INTERIM RESULTS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 JUNE 2008

Aggreko plc, the world leader in the supply of temporary power, temperature control and oil-free compressed air services, announces its interim results for the six months to 30 June 2008.

	2008 post-	2008 pre-	2007 pre-	Movement pre-intangible
	intangible	intangible	intangible	asset amortisation
	asset	asset	asset	As	Constant
	amortisation	amortisation	amortisation	reported	Currency
Group revenue	£407.7m	£407.7m	£317.5m	28.4%	24.2%
Trading profit (1)	£72.5m	£73.2m	£51.7m	41.7%	36.4%
Profit before tax	£67.9m	£68.6m	£48.3m	41.9%
Earnings per share	16.97p	17.13p	11.83p	44.7%
Dividend per share	3.80p	3.80p	3.04p	25.0%

 

(1)	Trading profit represents operating profit before gain on sale of property, plant and equipment.
(2)	All figures below are stated before amortisation of intangible assets arising from business combinations (2008: £0.7m pre-tax, £0.4m post-tax; 2007: £0.8m pre-tax, £0.5m post-tax) as management believe that the exclusion of such items provides a better comparison of business performance.

 

Highlights:

 

• Continued strong momentum, with revenues increasing 28% (24% in constant currency) and Trading Profit up 42% (36% in constant currency). Earnings per Share up 45%, Return on Capital Employed up 3pp to 28%.
• Growth driven by strong demand in emerging markets and high rates of investment in new rental fleet (£120m H1 08, £79m in H1 07).
• Excellent operational performance at Beijing Olympic Games.
• Local business increases revenues by 18% in constant currency
• 3pp increase in margin
• Growth broadly based with strong profit growth in Middle East, Asia, Australia, Central & South America and Europe
• North America has held profit at same level as last year despite difficult economic conditions.
• International Power Projects revenues up 34% in constant currency
• 22 new contracts signed in the first 6 months in Africa, South America and Asia
• 40% increase in fleet capacity year on year
• Record order-book of over 22,000 MW months.
• Sharp increase in rate of dividend growth.

 

Philip Rogerson, Chairman, commented:

“Aggreko has delivered another strong operational and financial performance in the first six months of 2008, with trading profits in constant currency in our Local Businesses and International Power Projects increasing by 42% and 30% respectively.”

“We now anticipate that Aggreko’s performance for the year will exceed current market expectations”.

Rupert Soames, Chief Executive, commented:

“The structural imbalance between global demand for, and the supply of, power continues to drive our business, and we are investing heavily in new fleet as well as rapidly expanding our reach, capability and scale to meet strong demand in emerging markets. The momentum we have developed in our businesses in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Central & South America will more than offset softer demand in North America and Europe and will enable us to deliver another very strong performance in the second half”.