• Most Popular
  • Most Shared

UPDATE 1-AGA Rangemaster says seasonal upturn, sees H2 profit

Thu Nov 12, 2009 3:15am EST

Stocks

   

* Says order levels above H1, late 2008

Cyclical Consumer Goods

* To exceed target of cash in bank at December-end

* AGA, Rangemaster ops to combine in the UK by H1 of 2010 (Adds details)

Nov 12 (Reuters) - British upmarket cooker and refrigerator maker AGA Rangemaster plc (AGA.L) said it saw a seasonal upturn in activity since June-end and expected a second-half pretax profit.

The company, whose cast iron ovens grace the homes of actress Kate Winslet and TV chef Jamie Oliver, said order levels in key areas were above those of late 2008 and the first half of this year, but continued to be below those of two years ago.

"An improving mood in the housing market and consumer enthusiasm for our core products is evident in the brighter sales outlook this autumn," Chief Executive William McGrath said in a statement.

The company expects to exceed its target of cash in the bank at the end of this year, helped by working capital reductions.

It had planned to exceed the 5.8 million pounds ($9.63 million) it had at the beginning of the year.

The company said it expected to integrate its AGA and Rangemaster operations in the UK by the first half of 2010.

Shares of AGA Rangemaster closed at 116.75 pence on Wednesday on the London Stock Exchange. ($1=.6023 Pound) (Reporting by Shivani Singh in Bangalore; Editing by Ratul Ray Chaudhuri)



More from Reuters

Photo

Obama will not rush Afghan troop drawdown

OSLO (Reuters) - There will be no "precipitous drawdown" of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and U.S. troops could still be in the country for years to come, President Barack Obama said on Thursday.

A glass of tap water is served at a restaurant in New York June 10, 2009 REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

G7 glass half empty

Recovering from a punishing global recession has forced the world's richest nations to pay dearly, prompting subdued growth prospects and delayed sighs of relief.   Full Article 

 Tom Metzold, Vice President of Eaton Vance Management and Senior Portfolio Manager at Eaton Vance, speaks at the Reuters Global Media Summit in New York, December 9, 2009. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

"Everything's not hunky-dory"

Did the worst downturn in 70 years leave a permanent scar? Top money managers like Tom Metzold examine how a "new normal" will shape things to come.  Full Article