Outlook sunnier for All Leisure Group

All Leisure Group was looking at a slightly sunnier financial year on Friday, as it updated the market ahead of the publication of its full results.

The AIM-listed supplier of cruise and escorted tour holidays had indicated in its report on 30 July thatit expected full year performance to be below expectations, and that it was facing a small loss for the full year.

"Subsequent to this statement, trading in the final quarter of the year improved slightly, driven by better late bookings for September/October departures", the company announced today.

"Subject to audit, the group now expects to have delivered broadly neutral profit before tax for the year."

The group's loss before tax in 2014 was £7.2m, and it expected a result similar to this.

All Leisure claimed unaudited revenues for the year of £127.3m - slightly down on 2014's £138.9m, although last year's numbers included revenue for the cruise ship MV Discovery which was disposed of in October 2014.

Operationally, All Leisure highlighted the performance of its escorted tours business through its Trevelsphere and Just You brands.

"Total passenger numbers for tours were 36,200, with average revenue per passenger ahead 2%. Our Just You brand continues to grow passenger numbers, which was very pleasing", the report stated.

All Leisure cited dry dock maintenance as being behind the cruise division's reduced capacity, with total passenger numbers of 17,800 - down 100 on 2014.

"However, occupancy of available cabins improved to 77% (2014: 76%)", it continued.

At 14:25 GMT, shares in All Leisure Group were down 17.39% to 4.75p.