Trading Statement

PRE-CLOSE TRADING UPDATE

FirstGroup plc ("the Group") reports the following update on trading for its
financial year ended 31 March 2013 ("the year" or "the period"), ahead of its
preliminary results due to be announced on 22 May 2013.

Summary

* Overall trading in line with management's expectations

* Sale of eight UK Bus depots in London for a combined consideration of
approximately £80m after the period

* Recovery programmes in First Student and UK Bus on track

* First Transit achieved strong contract performance and sale of Support
Services, consistent with strategy to focus on core businesses

* Greyhound Express continues to expand, offsetting the impact of the weaker
economy

* Continued strong passenger volume and revenue growth in UK Rail

Investec has retained its 'hold' rating and 200p target price for transport firm FirstGroup after the firm's pre-closing trading update which showed that trading was broadly in line during the fourth quarter.

Investec analyst John Lawson said: "The turnaround of FirstGroup is a slow process and, despite the planned sale of the London bus business, debt remains high and the future DPS [dividend per share] is still unclear (at present, we forecast an unchanged DPS, but this could change in May when the board makes a formal decision). The underlying trading trends look mixed (some OK, some less good), so not too much to get excited about here."

came out earier at small profit at 211p should have taken 217 when it was there.,.

StockMarketWire.com
FirstGroup has launched a fully underwritten three-for-two rights issue to raise £615m.

The issue price of 85p per new ordinary share represents a discount of 62.0% to the closing price on Friday (17 May) and a 39.5% discount to the theoretical ex-rights price.

The proceeds of the rights issue will be used for continued investment in the business and to reduce the group's net indebtedness by paying down borrowings under the group's bank facilities.

One for the brave.

one for the very brave!

Admission of Nil Paid Rights

The Company announces that, pursuant to the Rights Issue announced on 22 May 2013, 722,859,586 New Ordinary Shares of 5 pence each will be admitted to listing on the premium listing segment of the Official List of the UKLA and will be admitted, nil paid, to trading on the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities at 8.00 a.m. today.

Investec has upgraded its rating for transport firm FirstGroup from 'hold' to 'add', saying that it is on the verge of becoming an interesting equity investment again.

"Whilst clarity on the rights issue take-up is not expected until the end of the month (dealings in the new shares start on June 26th), a properly funded group with cash generative activities should be a more attractive investment," said analyst John Lawson. He said that the group will shortly be putting its balance-sheet issues to bed.

On the grey market, the new shares have ranged between 18.25 - 25.00p this morning.

down to 99p but if you buy on the low, how long before you get some return..... could be sometime.,.

result of rights issue due tomorrow will their sp sink or swim....... gurgle,gurgle!

Neither, just treading water.

Nice jump today, start of a rerating or maybe some good news in the wind? Anyway 120p looks likely in the near term with possibly 180p as a longer term target imho. I am back in profit and looking to add on any pullback, might happen tomorrow after today's rise. H

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/markets/article-2387280/MARKET-REPORT-FirstGroup-track-deal.html

Rumors of a unidentified possible bidder, explains the rise yesterday. SP could collapse back down if no basis for rumor comes to light. Any thoughts whether to buy or not? H

Trading Statement 23 Jan.

Investec Buy 133.05 130.50 127.00 160.00 Upgrades

Looking promising.

Director Declaration

JOHN MCFARLANE, CHAIRMAN, TO RECEIVE ALL FEES IN SHARES


As announced on 6 December 2013, John McFarlane became Chairman of FirstGroup
plc on 1 January 2014.

John will receive an annual fee of £250,000 in respect of his role as Chairman
and has elected to receive all of that fee in FirstGroup shares, underlining
his confidence in the long-term prospects of the Company and aligning himself
closely with the interests of shareholders.

He has committed to hold those shares for as long as he remains Chairman or
otherwise a Director of the Company.

Interim Management Statement

Summary

• Overall trading in line with management's expectations, with good performance
in four divisions offset by slower progress in First Student

• First Student - recovery plan helping to mitigate tough market conditions,
medium term targets unchanged

• Continued strong performance in First Transit

• Greyhound - focus on cost management ensures margin performance remains on
course. Successful expansion of Greyhound Express continues

• UK Bus - transformation plan is on track, with positive signs from local
market growth initiatives

• UK Rail - continues to deliver solid passenger revenue and volume growth
across all our franchises


more...

Statement re Shortlist for East Coast franchise

FirstGroup has been shortlisted for the InterCity East Coast franchise
competition by the Department for Transport.

Commenting, Vernon Barker, FirstGroup's Managing Director, UK Rail said:

"We are delighted to have been shortlisted for the InterCity East Coast
franchise competition.

"We have extensive experience of intercity services and have a strong track
record in delivering passenger growth as well as capacity and infrastructure
upgrades on the long distance franchises we run - First Great Western, First
ScotRail and First TransPennine Express. We look forward to reviewing the
contract details and submitting an innovative, compelling, and value for money
bid which meets the needs of taxpayers as well as customers and businesses
along the East Coast route."