AGM & Interim Mgmt Statement

Morgan Sindall PLC 22 April 2008 Morgan Sindall plc 22 April 2008 AGM and Interim Management Statement Ahead of today's Annual General Meeting, to be held at ABN AMRO, 250 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4AA at 12pm, Morgan Sindall plc ('the Group') announces its first Interim Management Statement as required by the UK Listing Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules. At the AGM, John Morgan, Executive Chairman of Morgan Sindall plc, will give the following trading update for the period from 1 January 2008 to date. 'Morgan Sindall has made a positive start to the year and is trading in line with our expectations. 'Fit Out's revenue is in line with the same stage last year. The wider fit out market has held up over the first quarter although the credit crisis has led to subdued fit out activity in the financial services sector. The division benefits from an increasingly wide sector spread and the short term order book remains healthy. As we have commented before, the longer term outlook for the fit out market remains uncertain. 'Construction has made a satisfactory start to 2008, continuing with its focus on its key sectors of health, education, light industrial, retail and defence. Although the commercial sector is quieter, the division continues to see opportunities in the public sector. The order book has strengthened since the start of the year and the outlook for the general construction market remains positive. 'Infrastructure Services has also started the year well securing major new road projects at the M74 in Glasgow and the A1073 in Lincolnshire, in particular. There is currently a strong pipeline of opportunities driven by investment in transport, power and rail infrastructure. 'Affordable Housing has seen growth in revenues in its refurbishment and social new build activities. Inevitably the division's open market activities have been impacted by the availability of mortgages to first time buyers and market conditions are significantly tougher than a year ago. However, it is important to note that sales of open market homes accounted for less than five per cent of the Group's revenue in 2007. We expect mixed tenure regeneration to drive future growth in the sector and the division has been successful in securing a number of these schemes in the first quarter of the year, including Ellesmere Road, Shrewsbury and Orleton Park, Wellington. 'Economic conditions are currently creating a degree of uncertainty for Urban Regeneration, but we do not anticipate a significant impact on the division's performance due to its resilient business model. With its focus on long term strategic partnership arrangements the division is well placed with a secure forward development pipeline and limited exposure to the revaluation issues currently affecting the property sector. We remain of the view that the regeneration market is set for significant growth in the long term. 'The Group's order book has been maintained at £4.3bn, the same level as at the start of the year and average cash balances to date are above those achieved last year. The financial position of the Group remains strong, there having been no significant changes to this position since the publication of the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2007. In summary, we remain on track for 2008 although any prolonged slow down in certain sectors may impact 2009 and beyond.' Morgan Sindall plc Tel: 020 7307 9200 Paul Smith, Chief Executive David Mulligan, Finance Director Blythe Weigh Communications Tel: 020 7138 3204 Tim Blythe Paul Weigh This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange IB
UK 100

Latest directors dealings