Anyone knows about the recent speculation of big contracts coming up at C&W ??? Would welcome any threads. Thanks.

UK's Cable & Wireless jumps on ABN AMRO optimism

LONDON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - British telecoms firm Cable & Wireless Plc topped the FTSE 100 (^FTSE - news) gainers list on Friday, recovering from a two-month low after C&W's house broker ABN AMRO (Amsterdam: AAH.AS - news) told clients the stock looked cheap.

C&W shares were up 5.3 percent at 133-1/4 pence by midday. Volume was heavy, with over 34 million shares changing hands, above the 90-day average volume of 29.6 million. Earlier in the week, C&W touched 123-1/4p, its lowest level since mid-October.

"Since C&W announced their U.S. exit the stock has drifted off around 10 percent and I think the main reason for that is people have been reducing beta in their portfolios towards the end of the year, but I do think the downside risk has minimalised," said ABN AMRO analyst Richard Eary.

"Even if the markets turn and look for low-beta stocks next year and go back to value plays, C&W should also come up on radar screens given its cash pile, low multiples and ability to increase the dividend side or potentially embark on share buy-backs," Eary added. He has an "add" rating on C&W, with a price target of 148p.

C&W shares have been the star performer of the blue-chip FTSE index in 2003. Friday's rise brings its increase in the year so far to a massive 196 percent. The next best gainer looks set to be mobile phone company mmO2 , up 74 percent at 77p since the beginning of January.

RNS Number : 0469N
Cable & Wireless PLC
10 February 2009



10 February 2009

CABLE & WIRELESS RECONFIRMS EBITDA GUIDANCE FOR 2008/09

Richard Lapthorne, Chairman of Cable and Wireless plc, said:

'Our two businesses are performing very much in line with our expectations. We remain alert to the economic environment but we continue to trade strongly.

'Europe, Asia & US has maintained its progress, winning significant new business and gaining market share, as well as renewing contracts with major customers. Our customers are benefiting from a compelling proposition of market leading IP products, high service standards and the

opportunity to reduce their cost base.


'In International we benefit from a wide spread of geographies, products and customers and we have, in the main, seen resilient trading. We are pleased with the performance in Panama, despite the advent of further competition. Monaco & Islands and Macau are performing broadly in line with our expectations. In the Caribbean the restructuring programme is underway and the early results are encouraging, mitigating some softening in the tourist led economies.


'Consequently, we are confident that we are well positioned going into 2009/10.'


Financial highlights:

Cable and Wireless plc confirms that it is trading in line with expectations and is on track to achieve its guidance for Group EBITDA of at least 780 million for the current financial year to 31 March 2009 assuming an average exchange rate for the year of US$1.88 to 1.00. This guidance remains unchanged since the interim results announced on 10 November 2008 and comprises: International EBITDA of at least US$910 million; EBITDA for Europe, Asia & US, including Thus, of at least 325 million and an EBITDA cost in Central of no more than 29 million.




The Group has significant US dollar denominated profits, cash flow and net assets. The recent

strengthening of the US dollar against sterling1 will have a favourable impact on the translation of our International US dollar revenue and EBITDA. This benefit will be offset to some extent by exceptional finance expense from the hedging of a proportion of our US dollar surplus cash flows

and debt draw-downs, as these contracts are closed out or marked to the year end exchange rate as required by IFRS.




Operational highlights:

Acquisition of Thus Group plc: On 1 October 2008, Cable & Wireless declared its offer for Thus Group plc unconditional in all respects. The work to integrate Thus into Europe, Asia & US is progressing well, and will deliver our guidance of Thus EBITDA of 23 million and synergies of 7 million in the six months to 31 March 2009. As a result of the integration, approximately 600 colleagues have been notified that they will leave the business.

Europe, Asia & US recent customer wins: a five year 79 million contract to become the supplier of telecommunications for Centrica in the UK; a three year contract to provide a managed voice and data network solution to Morrisons, the leading supermarket chain; a three year contract to deliver a next generation call centre solution to Lloyds TSB Asset Finance.

Launch of our Multi-Service Platform in India: Europe, Asia & US has announced the launch of its Multi-Service Platform in India. We are the first international telecoms provider to receive all the necessary security clearances from India's Department of Telecommunications allowing us to provide advanced IP-based solutions, delivered directly in India.

International customer win: The Government of Panama has awarded Cable & Wireless Panama SA, in partnership with MER Security Communications Systems Ltd, a four year, US$28 million contract for the design, implementation and supervision of a 911 medical emergency service for Panama City, Colon City and surrounding areas.

Maldives licence extension: Dhiraagu has signed a 15 year extension of the licence in the Maldives on terms that are materially unchanged.

1 If the exchange rate on 9 February 2009 of US$1.49 continues to 31 March 2009 the average full year exchange rate for Cable & Wireless 2008/09 reporting would be US$1.76 to 1.00.




About Cable & Wireless

Cable & Wireless is one of the world's leading international communications companies. It operates through two standalone business units - Europe, Asia & US and International.

The Europe, Asia & US business unit provides enterprise and carrier solutions to the largest users of telecoms services across the UK, US, continental Europe and Asia. With experience of delivering connectivity to 153 countries - and an intention to be the first customer-defined communications services business - the focus is on delivering customers a service experience that is second to none.

The International business unit operates integrated telecommunications companies in 39 countries offering mobile, broadband, domestic and international fixed line services to residential and business customers, with four major operations in the Caribbean, Panama, Macau and Monaco & Islands. For more information visit www.cw.com

Recovery in Asia should be so good for CW.

8.50p dividend is over 5%. Not bad for a growth company.

