Kingston Communications is an established UK communications company. The Group's national business-to-business capabilities encompass the provision of fully integrated and managed network solutions, complemented by the delivery of voice, data and call handling services in the towns and cities served by the Kingston Communications network. This infrastructure comprises twenty-five metropolitan fibre networks and a long distance broadband network, which was initiated for service in May 2001. Kingston's new media activities include the DSL-based interactive television service, KIT, and satellite broadband content, storage and distribution arm, Kingston inmedia. The Group's East Yorkshire network operation has served business and residential customers since 1904.

Uncrossed +4.5% after extended auction.

Pre-close Announcement and Pension Update

KCOM Group ("the Group") announces it has entered a close period, ahead of its preliminary results announcement for the year ended 31 March 2013. The Board confirms that trading has remained in line with market expectations.

The preliminary results will be released on 11 June 2013 and will include, as previously stated, an update on the Group's future dividend policy.

Pension Update

The Group is pleased to announce also that it has reached an agreement with the Trustees of its Defined Benefit Pension Schemes ("the Schemes") to create an asset backed Partnership ("the Partnership"), providing the Group with an efficient mechanism of funding the Schemes' current deficit position.

The Group has transferred into the Partnership its interest in certain freehold properties, entitling the Schemes to an annual income distribution of £1.05 million, rising in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), over a potential period of 15 years. The total value of this income distribution to the Schemes is £10.0 million, which the Company anticipates will attract full corporation tax relief for the year ending 31 March 2013. In recognition of that value and the security provided to the Schemes by the income stream, the Group has agreed with the Trustees that no deficit repair contributions will be due in respect of the financial year ending 31 March 2014. The agreement was reached ahead of the Scheme's 2013 triennial valuation.

The Group continues to work closely with the Trustees on further funding options, including the ability to provide additional efficient income streams through the Partnership and envisages being able to provide an update as to the Schemes' funding position and deficit repair plan at the preliminary results announcement in June.


ends

Barclays Capital Overweight 82.35 82.00 95.00 95.00 Reiterates

Notice of Preliminary Results

KCOM Group announces that preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2013 will now be released at 7am GMT on Friday 7 June 2013. At 9am that day, there will be an analyst and investor presentation held at the London Stock Exchange, 10 Paternoster Square, London, EC4M 7LS. Simultaneous webcast facilities will also be available.

Espirito Santo Execution Noble Buy 85.15 84.50 100.00 100.00 Retains

This company has appeared on my list of potential stocks for yield & growth. 4.68% this year, forecast 5.7% yield, PE 11.5 though EPS growth is flat. Just seems to me that their potential for expansion is very limited, but not really a stock I have watched so need to do some research.

Final Result - 7 June.

New high @87p hit.

Great to see it is following BT lead ....

Barchart Opinion

New high this morning.

Final Results

"Improving quality and long term sustainability of the business"
Summary

· Group performance in line with expectations
· Strengthening competitive position in target markets
· Strong performance in KC
· Progress in Kcom strategic focus areas
· Implementation of asset backed partnership
· Net debt at 1.1 times EBITDA
· Full year dividend of 4.4p per share, an increase of 10 per cent
· Commitment to grow dividend, at 10 per cent per annum to 2016

Execution Noble Buy 0.00 100.00 100.00 Reiterates

Ex-divi 26th June '13 (2.97p)

Liberum Capital Buy 81.20 - - Reiterates

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TRUST DEALING
19.07.2013
KCOM Group PLC (the "Company") has been notified that Praxis Trustees Limited, as a trustee of the Kingston Communications 2000 Employee Shares Trust (the "Trust"), purchased 370,000 ordinary shares of 10 pence each of the Company on 18 July 2013 at an average price of 83.15 pence per share.

The purchases were made in order to cover obligations of the Trust under the Company's Executive Incentive Plan and have been funded by the Company. The Trust does not anticipate making any further purchases ahead of the July 2013 vesting date.

Following these transactions the Trust now holds 1,213,240 shares, representing 0.235% of the Company's issued share capital and voting rights.

Interim management Statement

KCOM Group announces the following trading update for the period 1 April to 26 July 2013, ahead of its Annual General Meeting at 11am.

Since its preliminary results announcement on 7 June, the Group has remained focused on executing its strategy for profitable growth across each of its brands, targeting opportunities to provide more value added services to existing customers and winning new contracts across each of its target markets. The Board confirms that trading continues to be in line with expectations.

Subject to shareholder approval at today's AGM, the Group will pay a final dividend of 2.97p (2012: 2.67p) to shareholders on the register on 28 June 2013. This brings the total dividend for the year to 4.44p per share, an increase of 11 per cent year on year. Payment of the final dividend will be made on 2 August 2013. The Board reconfirms its commitment to delivering a ten per cent increase per annum in full year dividend over the next three financial years, ending 31 March 2016.

Espirito Santo Execution Noble Buy 83.13 84.40 100.00 100.00 Reiterates

New High @89.35p.

New high @91.50p