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 拢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: 鈥淭he 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.鈥

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

Chief executive Andrew Wyllie said: 鈥淲e 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.鈥