FBH Fbd Holdings Plc

RNS Number:0553O
FBD Holdings PLC
18 December 2006



Validation No. 588697



PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT



FBD HOLDINGS PLC

("FBD" or "the Group")





PRE-CLOSE TRADING STATEMENT

DECEMBER 2006



OPERATING PROFIT

FBD Holdings plc has continued to trade strongly in the second half of the year
and is on course to deliver a full year operating earnings performance somewhat
ahead of the market's expectation*.



The Group is confident that the policy growth target in our core underwriting
business and its associated premium income level will be achieved. Claims and
other costs continue to run at anticipated levels and the Group is on course to
deliver an underwriting result in line with expectations.



Regarding income from other activities, our Property/Leisure and Financial
Services Businesses are performing to expectations. The strong performance in
equity markets in the year to date has contributed to returns in our Capital
Fund which are ahead of expectations.



PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION

Profit before tax will benefit substantially from the sale of land at La Cala
that occurred in February 2006. The Tranche I element of the sale was recognised
at half year. As previously announced, the profit on the Tranche II land will be
recognised when the sales proceeds are received; this is contingent on receipt
of final planning approval from the Spanish Regional Planning Authority. In this
regard, our latest information indicates that this will not be received before
the fourth quarter of 2007 due to delays occurring in the approvals process at
Regional Government level.



The year to date performance in equity markets referred to above has impacted
positively on our short term fluctuations in investment returns and consequently
on pre-tax profit.





PRELIMINARY RESULTS

The Group's preliminary results are scheduled to be announced on 7th March 2007.





*An FBD survey  of the forecasts of analysts who cover the Group indicates a
mean market expectation for 2006 operating earnings per share to be 348 cents
per share.





Ends
                         18th December 2006





For Reference:
                            Telephone No



FBD

Philip Fitzsimons, Chief Executive
             00 - 353 - 1 - 4093208



Andrew Langford, Finance Director
         00 - 353 - 1 - 4093208



Murray Consultants

Joe Murray
                    00 - 353 - 1 - 4980300















This announcement has been issued through the Companies Announcement Service of



                            The Irish Stock Exchange






                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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