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AGM Statement

2nd Sep 2011 07:00

RNS Number : 4939N
Cyril Sweett Group PLC
02 September 2011
 



2 September 2011

 

Cyril Sweett Group plc

 

("Cyril Sweett" or "The Group")

 

 

AGM Statement

Speaking today at the Annual General Meeting of Cyril Sweett, the international construction and property consultancy, the Chairman, Michael Henderson, will provide the following comments on current trading:

"Trading conditions have been tough in the year to date.

In Asia Pacific we have continued to perform strongly as the Group has delivered growth in China and commenced operations in both Vietnam and Thailand. Given the continued strong performance from our Asia Pacific operations, we will continue to invest in the region in the second half.

Our UK PPP Management and Investment vehicle has also performed well and we sold our holding in the South Ayrshire Schools PFI project in the first quarter.

In the Middle East, the Arab Spring has caused a number of projects to be cancelled. As a result, we now anticipate lower levels of client investment going forward than we had previously expected.

In the UK, the number of trading days in April was reduced, moreover competitive pressures have continued to impact margins negatively throughout the period. While the first quarter of the financial year tends to be subdued, this trend has continued into the second quarter.

In view of lower operating margins, we are taking action to reduce our UK and Middle East direct costs and administrative functions so that we can service the business with a more appropriate cost base. The costs of this restructuring will be recognised in the first half year as an exceptional item.

We are now seeing an improved level of bidding activity across the Group and the order book has grown by £5m since the last year-end to stand at £83.4m. We also expect further sales from our Investment business in the second half of the year, although the precise timing of these transactions will be subject to market conditions.

Although we anticipate an improved performance in the second half, as a result of these trends, the full year results are likely to be lower than previously expected."

 

- Ends -

 

For further information call:

 

Cyril Sweett Group plc

Dean Webster, Chief Executive Officer

Chris Goscomb, Chief Financial Officer

020 7061 9000

 

Theo Kjellberg, Head of Communications

020 7061 9102

 

Arbuthnot Securities

Andrew Kitchingman

Tim Willis

 

020 7012 2000

 

Financial Dynamics

Billy Clegg

Oliver Winters

Latika Shah

020 7831 3113

 

 

Notes to Editors:

 

About Cyril Sweett Group plc

Cyril Sweett is a leading international construction and property consultancy offering expertise in cost consultancy, project management, building surveying and a comprehensive range of specialist consulting services.

 

Cyril Sweett was founded in 1928 and employs over 1,200 people in 44 offices across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Asia Pacific and Australia.

 

www.cyrilsweett.com 

 

 

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
AGMUASNRAWAKRAR

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