10th May 2010 07:00
TARSUS GROUP plc
Interim Management Statement
Tarsus Group Plc ("Tarsus" or "the Group"), the international business-to-business media group, is today publishing its Interim Management Statement relating to the period from the publication of its Preliminary Results on 8 March 2010 to 9 May 2010.
Trading Performance
Trading for the period has been in line with the Board's expectations. A summary of major developments includes:
§ US - continued recovery & momentum
The Medical division continues to gain momentum. The April Orlando event produced revenues well ahead of last year, driven by very strong growth from its education programmes. Exhibition and conference revenues also grew for the first time in 18 months.
§ France - management action retains margins within expectations
A number of small exhibitions have taken place in France since 8 March. As expected, the declining revenue trends experienced in the second half of 2009 have continued into the first half of 2010. Strong cost management has resulted in margins remaining within our expectations.
§ Emerging Markets
No material events have taken place since 8 March.
Financial Position
There have been no significant changes to the financial position of the Group since the publication of the Preliminary Results on 8 March 2010.
Outlook
At our preliminary results at the start of March we announced the launch of "Project 50/13" to accelerate our scale in Emerging Markets. Our business infrastructure in the region is now established and Tarsus has a much improved platform within Asia and the Middle East from which to continue to drive strong growth.
As in previous years, the Group's revenues remain heavily second-half weighted and, overall, forward bookings remain at a similar level to 2009.
The French portfolio is weighted towards the 4th quarter of the year and we are now seeing signs of stabilisation in that market, with forward bookings for 4th quarter events at similar levels to last year. Given the current economic outlook for Europe, we continue to remain cautious.
US sales are strong and ahead of 2009, driven mainly by our Off-Price (discount clothing) and Medical divisions. Labelexpo America's sales are marginally behind the previous edition, owing to smaller exhibitors booking later in the cycle.
In the Emerging Markets division, the Group's largest event this year is MEBA (business aviation) which takes place in Dubai for which forward bookings are well ahead of the previous cycle.
Our view of trading for 2010 is unchanged with long term exhibition trends intact. The recovery in the US economy is benefiting our business in that market and we are seeing good growth prospects and opportunities in Emerging Markets. Our strong brands, diversified portfolio of market leading events and increased focus on Emerging Markets leave Tarsus well positioned for the future.
Tarsus Group plc:
Douglas Emslie, Group Managing Director 020 8846 2700
Ashley Milton, Group Finance Director 020 8846 2700
Media:
Madano Partnership
Matthew Moth 020 7593 4000
Investors/Analysts:
IRfocus
Neville Harris 020 7593 4015
Scott Harris
Stephen Scott, Jeremy Wiseman 020 7653 0030
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