Trading update warns operating profit will be £2m below expectations

Rok has warned profits in its development division will be £2m below expectations at the end of the current quarter.

In a trading update, the company said operating profits for Rok Development have been dented by uncertainty in the credit markets.

Rok

It said: “Current issues affecting the credit markets have impacted institutional investors' confidence in the property investment sector, resulting in a fall off in demand as those buyers have been unwilling to commit in the current climate.â€

It anticipated development profits will continue to be under pressure into next year, but said that a strong performance from its building and maintenance activities will cover the shortfall.

Rok had been performing strongly during the current period of uncertainty, with the company’s share price rising to a high of 238p at the end of August.

This morning’s announcement saw shares fall over 30p overnight, to a three-month low of 180p a share.

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