REG - Halma PLC - AGM Trading Update <Origin Href="QuoteRef">HLMA.L</Origin>

HalmaAnnouncement

21/07/2016 07:05

RNS Number : 7939E
Halma PLC
21 July 2016
Halmaplc
AGM TradingUpdate 21 July2016
Halma, the leading safety, health and environmental technology group is holdingits 122nd AGM later today. The following comments on trading relate to the first quarterof Halma's financial year which ended on 2 July2016.
Halma has continued to make good progress in line with the Board'sexpectations. Revenue was ahead of the first quarter of the prior year and included good organic constantcurrency growth on a weekly average basis (see Note 2). Order intake was ahead ofrevenue and also above order intake in the first quarter of the prioryear.
There was strong revenue growth in the Infrastructure Safety and Medicalsectors with steady progress in the Environmental & Analysis sector. As expected there waslower revenue in Process Safety; based on improving order intake trendsand continued diversification, the sector is better positioned to improve itsperformance as the yearprogresses.
There was revenue growth in all of our major geographic regions, with thehighestrates of growth in the USA and Mainland Europe. 
At the end of June, Sterling weakened relative to many currencies, including theUS Dollar and Euro. If current exchange rates continue throughout the rest of the current financial year,the currency translation impact on the Group's results is expected to bepositive. Based on the current mix of currency denominated revenue and profit, a 1% movement in the US Dollar changes full year revenue by 4.3m and profit by 0.9m. Similarly, a 1% movement in the Euro changes full year revenue by 1.1m and profit by 0.2m. The weighted average exchange rates relative to Sterling used to translate revenue and profit for the year ended 2 April 2016 were: US Dollar 1.51, Euro 1.37.
The Board remains confident that the resilient and global long-term growth driversin our chosen markets will continue to underpin Halma's growth. Ourfocus on safety, health and environmental technologies together with ouragile organisational model, which encourages local decision making within eachsubsidiary company, ensures that our business is able to adapt quickly to changingmarket conditions. We continue to identify potential acquisition opportunities that meetour strategic and financialcriteria.
In July 2016, Paul Simmons was promoted to the Halma Executive Boardas Sector Chief Executive of our Infrastructure Safety sector, following NigelTrodd's decision to retire from the Group in mid-2017. Paul joined Halma as asubsidiary Managing Director in 2010 and was promoted to Sector Vice PresidentofInfrastructure Safety in 2014. Since then, he has chaired most of theSector businesses and played a significant role in the acquisition of bothAdvanced Electronics in 2014 and Firetrace in 2015. Nigel will continue to ensurea smooth management transition process and actively support the Sector'sM&Aactivities.
The Group's financial position remainsstrong.
The half yearly results for the period ending 1 October 2016 are expected tobe released on 22 November2016.
For further information, pleasecontact:
Halma plc Tel: +44 (0)1494721111
Andrew Williams, ChiefExecutive 
Kevin Thompson, FinanceDirector
MHPCommunications Tel: +44 (0)20 31288100 
Rachel Hirst/AndrewJaques
NOTE TOEDITORS
1.
Halma develops and markets products used worldwide to protect life and improvethe quality of life. The Group comprises four businesssectors:
PrProcess Safety
Products which protect assets and people atwork.
InfInfrastructureSafety
Products which detect hazards to protect assets and peoplein public spaces and commercialbuildings.
MMedical
Products used to improve personal and publichealth.
EnEnvironmental &
& Analysis
Products and technologies for analysis in safety, lifesciences and environmentalmarkets.
The key characteristics of Halma's businesses are that they are based onspecialisttechnology and application knowledge, offering strong growth potential. ManyGroup businesses are market leaders in their specialistfield.
2.
The first quarter's trading in the current 2016/17 financial year included 13weeks from 3 April 2016 to 2 July 2016. The first quarter's trading in the 2015/16financial year included 14 weeks from 29 March 2015 to 4 July2015.
3.
High-resolution photos of Halma senior management, including ChiefExecutive Andrew Williams, and images illustrating Halma business activities can bedownloaded from its website: www.halma.com. Click on the 'News & Media' link, then'Image Library'. Photo queries: David Waller +44 (0)1494 721111,e-mail:dwaller@halmapr.com.
4.
This Trading Update has been prepared solely to provide additional information tothe shareholders of Halma plc. It should not be relied on by any other party, forother purposes. Forward-looking statements have been made by the Directors in goodfaith using information available up until the date that they approved thisstatement. Forward-looking statements should be regarded with caution because of theinherent uncertainties in economic trends and businessrisks.
5.
A copy of this announcement, together with other information about Halma, maybe viewed on its website:www.halma.com

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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