Absa Trading Statement

RNS Number:6906A
Barclays PLC
23 July 2007


                                  BARCLAYS PLC


                                                                  23rd July 2007


Shareholders are advised that Absa Group Limited, in which we have a
shareholding of over 57%, and Absa Bank Limited today issued the Trading
Statement set out below.



ABSA GROUP LIMITED

(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)

(Registration number: 1986/003934/06)

ISIN: ZAE000067237

JSE share code: ASA

Issuer code: AMAGB

(Absa Group, Absa or the Group) (Absa Group together with the Absa Group of
companies)


ABSA GROUP TRADING STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2007


In terms of paragraph 3.4 (b) of the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited
(the JSE Listings Requirements), an issuer is required to publish a trading
statement as soon as it becomes apparent that headline earnings per share and/or
earnings per share for the next period to be reported on are expected, with a
reasonable degree of certainty, to differ by at least twenty per cent (20%) from
those of the previous corresponding period.


Shareholders are advised that the Group's headline earnings per share and
earnings per share for the six months ended 30 June 2007 are expected to
increase by between twenty-two per cent (22%) and twenty-seven per cent (27%)
compared with the six months ended 30 June 2006.


Shareholders are advised that the forecasted financial results on which this
trading statement is based have not been reviewed or reported on by Absa's
auditors in accordance with paragraphs 3.4(b)(vi)(1)(aa) or 3.4(b)(vi)(1)(bb) of
the JSE Listings Requirements.


The Group's results for the six months ended 30 June 2007 will be released on
Sens on 2 August 2007.


Johannesburg

23 July 2007


Enquiries

Eric Wasserman

Group executive: Group Finance

Absa Group Limited

4th floor, Absa Towers East, 170 Main Street, Johannesburg

Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]


Sponsor:

Merrill Lynch South Africa (Proprietary) Limited





ABSA BANK LIMITED

(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)

(Registration number: 1986/004794/06)

ISIN: ZAE000079810

JSE share code: ABSP

(Absa Bank) (a wholly owned subsidiary of Absa Group Limited)


ABSA BANK TRADING STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2007


In terms of paragraph 3.4 (b) of the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited
(the JSE Listings Requirements), an issuer is required to publish a trading
statement as soon as it becomes apparent that headline earnings per share and/or
earnings per share for the next period to be reported on are expected, with a
reasonable degree of certainty, to differ by at least twenty per cent (20%) from
those of the previous corresponding period.


Shareholders are advised that Absa Bank's headline earnings per share and
earnings per share for the six months ended 30 June 2007 are expected to
increase by between twenty-two per cent (22%) and twenty-seven per cent (27%)
compared with the six months ended 30 June 2006.

Shareholders are advised that the forecasted financial results on which this
trading statement is based have not been reviewed or reported on by Absa Bank's
auditors in accordance with paragraphs 3.4(b)(vi)(1)(aa) or 3.4(b)(vi)(1)(bb) of
the JSE Listings Requirements.


Absa Bank's results for the six months ended 30 June 2007 will be released on
Sens on 2 August 2007.


Johannesburg

23 July 2007


Enquiries

Eric Wasserman

Group executive: Group Finance

Absa Group Limited

4th floor, Absa Towers East, 170 Main Street, Johannesburg

Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]


Sponsor:

Merrill Lynch South Africa (Proprietary) Limited


                                     -ENDS-


For further information, please contact:


Barclays PLC

Investor Relations

Media Relations

Mark Merson/James S Johnson                         Alistair Smith/Robin Tozer

[phone]/ 2927                           [phone]/6586



Forward Looking Statements

This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and Section
27A of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to certain of the
plans, current goals and expectations of Absa Group Limited (Absa) relating to
its future financial condition and performance. These forward-looking statements
can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or
current facts. Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as "aim",
"anticipate", "target", "expect", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "objective",
"believe", or other words of similar meaning. Examples of forward-looking
statements include, among others, statements regarding Absa's future financial
position, income growth, impairment charges, business strategy, projected levels
of growth in the banking and financial markets, projected costs, estimates of
capital expenditures, and plans and objectives for future operation.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because
they relate to future events and circumstances including, but not limited to,
the further development of standards and interpretations under International
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) applicable to past, current and future
periods, evolving practices with regard to the interpretation and application of
standards under IFRS and pending tax elections with regard to certain
subsidiaries, as well as South African domestic and global economic and business
conditions, market related risks such as changes in interest rates and exchange
rates, the policies and actions of government and regulatory authorities,
changes in legislation, the outcome of pending and future litigation, the impact
of competition, and Absa's ability to increase earnings per share from
acquisitions, which may be affected, among other things, by the ability to
realise expected synergies, integrate businesses, and costs associated with the
acquisition and integration - a number of which factors are beyond Absa's
control. As a result, Absa's actual future results may differ materially from
the plans, goals, and expectations set forth in Absa's forward-looking
statements.

Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Absa speak only as of the
date they are made. Absa does not undertake to update forward-looking statements
to reflect any changes in its expectations with regard thereto or any changes in
events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. The
reader should, however, consult any additional disclosures that Absa has made or
may make in documents it has filed or may file with South African regulatory
authorities including its most recent annual report.






                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END
TSTILFSFDDIVFID