HomeServe trading in line; confident on full-year growth

17th Jul 2015 09:01

(ShareCast News) - HomeServe is trading in line with its expectations and expects to deliver good growth in 2016.In a trading update for 1 April to 17 July, the home emergency business said that in line with the strategy it previously outlined, it continues to invest for customer growth across its international business and, as in prior years, the majority of marketing activity will be weighted towards the second half.It said the UK business is performing as planned with continued good retention and marketing performance. As expected, the company had 2.1m customers at the end of June.In the US, it continues to build the prospects pipeline and said it sees good customer growth with a stable retention performance. At the end of June, it had 2.1m customers.Retention in France remains strong and sales activity with its new partner, Lyonnaise des Eaux, is performing as expected. HomeServe said it plans to increase its marketing investment in the remainder of the first half of the year.The company's businesses in Spain and Italy are performing in line with its plans. HomeServe said it expects to pay a special dividend of 30p per existing ordinary share on 24 July 2015. Interim results 30 September 2015 will be released on 17 November 2015.