International live B2B events and digital services group Informa has published a trading update ahead of its AGM and to coincide with an investor field trip to Cannes Lions, confirming continuing strong growth.
Stephen A. Carter, group chief executive, Informa, said: “The commercial power of our live B2B event brands and academic market services is driving further strong growth for Informa.”
He added: “The Informa Growth Platform is built on leading specialist brands, market categories in structural growth, international reach into growth economies, first party data and world class industry talent.”
The Informa update reported continuing underlying revenue growth of 9.3% in the five months to 31 May (7.9% including Informa TechTarget consolidation):
The B2B Live Events (Informa Markets, Informa Connect, Informa Festivals) business specifically reported underlying revenue growth of 8.3%, with market leading outperformance in IMEA (India, Middle East and Africa);
The Academic Markets business reported underlying revenue growth of 13.7%, reflecting core like-for-like growth of 3-4%
The group said business was performing to plan and that it was continuing to sign non-recurring licensing agreements with AI companies.
With Informa TechTarget, underlying revenues were c.-5%, reflecting continuing market softness.
In terms of full year visibility, there were group revenues of c.£2.8bn+ already traded, booked or committed for the full year through subscriptions, recurring exhibitor revenues and forward booked contracts, representing c.70% of full year target revenues, pacing ahead of last year.
The 2025-2028 One Informa four-year programme designed to maximise the group’s B2B growth platform was reported progressing to plan, developing capabilities in Customer Experience, Data-led Marketing, Brands and the AI Time Dividend, including recent group-wide deployment of Elysia, Informa’s personal AI assistant for colleagues, supporting speed, efficiency and productivity.
The balance sheet was reported as ‘strong’ with an over-subscribed €700m Eurobond that extends average debt maturity to 4.5 years, covering upcoming redemptions and providing long-term financing flexibility;.
The 2025 share buyback programme is ongoing and the full year underlying growth guidance is reaffirmed with 2025 group underlying revenue growth of 5%+, with B2B Events at 7%+.
Further weakening of US dollar translated to reported revenues of £4bn± and adjusted earnings growth of 10%±. (2025 average FX of GBP/USD 1.321).
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