com:20091103:RnsC8070B
                                                                                                                       .
RNS Number : 8070B  
  
Stagecoach Group PLC  
  
03 November 2009  
  
 Stagecoach Group plc  
  
 
Trading update  
  
Stagecoach Group plc ("the Group") is today providing an update on trading in 
advance of a series of meetings with analysts.   
  
The Group plans to announce its interim results for the six months ending 31 
October 2009 on 9 December 2009.  
  
Financial performance  
  
The overall profitability of the Group since 30 April 2009 has remained in line 
with management's expectations.    
  
Like-for-like revenue growth* in each of the Group's main businesses is provided 
below.    
  
 
                                                                                    
  UK Bus                        - twenty-four weeks ended 18 October 2009   4.3%    
                                                                                    
  UK Rail                       - twenty-four weeks ended 18 October 2009   1.7%    
  (excluding tram businesses)                                                       
                                                                                    
  North America                 - five months ended 30 September 2009       (6.8)%  
  (including Megabus.com)                                                           
                                                                                    
  Virgin Rail Group             - twenty-four weeks ended 18 October 2009   6.9%    
  
  
 
Financial position  
  
The Group's financial position remains strong and we have significant committed, 
undrawn bank facilities.    
  
Outlook  
  
Trading conditions across the Group, and at our rail businesses in particular, 
remain challenging and revenue growth remains below the growth rates observed in 
recent years.  The actions we have taken to reduce controllable costs have 
helped to partly offset the impact on profitability. Our bus businesses, whilst 
not immune to changes in economic conditions, benefit from a robust and flexible 
business model and are well positioned to trade through the economic cycle.  
  
* Like-for-like revenue growth is derived, on a constant currency basis, by 
comparing year-to-date revenue with the equivalent prior year period for those 
businesses and individual operating units that have been part of the Group 
throughout both periods.    
  
For further information, please contact:  
  
Stagecoach Group plc       www.stagecoachgroup.com  
  
Martin Griffiths, Finance Director       01738 442111   
  
Ross Paterson, Director of Finance & Company Secretary  01738 442111   
  
Steven Stewart, Director of Corporate Communications       07764 774680  
  
Notes  
  
Stagecoach Group  
  
Stagecoach Group is a leading international public transport group, with 
extensive bus and rail operations in the UK and North America.   
  
Cautionary Statement  
  
This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to 
the financial performance, financial position and businesses of Stagecoach Group 
plc. These statements and forecasts involve risk, uncertainty and assumptions 
because they relate to events and depend upon circumstances that will occur in 
the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or 
developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these 
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made only as at 
the date of this announcement. Except as required by law, Stagecoach Group plc 
has no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to correct any 
inaccuracies therein.  
  
 
This information is provided by RNS  
  
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange  
  
  END  
  
TSTGGMGMNZFGLZM