Breedon Group PLC Trading Update (1389X)

TIDMBREE

RNS Number : 1389X

Breedon Group PLC

22 November 2017

NEWS RELEASE

22 November 2017

BREEDON GROUP PLC ("Breedon" or "the Group")

Trading Update

Trading performance

Breedon delivered another solid performance in the 10 months to 31 October 2017. Both volumes and revenues were ahead of the prior year, including a full 10-month contribution from the former Hope Construction Materials business, which was part of the Group for only three months in the corresponding period of 2016.

Group sales volumes of aggregates increased by 47 per cent, asphalt by 2 per cent and concrete by 99 per cent. Our cement business is performing in line with our expectations(1) . Total Group revenue for the period increased by 56 per cent to approximately GBP561 million.

Assuming normal weather conditions for the remainder of the financial year, the Group's underlying EBIT for the full year is expected to be in line with current market expectations(2) .

Outlook

Forecasters expect construction output to grow modestly in 2017 and remain broadly flat next year before returning to growth in 2019. More significantly for us, new infrastructure and housing work - which together account for approximately two-thirds of our end-use markets - are expected to show healthy growth over the next two years.

We continue to invest in our business at record levels, which is yielding appreciable benefits in terms of enhanced performance and improved productivity. This organic improvement gives us confidence that we will make further progress in 2018.

We will announce our preliminary results for the year ending 31 December 2017 on 7 March 2018.

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(1) In accordance with the Cement Market Data Order 2016, cement volumes are not disclosed.

(2) The Group believes that current market expectations for underlying EBIT range from GBP74 million to GBP83 million.

For further information:

Breedon Group plc

Pat Ward, Group Chief Executive

Rob Wood, Group Finance Director

01332 694444

Stephen Jacobs, Head of Communications

07831 764592

Cenkos Securities plc

Max Hartley (Nomad)

020 7397 8925

Numis Securities (joint broker)

Heraclis Economides/Ben Stoop

020 7260 1000

Note to editors

Breedon Group plc is the UK's largest independent construction materials group. It operates the country's largest cement plant, two cementitious import terminals, around 60 quarries, 30 asphalt plants, 200 ready-mixed concrete plants and three concrete products plants nationwide. The Group employs around 2,300 people and has more than 750 million tonnes of mineral reserves and resources. Its strategy is to continue growing organically and through acquisition of businesses in the UK heavyside construction materials market.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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November 22, 2017 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)