Aspen results yesterday, for the first half to December 2009. They were good. Profits up 31 percent, revenue up ten percent. HEPS up 27 percent to 242.3 cents per share. They, Aspen, outline the GSK transaction. The South African business grew sharply. The consumer division only grew a little, this was as a result of the milk formula not being available, remember that facility burnt down. I had problems getting milk for my youngest, Lexi.
Aspen are going to be disposing of selected assets as they put it. Net debt has been reduced over the six months by 500 million Rands to 3.5 billion Rands. Just to put this company into perspective. Ten years ago they turned over 1.2 billion Rands, for the half year Aspen turned over 4.5 billion Rands. And profits of 99.9 million Rands ten years ago, 1.314 billion Rands profits here for the half year now. 367 million shares back then and they made 33 cents per share for the full year to June 2000. Now, 431 million shares in issue, 242 cents worth of earnings in the half.
Operating profit margins have improved over the years, currently better than in the last two years, around 26 percent. Turnover up 34 percent per annum over the last five years. We are preparing another video for release on Aspen, check it out probably for release Monday. We will let you know via email.