KCOM confident

HULL-BASED IT and telecoms company KCOM Group said trading is in line with expectations as its telecoms and internet businesses continue to trade well.

Better known under its former name of Kingston Communications the company said in its pre-close statement it remained confident of delivering results in line with current expectations.

In January the group said that trading has been in line with expectations but earnings are likely to be at the lower end of the company's 3-5 per cent guidance range.

The company provides a range of integrated IT and communications services to businesses and internet and telecommunications services to selected consumer markets within the UK, where it employs more than 2,700 people.

The group's portfolio of businesses works with both private enterprise customers and public sector organisations.

In November chief executive Malcolm Fallen warned that the credit crunch could have an effect on the group as round an eighth of its revenues comes from banks and insurers.

The KCOM Group also includes a regionally-focused business, Kingston Communications, which supports small to medium-sized businesses.

Kingston Communications is famous for underlining its independence from BT by introducing distinctive white public telephone boxes in its home town of Hull.

The group will announce its final results on May 20.