Forward-looking statements
Certain statements in this document are not reported financial results or historical information, but forward-looking statements. These statements are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, future prospects, objectives, earnings, savings or plans. Examples of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding volume growth, increases in market share, exchange rate fluctuations, shareholder return and cost reductions. Forward-looking statements are sometimes, but not always, identified by their use of a date in the future or such words as "believe", "continue", "anticipate", "ongoing", "expect", "will", "could", "may", "intend", "plan", "could", "may", and "endeavour". By their nature, forward-looking statements are inherently predictive, speculative and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future.
If one or more of these risks materialise, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: changes in economic or political conditions and changes to the associated legal, regulatory and tax environments; lower than expected performance of existing or new products and the impact thereof on the Group’s future revenue, cost structure and capital expenditure; the Group’s ability to expand its portfolio; skills shortage; changes in foreign exchange rates and a lack of market liquidity which holds up the repatriation of earnings; increased competition, slower than expected customer growth and reduced customer retention; acquisitions and divestments of Group businesses and assets and the pursuit of new, unexpected strategic opportunities; the impact of legal or other proceedings against the Group; uncontrollable increases to legacy defined benefit liabilities and higher than expected costs or capital expenditures. When relying on forward-looking statements to make investment decisions, you should carefully consider these factors and other uncertainties and events. Forwardlooking statements apply only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.