Business
Trading Statement & Interims
Trading Statement & Interims.
About this update from Games Workshop Group Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n Games Workshop Group PLC\n05 January 2007\n\n\n TRADING STATEMENT AND INTERIM RESULTS\n\nGames Workshop Group PLC ('Games Workshop' or the 'Group') announces its interim\nresults for the six months to 26 November 2006.\n\nHighlights:\n\n* Returning to growth, but later than expected\n* Revenue down £2.3m to £54.8m (2005: £57.1m)\n* Gross margin strengthened to 70.1% (2005: 69.1%)\n* Operating profit unchanged at £0.5m (2005: £0.5m)\n* Investment: 7 new Hobby stores opened\n* Maintained interim dividend of 4.95p\n* Earnings per share of 0.2p (2005: 0.2p)\n\nTom Kirby, Chairman and Chief Executive of Games Workshop, said: 'While our \nsterling sales for the first half have declined by £2.3m, the sales in \nSeptember, October and November reinforce our confidence that the business is\nreturning to growth.\n\n'The directors firmly believe that the prospects for the business remain very\ngood.'\n\n\nFor further information, please contact:\n\nGames Workshop Group PLC Today only: 01756 770 376\n\nTom Kirby, Chairman and Chief Executive Thereafter: 0115 900 4001\nMichael Sherwin, Finance Director 0115 900 4001\nJulia Woodall, PR Manager 0115 900 4006\n\nInvestor relations website http://investor.games-workshop.com\nGeneral website www.games-workshop.com\n\nRawlings Financial PR Limited Tel: 01759 373 104\nCatriona Valentine\n\n\n\nFIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS\n\n Six months to Six months to\n 26 November 27 November\n 2006 2005\n\nRevenue £54.8m £57.1m\nOperating profit £0.5m £0.5m\nProfit before tax £0.1m £0.1m\nBasic earnings per share 0.2p 0.2p\nInterim dividend per share 4.95p 4.95p\n\n\n\nCHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT\n\nResults\n\nDuring this six month period we have seen the re-establishment of growth in our\nsales. In September, October and November we experienced growth in our Hobby\nstore sales and, in November, we saw progress in our sales to independent\nretailers. We are encouraged by these figures.\n\nOur Hobby store performance has been strongest in the UK (+£0.3m), Asia Pacific\n(+A$0.6m) and the Americas (+$0.3m). Sales to independent retailers have been\nweakest in Continental Europe (-€2.3m). Significantly, the constant currency\nfigures set out below show that sales in the Americas are growing.\n\nDuring this half year we have opened 15 new Hobby stores and closed 8, leaving\nus with 344 Hobby stores at the end of...