Driver Group 1H Pretax Loss GBP0.4M On Revenue GBP8.8M

LONDON (Dow Jones)--Driver Group PLC (DRV.LN) said Tuesday that for the six months ended March 31, it made a pretax loss of GBP0.4 million on revenue of GBP8.8 million. MAIN FACTS: -Revenue of GBP8.8 million (2009: GBP11.3 million) -Operating loss GBP0.3 million (2009: GBP1.3 million) -Underlying loss before tax of GBP0.26 million (2009: profit of GBP1.30 million) -Pretax loss GBP0.4 million (2009: GBP1.2 million) -Loss before tax of GBP0.45 million (2009: profit of GBP1.22 million) -Underlying loss per share of 0.6 pence (2009: earnings per share 4.1 pence) -Diluted loss per share 1.4 pence (2009: earning 3.8 pence) -Basic loss per share of 1.4 pence (2009: earnings per share 3.8 pence) -Net funds available to Group at March 31 of GBP2.65 million (2009: GBP1.95 million) -Continues to expect trading conditions in the U.K. in the near term to remain challenging. -Looking ahead, focus remains on delivering three year plan to expand internationally, broaden its service offering through strategic project management services, develop project services into the industrial, power and energy sectors and strengthen the company's expert witness services. -The current financial year is one of strategic investment. -Encouraged with progress to date and expect the benefits to become increasingly evident in the next financial year and beyond. -Not declaring an interim dividend for 2010 (2009: 1.0 pence per share). -Shares closed Monday at 36.5 pence. -By Iain Packham, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-20-7842-9269; iain.packham@dowjones.com (END) Dow Jones Newswires June 22, 2010 02:49 ET (06:49 GMT)