2nd Aug 2006 07:00
Bellway PLC02 August 2006 Trading Update For the Period Ended 31 July 2006 Wednesday 2 August 2006 Bellway is today issuing a Trading Update following the conclusion of itsfinancial year ended Monday 31 July. The preliminary results for the year willbe announced on Tuesday 17 October 2006. The Group is delighted to record its fifteenth consecutive year of organicvolume growth with the number of homes sold increasing to 7,117 from 7,001 at anaverage selling price of around £167,000. It is anticipated that profit beforetax will be in line with expectations and, yet again, be at a record levelextending the Group's enviable annual earnings growth record to ten consecutiveyears. We have continued with our policy of forward selling, creating a degree ofcertainty and visibility. Encouragingly the value of reservations taken in theyear was some 20% ahead compared to last year. This has resulted in our orderbook at 31 July increasing to £561 million compared to £513 million at the sametime last year, representing over 45% of our target for 2006/07 being alreadyreserved or contracted. This healthy order book, combined with stable market conditions and a growingurban regeneration portfolio, gives the Board confidence about the futureprospects for the Group. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: JOHN WATSON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE ON 07855 337007 ALISTAIR LEITCH, FINANCE DIRECTOR ON 07855 337001 OR FROM 8.00 AM ONWARDS ON 0191 2170717 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Bellway