Informa reaffirms outlook on strong start to the year

(Sharecast News) - Shares in Informa ticked higher on Thursday, after the media blue chip reaffirmed full-year guidance. Updating on trading ahead of the annual general meeting, Informa - a specialist in business-to-business exhibitions and academic publishing - said underlying revenues had grown 6.4% in the five months to 31 May. More than $4bn of revenues have already been traded, booked or visible for the full-year via subscriptions, recurring revenues and forward-booked contracts, it added.

Within its two main business, live B2B events - Informa's biggest division - saw revenues jump 7.6%, while academic publishing Taylor & Francis posted a 5.5% uplift.

Informa said growth had started to return to markets that had been directly affected by war in the Middle East. Informa runs events worldwide, including in countries heavily impacted by the US-Iran war, such as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

As a result, the group reaffirmed earnings guidance for the current year - for a double-digit improvement in underlying in adjusted earnings per share - with further "strong" growth forecast for 2027.

Stephen Carter, chief executive, said: "The depth and breadth of Informa's portfolio, both geographically and by market category, continues to deliver growth, international expansion and product and brand innovation.

"We have momentum in both our businesses, and we are reconfirming full-year guidance."

As at 0930 BST, the stock was up nearly 3% at 861.4p.

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