Trading update

RNS Number : 1075H

BT Group PLC

31 October 2008

 



BT GROUP PLC - TRADING UPDATE

BT Group plc (BT) is today providing an update on trading for the second quarter of its 2008/9 financial year and revising guidance for the full year.

BT will be announcing its results for the second quarter and first half year to 30 September 2008 on 13 November 2008 and further information will be provided at that time.

Second quarter to 30 September 2008

For the second quarter we expect to report that group revenue will be ahead of expectations but that EBITDA and earnings per share will be slightly below expectations. We anticipate that BT Retail, BT Wholesale, Openreach and Other activities will deliver results in line with or ahead of expectations.

However, the performance of BT Global Services will be disappointing. We expect revenue growth in this division will remain strong, up 15 per cent year on year, but EBITDA of around £120 million will be significantly below expectations. The fall in EBITDA is due to slower than anticipated delivery of efficiency savings and the continued decline in higher margin UK business.

We expect to report a year on year improvement in free cash flow for the quarter. The Board intends to declare an interim dividend of 5.4 pence per share in line with last year.

Full year ending 31 March 2009

At the time of BT's first quarter results on 31 July 2008 we stated that we continued to expect to deliver growth in revenue, EBITDA and earnings per share in this financial year. We continue to expect to grow group revenue in the current financial year. However, given we now expect BT Global Services' EBITDA margin to be in the range of 7%-8% for the current financial year, we anticipate that group EBITDA is likely to show a small decline compared with last year, with the consequent impact on earnings per share and free cash flow.

Note: EBITDA and earnings per share are before specific items and leaver costs. Ian Livingston, Chief Executive of BT, said:

"BT is performing in line with or ahead of expectations in all but one of its divisions, so the results in BT Global Services are particularly disappointing. We acknowledge that the performance in this part of the group is unsatisfactory and are committed to taking decisive action to rectify the situation. BT Global Services already has a number of cost efficiency and margin improvement initiatives in place and we are now focused on speeding up the execution of these initiatives which will deliver margin improvement going forward. We intend to set new targets for this division as improved performance is delivered.

“Since its formation, BT Global Services has delivered strong revenue growth, providing business critical services to major organisations around the world.  We remain committed to providing world class networked IT services to our customers.  We now need to focus on improving the operational efficiency of this business to drive shareholder value.”

Analysts conference call:

A conference call for analysts will be held at 08:30 UK time today.

Dial in: UK Freefone - 0800 7834080; UK/International -   [phone]

Passcode: 682 891#

Replay: UK Freefone - 0800 032 9687; UK/International - [phone]

Passcode: 12307609

Available for 7 days

Enquiries:

Press

Peter Morgan, BT            [phone]

Ross Cook, BT            [phone]

Investor Relations

Catherine Nash, BT            [phone]

Forward-looking statements - caution advised

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking and are made in reliance on the safe harbour provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, without limitation, those concerning: revenue, EBITDA, earnings per share, free cash flow, margin improvements, cost efficiencies and dividends.

Although BT believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. Because these statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause differences between actual results and those implied by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: material adverse changes in economic conditions in the markets served by BT; future regulatory actions and conditions in BT's operating areas, including competition from others; selection by BT and its lines of business of the appropriate trading and marketing models for its products and services; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates; technological innovations, including the cost of developing new products, networks and solutions and the need to increase expenditures for improving the quality of service; prolonged adverse weather conditions resulting in a material increase in overtime, staff or other costs; developments in the convergence of technologies; the anticipated benefits and advantages of new technologies, products and services not being realised; and general financial market conditions affecting BT's performance and ability to raise finance. BT undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About BT

BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.

In the year ended 31 March 2008, BT Group plc's revenue was £20,704 million with profit before taxation and specific items of £2,506 million.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.  

For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt

 

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