ELE.L Regulatory News (ELE)

20 Dec 2006 07:00

Electric Word PLC20 December 2006 20 December 2006 Electric Word Plc Pre-close update for the year ended 30 November 2006 Electric Word plc, the specialist information publisher, is providing thefollowing update for the year ended 30 November 2006 prior to entering its closeperiod and ahead of its preliminary results announcement on 20 February 2007. The Company's positive trading performance has continued in the second half ofthe year and, consequently, the results for the year to 30 November 2006 areexpected to show the significant growth over 2005 that was anticipated. As aresult, the Company is trading in line with expectations. Chief Executive Julian Turner commented: "Trading has been encouraging in both our main markets of sport and education,supported by both organic and acquired growth and underpinned by the broaderexternal environment. There was another positive Government Autumn statement oneducation spending and the Asian games in Doha have provided some excellentopportunities this year, which has helped the SportBusiness Group, acquired inDecember 2005, to deliver a strong first year under our management. Incentive Plus, which was acquired in April, is expected to make a significantcontribution to 2007 profits, following our investment in increased marketingexpenditure in the fourth quarter. On a smaller scale, CKP, acquired in May, hasalso performed encouragingly and we have invested in Teaching Expertise(acquired in December 2005) to make www.teachingexpertise.com, which launched on30 November this year, our main education portal as part of the broaderexpansion of our range of digital products. The integration of theseacquisitions is on or ahead of schedule and will continue next year as wefurther build our infrastructure to support the Company's future growth, bothorganic and through new acquisitions." Ends Enquiries:Julian Turner, Chief Executive Electric Word 020 7954 3470 Darrel Connell / Tim Spratt Financial Dynamics 020 7269 7284 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange