Coats Group Plc Regulatory News (COA)

14 May 2008 11:35



GUINNESS PEAT GROUP PLC

Interim Management Statement

Guinness Peat Group plc ("GPG") today publishes its first interim management statement ("IMS") covering the period from 1 January 2008 to 14 May 2008. This IMS has been prepared solely to provide additional information to shareholders to meet the requirements of the UK Listing Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

Financial Position

Despite the difficult market conditions GPG remains in a strong financial position. Net asset backing per share at 31 March 2008 was 74.66p which maintains the level reported at the year end.

Coats

Coats's trading in the period has overall been in line with expectations. Coats has also recently entered into an agreement for a US$625m refinancing of its debt facilities for a five year period on improved terms.

Interim Results

GPG is scheduled to release its interim results for the six months to 30 June 2008 at the end of August 2008.

The financial information on which this statement is based has not been reviewed or reported on by GPG's auditors.

J R Russell

Company Secretary

Guinness Peat Group plc

+44 20 7484 3370

14 May 2008