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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements


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13 Investments in joint ventures and associates

Joint ventures
All figures in £ millions 2005 2004 2003
At beginning of year 14 12 12
Exchange differences (3) 1 4
Share of loss after tax (1) (5) (9)
Dividends (4) (3) (2)
Additions or further investment 6 9 7
At end of year 12 14 12

Investments in joint ventures are accounted for by the equity method of accounting and are
initially recognised at cost.

The aggregate of the Group's share in its joint ventures, none of which are individually significant,
are as follows:
All figures in £ millions 2005 2004 2003
Assets
Non-current assets 3 3 -
Current assets 26 19 18
Liabilities
Current liabilities (17) (8) (6)
Net assets 12 14 12
Income 46 37 33
Expenses (47) (42) (42)
Loss after income tax (1) (5) (9)
Associates
All figures in £ millions 2005 2004 2003
At beginning of year 33 52 94
Share of profit after tax 15 15 13
Dividends (10) (9) (8)
Loan repayment - - (2)
Additions - 1 -
Disposals (14) (24) (45)
Transfer to non-current assets held for sale - (2) -
At end of year 24 33 52

Investments in associates at 31 December 2005 include goodwill of £nil (2004: £6m; 2003: £7m). The share of profit after tax includes £nil (2004: £2m; 2003: £2m) in respect of discontinued operations.

The Group's interests in its principal associates, all of which are unlisted, were as follows:
2005
All figures in £ millions
Country of incorporation % Interest held Assets Liabilities Revenues Profit
The Economist Newspaper Ltd England 50 79 (67) 105 12
Other     42 (30) 49 3
Total     121 (97) 154 15
 
2004
All figures in £ millions
Country of incorporation % Interest held Assets Liabilities Revenues Profit
The Economist Newspaper Ltd England 50 71 (62) 98 11
Other     42 (18) 192 4
Total     113 (80) 290 15
 
2003
All figures in £ millions
Country of incorporation % Interest held Assets Liabilities Revenues Profit
The Economist Newspaper Ltd England 50 103 (101) 95 9
Other     81 (31) 139 4
Total     184 (132) 234 13

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