Cello Confident about Full Year Results

UK MR and consulting group Cello has reported a strong trading year and says its board is anticipating results in line with market expectations. Net debt is likely to fall to £6m, reflecting much improved operating cash conversion in the second half of the year.

The group said in its pre-close trading statement that it was confident about the financial outcome for 2007. Last year turnover rose to £74.7m as the group reported a headline pre-tax profit of £5.9m, up from £4.2m the previous year.

'The current outlook remains positive with a strong order book as we start the year,' the statement concluded. Interim results for the full year to 31 December will be released on the 18 March.

Last week, Cello bought a 23% stake in youth market research firm Face (www.mrweb.com/drno/news7798.htm ). The group - which also owns Insight Research Group, Leapfrog Research and Planning, The Value Engineers, RS Consulting Group, TMI, SMT Consulting Digital People, The MSI Consultancy and mruk research - is online at www.cellogroup.co.uk.