6 December 2016

Interim Management Statement for the 3 months to 31 October 2016

First quarter highlights

−       Revenue 5.2% ahead of last year at constant exchange rates, including like-for-like growth of 1.8%.

−       Gross margin of 28.3% was 0.3% ahead of last year.

−       Trading profit of £303 million was 1.4% ahead of last year at constant exchange rates.

−       Movements in foreign exchange rates increased revenue by £599 million and trading profit by £48 million. Commodity price deflation reduced revenue by 1.3%.

−       Net debt at 31 October 2016 of £1,169 million, 1.0x EBITDA.

−       Four acquisitions completed in the quarter, and one since the quarter end, for total consideration of £216 million.

Commenting on the results, John Martin, Chief Executive, said:

"US like-for-like revenue growth was 4.2% with commercial and residential markets continuing to grow well and industrial markets steadying.  Good volume growth was partly offset by the ongoing impact of commodity price deflation which reduced the US revenue growth rate by 2.4%.  Our other markets were more challenging as the UK heating market was weak and Nordic construction markets deteriorated.  While revenue growth trends have improved slightly we continue to manage costs and productivity very carefully while continuing to drive customer service and strong cash conversion."

Group results

During the quarter the Group generated revenue of £4,369 million, 5.2% ahead of last year at constant exchange rates and 1.8% ahead on a like-for-like basis, including 1.3% price deflation.  Trading profit of £303 million was 1.4% higher than last year at constant exchange rates.  There was one more trading day in the period which generated £6 million of additional trading profit.  Exchange rate movements increased revenue by £599 million and trading profit by £48 million.

The regional performance was as follows:

Quarterly like-for-like revenue growth trends were as follows:

USA

Ferguson, our US plumbing and heating business, grew revenue by 4.2% on a like-for-like basis, including price deflation of 2.4%.  Acquisitions contributed another 2.6% of revenue growth.  All businesses generated like-for-like revenue growth in the quarter with good growth across residential and commercial markets.  Industrial like-for-like revenues recovered somewhat from last year.  Gross margins were ahead of last year and operating costs were 10.9% higher at constant exchange rates, including 3.0% from acquisitions.  Trading profit of £251 million was £55 million ahead of last year including £39 million due to favourable exchange rate movements.  Four acquisitions were completed in the quarter, and one since the quarter end, with total annualised revenue of £142 million.

UK

Like-for-like revenue in the UK was 2.9% lower than last year.  Repairs, maintenance and improvement markets remained weak.  Despite very competitive markets gross margins were ahead of last year and trading profit of £17 million, was £2 million behind last year.  Employee consultation regarding the turnaround and repositioning strategy announced in September is underway.

Nordics

In the Nordic region like-for-like revenue declined 2.9% as construction markets deteriorated.  Gross margins were weaker with trading profit at constant exchange rates £5 million behind.  The favourable impact of exchange rates was £5 million.  As announced in September we have initiated a review of the Nordics operating strategy, and this is progressing well.  We will announce our findings in the spring.

Canada and Central Europe

Like-for-like revenue in Canada and Central Europe was 2.7% behind last year.  Gross margins were weaker and operating costs were 2.3% ahead at constant exchange rates.  Trading profit of £21 million was £1 million behind last year including a £4 million benefit from favourable exchange rates.

Financial position

Net debt at 31 October 2016 was in line with our expectations at £1,169 million (31 October 2015: £990 million).  The final dividend of £167 million was paid to shareholders on 1 December 2016.  Total acquisition investment in the period was £206 million with a further £10 million since the quarter end.  There have been no other significant changes in the financial position of the Group.

Outlook

Like-for-like revenue growth since the end of the quarter has been in line with the first quarter results. Markets continue to be mixed across the Group with some uncertainty in the economic outlook.  We remain confident that Wolseley will make further progress in the year ahead and expect Group trading profit to be in line with analyst expectations at current exchange rates.

For further information please contact

Wolseley plc

Brunswick (Media Enquiries)

Investor conference call

A conference call with John Martin, Chief Executive and Dave Keltner, Interim CFO, will commence at 09.00 UK time today. The call will be recorded and available on our website after the event www.wolseley.com.

Ask for the Wolseley call quoting 8916246.

Wolseley plc is the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing and heating products to professional contractors and a leading supplier of building materials, operating in North America, the UK and Continental Europe. Revenue for the year ended 31 July 2016 was £14,430 million and trading profit was £917 million. Wolseley has about 39,000 employees, is listed on the London Stock Exchange

(LSE: WOS) and is in the FTSE 100 index of listed companies. For more information, please visit www.wolseley.com or follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/wolseleyplc.

Financial Calendar

Certain information included in this announcement is forward-looking and involves risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements cover all matters which are not historical facts and include, without limitation, projections relating to results of operations and financial conditions and the Company's plans and objectives for future operations, including, without limitation, discussions of expected future revenues, financing plans, expected expenditures and divestments, risks associated with changes in economic conditions, the strength of the plumbing and heating and building materials market in North America and Europe, fluctuations in product prices and changes in exchange and interest rates. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including terms such as "believes", "estimates", "anticipates", "expects", "forecasts", "intends", "plans", "projects", "goal", "target", "aim", "may", "will", "would", "could" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology.  Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.  All forward-looking statements in this announcement are based upon information known to the Company on the date of this announcement.  Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any particular expectation will be met and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only at their respective dates. Additionally, forward-looking statements regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future.  Other than in accordance with its legal or regulatory obligations (including under the UK Listing Rules, the Prospectus Rules, the Disclosure Rules and the Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority), the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Nothing in this announcement shall exclude any liability under applicable laws that cannot be excluded in accordance with such laws.

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