Trading Statement

Taylor Woodrow PLC 11 January 2006 TAYLOR WOODROW plc TRADING UPDATE Taylor Woodrow plc, the international housing development company, today issues an update on trading for the year ended 31st December 2005. Preliminary results will be announced on 28th February 2006. Introduction We expect group profits for the year to 31st December 2005 to be in line with current market expectations. Our performance in 2005 has again demonstrated the value of our portfolio investment strategy. The increased investment in our North American operations over the last three years has resulted in further growth, at a time in which UK markets have been relatively weak. Group Housing * Order book up 16.6% to £1,318m (2004: £1,130m) * Land bank (owned and controlled) up 18.0% to 75,160 plots (2004: 63,701) * Unit completions down 4.4% to 12,516 (2004:13,092) UK Housing Home completions in 2005 were 8,178, down 9.7% on last year, reflecting more challenging market conditions and the allocation of capital into North America. As previously forecast, average selling prices have reduced from £197k in 2004 to £185k in 2005, as a result of an increased proportion of social and apartment completions. Demand in the final quarter was stronger than in the equivalent period of 2004 and we start 2006 with an order book of £411m, up 1.0% on last year, from 4.2% fewer sites. Total operating margins are in line with expectations, with land sales contributing a similar proportion of profit to the first half. However, the market continues to be competitive and margin pressures remain, as we have previously indicated. Our UK landbank has grown by 2,526 plots to 34,985 plots, equivalent to 4.3 years of supply. North America Housing We have achieved another year of record results in North America. Total home completions in 2005 were 3,932, up 8.2% on 2004. Average selling prices increased by 21.2% to US$453k, as a result of strong market pricing and mix changes including the completion of our three luxury waterfront condominium projects in Florida. Operating margins will be above market expectations. All our markets have performed well. At the year-end we have an order book of US$1,421m, up 14.1% on 2004. Excluding our Florida high-rise condominium projects, the order book is up 38.4% compared to 2004. Our land bank now stands at 37,910 owned or controlled plots, an increase of 26.3% from last year and representing 5.7 years of supply. Spain and Gibraltar Housing Our housing operations in Spain and Gibraltar have continued to perform well, with 406 home completions, up 0.5% on last year. Average selling prices have decreased by 5.1% to £169k, reflecting mix changes. The forward order book at 31st December 2005 was £81m, 8.3% higher than last year. The landbank has increased from 1,233 plots last year to 2,265 plots, equivalent to 5.6 years supply, as we continue to allocate capital to the business. Commercial Property As previously announced, we have continued to dispose of our commercial property portfolio. Following the sale of various properties in the second half, including the K2 development, we now have a small residual portfolio valued at £17m. Gross profit on the sale of the K2 development is in line with market expectations. Construction Construction operating profit is in line with expectations in 2005. Cash Position At the end of the year, we had reduced net debt to under £500m. Outlook The UK housing market remains competitive and whilst we have seen some encouraging signs on customer demand in the last quarter, it remains too early to forecast 2006. There is continuing undersupply of housing and we are well placed to benefit from any continued improvement in customer confidence. In North America we anticipate another year of profit progression, driven mainly by growth in unit completions, although we expect some moderation of house price inflation in certain hotspots. We are on track with our expansion plans in Spain. -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 2004 turnover increased by 26% to £3.3 billion. For further information please visit the company's website - www.taylorwoodrow.com For further information please contact: Taylor Woodrow Investor Relations Jonathan Drake 0121 600 8394 / 07816 517 039 Taylor Woodrow Media Enquiries Ian Morris 0121 600 8520 / 07816 518 767 Bell Pottinger Ben Woodford/ Victoria Geoghegan 020 7861 3232 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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