ASA - ABSA Group Limited - ABSA Group Trading statement in respect of the year

ASA - ABSA Group Limited - ABSA Group Trading statement in respect of the year  
ended 31 December 2011.                                                         
ABSA GROUP LIMITED                                                              
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
(Registration number: 1986/003934/06)                                           
ISIN: ZAE000067237                                                              
JSE share code: ASA                                                             
Issuer code: AMAGB                                                              
(Absa or Absa Group or the Group)                                               
ABSA GROUP TRADING STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011.     
In terms of paragraph 3.4(b) of the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited, an
issuer is required to publish a trading statement as soon as it becomes apparent
that headline earnings per share and/or earnings per share for the next period  
to be reported on are expected, with a reasonable degree of certainty, to differ
by at least 20% from those of the previous corresponding period.                
Shareholders are advised that Absa Group`s headline earnings per share and      
diluted headline earnings per share for the year ended 31 December 2011 are     
expected to increase between 18% and 22% from 1122.6c and 1115.7c respectively. 
Shareholders are advised that the financial information on which this trading   
statement is based has not been reviewed or reported on by the Group`s auditors.
Absa Group`s results for the year ended 31 December 2011 will be released on    
SENS on Friday, 10 February 2012.                                               
Johannesburg                                                                    
1 February 2012                                                                 
Enquiries:                                                                      
David Hodnett - Group Financial Director                                        
Telephone: +27 11 350 2623                                                      
E-mail: David.Hodnett@absa.co.za                                                
Sponsor:                                                                        
J.P Morgan Equities Limited                                                     
Date: 01/02/2012 07:06:09 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za                     
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