Consolidated cash flow statement

for the year ended 31 March

  Notes 2008 US$m 2007 US$m
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations 27a 4,276 4,018
Interest received 228 231
Interest paid (730) (719)
Tax paid (969) (801)
Net cash from operating activities 2,805 2,729
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (1,978) (1,191)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 110 110
Purchase of intangible assets (59) (270)
Purchase of investments - (3)
Proceeds from sale of investments 5 1
Proceeds from sale of associates 2 81
Proceeds on disposal of shares in subsidiaries 71 7
Acquisition of subsidiaries (net of cash acquired) (1,284) (131)
Purchase of shares from minorities (49) (200)
Purchase of shares in associates (179) (186)
Dividends received from associates 91 102
Dividends received from other investments 1 1
Net cash used in investing activities (3,269) (1,679)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from the issue of shares 39 38
Purchase of own shares for share trusts (33) (30)
Proceeds from borrowings 27b 6,492 5,126
Repayment of borrowings 27b (5,038) (5,663)
Capital element of finance lease payments   (7) (7)
Decrease/(increase) in loan participation deposit 27b - 200
Net cash receipts on net investment hedges (16) 42
Dividends paid to shareholders of the parent (769) (681)
Dividends paid to minority interests (197) (161)
Net cash generated/(used) in financing activities 471 (1,136)
Net cash from operating, investing and financing activities 7 (86)
Effects of exchange rate changes (113) (18)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 27b (106) (104)
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April 27b 294 398
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 27b 118 294