Trading Update

Barratt Developments PLC 11 July 2007 11 July 2007 Barratt Developments PLC TRADING UPDATE Barratt Developments PLC is today issuing a trading update for the year ended 30th June 2007, ahead of preliminary results to be announced on 26th September 2007.* Highlights • Good completion growth from both Barratt and Wilson Bowden • Robust pre tax profit in line with market expectations • Strong forward sales position in both businesses • Enhanced land bank well positioned to deliver 2007/8 completions • Wilson Bowden integration ahead of plan with delivery of synergy targets on track. Sales and Margins Total completions for Barratt Homes increased by 6% to 15,517 (2006 : 14,601) with second half performance at 8,311 up 9% on the same period last year. Average selling prices of £169,700 (2006 : £165,800) were up c. 2.3% on 2006. The competitiveness of the market and product mix changes have constrained average selling price growth. However, the combination of a number of high margin sites coming through to completion alongside tight cost control should enable us to deliver a full year operating margin percentage at similar levels to last year. Wilson Bowden produced a strong performance in the 6 months to 30th June 2007. Total completions increased by 19% to 2,635 (2006 : 2,211) at an average selling price of £209,400 (2006 : £205,900 ) up 1.7%. Operating margins for David Wilson Homes and Wilson Bowden Developments were in line with management expectations. Land As a result of continued investment, the enlarged group's landbank has grown from 103,600 plots at December 2006 to 109,700 at June 2007. Included in this are 23,300 plots agreed subject to contract (June 2006 : 23,500). This represents a landbank of c.5.1 years at the current combined annual production rate of 21,500 and is supplemented by over 12,000 acres of strategic land. Gearing As previously indicated, the enlarged group's continued investment has resulted in the business running higher gearing levels. At 30th June total borrowings (including c.£0.9bn of acquisition financing) were c£1.3bn. Integration The integration of Barratt and Wilson Bowden is progressing rapidly and is ahead of plan. We are on track to deliver annualised pre-tax cost synergies of at least £45m in the second full year after completion. The new organisation structure and management of the housebuilding business, comprising 35 operating divisions, is in place. Site transfers and re-branding have commenced and good progress has been made on the reduction of head office and operational support costs. Through the application of best practice opportunities across the company, we are identifying further synergy savings beyond that originally envisaged. Outlook Forward sales for the Group at 1st July 2007 totalled £1,414m, 15% ahead of June 2006 (£1,232m). Barratt Homes' forward sales at £1,010m were up 20% (£845m at June 2006) and David Wilson Homes forward sales were up 4% at £404m (£387m at June 2006). Going forward it would be prudent to assume that the cumulative effect of interest rate rises will cause the housing market to tighten. However, we are continuing to see good momentum on sales reservations, which, combined with our strong forward sales position, land bank and focus on cost efficiency, give us confidence that we can compete effectively. We believe that the ongoing imbalance between supply and demand will continue to underpin our growth and will be strongly supported by the enhanced capability of the new group from its broader product range, improved geographic coverage, regeneration and social housing skills and commercial development operations. * On 26 September 2007, we will be reporting statutory results for Barratt Developments PLC that include two months of Wilson Bowden plc. In May and June, Wilson Bowden typically produces c. 60% of its sales for the six month period to June. To allow proper comparison of the performance of the separate parts of the enlarged group, we will also be giving detail of the operating record for each of the two businesses for the six-month period to June 2007. - Ends - For further information please contact: Barratt Developments PLC 020 7067 0700 Mark Clare, Chief Executive Mark Pain, Finance Director Weber Shandwick Financial 020 7067 0700 Terry Garrett Nick Dibden James White This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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