Cable & Wireless Communications 1st Half Revenue Rises

LONDON-- Caribbean-focused telecommunications group Cable & Wireless Communications PLC (CWC.LN) fell to an interim pretax loss amid finance expenses related to its acquisition of Columbus Communications but revenue was higher.

The company Thursday reported a pretax loss of $1 million for the six months ended September 30, against a $132 million profit the previous year, on group revenue up 4% at $1.2 billion.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization was up by 4% at $427 million, CWC said.

The company said it is not declaring an interim dividend following its announcement last month that it is in discussions about being bought by telecoms giant Liberty Global PLC (LBTYA), but will pay one if the deal does not go through.

CWC said it now expects to make savings of $125 million from its Columbus acquisition, up from a previous target of $85 million.

-Write to Rory Gallivan at [e-mail]; Twitter: @RoryGallivan

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 05, 2015 02:59 ET (07:59 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2015 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.