23 January 2018 – trading update
A trading update has been issued for the 16 week period to 20 January 2018 to coincide with the company’s Annual General Meeting. Overall there has been progress in the period with growth in both sales and underlying earnings, aided by the acquisition of the Charles Wells Brewing Business in May 2017 and the contribution from the 19 new-build pubs in financial year 2017. Snow and icy weather in early December and between Christmas and New Year caused some unavoidable disruption. This remains a solid business which is somewhat out of favour. BUY.