Computacenter plc, the European IT infrastructure services provider, today announces interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2008.
| Financial Highlights: |
 |
|
Group revenues increased 7.8% to £1.25 billion (2007: £1.16 billion) |
 |
|
Profit before tax declined 14.2% to £11.0 million (2007: £12.8 million) |
 |
|
Diluted earnings per share increased 10.6% to 5.2p (2007: 4.7p), due to the impact of share repurchases and a reduced tax rate |
 |
|
Interim dividend increased [8.0%] to [2.7]p per share (2007: 2.5p) |
 |
|
Net debt before customer-specific financing (‘CSF’) of £29.7 million (2007: £16.5 million) |
 |
|
Net debt after CSF of £95.9 million (2007: £53.4 million) |
| Operating Highlights: |
 |
|
Positive Q2 followed a weak first six weeks of the year in UK and France |
 |
|
Strongest UK organic revenue growth for a number of years led by Software, Technology Solutions and sales to the medium-sized business sector |
 |
|
Further operating loss reduction in France, driven by good services growth and increased product margins |
 |
|
Continued improvement in German performance, driven partly by progress in our shift towards higher-margin services |
Mike Norris, Chief Executive of Computacenter plc, commented:
“After a challenging start to the year we are encouraged by the sales performance we recorded in the first half which is a continuation of the upward trend re-established in 2007.
“Although uncertainty remains in the marketplace there is a continuing need for customers to invest in information technology to improve their competitiveness. The investments we have been making to improve our services capabilities and the cost effectiveness of our sales operations position us well in a more difficult economic climate.
“While much remains to be done, management is confident of achieving its current expectations assuming no material deterioration in market conditions.”
|