G4S plc Interim Management Statement
Management will be indicating that there have been no material changes in trading performance or market conditions since the interim results announcement in August and, despite further weakening of the US dollar and higher interest charges, performance for the first nine months has been strong.
Organic Growth
Overall organic growth was 7.9% (1% higher than the same period last year) with 6.3% in developed markets and 15.8% in developing markets.
In security services, organic growth remained good in New Markets and improved strongly in Europe and North America.
Cash services continued to deliver excellent organic growth, supported by particularly strong performances in Europe and New Markets.
Margins
Overall margins were ahead by 0.3% on the same period last year.
Security services margins improved, as a result of solid performances across the division.
In cash services, trading was very strong, with margin growth being driven by improvements in the European businesses and good performances in New Markets.
Outlook
The strong start we made in the first half of the year has continued into the third quarter. We are making good progress towards our published targets and we expect this positive momentum to continue until the end of the year and into the future.
Dividend
The interim dividend of 2.11 pence per share (DKK 0.2319) will be paid on 16 November 2007.
Capital Markets Day
G4S will be holding a Capital Markets Day on 13 November 2007. The purpose of the day is to provide investors and analysts with an insight into some of the less well known areas of the group. No material new information will be disclosed and there will be no further update on current trading.