Positive update reports trading in line with board expectations

Costain has issued an upbeat trading update ahead of its 2008 full-year results in March.

It said trading for the year has been in line with the board's expectations and pointed to a record order book of £2bn at the end of the year. The figure was 25% up on the same time in 2007.


Andrew Wyllie
Wyllie: "a strong cash position, a focused management team and an ongoing rigorous management of costs"

A company statement said: “The group's operations continue to benefit from the strategic focus on targeted blue chip customers in chosen sectors. Costain has started the new year with a strong order book and pipeline.”

The UK-based construction firm also pointed to a cash position “significantly in excess of £100m” and said contracts on which it was the preferred bidder have risen in value from over £800m in 2007 to more than £1bn.

Chief executive Andrew Wyllie said: “We have a range of excellent customers who are expected to continue with their investment programmes, a strong cash position, a focused management team and an ongoing rigorous management of costs.”

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