4th Jan 2007 07:00
Next PLC04 January 2007 Date: Embargoed until 07.00am, Thursday 4 January 2007 Contacts: Simon Wolfson, Chief Executive David Keens, Group Finance Director NEXT PLC Tel: 08454 567 777 Alistair Mackinnon-Musson Nicola Savage Hudson Sandler Tel: 020 7796 4133 Email: [email protected] Photographs available: http://www.next.co.uk/press/ NEXT PLC TRADING STATEMENT CURRENT TRADE The combined sales for NEXT Retail and NEXT Directory for the period from 31July to 24 December 2006 were up 2.8% compared to the same period last year. NEXT Retail sales were up 0.8% in the period. Like for like sales in the 308stores that were unaffected by new openings were down 6.9%. NEXT Directory sales were up 9.3% in the period. PROFIT AND EARNINGS PER SHARE FORECAST We currently expect annual profit before tax (PBT) to be slightly ahead ofmarket consensus, within the range of £463m to £473m. Operating profits (EBIT)are expected to increase by between 5.1% and 7.2%. On this basis earnings pershare, which have been enhanced through our share buyback policy, would increaseby between 11.0% and 13.4%. In a challenging year we will have increased Group profits through good controlof stocks, margins and costs, along with a strong sales performance in NEXTDirectory. NOTICE OF FULL YEAR RESULTS We intend to issue our preliminary results for the 52 weeks to 27 January 2007on Thursday 22 March 2007. - ENDS - This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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