Sales soar at Cable & Wireless
Business Financial Newswire
Telecoms company Cable & Wireless said group revenue for the year to March 2009 was up 16% to 3.646bn, while EBITDA before exceptionals was up 36% at 822m. C&W recommended a 13% increase in FY dividend to 8.5p per share, with a final dividend of 5.67p.

The group said it saw 138m (23%) of growth in the year, with 78m from its Worldwide division (formerly Europe, Asia & US) and 60m from CWI (formerly International).

C&W enoyed 29m (5%) of additional EBITDA following the acquisition of Thus and the associated EBITDA synergies.

The group also made 50m from the beneficial effect of foreign currency translation on CWI.

Group, Worldwide and CWI EBITDA were all ahead of guidance for 2008/09.

Worldwide EBITDA was up 49% on last year to 326m and CWI EBITDA up 11% to $921m.

Group EBITDA guidance for 2009/10 is approximately 1.025bn.

Commenting on the results, Richard Lapthorne, Chairman, said: 'Each of our businesses has produced another strong set of results.

'Worldwide has improved every aspect of its performance with growth in EBITDA and trading cash flow. This performance reflects management's commitment to customer service, the managed IP product set and continuing strong cost management. Moreover, the integration of Thus, which we acquired in October 2008, is going well and is on track to deliver the synergies that we expected.

'CWI has also taken a substantial step forward producing double digit growth in EBITDA. I'm particularly pleased with our performance in Panama, where we have grown our mobile revenue despite increased competition and also the progress of the 'One Caribbean' programme which has made a good start in reducing our cost base.

'We're well aware that the recession provides a degree of uncertainty but our current view is that we have a robust set of plans that will allow us to progress further in 2009/10. Consequently, we're guiding to an increase in EBITDA to over 1bn and we expect a substantial increase in cash generation.

'Whilst our trading position is in good health, as announced last autumn we have postponed, but not cancelled, our value realisation plans until we can foresee a sustained period of normality returning to the credit and equity markets. In the meantime, we'll continue to execute our plans, growing shareholder value as we go.

'Finally, we're delighted to recommend a full year dividend of 8.5p per share, an increase of 13% on last year, demonstrating the Board's confidence in the Group's prospects.'

Cable & Wireless falls on talk of share sale

LONDON/PARIS (Reuters) - Shares in telecoms group Cable & Wireless fell more than 10 percent on Thursday on market talk that directors were selling shares, traders said.

The company was not immediately available for comment.

At 9:09 a.m., the shares were down 9 percent at 142.7 pence and the volume on C&W shares represented more than 140 percent of the stock's 90-day average daily volume.

The company said on Thursday that its full-year earnings jumped 36 percent following an operating overhaul and acquisition synergies, and said it would target further strong growth in 2010.

(Reporting by Sitaraman Shankar and Atul Prakash in London; Blaise Robinson and Kate Holton in Paris)

Certainly high volume today.

Reasonably positive move on Interim management statement.

should see 170 again

From Morgan stanley today:
"Quick Comment: C&W delivered a poor set of results this morning. Revenues were 3% lower than we forecast, EBITDA at 463mn was in-line with our expectations, but guidance was cut at CWI from $935mn to $880-900mn driven by poor Caribbean trading. Note that the new guidance includes a $40mn positive from Maldives, so the underlying guidance cut is much worse - $85mn at the mid point or around 8% of sales in H2. Offsetting this, the company preannounced its FY10 dividend of 9.5p (6.4% yield). C&W also agreed an interim pension funding plan with the Trustees comprising payments of 10mn in Oct 2009, 20mn in Oct 2010 and 45mn in April 2011. The next full actuarial valuation is due in March 2010."

Are you sure you read the results. Headlines are:
07:07 Cable & Wireless Plc (CW.) Cable & Wireless after tax profits up 42% at 163m BFN
07:06 Cable & Wireless Plc (CW.) Cable & Wireless revenue up 13% BFN
07:05 Cable & Wireless Plc (CW.) Cable & Wireless group EBITDA up 30%

I think its the resurrection of the demerger that isn't going down very well.

Track record of the management is great.

Thanks god they never followed the guidance from advisors and financial analysts who are expert in misleading the community. They are responsible for all the confusion in the world.

You can check, half the population in the world is richer and 15-20 percent are poorer than two years ago.

below 100p!

wow 93p

even more Wow!
-this isn't looking good, should have got out earlier.

DYOR
Today, Co. says "...results will be in the lower range of expectations.." .......Huh!
EDIT-(21Jy10)- now 65p, doesn't look too clever, that demerger this year.....increased costs in the short-term and I'm not convinced folk really know what they have gotten..

Kissy kissy.

buy!

Cable&wireless Worldwide wins global government telecoms contract

Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) signs 82* million, five and a half year contract

Global telecoms framework for managed services to more than 150 countries

Anticipated that other government departments will separately contract for services under the agreement

Includes Next-Generation Network (NGN) and advanced IP data and voice services

Just gone long here.

Final Results.

Financial highlights

-- EBITDA up 2.6% to GBP442 million

-- Profit before tax, before exceptional items, up 23% at GBP143 million

-- Delivered free cash flow of GBP61 million

-- Hosting and Applications margin up 10%

-- Final dividend of 3.0 pence per share recommended; full year dividend 4.5 pence

-- Board intends to hold the annual dividend level at 4.5 pence until covered by free cash flow

Operational progress

-- Extended relationship with Boots UK in an agreement to supply and manage a range of data and telephony services

-- Won a three year contract with Babcock to consolidate their network estate and connect 250 UK and international sites

-- Agreed framework contract to provide a highly resilient global network for the UK Government

-- Launched 'Flexible Computing', our innovative cloud proposition