Trading Statement

Savills PLC 19 December 2002 For immediate release 19 December 2002 SAVILLS PLC ('Savills' or 'the Company') Full Year Trading Update Savills, the International property adviser, is pleased to announce a trading update for the year ending 31 December 2002, prior to the announcement of the preliminary results on 4 March 2003. Overview When we released our results for the six months ended 30 June 2002 on 4 September 2002 the Chairman reported that the Group remained cautiously confident about the outlook for the full year, as business had strengthened in both the UK and overseas. Despite the continuing weaknesses in commercial leasing and the Asian transactional markets, that confidence was justified. Main Business Streams Transactional The UK and overseas commercial investment markets remain very active and low interest rates have strengthened demand from domestic, private and institutional investors. Tenant demand remains weak with increasing vacancy rates in London and the South-East depressing rental values. However, the leasing markets in other regions remain active. Residential markets have remained strong, despite concern in the Press of a price 'bubble'. Following a very strong spring, the autumn market has shown itself to be more price sensitive, with good turnover of sales where vendors are prepared to be realistic on price. Consulting The consulting business is far less affected by short-term movements in market confidence and continues to perform well. We are continuing to build the UK consultancy business, particularly the commercial valuation and building consultancy divisions. Our commercial and residential businesses are continuing to recruit to strengthen their consultancy departments. Property Management The UK Property Management business is continuing to win new instructions and we are now expanding the business throughout Europe. The strong Hong Kong operation is also winning new contracts and producing good results despite difficult market conditions in Asia. Facilities Management The Hong Kong based facilities management business continues to perform in line with expectations in an increasingly competitive market. As we stated when we released our results for the six months ended 30 June 2002, the strategy for our joint venture with Trammell Crow Company, TrammellCrowSavills, is to concentrate on smaller scale outsourcing projects. Property Trading Following some major new lettings and changes in tenancies, trading at The Mill Discount Department Store has improved significantly. However, results have been affected by the costs of reconfiguring the scheme and the Group will review the holding value of this investment at the year-end and make any appropriate provision. Financial Services Our private client financial services business Savills Private Finance, which focuses on residential mortgages, has had a good year and is performing ahead of plan. Share Buy-Back Given the Group's strong cash position and the Board's commitment to enhancing shareholder value, the Directors have decided that it is appropriate to initiate a limited share buy-back of up to 5% of issued share capital, in accordance with the existing authority given by Shareholders at the AGM held on 30 April 2002. Overall We expect that the underlying full year operating performance will be in line with market expectations. The Board remains cautiously confident about the Group's performance in 2003. Ends For further information Savills plc 020 7409 9923 Aubrey Adams, CEO Robert McKellar, Finance Director Grandfield 020 7417 4170 Charles Cook Gareth Penn This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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