supplemental information
definitions
Average – averages are calculated as the sum of the opening and closing balances for the relevant period
divided by two
* EBITDA – earnings before interest (net finance costs), tax, depreciation and amortisation
* EBITDA to sales – EBITDA divided by sales
Fellings – the amount charged against the income statement representing the standing value of
the plantations harvested
Headline earnings – as defined in Circular 7/2002 issued by the South African Institute of Chartered
Accountants, separates from earnings all items of a capital nature. It is not necessarily a measure of
sustainable earnings. It is a listing requirement of the JSE Limited to disclose headline earnings per share
NBSK – Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft pulp. One of the main varieties of market pulp, mainly produced
from spruce trees in Scandinavia, Canada and north eastern USA. The NBSK is a benchmark widely used in
pulp and paper industry for comparative purposes
* Net assets – total assets less current liabilities
* Net asset value – shareholders’ equity plus net deferred tax
* Net asset value per share – net asset value divided by the number of shares in issue at balance sheet date
* Net debt – current and non-current interest-bearing borrowings, and bank overdrafts (net of cash,
cash equivalents and short-term deposits)
* Net debt to total capitalisation – Net debt divided by shareholders’ equity plus minority interest,
non-current liabilities, current interest-bearing borrowings and overdraft
* ROE – return on average equity. Profit (loss) for the period divided by average shareholders’ equity
* RONA – operating profit divided by average net assets
* RONOA – operating profit divided by average net operating assets. Net operating assets are total assets
(excluding deferred taxation and cash) less current liabilities (excluding interest-bearing borrowings and
bank overdraft)
* SG&A – selling, general and administrative expenses
* The above financial measures, other than headline earnings per share, are presented to assist our shareholders and the
investment community in interpreting our financial results. These financial measures are regularly used and compared between
companies in our industry.
sappi limited – first quarter page 15