In a statement to the stock exchange released on Tuesday (16 September), the UK's largest printing company said that it was entering the second half-year with a strong order book and remained confident in its trading outlook.

The pre-close announcement precedes the posting of its interim results for the six months to the 27 September, which will be announced on 26 November.

The results will incorporate the sale of its Cash Systems division to The Carlyle Group for £360m, which completed on 1 September.

The company added that sales of security products such as authentication labels remained robust and in line with expectations.