Trainline shares slide on caution over sales growth

(Sharecast News) - Shares in Trainline fell sharply at the open on Wednesday after the online rail ticketing platform said net ticket sales growth would be lower this financial year as it faced potential headwinds from global macroeconomic uncertainty and the expansion of Transport for London's contactless travel zone. Trainline now expects sales growth of 6% - 9% for fiscal 2026 compared with a 12% rise to £5.9bn in the year to February 28. The company forecast expects earnings to grow in the same range.

Shares in company were down 8% in early London trade.

Adjusted core earnings rose 30% to £159m, while operating profit surged by 54% to £86m.

Trainline is bracing itself for more competition in the UK as the government prepares its own operator called Great British Railways amid plans to simplify the country's overcomplicated and expensive ticketing system to make it more consumer-friendly.

The company said it was "taking an increasingly assertive stance with the government to deliver on its commitment to deliver a fair, open and competitive future retail market".

UK sales in 2024/25 grew 13% to £3.9bn, while international ticket sales increased 4% to £1.1bn.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com