James Halstead Regulatory News (JHD)

2 Dec 2005 08:00

James Halstead PLC02 December 2005 2 December 2005 JAMES HALSTEAD PLC CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT TO THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Chairman, Mr Geoffrey Halstead will make the following statement toshareholders at the Company's Annual General Meeting on 2 December 2005: "We are now 5 months into the new financial year and I would like to give ourshareholders an update on the Group's performance. It is clear that raw material prices and energy costs are very challenging, butI am pleased to report that we are trading ahead of last year both in terms ofsales and profit. In addition, having regard to our balance sheet and our strong cash position,the Board are pleased to announce that there will be an additional, special,interim dividend prior to the interim dividend which is paid in June 2006. Thisadditional dividend will be 50 pence per ordinary 10p share and will be payableon 17th February 2006 to those shareholders on the register on the close ofbusiness on 3rd February 2006. There is no doubt we are seeing the benefits of the launch of updated productranges such as Hydro and Corona, and the new warehousing facility in Cologne(opened in July of this year) is facilitating good growth in central Europe. Themanagement of our various subsidiaries are very focused on maintaining what hasbeen a good start to the year and I am confident that this will be another yearof progress." -ends- Enquiries:James Halstead plcGordon Oliver Tel: 0161 767 2500 Hudson SandlerNick Lyon Tel: 020 7796 4133 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange