Trading Statement
Rank Group PLC
02 December 2004
Trading Update for the 22 weeks to 26 November 2004
Overall we expect the full year results for the Group to be broadly in line with
current market expectations. Gaming has performed strongly in the period since
30 June 2004 and has returned to double digit profit growth, after a subdued
first half. Hard Rock has also performed well, with profits significantly above
last year, helped by increased contributions from brand licensing activities.
Deluxe Film has seen lower than expected volumes in the period whilst Deluxe
Media has continued to experience difficult trading conditions and is expected
to make only a modest contribution to the Group's full year operating profit.
The Group's results in pounds sterling continue to be adversely affected by
movements in the US dollar.
The Board's investigation into the technical and commercial implications of the
separation of both Deluxe Film and Deluxe Media, including discussions with key
stakeholders, is progressing well. The Group expects to be able to announce the
conclusions of its review at the time of the preliminary results in February
2005.
Gaming
The period since 30 June 2004 has seen a return to strong growth in each of the
Group's gaming and betting businesses.
In Mecca Bingo, the improved trends in the UK highlighted in our interim
announcement have continued, with attendance up 1% in the period since 30 June
2004 and turnover up almost 6%. As a result, the year to date attendance figures
are now down just 1% and year to date turnover is up by 3%. The business has
undoubtedly benefited from the removal of admission charges and the introduction
of a gross profits tax regime in late 2003 although these changes have had a
small impact on operating margins. The Spanish bingo clubs have continued to
perform well with strong growth in turnover for the year to date.
Grosvenor Casinos has enjoyed a much improved trading performance since the
half-year. Both London and the provinces have experienced strong growth in both
attendance and handle, as the impact of the introduction of EU identification
rules, increased competition and the increased presence of fixed odds betting
terminals offering roulette, has ameliorated. The Clermont and the Park Tower
are continuing to perform well, with the Clermont's win percentage back to more
normal levels, although year to date profit continues to be held back by an
adverse variance in bad debts compared with 2003. At the three mid-market London
casinos, turnover is well ahead since 30 June 2004, driven by improved
attendance and a small increase in win percentage. The provincial casinos have
also enjoyed substantially improved levels of attendance, handle and turnover.
Two new casinos have opened since September, one in Stoke-on-Trent and the other
in Bolton. Other developments include the award of a new casino licence in
Dundee and plans to relocate both our Ramsgate casino and the casino in
Manchester Bury New Road during 2005. The two Hard Rock casinos continue to make
good progress, with strong increases in attendance, handle and turnover. Overall
turnover at Grosvenor Casinos for the year to date is up by 12%.
Blue Square has continued to show good growth. The internet and telephone sports
betting businesses continue to perform in line with expectations and total
turnover has been boosted by the launch of the on-line Blue Square Casino. The
Blue Square Poker Room has also just been launched.
Gaming Deregulation
The Gambling Bill is now making its way through the various parliamentary stages
and is expected to become law during 2005. Rank welcomes the Government's
determination to modernise the UK's gaming laws, and also its cautious approach
regarding the introduction of very large casino developments into the UK.
Throughout the process, Rank has continued to lobby for a level playing field
upon which all casinos, including small, large and regional developments, can
compete on the same basis. Rank plans to compete in all market segments,
including regional casinos, and believes that its strong market position and
well-invested gaming estate means that it is well placed to benefit from the new
regulations when they become law.
Hard Rock
Like-for-like sales in the owned cafes since the half-year have broadly followed
the trends experienced in the first half. Food and beverage sales have remained
positive (up 2.2% in the period), partially offset by a continued decline in
merchandise sales (-4.5% in the period). Overall like for like sales for the
year to date are now up by 0.6%. Steps taken to manage costs during the first
half have seen further improvements in the operating margin of the owned cafes.
Contributions from recent cafe openings in Louisville, Hollywood (Fl), Destin
and at Foxwoods have been ahead of expectations. Since the half-year, new
franchised cafes have opened in Athens, Kuwait City and Hurghada in Egypt. A new
cafe in Gothenburg is expected to open this month.
Hard Rock's operating profits are now benefiting from the expansion of the brand
into casinos and hotels. The two Seminole hotels and casinos in Florida are
performing in line with expectations and the hotels in Chicago and New York have
also contributed to the results during the period. The recently announced plans
for a new Hard Rock Hotel in Madrid will take the total number of developments
within the joint venture with Sol Melia to four and the total number of hotels
and casinos bearing the Hard Rock name to thirteen.
Deluxe
At Deluxe Film like for like volumes in Film Laboratories have been relatively
weak in the period since the half-year, reflecting the release of a lower number
of titles than had previously been scheduled by two of our major studio
customers. However, the current schedule for 2005 is encouraging. The Digital
and Other Services business has continued to grow strongly, and is now
benefiting from the recent acquisitions of DVCC, Softitler and EFILM, which
continues to grow both its customer base and the use of digital intermediates
throughout the industry.
In Deluxe Media, whilst DVD volumes are well ahead of last year, to date they
have been below our expectations for the busy pre-Christmas season. This,
together with the continued decline of VHS and margin pressure within
distribution, means that we anticipate that Media will make only a modest
contribution to Group operating profit for the full year. Whilst some progress
has been made in gaining new studio contract business, further wins are required
if the full impact of the lost Fox International DVD contract, announced in May
2004, is to be mitigated in 2005.
Enquiries:
The Rank Group Plc Tel: 020 7706 1111
Mike Smith, Chief Executive
Ian Dyson, Finance Director
Peter Reynolds, Director of Investor Relations
Press Enquiries:
The Maitland Consultancy Tel: 020 7379 5151
Angus Maitland
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange