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.

Half Yearly Report

Highlights
· Continued strong KC brand performance with top line growth, strong cash generation and growing fibre uptake
· Good market share and revenue growth in Eclipse
· Solid underlying performance and market position in Smart421
· Good progress in key customer contracts in Kcom, including HMRC, but broader revenue challenges continue
· Increased interim dividend to 1.79p, in line with commitment to increase full-year dividend by 10% per annum through to March 2016

Heading up nicely - XD 29 December.

Pre-close statement

KCOM Group ("the Group") announces it will be entering a close period on 1 April 2015, ahead of its preliminary results announcement for the year ending 31 March 2015.

The Board confirms that trading remains in line with market expectations.

Fibre deployment

The deployment of fibre-based broadband services across Hull and East Yorkshire continues to be successful, achieving take-up of over 30 per cent which is well in excess of the national average.

As a consequence, the Board has approved plans to accelerate the speed of deployment, making it available to a further 60,000 homes and businesses over the next two years.

By March 2017, over 100,000 properties will be able to access the service.

Full year results

A full update on the Group's performance will be made in the preliminary results announcement which will be released on 5 June 2015.

ENDS

APPOINTMENT OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR


KCOM GROUP PLC today announces the appointment of Liz Barber as a Non-Executive Director of the Board.

Liz is Group Director of Finance for Kelda Group, having joined the business in 2010. She was previously with Ernst & Young where she was made a partner in 2001 and was the senior partner for audit for the north of England. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

On appointment, Liz will become a member of the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination committees.

Martin Towers, Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee for KCOM Group, has indicated his intention to retire from the Board at the AGM on 31 July 2015 after six years with the business. Liz will therefore be appointed as Chairman of the Audit Committee with effect from Martin's retirement.

Graham Holden, Non-Executive Chairman of KCOM Group said, "I am delighted to welcome Liz Barber to the Board. Her audit knowledge and experience of working with publicly quoted companies will, alongside the contributions of our existing established members, further strengthen the Board."

Final Results

Highlights
· Performance in line with expectations
· Progress across all key focus areas
‐ Success of and growth in demand for IP based 'Workplaces' portfolio, including successful HMRC implementation and further significant opportunities in pipeline
‐ Acceleration of fibre deployment in Hull & East Yorkshire, following continued strong demand for fibre and broadband services, well ahead of national average
· Business transformation continues to create more agile operating model
‐ Integration of brands to focus investment on growth in the Enterprise, Small and Medium-sized Business (SMB) and Consumer segments
‐ Continued move towards effective, efficient support services/back office operations, implementation of common systems and processes support consolidation of teams
· Pre-exceptional operating profit up 4% to £57.2m (2014: £55.0m), reported operating profit £22.4m (2014: £55.6m)
· Adjusted basic EPS up 5% to 7.91p (2014: 7.55p)
· Proposed final dividend of 3.58p (2014: 3.25p), representing sixth year of at least 10 per cent dividend growth

AGM Statement

KCOM Group PLC (KCOM.L) AGM and Interim Management Statement

KCOM Group announces the following trading update for the period 1 April to 30 June 2015, ahead of its Annual General Meeting at 11am.

Since the preliminary results announcement on 5 June, the Board is pleased to report that business performance remains consistent with expectations.

Subject to shareholder approval at today's AGM, the Group will pay a final dividend for the year ending 31 March 2015 of 3.58p (2014: 3.25p) to shareholders on the register on 26 June 2015. This brings the total dividend for the year to 5.37p per share, an increase of 10 per cent year on year. Payment of the final dividend will be made on 4 August 2015. The Board reconfirms its commitment to delivering a ten per cent increase per annum in full year dividend for this financial year, ending 31 March 2016.

ENDS

Half Yearly Report

Highlights
- Group revenue ahead of prior year, up 3% at £177.9 million
- EBITDA ahead of prior year, up 3% to £37.2 million
- Interim dividend up 10%
- Minimum dividend commitment for next two years
- Growth in focus areas demonstrates progress in strategy
o Kcom segment revenue up 4%
o KC brand revenue up 2%
- 3% decline in Group profit before tax and exceptional items reflects higher depreciation and amortisation consistent with increased investment

Barclays Capital Overweight 97.13 106.00 110.00 Reiterates

Proposed sale of UK network infrastructure to CityFibre for a total cash consideration of £90 million

KCOM Group today announces the sale of its national network infrastructure1 (outside of Hull and East Yorkshire) to CityFibre Infrastructure Holdings plc ('CityFibre') for an all cash consideration of £90.0 million ('the Transaction'), subject to approval by CityFibre shareholders.

