Last checked at 6 Dec 2013 07:00
6 December 2013
JAMES HALSTEAD PLC
Chairman's Statement to the Annual General Meeting
James Halstead plc, the commercial flooring company, will hold its AGM today at 12.00 noon at which the Chairman, Mr Geoffrey Halstead, will make the following statement: As is customary, I would like to give you an update on trading now that we are five months into the current financial year.
In my report on the results for the year ended 30 June 2013 I noted that the seeds of recovery were patchy but apparent and I am pleased to be able to report growth in turnover both in the UK and in our overseas markets, albeit modest. Central Europe and in particular France are continuing to grow with Australia and New Zealand on a par with last year.
Raw material supply and input prices are steady with overheads under close scrutiny, as they should be, in these challenging times.
December is always an unpredictable month but as we stand today I believe our first half results will be in line with management expectations.
Our cash balances continue to be solid underpinning the 6p dividend paid today which is an increase of 9.1% on that of last year.
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Enquiries:
| |
James Halstead: | Telephone: 0161 767 2500 |
Mark Halstead, Chief Executive | |
Gordon Oliver, Finance Director | |
Hudson Sandler: | Telephone: 020 7796 4133 |
Nick Lyon | |
Altium (Nominated Advisors): | Telephone: 020 7484 4040 |
Ben Thorne | |
Arden (Brokers): | Telephone: 020 7614 5900 |
Chris Hardie | |