Form 6-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 6-K

 


Report of Foreign Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of July 2006 (July 5, 2006)

Commission File Number: 0-15850

 


ANSELL LIMITED

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 


Level 3, 678 Victoria Street, Richmond, Victoria 3121, Australia

(Address of principal executive offices)

 


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F      X            Form 40-F              

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulations S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes                      No      X    

 



This Form 6-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended, and information that is based on management’s beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. When used in this Form 6-K, the words “anticipate,” “approach,” “begin,” believe,” “continue,” “expect,” “forecast,” “going forward,” “improved,” “likely,” “look forward,” “opportunity,” “outlook,” “plans,” “potential,” “proposal,” “should” and “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements necessarily make assumptions, some of which are inherently subject to uncertainties and contingencies that are beyond the Company’s control. Should one or more of these uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, expected, estimated or projected. Specifically, the ability of the Company to realize its ongoing commitment to increasing shareholder value through its ongoing restructuring, asset dispositions, strategic review and implementation, and cost cutting initiatives, may be affected by many factors including: uncertainties and contingencies such as economic conditions both in the world and in those areas where the Company has or will have substantial operations; foreign currency exchange rates; pricing pressures on products produced by its subsidiaries; growth prospects; positioning of its business segments; future productions output capacity; and the success of the Company’s business strategies, including further structural and operational changes, business dispositions, internal reorganizations, cost cutting, and consolidations.


NEWS RELEASE

 

LOGO    

Ansell Limited

A.B.N. 89 004 085 330

 

Level 3, 678 Victoria Street

Richmond, Victoria 3121, Australia

 

GPO Box 772H Melbourne

Victoria 3001, Australia

 

Telephone (+613) 9270 7270

Facsimile (+613) 9270 7300

www.ansell.com

5 July, 2006

FURTHER CLARIFICATION REGARDING FY’O7 OUTLOOK

Ansell Limited (ASX: ANN) yesterday reconfirmed the expectation that it would achieve FY’06 earnings per share (EPS) within the US54-57 cent guidance range, excluding the effect of the now exited SPT investment. Ansell also commented that analyst consensus for FY’07 EPS was too high.

Prior to yesterday’s announcement, Ansell was aware that analysts’ consensus EPS estimates for FY’07 were approximately US58 cents. Having seen some updated analysts’ reports that were issued overnight, the Company is now providing the following clarification.

While Ansell is not in a position to provide definitive market guidance at this point, it can confirm that the net EPS impact of the anticipated higher latex price increases alone would be in the vicinity of US6-7 cents. In conjunction with the planned cost increases to support growth, this is likely to result in FY’07 EPS below US50 cents per share.

As stated yesterday, Ansell will provide detailed guidance to the market at the time of the release of the FY’06 full year results in August.

For further information:

 

Media    Investors & Analysts
Australia    USA    Australia

Peter Brookes

Cannings

Tel: (+61) 0407 911 389

Email: pbrookes@cannings.net.au

  

Rustom Jilla

Chief Financial Officer

Tel: (+1 732) 345 5359

Email: rjilla@ansell.com

  

David Graham

General Manager – Finance & Treasury

Tel: (+61 3) 9270 7215 or (+61) 0401 140 749

Email: dgraham@ap.ansell.com

Ansell Ltd is a global leader in healthcare barrier protective products and in 2005 celebrated 100 years in its field. With operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Ansell employs more than 11,000 people worldwide and holds leading positions in the natural latex and synthetic polymer glove and condom markets. Ansell operates in three main business segments: Occupational Healthcare, supplying hand protection to the industrial market; Professional Healthcare, supplying surgical and examination gloves to healthcare professionals; and Consumer Healthcare, supplying sexual health products and consumer hand protection. Information on Ansell and its products can be found at http://www.ansell.com.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

ANSELL LIMITED
(Registrant)
By:  

/s/ DAVID M. GRAHAM

Name:   DAVID M. GRAHAM
Title:   GENERAL MANAGER – FINANCE & TREASURY

Date: July 5, 2006