Pre Close Trading Statement

9 Jan 2007 07:00

H&T Group PLC09 January 2007 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, ispleased to issue today a trading statement ahead of entering its close periodprior to the announcement of its preliminary results for the year ended 31December 2006. In line with the Group's growth strategy, H&T has opened six new stores andacquired two stores in the South East of England in the second half of the year.Combined with the store opened in the first half of the year, the total numberof stores is up from 68 at 31 December 2005 to 77 at 31 December 2006. Following the robust trading performance reported in the first half of the yearthe Group has performed ahead of market expectations in the second half. Thishas been driven by a particularly strong fourth quarter and as a resultoperating profit before exceptional items for the year ended 31 December 2006 isexpected to be approximately 10% above consensus market expectations. H&T will report its preliminary results for the year to 31 December 2006 on the20 March 2007. 9 January 2007 For further information please contact:H&T Group plc 0870 9022 600 John Nichols, Chief ExecutiveHawkpoint Partners Limited 020 7665 4500 Lawrence Guthrie / Sunil DuggalNumis Securities Limited 020 7776 1500 Oliver Hemsley / Charles FarquharCollege Hill Associates 020 7457 2020 Gareth David / Paddy Blewer This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange