Wolseley (LSE: WOS) the Reading-basedmultinational building materials distribution company behind brands such as Plumb Center and Burdens released an interim management statement for the first quarter this morning, in which it reported 3,506m of revenue from its ongoing business, a rise of9.8% (at constant exchange rates).
Wolseleys share price has risen 0.6% in trading so far this morning.
Gross margin for Wolseleys ongoing businesses was in line with last year, at 27.5%, and the trading profit generated from them was 235m, up 13.5% (at constant exchange rates) onlast year. The company says that adverse exchange rate hit its trading profit by 9m.
Looking geographically, the companyslike-for-like revenue grew 12.4% in the US, saw modest rises in Canada (up 1.7%), UK (up 0.5%) and the Nordic region (up 1.9%), but declined by 9.3% inCentral Europe and France.
Wolseley says that it completed four bolt-on acquisitions, with atotal annualised revenue of 26m,during the first quarter, and that since the end of the period it has sold a non-core US business for 19m in cash.
Based on current exchanges rates, Wolselsey says itexpects its full-year group trading profit to be in line with current analyst consensus.
Commenting on the results, CEO Ian Meakins said:
Wolseley has continued to generate strong revenue growth across all businesses and all regions in the USA with double digit growth for the second consecutive quarter. We generated modest like-for-like revenue growth in Canada, UK and Nordics. Central Europe and France declined due to continued weak market conditions. While we held our gross margins overall, there remained substantial pressure on gross margins throughout Europe. We controlled our operating expenses resulting in good flow-through to trading profit in the ongoing businesses. Cash generation was strong and we are continuing to invest in technology and new business models to deliver better customer service and gain market share.
At 3,587p,Wolseleys share price has risen 2.6% since this time last year, versus a 1.7% rise in the value of the FTSE 100. And over five yearsWolseley is comfortably beating the index, with a share price gain of 163%, compared with the FTSE 100s 28% increase.
If you’re looking tosignificantly boost your investment returns,you should get hold of the Fool’s exclusive “Ten Steps To Making A Million In The Market” report.
It highlights how fast-growth small-caps and beaten-down bargains are all fertile candidates to produceten-fold returns.
Getyourfree copynow.
Jon Wallis has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
