13th Dec 2005 07:00
Inchcape PLC13 December 2005 13 December 2005 Inchcape pre-close trading statement Inchcape plc, the international automotive services group, will enter a closeperiod on 5 January 2006 ahead of its preliminary results announcement, for theyear ending 31 December 2005, on 6 March 2006. Since our last update, issued on 1 August 2005, trading conditions overall havebeen in line with expectations. Profit before tax and exceptional items areanticipated to be around the current market consensus of £188.5m*, which isitself 11.9% above the equivalent figure for 2004. In Australia the market is heading for a record year, and our performance hasbeen strong as previously predicted. In Belgium, our performance is in line with our expectations. In Greece, the market remains extremely competitive. In Hong Kong, profitability is anticipated to be in line with our forecasts. In Singapore our trading performance is strong, having benefitted from betterthan expected market conditions. Overall the UK is trading in line with expectations, despite a challengingmarket. *Source: Reuters Estimates prepared in accordance with International FinancialReporting Standards Notes to editors For further information, please contact: Group Communications, Inchcape plc020 7546 0022 Hogarth Partnership Limited (John Olsen/Barnaby Fry)020 7357 9477 Inchcape, an international automotive services group, provides qualityrepresentation for its manufacturer partners, a choice of channels to market andproducts for its retail customers and a range of business services for itscorporate customers. Operations are focused on Australia, Belgium, Greece, HongKong, Singapore and the UK. Inchcape's activities include exclusive Import,Distribution and Retail, Business Services, automotive E-commerce and FinancialServices. Our key manufacturer partners are Toyota/Lexus, Subaru, BMW, thePremier Automotive Group of Ford, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen. For further information, visit us at www.inchcape.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Inchcape