William Hill plc reported final consolidated earnings results for the year ended December 26, 2017. For the period, the company reported on adjusted basis, revenue of £1,711.1 million compared to £1,603.8 million reported in the same period last year. Profit before interest and tax was £291.3 million against £261.5 million reported last year. Profit before tax was £254.9 million against £214.0 million reported last year. Profit for the period attributable to equity holders of the parent was £236.9 million or 27.5 pence per diluted share against £194.2 million or 22.2 pence per diluted share reported last year. For the period, the company reported on statutory basis, revenue of £1,711.1 million compared to £1,603.8 million reported in the same period last year. Loss before interest and tax was £43.7 million against profit of £225.6 million reported last year. Loss before tax was £74.6 million against profit of £181.3 million reported last year. Loss for the period attributable to equity holders of the parent was £83.2 million or 9.7 pence per basic and diluted share against profit of £164.5 million or 18.8 pence per diluted share reported last year. Net cash from operating activities was £290.1 million against £265.9 million reported last year. Purchases of property, plant and equipment was £14.2 million against £32.5 million reported last year. Expenditure on intangible assets was £78.7 million against £57.9 million reported last year. Adjusted operating profit was £291.3 million against £261.5 million reported last year. The company invested £92.3 million in net capital expenditure, including £78.7 million in developing software intangible assets to deliver its long-term technology strategy. The Group returned £108.1 million to shareholders through dividends leading to a cash inflow in the period of £103.7 million. This drove a reduction in net debt of £102.9 million.


The effective tax rate in 2018 is expected to be 14% and should remain at around this level whilst the business operates in the same territories and at the same scale.