Update on the A465 contract and trading

RNS Number : 5962W

Costain Group PLC

12 December 2019

 

12 December 2019

Costain Group PLC
("Costain" or "the Group")

Update on the A465 contract and trading

Costain, the smart infrastructure solutions company, today issues an update on the Group's contract with the Welsh Government for the construction of the A465 Heads of the Valleys road (the "A465 Contract") and the Group's trading for the year ending 31 December 2019 ("FY19").

In our half-year results statement in August, we reported that the Welsh Government had escalated a specific matter under the dispute resolution mechanism in the A465 Contract which we entered into in 2015. That matter, which related to the responsibility for design information, had been decided in Costain's favour in the initial adjudication proceedings.

The specific matter has now been determined at arbitration. The arbitration award effectively splits the responsibility for the design information between both parties. This partially reverses the decision of the initial adjudication and is contrary to the legal advice received by the Group concerning the relevant provisions of the A465 Contract.

Costain has assessed the implications of this determination and is engaged in discussions with the Welsh Government to reach agreement on a financial settlement.

As a result, the Group now expects FY19 underlying operating profit to be in the range of £17 million - £19 million and the year-end net cash position to be c£20 million, with the net cash position being impacted by c£40 million of cash currently withheld on the A465 Contract.

We continue to fulfil our obligations under the A465 Contract, with completion scheduled in H1 2021.

Elsewhere in the business, Costain has performed in line with expectations in the second half of the year. We are making good progress with our 'Leading Edge' strategy securing an increasing number of higher margin contracts from across our blue-chip client base. The Group has secured c£600 million of new work during the second half, including contract awards and extensions to existing contracts.

The Group expects to finish the year with an order book of £4.2 billion (31 December 2018: £4.2 billion). As previously advised, HS2 represents an important contract for the Group and our order book includes £1.1 billion in respect of it. We continue to undertake contracted work for the client and await the outcome of the independent review commissioned by the Government.

Alex Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"Clearly the situation regarding the A465 contract is disappointing. Elsewhere, the business is performing in line with expectations. We have secured a number of new contracts to maintain our healthy order book. We have also made good progress with our Leading Edge strategy, accelerating the deployment of higher margin services to our blue chip client base. We are confident this strategy will enhance our offer to clients, deliver higher margins and generate long term shareholder value."

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (MAR).

The person who arranged for the release of this announcement on behalf of Costain was Tracey Wood, General Counsel and Company Secretary.

Enquiries:
Costain	Tel:  [phone]
Alex Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer
Tony Bickerstaff, Chief Financial Officer
Carolyn Rich, Investor Relations Director
Sara Lipscombe, Group Communications Director
MHP Communications Tim Rowntree, Peter Hewer, Ollie Hoare	Tel:  [phone] [e-mail]

Notes to Editors

Costain helps to improve people's lives with integrated, leading edge, smart infrastructure solutions across the UK's energy, water, transportation and defence markets. We help our clients improve their business performance by increasing capacity, improving customer service, safeguarding security, enhancing resilience, decarbonising and delivering increased efficiency. Our vision is to be the UK's leading smart infrastructure solutions company. We will achieve this by focusing on blue chip clients whose major spending plans are underpinned by strategic national needs, regulatory commitments, legislation or essential performance requirements. We offer our clients leading edge solutions that are digitally optimised through the following five services which cover the whole lifecycle of their assets: future-shaping strategic consultancy; consultancy and advisory; digital technology solutions; asset optimisation and complex programme delivery.  Our culture and values underpin everything we do.

For more information visit www.costain.com  

 

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