7 Jul 2009 07:00
Embargoed: 0700hrs,Β 7Β JulyΒ 2009
Cape plc
("Cape" or theΒ "Group")
Trading Update
Cape plcΒ (AIM: CIU), the international provider of essential support services to the energy and natural resources sectors,Β issues the following pre-close trading update ahead of the announcement of its interim results for the six months endedΒ 30 June 2009,Β which isΒ expected on 16Β September 2009.
The Group's underlying trading performance in the first half of 2009 has been in line with management expectationsΒ and earlier guidance provided. TheΒ headline resultsΒ for this period willΒ alsoΒ benefitΒ from favourable exchangeΒ rateΒ movements.
SinceΒ the InterimΒ ManagementΒ StatementΒ issuedΒ by the CompanyΒ on 20 May 2009,Β performanceΒ during the periodΒ acrossΒ Cape'sΒ diverseΒ international footprint hasΒ continued to beΒ wellΒ balanced. Whilst we continue to experience some project delays inΒ AustraliaΒ due to adverse market conditions, this is more than offset by growth in theΒ Middle EastΒ markets as evidenced by our recent contact wins.Β All other regions continue to trade at or ahead of expectations.
With strongΒ cashΒ generation in the first half, the Group's net debtΒ at 30 JuneΒ 2009Β hasΒ continued toΒ reduce further from year end 2008 levels.Β
The positive momentum in the first half hasΒ continued intoΒ the second halfΒ and,Β with improvingΒ revenue visibility, the Board is increasingly confident ofΒ theΒ outcomeΒ for the full year.Β
- Ends -
For further information please contact:-
Cape PLC Martin K May, Chief Executive Officer Richard Bingham, Chief Financial Officer Tel. +44 (0)20 3178 5498
Numis Securities Limited Nominated Adviser: John Harrison, Managing Director Corporate Finance Corporate Broker: James Serjeant, Director Corporate Broking Tel. +44 (0)20 7260 1000
Merrill Lynch International Andrew Tusa, Director Corporate Broking Europe Tel. +44 (0)20 7628 1000
M: CommunicationsPatrick d'AnconaΒ orΒ Ben Simons Tel. +44 (0)20 7153 1530
AboutΒ Cape:
Cape plc (www.capeplc.com), which is listed on AIM (CIU), specialises in the provision of common user access systems, insulation, fire protection, abrasive blasting, refractory, specialist cleaning and other essential industrial services throughout asset lifecycles for major industrial clients in the international energy and natural resources sectors.
Cape employs c.13,500 people in 28 countries with its four main markets being theΒ UK, Gulf/Middle East, CIS, Mediterranean and North Africa, and the Far East/Β Pacific Rim.
In the year ended 31 December 2008,Β CapeΒ reported turnover of Β£622.7 million.
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