(Adds CEO comments, shares)
LONDON, June 11 (Reuters) - British broadband company
TalkTalk reported a 9.7% rise in full-year core
earnings to 260 million pounds ($329 million), driven by growth
in its fibre customer base, and said it was in a robust
financial position, allowing it to maintain its dividend.
Chief Executive Tristia Harrison said TalkTalk's network had
kept families, friends and communities connected through the
pandemic.
"Access to reliable, affordable connectivity has never been
so important - and low prices matter now more than ever before,"
she said. "As the only scale, value provider, TalkTalk continues
to be well positioned to meet this demand."
Harrison said TalkTalk was not giving guidance for the
current year, but it expected to deliver stable core earnings
after including a 15 million pound provision for the impact of
the pandemic, reflecting the possibility of some customers
struggling financially when government support schemes ended.
"We are making sure that we plan cautiously as we get into
the second part of the year as the various furlough schemes fall
away," she said, adding that TalkTalk had not accessed
government support itself.
Shares in TalkTalk, which have risen 17% since its financial
year ended on March 31, were trading down 2.7% at 96.6 pence in
early deals on Thursday.
($1 = 0.7891 pounds)
(Reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by Sarah Young and James
Davey)