- Sale of 'national' network assets1 for £90.0 million all cash consideration (subject to CityFibre shareholder approval)
- Parallel arrangement with CityFibre for continuing access to the assets post disposal
- Proceeds to be used to reduce net debt
o Results in KCOM Group pro-forma net debt of £13.0 million as at 30 September 2015

The Board has announced its intention to dispose of the physical infrastructure of the Group's national network to CityFibre, for a cash consideration of £90.0 million, subject to approval by CityFibre shareholders. The General Meeting to approve the Transaction by CityFibre shareholders is anticipated by 12 January 2016, with contract completion shortly thereafter. Under the arrangement, ownership of all KCOM Group's national physical network infrastructure (excluding that in Hull and East Yorkshire) will transfer to CityFibre.

In parallel with the Transaction, the Group has entered into an arrangement with CityFibre for certain services to support existing commitments and customer arrangements. The cost of this arrangement, over a five year term, is £5 million per annum. Furthermore, under this arrangement certain operational costs of approximately £1 million per annum will transfer to CityFibre, resulting in a net cost to the Group of approximately £4 million per annum. The Group has the option to extend the term of this arrangement up to 15 years.

As at 30 September 2015, these assets had a Net Book Value of £41.8 million. There was no ongoing associated depreciation charge in the six month period to September 2015 (2014: £NIL million).

Outlook

As detailed in the Group's interim results on 30 November, performance across the business during the first half of the financial year has been encouraging, reflecting our focus on growing areas of strategic importance, where we believe longer term returns can best be maximised. The proceeds from the Transaction strengthen significantly the Group's financial position and increase its ability to invest further and continue to transform the Group, while at the same time as providing shareholders with a clear medium term dividend commitment.

Commenting on the announcement, Bill Halbert, Chief Executive, said "Today's announcement unlocks considerable value in relation to an under-utilised asset, built more than ten years ago and which is no longer core to our strategy. Over the first half of the financial year, there were encouraging signs that our business transformation is starting to deliver results and the proceeds from this transaction offer us the opportunity to accelerate investment in those plans, without the need for any material increase in our indebtedness."

13 year high - 110.25p.

what is the KCOM movement? worth to keep-buy- sell or stay away?
someone follow KCOM?

Nothing that I can see Ciao, maybe the answer may become apparent later in the day somewhere.

ok thanks Stan

Just seen this Ciao, well worth a read http://www.fool.co.uk/investing/2015/12/17/could-vodafone-group-plc-kcom-group-plc-and-bt-group-plc-jump-start-your-portfolios-returns/?source=etxeutit1al0001

As a local to KC I often talk to any engineers that I see working in the area as they know how busy or not they are re the order book.

They are looking to rollout fibre optic in the outlying villages round Hull a bit quicker than they had indicated about a year ago and as the local network is the main money maker for KC as they have a total monopoly in that area they can charge as much as they can get away with, which is far higher that other communication companies.

So with that and the paying down debt, it looks like KC are on the up as far as the sp is concerned. Also of course they have the ever increasing, promised dividend.

No negatives for share holders as far as I can see.

Stan thanks for the link... yes worth a read
found this as interesting as well http://www.fool.co.uk/investing/2015/12/03/could-kcom-group-plc-be-a-better-investment-than-bt-group-plc/#

Greekman thanks for your interesting post

now I got a clearer mind... divi good ;-))

Two months ago KC shares were 90p, a month ago they were 98p and they closed last night at 119p which is a hell of a rise of 43% over 2 months.

Whilst we know they have trimmed their services and paid down their debt, am I the only one suspecting that there is more to this, 'A takeover perhaps'.

Greek,
A rise from 90p to 119 is 32% not 43%. Sorry to be pedantic. Still a good rise and very happy to hold for the ongoing dividend.

Hi Lord Gnome,

No prob, your right of course and believe it or not maths is my strongest subject.

Regards Greek.

KCOM strengthens its board

StockMarketWire.com

KCOM Group has appointed Patrick De Smedt as a non-executive director with effect from 28 January and as senior independent director from Tony Illsley's retirement in July.

De Smedt held a number of senior positions in Microsoft between 1983 and 2006. During this time he founded the Benelux subsidiaries, led the development of its Western European business and served as chairman of Microsoft for Europe, Middle East and Africa. He has subsequently undertaken a range of non-executive roles with a number of European and private organisations.

The group said Illsley has indicated his intention to retire from the board at the annual general meeting on 22 July after seven years with the business. De Smedt will be appointed as SID with effect from Tony's retirement.