5 December 2014

JAMES HALSTEAD PLC

Chairman's Statement to the Annual General Meeting

James Halstead plc, the commercial flooring company, will hold its 99^th AGM today at 12.00 noon at which the Chairman, Mr Geoffrey Halstead, will make the following statement: 

As is customary, I would like to give you an update on trading now that we are five months into the current financial year.

It is gratifying to report that this, our centenary year, has every expectation of being a new record in terms of turnover and profit. In my report on the results for the year ended 30 June 2014 I noted growth in turnover both in the UK and in our overseas markets. At this point we are around 5% ahead of the comparative year in terms of turnover.

I believe our first half results will be in line with management expectations.

Our cash balances continue to be solid underpinning the 7p dividend paid today which is an increase of 16.7% on that of last year. In this hundredth year I have every expectation that dividend will again increase- which will be the 40^th year of growth. A special year, indeed.

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