IAP.L Regulatory News (IAP)

30 Mar 2006 07:03

ICAP PLC30 March 2006 ICAP Trading Statement London, March 30, 2006 - ICAP plc (IAP.L), the world's largest interdealerbroker announces the following trading update at the end of its financial yearon 31 March 2006. ICAP's preliminary results will be announced on 31 May 2006. Profit (before tax, amortisation and impairment of intangibles and exceptionalitems) for the financial year ended 31 March 2006 is anticipated to be in linewith current market expectations+. Michael Spencer, Group Chief Executive, commented, "ICAP's electronic and voicebroking businesses have shown excellent growth this year. Market activity in thelast quarter of our financial year is traditionally high and this year has beenno exception; our financial year has ended on a very strong note. The excellentperformance of our electronic broking businesses has continued with, forexample, a recent new record in US Treasuries when daily volume exceeded US$200billion for the first time." Discussions with EBS regarding the possible acquisition of EBS by ICAP arecontinuing. There can be no certainty that a transaction will take place. Afurther announcement will be made in due course. EBS is the world's leadingprovider of foreign exchange electronic trading and data solutions to thousandsof trading professionals and organisations. Note: + The current market expectations of ICAP plc pre-tax profits referred to inthis announcement are based on forecasts of profit before tax, amortisation andimpairment of intangibles and exceptional items by eight equity analysts. Theyrange between £198 million and £205 million. About ICAP: ICAP is the world's largest interdealer broker and following the acquisition ofthe BrokerTec fixed income securities businesses is the world's leadingelectronic broker of fixed income securities with a daily average transactionvolume in excess of $1 trillion, 50% of which is electronic. The Group isactive in the wholesale market for OTC derivatives, fixed income securities,money market products, foreign exchange, energy, credit and equity derivatives. Contacts: Michael Spencer Group Chief Executive (44) 20 7050 7400Mike Sheard Director of Corporate Affairs (44) 20 7050 7103Neil Bennett The Maitland Consultancy (44) 20 7379 5151 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange