Rightmove delivers double‑digit operating profit growth, unveils fresh buyback

(Sharecast News) - Online real estate property portal operator Rightmove reported another year of solid top‑ and bottom-line growth and launched a fresh buyback on Friday, as advertisers continued to take higher‑value products and packages. Rightmove said revenue rose 9% to £425.1m in the year ended 31 December, driven by both agency and new homes partners increasing spend, while total membership edged 1% higher to 19,272, supported by record agent formation as lower interest and mortgage rates encouraged new entrants.

Operating profits were up 12% at £287.9m, helped by disciplined cost control and the absence of prior‑year one‑off transaction costs, while underlying operating profits increased 9% to £297.7m, with a 70% margin in line with guidance. Basic earnings per share rose 15% to 28.1p, with underlying EPS up 11% at 29.1p.

Rightmove lifted its final dividend 8% to 6.59p, taking its full‑year payout to 10.64p, up 9% year-on-year, and returned £219.7m to shareholders through buybacks and dividends, up 21% year‑on‑year, cancelling 21.4m shares.

Average revenue per advertiser increased by 6%, with growth largely product‑led across both agency and new homes, while average membership for the year was up 2%, with estate agency branches rising by 372 and new homes developments by 40.

Looking ahead, Rightmove reiterated its guidance for 8-10% revenue growth in FY26, underpinned by uptake of its top‑tier packages, further product‑led gains and strong momentum in commercial property, mortgages and rental services, which were expected to grow 20-30%.

Second‑half growth was expected to outpace the first, while membership was forecast to grow around 1%, with ARPA rising £110-120, and underlying EPS were pegged to grow at least 5% year-on-year.

Rightmove also announced that it was restarting its share buyback programme, with £90m to be completed by 31 July, funded by a combination of the firm's opening surplus cash and cash generated from operations, with cash balances expected to be around £20m at 30 June.







Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com