KEY FINANCIAL GOALS

Sustainable growth

In financial terms, Pearson’s goal is to achieve sustainable growth on three key financial goals – earnings, cash and return on invested capital, and reliable cash returns to our investors through healthy and growing dividends. Over the past five years, we have produced consistent and considerable growth on all measures. In 2012, though we performed well competitively in tough market conditions, headline earnings and cash were lower than the previous year. Our return on invested capital was level at 9.1% and we are proposing a 7% dividend increase.

  • Adjusted earnings per share

    Pence. Average annual growth (headline) 13%. 12: 84.2p; 11: 86.5p; 10: 77.5p; 09: 65.4p; 08: 57.7p; 07: 46.7p
  • Operating cash flow

    £m. 12: £788m; 11: £983m; 10: 1,057m; 09: £913m; 08: £796m; 07: £684m
  • Return on invested capital

    %. Average capital/actual cash tax. 12: 9.1%; 11: 9.1%; 10: 10.3%; 09: 8.9%: 08: 9.2%: 07: 8.9%