Coats Group PLC (LSE:COA), the industrial thread specialist, said sales momentum had accelerated in the second half of this year led by a 15% rise in footwear revenues.
Apparel demand too was strong, said the FTSE 250 group, rising by 13% year-on-year as normal buying patterns resumed after destocking with revenues overall up 10% on an actual basis and 11% in constant currencies.
Performance materials was the weak spot, with sales up 1% though this was an improvement on the first half, said Coats but let down by personal protection and composites, especially in the Americas.
“As a result of the strong overall group sales growth, alongside continued delivery of our strategic projects, we expect to deliver a full-year operating margin of around 18%.”
Cash generation remained good through the period, it added.
David Paja, the newly appointed chief executive, added: “In the four months to the end of October the group continued to perform well, led by apparel and footwear.
“We are confident in the group's ability to sustain this momentum through the final quarter and consequently in delivering a full-year performance in line with market expectations."
Shares rose 1% to 95.4p.