5 Dec 2008 07:00
Immediate release: 5 December 2008
Universe Group PLC
("Universe" or "the Company")
Trading Update
Universe Group plc (UNG.L) today provides the following update on its expected full year trading results.
Full year revenues are expected to increase by 25% to £16.5 million (2007: £13.2 million) with second half revenues 9% ahead of those achieved in the first six months of the year at £8.6 million (H1: £7.9 million). The Company will return to profitability at the operating level, but will fall short of the full year forecast. The operating loss for the first half was (£0.3 million).
Universe has made significant progress during 2008. Whilst revenue growth has been strong, operating profit has been impacted by slower than anticipated equipment roll-outs from the JetSet business (JAV).
The significant contract wins secured by JAV underpinned our forecasts for the full year. However, the recent banking crisis resulted in the sudden and unexpected withdrawal of previously agreed asset-backed sources for JAV. As a result of this withdrawal, Universe did not have sufficient internally generated funding to meet the rapid deployment schedule of the new JAV revenue share business, on which its full year forecasts were based.
Equipment roll-outs are continuing and JAV expects to have 700 installed units, versus the 1000 units previously forecast, by the end of December 2008, with further roll-outs in 2009. The Board believes that the revenue share model will deliver strong income streams over future periods.
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| Universe Group PLC | Arbuthnot Securities Nominated Adviser | Tavistock Communications |
| John Scholes, Chairman Paul Cooper, Chief Executive | Tom Griffiths | John West Andrew Dunn |
| Tel: 02380 689510 | Tel: 0207 012 2000 | Tel: 020 7920 3150 |