Diploma plc (LON:DPLM) has announced its half year results for the six months ended 31 March 2026.
Great H1. Further 6% FY26 upgrade.
Very strong organic growth and further acquisitions.
| H1 26 | H1 25 | Change | |
| Revenue | £851.1m | £728.5m | +17% |
| Organic revenue growth | 15% | 9% | |
| Adjusted operating profit | £208.9m | £156.9m | +33% |
| Adjusted operating margin | 24.5% | 21.5% | +300bps |
| Statutory operating profit | £165.1m | £139.4m | |
| Free cash flow | £110.7m | £83.8m | |
| Free cash flow conversion | 76% | 78% | |
| Adjusted earnings per share | 109.2p | 80.2p | +36% |
| Basic earnings per share | 74.7p | 71.5p | |
| Leverage | 0.8x | 1.1x | |
| Interim dividend per share | 19.1p | 18.2p | +5% |
| ROATCE | 22.7% | 19.1% | +360bps |
● Organic revenue growth of 15%: building on five-year average of 10% p.a.
● Operating margin of 24.5%, up 300 basis points: differentiated value-add model and strong execution
● EPS1 growth of 36%: building on long-term track record of ambitious earnings growth
● Returns of 22.7%, up 360 basis points: demonstrating our disciplined approach
● Acquisitions accelerate our growth: significant investment and healthy pipeline
○ 15 deals in LTM 2 for c.£310m at average 8x multiple
○ 7 deals since Q1 update for c.£180m at average 9x multiple, including CDM, a c.$80m revenue US interconnect business into defence (subject to regulatory approval)
● Financial firepower: strong cash generation, significant balance sheet headroom
● Attractive end markets driving structural growth. Quality and diversity of portfolio and resilient business model underpin confidence despite uncertain environment
● Positive momentum into H2. Another year of Sustainable Quality Compounding
Further upgrade to FY26 guidance (at constant currency):
● Organic revenue growth of 12% – up from 9%
● Acquisitions announced to date add 6% to reported growth – up from 3%
● Operating margin of c.25% – unchanged
Operating profit1 growth of over 30%, representing a 6% upgrade to consensus3
Commenting, Johnny Thomson, Diploma’s Chief Executive said:
“It’s been a great first half. Thank you to my brilliant colleagues who work hard to deliver for our customers and drive our growth.
“The strong first half performance demonstrates how we balance ambitious earnings growth with disciplined returns – in good times and bad – to build on our long track record of sustainable quality compounding. We have strong positions in attractive, structurally growing markets, our acquisition pipeline is healthy, and our team is in great shape.
“The second half has started well and, despite the uncertain environment, we’re confident in our upgraded full year guidance.”
Sector performance
● Controls +26% organic growth: Excellent execution in favourable market conditions. Attractive end market exposures including aerospace, defence, datacentres, and energy. Double-digit growth in IS Group, Clarendon, and Windy City Wire, and continued outstanding performance from Peerless.
● Seals +2% organic growth: North American Seals progressing well. Strong growth in infrastructure and exciting developments in nuclear power generation. International Seals remained challenging in H1 but outlook is improving.
● Life Sciences +4% organic growth: Consistent performance in a tough healthcare market. Focus on business development in medtech and in vitro diagnostic (IVD) markets.
Half year results
Diploma’s half year results for the six months ended 31 March 2026 have been submitted in full unedited text to the Financial Conduct Authority’s National Storage Mechanism and will be available shortly for inspection at National Storage Mechanism | FCA. The results are also available at http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/8014E_1-2026-5-18.pdf and the corporate website: www.diplomaplc.com.
Dividends
For the half year ended 31 March 2026, the Directors have declared an interim dividend of 19.1p per share (H1 25: 18.2p) which will be paid on 12 June 2026 to shareholders on the register on 29 May 2026. Shares will trade ex-dividend from 28 May 2026.
Notes:
1 Unless otherwise stated, references to earnings per share (EPS), operating profit, and operating margin throughout this document refer to adjusted measures (as set out in note 13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Announcement).
2 Unless otherwise stated, references throughout this report to 15 deals in the last twelve months (LTM) includes: 4 acquisitions completed in Q4 25; 6 acquisitions completed in H1 26; 4 acquisitions completed in Q3 26 (following the period end date); and 1 acquisition for which completion is subject to regulatory approval.
3 Analyst consensus adjusted operating profit for FY26 is £428m as at 18 May 2026.
Diploma PLC uses alternative performance measures as key financial indicators to assess the underlying performance of the Group. These include organic revenue growth, adjusted operating profit/adjusted operating margin, adjusted earnings per share, free cash flow/free cash flow conversion, leverage and Return on adjusted trading capital employed (ROATCE). Definitions of these metrics are set out in note 13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Announcement.
Certain statements contained in this Announcement constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Diploma PLC, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, exchange rates, general economic conditions and the business environment.
A presentation of the results to analysts and investors will be held at 09:00 (UK time) via audio conference call and webcast. Register your attendance for the webcast at: https://brrmedia.news/DPLM_HY_26
Conference call dial in details:
● Dial in: UK-Wide: +44 (0) 33 0551 0200 / UK Toll Free: 0808 109 0700
● Password: Diploma HY
A recording of the presentation will be available after the event on our website: https://www.diplomaplc.com/investors
