According to Informa, the report shows the continuing benefits of market specialisation, including further revenue growth and strong cash generation.
Informa reports the following financial highlights for the year:
- Strong revenue growth: +22.0% reported growth and +3.5% underlying, reflecting full year of UBM
- Improved Adjusted Operating Profit growth: +27.5% reported growth and +6.5% underlying
- Higher Statutory Operating Profit: +48.2% growth to £538.1m (2018: £363.2m)
- Increased Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share: +4.3% growth to 51.3p (2018: 49.2p), reflecting timing of UBM addition and share issue; pro-forma EPS growth of +16.1%
- Lower Statutory Diluted Earnings per Share: 18.0p compared to 19.7p in 2018, reflecting full-year impact of UBM, primarily the higher share count and amortisation levels;
- Strong Free Cash Flow: £722.1m versus £503.2m in 2018;
- Strengthened Balance Sheet: Reduction in leverage ratio to 2.5x, in line with plan (2018: 2.9x)
- Enhanced Dividend per Share: Proposed final DPS +7.4%, delivering total DPS of 23.5p (2018: 21.9p)
Stephen A. Carter, Group Chief Executive, Informa PLC, said: “In 2019, the Informa Group delivered a sixth consecutive year of growth in revenues, adjusted operating profits, adjusted earnings per share, free cash flow and dividends.”
“Over the past six years, we have been refocusing The Informa Group on specialist markets, building brands and deploying technology, to deliver consistent returns for our customers and our shareholders. “
He added: “Our subscriptions-related businesses, which account for around 35% of revenue, continue to grow consistently. However, we are facing a 2020 impact from COVID-19 in our Events-related businesses and so we have used our strong customer and supplier relationships to swiftly deploy a material Postponement Programme, shifting our Events Calendar to later dates in 2020. Our Brands and strong platforms continue to provide attractive opportunities for further market specialisation and future growth.”
He concluded: “As an international business, with Colleagues and Customers around the world, since January we have been closely following relevant national authority guidelines and advice, and putting in place support, communications and in-market response. Our thoughts are with those directly affected and our priorities are with Colleagues, and serving and supporting our Customers for the long-term.”
