H&t Group Plc Regulatory News (HAT)

16 Jan 2008 07:01

H&T Group PLC16 January 2008 H&T GROUP PLC PRE CLOSE TRADING STATEMENT H&T Group plc ("H&T" or the "Group"), the UK's leading pawnbroking business bysize of pledge book which trades under the H&T Pawnbrokers and Get > Go brands, is pleased to issue today a trading statement ahead of entering its close periodprior to the announcement of its preliminary results for the year ended 31December 2007. In line with the Group's growth strategy, H&T has opened four new stores andacquired six stores in the second half of the year. Combined with the two storesopened in the first half of the year, the total number of stores is up from 77at 31 December 2006 to 89 at 31 December 2007. Following the robust trading performance reported in the first half of the yearthe Board expects the Group to report slightly higher than consensus marketexpectations for the year ended 31 December 2007. This has been driven by aparticularly strong performance in both the pawnbroking and other financialservices segments. Although growth in retail jewellery slowed in the second halfof the year, the Group is pleased to report strength in the seasonally importantDecember retail month - December retail sales increased 3.6% on a like-for-likebasis (stores opened before 2006) and retail gross profit margin was maintained.Gold asset-backed lending continues to prove a success. H&T will report its preliminary results for the year to 31 December 2007 on the20 March 2008. 16 January 2008 For further information please contact: H&T Group plc 0870 9022 600John Nichols, Chief ExecutiveLaurent Genthialon, Finance Director Hawkpoint Partners Limited 020 7665 4500Lawrence Guthrie / Sunil Duggal Numis Securities Limited 020 7776 1500Oliver Hemsley / Charles Farquhar College Hill Associates 020 7457 2020Gareth David / Paddy Blewer This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange