Barr(A.G.) PLC Trading Update (0670B)

TIDMBAG

RNS Number : 0670B

Barr(A.G.) PLC

28 January 2020

IMMEDIATE RELEASE 28 January 2020

A.G. BARR p.l.c.

("A.G. BARR")

Trading Update

A.G. BARR p.l.c., which produces and markets some of the UK's leading drinks brands, including IRN-BRU, Rubicon, Strathmore and Funkin, today announces a trading update in respect of the financial year ended 25 January 2020.

Adjusted profit before tax(1) performance is expected to be at the top end of current market expectations, just ahead of GBP37m.

Revenue for the period is expected to be c. GBP255m (2018 : GBP279m).

As previously communicated, we faced a combination of challenging trading conditions during the year, particularly across the summer period. In addition, following our 2018 volume-led strategy, across 2019 we adjusted our promotional and pricing position to align more closely with the market. While this had an expected impact on volume, it has delivered an increase in average realised price, re-establishing our consumer pricing position.

Our Rockstar and Rubicon recovery plans are now being implemented, IRN-BRU has returned to growth in the final quarter and Funkin continues to perform strongly.

We have completed the first phase of our business re-engineering programme. The associated exceptional costs in the period of GBP1.5 - GBP2m are expected to be almost entirely offset by a one-off exceptional gain related to the removal of a wind turbine at our Cumbernauld site.(2)

Our business remains strongly cash generative and, as planned, our GBP30m share repurchase programme completed during the period. Our balance sheet remains robust.

The external landscape remains challenging, however we exit the year with encouraging trading momentum which we expect to continue into 2020.

Commenting on the results, Roger White, Chief Executive, said:

"Our focus remains the delivery of long-term value growth. We are taking action to reset our business and we enter the new financial year with confidence and a strong trading plan."

A.G. BARR intends to announce its full year financial results on 24 March 2020.

For further information, please contact:

   A.G. BARR                 Tel:  [phone]                Roger White, Chief Executive 

Stuart Lorimer, Finance Director

   Instinctif Partners     Tel:  [phone]                Justine Warren 

Matthew Smallwood

(1) Note : Adjusted profit before tax defined as profit before tax and exceptionals.

(2) Note : For a number of years a wind turbine has been in operation at our Cumbernauld site. This turbine has now been removed to facilitate the construction and operation of additional large scale wind energy projects in Scotland, thereby supporting the achievement of Scottish climate change targets.

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January 28, 2020 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)