2009-11-10 08:05:10 -
London, November , 10, 2009
Irish Continental Group plc (ICG) issues its second Interim
Management Statement for 2009 which covers the period from 1 July
2009.
It should be noted that ICG's business is significantly weighted
towards the second half of the year (particularly the third quarter)
where normally a higher proportion of the Group's operating profit is
generated than in the first six months.
TRADING, TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2009
Group revenue for the nine months to 30th September 2009 was €197.8
million (2008: €265.5 million). EBITDA for the nine months was €41.7
million (2008: €55.9 million), while operating profit for the nine
months was €24.1 million compared with €37.5 million in the same
period in 2008. As at 30 June 2009, we had reported operating profit
for the six months of €7.1 million versus €17.3 million in the same
period in 2008. The comparative results in 2008 include €3.8 million
profit in respect of the sale of the MV Normandy.
FINANCE
Net debt at 30 September 2009, was €30.0 million, down from €48.5
million at 30 June 2009. This is the lowest level of net debt since
1993, reflecting the Group's very strong cash flow characteristics.
CURRENT TRADING & OUTLOOK
In the period from 1 July 2009 to 31 October 2009, passenger numbers
are up 1% at 643,000, cars carried are up 2% at 171,000, RoRo freight
volumes are down 16% at 66,000 units. Container freight volumes for
the same period are down 19% at 143,000 teu, while units lifted at
our ports are down 18% at 59,000.
In the year to date (to 31 October 2009), passengers carried are down
4% at 1,264,000, while car numbers are down 2% at 330,000. RoRo
freight volumes in the same period are down 20% on last year at
165,000 units partly reflecting additional competitive freight
capacity. Container freight volumes are 27% lower than the previous
year at 330,000 teu, while units handled at our port terminals are
down by 25% at 137,000.
The economic environment remains challenging and the weakness of
sterling against the euro remains an issue for the Group. Freight
volumes continue to reflect subdued trading activity while passenger
and car volumes have remained more resilient and have responded
favourably to our marketing initiatives.
10th November 2009
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