 million as on June 24, 2016. Underlying profit before taxation was £46.1 million as compared to £42.4 million for the same period last year.

The Group's effective tax rate for 2017 is expected to be 20% before exceptional items. The company has reaffirmed CapEx guidance and is still expecting to spend around about £24 million this year on maintenance CapEx. The guidance remains unchanged. So for the sake of clarity, The company has 2017's expectations for EPS at just under 124 pence.

The effective rate for 2018 and beyond is expected to be approximately 1% higher than the headline rate of Corporation Tax for the relevant period. The company has 2018's expectations at around about 135 pence for EPS and it has 2019's expectations at just under 146 pence for EPS.