NTL reassures market on quarterly earnings

Cable company NTL provided some support for its ailing shares and bonds today with a promise to meet or exceed its own earnings…

Cable company NTL provided some support for its ailing shares and bonds today with a promise to meet or exceed its own earnings forecast for the third quarter.

NTL, with shares listed in New York but operations in Europe and Australia, said in a statement issued overnight that the attacks on the United States had "no discernible negative impact" on its operations.

The company said it would at least meet its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) target of £130 million ($190 million) for the third quarter.

NTL shares, which had fallen as much as 38 per cent to a new record low of $1.50 yesterday, climbed 13 per cent to $2.56 in early New York trade despite a further drop in the broader market.