Go-Ahead says full-year expectations are unchanged

Go-Ahead said on Thursday that its full-year expectations remain unchanged and the company is in a good financial position, with strong cash generation and a robust balance sheet supporting its progressive dividend policy.Chief executive David Brown said: "In rail, we continue to work closely with Network Rail and other industry partners to minimise the impact on passengers of the major infrastructure works associated with the government's £6.5bn Thameslink programme, including at London Bridge. "Our locally-run bus companies work in partnership with local authorities and are focused on the needs of the communities they serve, responding quickly to their changing requirements."In its trading update for the year ending 27 June, Go-Ahead said that as expected, mileage in its London bus operations increased in the fourth quarter as new contracts began during the period. Excluding the impact of the bus service operators grant reallocation, revenue is expected to be broadly flat year-on-year.RBC Capital Markets, which rates the stock at 'outperform', said the company looks on track to deliver around 7% earnings before interest and tax growth in 2014-15 followed by more than 20% in 2015/16 and over 10% in 2017/18."We see the shares as offering both growth and dividend yield paid from balance sheet strength," it said.Meanwhile, Panmure Gordon maintained its 'buy' recommendation after the update. "The combination of strong earnings growth, possibly enhanced by a potential return of capital, and attractive dividend yields is an exciting proposition, although some devolution concerns are likely to weigh on the share price," it said.At 10:42, shares were up 1.4% at 2,723p.