WOS Wolseley

CINCINNATI, March 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wolseley plc (NYSE:WOS) (LSE:WOS.L) today announces a 10th set of record first half results, driven by a strong US performance. Group revenues were up by over 26% to $11.85 billion with trading profit up nearly 22% to $677.5 million, with the US accounting for 59.3% of the revenues and 61.7% of the trading profit. Wolseley's North American division performed strongly with significant increases in both revenue and profits, maintaining its position as the leading distributor of construction products to the professional contractor in North America. Reported revenues in North America were up over 40% and trading profit up 39%. Ferguson, Wolseley's US plumbing and heating subsidiary delivered an increase in revenue of 37.8% to $4.53 billion (2005 $3.29 billion) with trading profit up by 29.5% to $293.8 million. Ferguson, headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, is the largest distributor of plumbing and heating materials to the professional market in the US, and employs over 20,000 associates across all 50 states. Stock, Wolseley's building supply company in the United States, also delivered exceptional growth, with revenues up 27.2% at $2.50 billion (2005 $1.96 billion) with trading profit up 51.5% to $157.3 million. Stock is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina and is the United States' largest distributor of building materials to the professional market. The company employs more than 15,500 associates across 33 states. Commenting on the Group's performance, CEO, Charlie Banks said: "We are delighted with these record half-year results. Looking ahead, we remain confident in our ability to compete successfully in our markets. In North America we expect conditions to remain favorable, and expect to make good progress in the second half. The business is performing well, we are finding good acquisitions and the economic outlook for the rest of the year gives us confidence going forward." An interview with Charlie Banks Group Chief Executive and Steve Webster, Group Finance Director, in video/audio and text will be available from 3am EST on http://www.wolseley.com/ and http://www.cantos.com/ For a full set of Wolseley's interim results and presentation slides, go to: http://www.wolseley.com/ Exchange rate US$1.7604 to 1 pound Sterling DATASOURCE: Wolseley plc CONTACT: Investors-Analysts, John English, Director of Investor Relations, North America, +1-513-771-9000, or cell, +1-513-328-4900, or Press, Penny Studholme, Director of Corporate Communications, +44 (0)118 929 8886, or +44 (0)7860 553 834, both of Wolseley plc Web site: http://www.wolseley.com/ http://www.cantos.com/

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