* FCA asks firms over the weekend to delay results
* Delay to better understand impact of coronavirus on
operations
* Kingfisher, AG Barr, Mears Group, Lamprell impacted
(Adds more companies, background, context, bullet points)
By Simon Jessop and Huw Jones
LONDON, March 23 (Reuters) - British companies including
home improvement group Kingfisher said they would delay
full-year results for at least two weeks, heeding a call from
the financial markets regulator on Saturday.
Britain's Financial Conduct Authority said listed companies
planning to report over the next few days should hold off so
that they could better assess how the coronavirus pandemic is
affecting their business.
Kingfisher said it had received a letter from the FCA on
Sunday requesting a delay to the results announcement, which had
been due on Tuesday. The company said it would provide further
updates "as soon as we are advised by the FCA".
Meanwhile, A.G. Barr also said it felt it was "prudent" to
draw down its full 60 million pound revolving credit facilities
as the coronavirus pandemic continued.
Others to act on Monday included outsourcer Mears Group
and energy engineering company Lamprell.
The Financial Reporting Council, which polices accountants
that check the books of listed companies in Britain, said on
Monday it backed the FCA's decision and that auditors could
broaden their approach to delays in company financial statements
as the situation "rapidly" evolves.
"It is important that due consideration is given by
companies to these events in preparing all reporting," the FRC
said.
"The FRC therefore encourages listed companies and their
auditors to consider carefully whether they should delay other
corporate reports for the next two weeks, such as interim
financial statements and final audited financial statements,
except where necessary to meet a legal or regulatory
requirement," the watchdog said in a statement.
(Reporting by Simon Jessop; editing by Sinead Cruise and Jason
Neely)
