26th Sep 2006 07:00
RHM plc26 September 2006 RHM plc AGM statement RHM plc will hold its Annual General Meeting today at 2.30pm, at Haberdashers'Hall, 18 West Smithfield, London EC1A 9HQ. Jan du Plessis, RHM's Chairman, will make the following comments to shareholdersregarding current trading as part of his address: "Before making a few remarks about trading in the year to date, I would like toremind shareholders that RHM is a highly seasonal business. The four summermonths that start our financial year are traditionally the quietest in ourcalendar. RHM's results for the full year will, as always, depend primarilyupon performance in the seasonally busier periods which lie ahead. I am nevertheless pleased to report that Group turnover in the four months toAugust 2006 was approximately two per cent. ahead of that achieved in thecorresponding period last year. RHM's Bread Bakeries and Customer Partnerships businesses have continued toprogress satisfactorily. Our Cakes business has continued to make good progress,with the Mr. Kipling brand delivering both encouraging like for like salesgrowth and market share gains, as the actions taken to improve performance inthe second half of last year continue to build momentum. Cakes' performance hasoffset some softness in our Culinary Brands division, where turnover and marginshave been affected by the exceptionally hot summer, some retailer destocking andan increasingly competitive environment. For these reasons, as well as the impact of higher wheat prices, increasedmarketing spend and the timing of price increases, profit will be even moreskewed to the second half than last year. For the year as a whole, the Boardremains confident that RHM will deliver further progress. A more detailed update on trading will be released in late October prior to theconclusion of the first half." ENQUIRIESRHM +44 (0)1628 478 484Andrew Allner, Group Finance DirectorJohn McIvor, Director of Investor Relations and Industry Strategy Financial Dynamics +44 (0)20 7269 7121Andrew Lorenz 26th September 2006 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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