23rd Jun 2008 07:00
Aggreko plc
TRADING UPDATE
Aggreko plc, the world leader in the supply of temporary power, temperature control and oil-free compressed air services, is giving the following update on trading prior to entering its close period in respect of the half-year ending 30th June 2008. Interim results will be announced on Tuesday, 26th August 2008.
Trading Update
Trading has been strong in the first half, and we expect that revenues will grow by about 25% (22% in constant currency) and profit before tax will be about 40% higher than the prior year. This growth has been broadly-based; our Local Businesses in the Middle East, Asia, Australia, Central & South America have all made good progress and we also expect trading profits in Europe to be significantly higher than the prior year. As anticipated, trading profits in North America will be lower than the prior year on revenues slightly higher. In International Power Projects, continued investment has enabled us to grow the rental fleet by about 40% year-on-year, utilisation has been running at high levels, and profits will be well ahead.
Looking ahead to the full year, the results in Europe and North America will be influenced by the summer season, which has got off to an encouraging start, with the UEFA football championships in Europe and high temperatures in North America. In both areas a modest reduction in demand for power has been more than offset by strong demand for temperature control. If we achieve our historical average level of storm revenues, we would expect trading profits in North America to be at similar levels to last year. In Europe we expect to make good progress in the year as a whole, and we also anticipate substantial increases in trading profits in Aggreko International's Local Businesses. Preparations for the Beijing Olympics are well in hand, with over 140 MW of power and nearly 500 kilometres of cable in the process of being installed in 37 venues. We expect that International Power Projects will deliver another year of outstanding growth in profits.
Overall the Board now believes that profits for the full year are likely to be above current market expectations.
- ENDS -
Enquiries to:
Rupert Soames / Angus Cockburn
Aggreko plc
Tel: 0141 225 5900
Neil Bennett
Maitland
Tel: 020 7379 5151
Related Shares:
AGK.L