13 Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing net profit for the year attributable to ordinary equity shareholders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.
Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net profit attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year but adjusted for the effects of dilutive options. The key features of share option contracts are described in Note 27.
| Basic earnings per share | 2007 | 2006 | ||||||||||
| Profit after tax (£m) | 86.2 | 61.4 | ||||||||||
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding (millions) | 121.6 | 124.3 | ||||||||||
| Basic earnings per share (pence) | 70.9 | 49.4 | ||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | 2007 | 2006 | ||||||||||
| Profit after tax per income statement (£m) | 86.2 | 61.4 | ||||||||||
| Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding (millions) | 121.6 | 124.3 | ||||||||||
| Weighted average number of dilutive 5p ordinary shares under option (millions) | 1.0 | 1.6 | ||||||||||
| Weighted average number of 5p ordinary shares that would have been issued at average market value from proceeds of dilutive share options (millions) | (0.5) | (1.2) | ||||||||||
| Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding (millions) | 122.1 | 124.7 | ||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share (pence) | 70.6 | 49.2 | ||||||||||