Expro International Group PLC
18 November 2003
18 November 2003
EXPRO INTERNATIONAL GROUP PLC
("Expro" or "the Group")
Trading Comment
The Board wishes to update shareholders on developments in market conditions and
the Group's trading performance since the pre-close Trading update for the half
year to 30 September 2003 made on 29 September 2003.
Weak trading conditions in Asia and the Americas, which account for almost one
third of Expro's business, have deteriorated further in the second half of the
year. The recent review of the business undertaken by the new Chief Executive,
has confirmed that these sustained weak markets are now likely to impact
negatively the full year trading performance and reported earnings per share for
the Group. Given the originally anticipated second half weighting to the Group's
full year results in the current financial year, this is likely to result in the
Group achieving results, for the financial year ending 31 March 2004, which are
materially below current consensus market expectations.
The weakness of the markets in the Americas in particular has a geared effect on
the overall results, due to the likely impact on the Group tax charge. The
impact of this change is to increase the likely effective tax rate for the Group
from 33% to 43.4% for the full year. In the first half, whilst the operating
profit performance will be broadly in line with consensus market expectations,
the impact of this higher effective tax rate will result in a lower than
anticipated earnings per share for the period.
Significant changes have been put in place to align our business to regions with
material and sustainable growth potential. In the context of the existing market
conditions, this process has been accelerated and implementation is underway to
address our underperforming segments while building a platform for sustaining
growth for all markets.
The board will update shareholders in full on the current initiatives in the
business, the trading performance in the first half and the outlook for the
remainder of the year on the 3rd December 2003.
- Ends -
For further information please contact:
Expro International Group PLC 0118 9591 341
Graeme Coutts, Chief Executive
Weber Shandwick Square Mile 020 7067 0700
Tim Jackaman/Mike Kirk/Rachel Taylor
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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