AGM Statement

Taylor Woodrow PLC 02 May 2007 AGM Statement Ian Smith, Chief Executive of Taylor Woodrow, will make the following comments regarding current trading at today's AGM: 'In the UK, market conditions remain robust and our business reflects this. We have achieved a slightly higher number of reservations in the year to date compared to the equivalent period of 2006, along with a reduction in cancellation rates. Site openings are on track to deliver the anticipated 5 per cent increase in average sites and we remain confident in the prospects for the full year. However, in line with our comments at the year end, we expect profit timing in 2007 to be weighted to the second half. Sales rates in North America overall are running at a higher level than in the second half of 2006, although prices remain weak and market conditions continue to vary considerably across our key markets. Conditions remain good in our markets in Texas and Canada and the Arizona market is stabilising. However, market weakness persists in California and particularly Florida and conditions have worsened in certain submarkets within those states. The Spring selling season for our high-rise tower division in Florida has been very poor. While the locations of our sites are excellent the high-rise market has weakened significantly and we have therefore taken the decision to save costs by suspending sales efforts for this business until market conditions improve. This decision will result in a one-off non-cash provision of £15.5 million relating to our land holdings in this sector. In addition, we intend to take a further £9.5 million provision to reflect weakness in certain local markets in Southern California and Florida. We remain cautious in the land market across North America and have reduced our level of spend compared to last year. However, we are ready to take advantage of opportunistic deals as they might emerge later in the year and continue to be confident in the prospects for the business in the medium-term. As disclosed in our 2006 Report and Accounts, a jury trial in Florida awarded damages against several US-based Taylor Woodrow subsidiaries totalling £22.7 million in November 2006. On 4 April 2007, the judge ruled on post-trial motions filed by Taylor Woodrow and reduced the award to £13.9 million. We will be pursuing an appeal, but have provided £16.6 million this year against the potential liability including associated costs. Spain and Construction continue to trade in line with expectations. Overall, the strength of our performance in the UK is substantially offsetting the impact of ongoing market weakness in North America and, excluding the exceptional items in North America, the outlook for 2007 remains in line with our expectations.' Norman Askew, Chairman of Taylor Woodrow, will make the following comments regarding the proposed merger with George Wimpey Plc at today's AGM: 'The proposed merger of Taylor Woodrow plc and George Wimpey Plc to form Taylor Wimpey plc announced on 26 March 2007 continues to progress extremely well and according to plan. The Board believes that the merger has compelling strategic and financial logic for both companies. The merger will create a combined business with significantly enhanced prospects in both the UK and the US. The Taylor Wimpey Group will be the leading UK house builder in terms of completions, will have a combined UK landbank of over 92,000 plots, and will be strengthened in the US through the combination of highly complementary operations across some of the most attractive US markets. In addition, shareholders will also benefit from enhanced profitability through the delivery of significant cost savings and acceleration of both companies' margin improvement plans. Documents to shareholders are expected to be posted on Friday, 4 May 2007 and the merger is expected to complete as scheduled around the beginning of July.' A conference call for analysts and investors will be held at 09:00 today. The dial in number is +44 (0) 1452 562 717 and the conference ID number is 7976765. -ends- Notes to editors: Taylor Woodrow is a housing development group. Its primary business is the development of sustainable communities of high quality homes across the UK and in selected markets in North America and Spain. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and in the year ending 31 December 2006 consolidated revenue increased by 3% to £3.6bn. Taylor Woodrow announced its proposed merger with George Wimpey Plc on 26 March 2007. For further information please visit the company's website - www.taylorwoodrow.com For further information please contact: Taylor Woodrow Jonathan Drake (Investor Relations) 0121 600 8394 / 07816 517 039 Ian Morris (Media Enquiries) 0121 600 8520 / 07816 518 767 Finsbury James Murgatroyd / Clare Strange 020 7251 3801 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange MUARARBSRVRUR
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