2009 News Releases

31 July

Interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2009

Satisfactory first half: interim dividend raised 7%

Financial highlights

• Satisfactory first half performance in tough environment
• Cash generation ahead of last year and 114% of operating profit (2009 - £89m; 2008 - £82m)
• Headline results benefit from Dollar and Euro exchange rates movements against Sterling
• Strong balance sheet maintained; cash & undrawn committed facilities of £265m
• Interim dividend raised 7.1% to 6p (2008 – 5.6p)

Operational highlights

• Continuing cost management, headcount reduced by 350; 15 print titles closed in H1
• Structural print decline accelerated by cyclical conditions; profit down £10.5m to £3.3m
• H1 events affected by weaker US attendee-paid events & negative biennial (£3m profit effect)
• Forward bookings for H2 major events 5.9% ahead
• Targeting, Distribution & Monitoring US market share stabilised; margins increased
• Continued good growth in emerging economies, especially Brazil, India & China

* Adjusted operating profit is group operating profit before amortisation of intangible assets on acquisitions, exceptional items and share of taxation on profit in joint ventures and associates (see page 12)
** Headline EPS (adjusted) is before amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions, exceptional items, deferred tax on intangible assets and net financing costs - other (see note 8 on page 22)

David Levin, Chief Executive Officer, United Business Media Limited said:

“UBM’s performance in the first half of 2009 was satisfactory in the context of a tough worldwide economic environment and extremely challenging conditions in a number of our markets. The impact of these factors on our first half results was offset in part by favourable movements in Dollar and Euro exchange rates against Sterling. Through 2008 and into 2009 we have continued to take considered and timely management action to prepare for, and to respond to, the challenges we are now experiencing. During the first half of 2009 we have reduced headcount across all our businesses by a further 350 people and have also closed a total of 15 print titles.”

“Despite the challenging economic circumstances, we continue to pursue our established strategy. We remain focused on growing our portfolio of live events, data and online businesses, particularly in fast-growing and emerging markets. Forward bookings for our major events for the second half of the year are running 5.9% ahead, demonstrating the continued strong performance of our key tradeshow franchises, even during a period of acute economic pressure. We also continue to manage carefully those areas of our business which are affected by both longer term structural shifts and by current market conditions. In July we made our first two acquisitions of 2009 and we anticipate making further acquisitions over the course of the next 12 months. We will also continue to support the organic development of our business. With excellent cash generation and a strong balance sheet, we believe UBM is strategically well positioned to progress and prosper in the medium term. UBM remains on track to meet earnings expectations for the full year and the Board has declared an interim dividend which has been increased by 7.1% to 6p.”

David Levin
Chief Executive Officer, United Business Media Limited
31 July 2009

Contacts

A webcast of the results presentation will be made available from UBM’s website from 9.30am, 31 July 2009. To access the webcast please go to www.ubm.com.

A recording of the webcast will also be available on demand from UBM’s website.

Notes to Editors
1. About United Business Media Limited
UBM focuses on two principal activities: worldwide information targeting, distribution and monitoring; and, the development and monetisation of B2B communities and markets. UBM’s businesses inform markets and serve professional and commercial communities - from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewellery traders, from farmers to pharmacists – with integrated events, online, print and business information products. Our 6,400 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into specialist teams that serve these communities, bringing buyers and sellers together, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.

For more information, go to www.ubm.com

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