Year end trading update

Artisan (UK) PLC 20 July 2007 20 July 2007 Artisan (UK) plc Post Year End Trading Update Artisan (UK) plc ('Artisan' or 'the Group'), the residential house builder and commercial business park developer, announces a post year end trading update for the 15 months to 30 June 2007, and expects to announce results that will be in line with the recently increased market expectations. Artisan (UK) Developments, the commercial division of the Group, has performed strongly delivering substantially greater sales and good margins for the period just completed. It has also commenced the new accounting period with strong forward sales. As regards investment property activity, the Group is continuing to assess further opportunities to add to the Watts Industries investment previously announced. Rippon Homes Limited has found its East Midlands market challenging throughout the year and this has been reflected in lower margins than previously reported. However an improved site portfolio has allowed for sales of 160 units for the fifteen months, a strong increase compared with the previous year (12 months to 31 March 2006: 107 units). This successful sales performance has added impetus to the continued quest to refresh the Group's land bank so as to replace existing sites and to provide land for additional outlets. The commercial division has recently secured a business park site in Kings Lynn and is in advanced negotiations for two further business park sites. Rippon Homes has recently completed on sites at Bilsthorpe in Nottinghamshire, Overseal in Derbyshire, Pontefract in Yorkshire, and also in Mansfield. Other sites are also in advanced negotiation. The Group is strongly supported by debt facilities which have been increasingly utilised as it invests in further land. The balance sheet for June 2007 will show increased gearing over what the Board regards as the low level of 34% as at 31 March 2006. The final results in respect of the 15 months to 30 June 2007 will be announced at the end of September 2007. These results will reflect the period end change, change of revenue recognition basis and adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards as previously advised. The Board believe the change in year end and revenue recognition will allow for consistency with its peer Group in the industry. The current trading outlook is somewhat clouded by the pressures being exerted by monetary policy. The recent series of interest rate rises had already dampened the housing market in the East Midlands and this remains the case following the last interest rate rise. The commercial customers continue to come forward on a site by site basis and, though irregular in timing, are sufficient at present to maintain the impetus of this division. As separately announced today, the Board is delighted to welcome Michael Eyres to the Board of Artisan (UK) plc as the executive director responsible for the Group's commercial development activities, Michael is currently the Managing Director of Artisan (UK) Developments Limited who with his team has been responsible for the recent good performance of the Group's commercial development activities. Artisan (UK) plc Chris Musselle Chief Executive 01480 436666 email@artisan-plc.co.uk Brewin Dolphin Securities Limited Nominated advisers 0121 236 7000 Ifor Williams Bankside Consultants Financial PR advisers 020 7367 8888 Simon Rothschild 07703 167065 Louise Mason Company website: www.artisan-plc.co.uk This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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