10 May 2010 07:00
| For immediate release | 10 May 2010 |
Dignity plc
('Dignity' or 'the Group')
First interim management statement
for 2010
Dignity plc, the UK's only listed provider of funeral services, announces its first interim management statement for 2010.
|
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13 week period ended |
| |
|
| 26 March | 27 March |
Increase |
|
| 2010 | 2009 | per cent |
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|
|
|
| Revenue (£million) | 53.9 | 52.9 | 1.9 |
| Operating profit (excluding profit on sale of fixed assets) (£million)* | 20.4 | 20.4 | - |
*Operating profit includes £1.5 million (Q1 2009: £1.5 million) in respect of recoveries from the pre-arranged funeral plan trusts.
Trading since 26 March 2010 continues to be in line with management's expectations and there were no significant transactions in the period to 9 May 2010.
Mike McCollum, Chief Executive of Dignity plc commented:
"This is a good performance by the Group. The first quarter of 2010 is more consistent with the average of the last five years than was the case last year when there was an unusually high number of deaths in the first quarter. Our expectations for the full year's financial performance continue to be positive and remain unchanged."
In accordance with the terms of the securitisation carried out in April 2003, Dignity (2002) Limited (the holding company of those companies subject to the securitisation) has today issued reports to the Rating Agencies (Fitch and Standard & Poor's), the Security Trustee and the holders of notes issued in connection with the securitisation confirming compliance with the covenants established under the securitisation.
Copies of these reports are available at http://www.dignityfuneralsplc.co.uk
For further information please contact:
| Dignity plc Mike McCollum, Chief Executive Steve Whittern, Finance Director
| 0121 354 1557 |
| Buchanan Communications Richard Oldworth Suzanne Brocks Christian Goodbody
| 0207 466 5000 |