G4S, the international security solutions group, today announces its preliminary results for the twelve months to 31 December 2008

Results Highlights

• Strong organic turnover growth* of 9.5% (2007: 9.1%)
• Group turnover* up 22% to £ 5,942.9 million (2007: £4,868.4m)
• PBITA* up 23% to £416.4 million (2007: £338.7m)
• Margin* maintained at 7.0% (2007: 7.0%)
• Cash flow generation up 28% to £353.2 million, 86% of PBITA (2007: 90%)
• Adjusted earnings per share increased by 26% to 16.7p (2007:13.3p)
• Recommended final dividend up 29% to 3.68 pence per share DKK 0.3052 (2007: 2.85p/DKK 0.279) Recommended total dividend up 30% to 6.43 pence per share DKK 0.5624 (2007: 4.96p/DKK 0.511)
• Completed a number of capability-building acquisitions including GSL, ArmorGroup and RONCO
• Total spend of £599 million on acquisitions less disposals
• Raised £276.8 million of new equity
• Strategy implementation progressing well
• Continued strong all-round performance, particularly in new markets

* at constant (2008) exchange rates

Nick Buckles, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

“The group has delivered another great set of results and made significant progress in its strategy implementation, supplemented with some key capability-building acquisitions which have been integrated successfully. Against the backdrop of ongoing economic uncertainty in 2009 we continue to focus on building customer relationships, retaining and growing existing business, winning new business, improving productivity, controlling costs and differentiating G4S with new service lines.

Our strong and experienced senior management team across the group combined with our broad geographic and market sector exposure - with no over-reliance on a single economy or particular industry group - allows us to remain confident that we can deliver a strong performance in 2009.”

Click here to read the full 2008 Preliminary Results Announcement (PDF 169.7 KB)