RNS Number:8956W
McAlpine (Alfred) PLC
9 January 2001
               

                 2000 Trading Update
           "Yet another very successful year"

Alfred  McAlpine PLC, the housebuilding and  construction
services group, is pleased to confirm that 2000 has  been
yet  another  very  successful year.   This  follows  the
strong  performance of the Group reported over  the  last
five years.

The  Company intends to announce its preliminary  results
for  the year ended 31 December 2000 on 15 March 2001 and
expects  to  report highly satisfactory results  at  that
time.

Continuing  our established strategy in private  housing,
average  selling prices have increased by 18% in 2000  to
#133,800, primarily reflecting the movement of our  sales
mix  into  the  higher value area of the market.   Whilst
completions  are  comparable to 1999,  this  increase  in
average  selling price combined with further improvements
across  the  business  has  driven  the  private  housing
operating margin ahead of our 12% target set for the year
2000.  We are targeting higher margins in 2001, based  on
modest  increases in selling prices and further  benefits
from cost reductions.

The  changes  introduced  in  2000  to  Homes  Division's
regional  coverage, which are intended to  increase  both
unit  sales  and profitability in the coming  years,  are
already benefiting the Division, with the London and East
Midlands  businesses  in particular developing  well  and
expected to contribute to growth in 2001.  Our land  bank
and  planning consents for the current year place  us  in
our   strongest  position  ever,  and  reservations  have
strengthened  in  recent weeks after a quiet  Summer  and
early Autumn.

We  view the advent of PPG3 as an opportunity to  add  to
our sustainable growth by using the specialist skills  we
have within the Group for mixed use schemes.

In  Construction  Services, McAlpine has  again  produced
further growth confirming its position as one of the best
performers  in  the sector.  This has  been  achieved  by
giving  our  customers  what  they  want  and  developing
relationships with clients who have longer term horizons.
For  example,  Civil  Engineering has negotiated  further
business in long term infrastructure management and heavy
plant  support  services in the quarrying  and  materials
handling sector.  Our asset management team is continuing
to  extend  its  operations in a  buoyant  and  expanding
infrastructure  market.  Special Projects  is  increasing
its  commitment in its business and property  development
skills and resources, to enable the generation of further
profit and turnover growth towards the end of 2001.

We  have  had further success in our PFI, adding both  to
our contracts and to our portfolio of investments.

Commenting  on the trading update, Sir Terence  Harrison,
Chairman, said:

"2000  has  proved  to be a further year  of  significant
achievement   for  the  Company.   We  are   increasingly
confident that McAlpine will continue the strong progress
of  recent  years,  and  that our unique  combination  of
businesses will continue to prosper."

                         


For further information, please contact:

Alfred McAlpine PLC                          020 7930 6255
Sir Terence Harrison, Chairman     www.alfred-mcalpine.com
Oliver Whitehead, Chief Executive
Jeff Hume, Finance Director

Golin/Harris Ludgate                         020 7253 2252
Reg Hoare
Denise Peplow
Peter Gaze


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