Experian plc (LON:EXPN) , the global information services company, today issued its financial report for the year ended 31 March 2019.
Brian Cassin, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
“This was a very good year for Experian. Our investment and innovation agenda delivered strong and broad-based growth with exciting new offers for consumers and businesses. We have strengthened our prospects and expanded our opportunities; both our B2B and Consumer Services businesses delivered strongly. With another year of continued investments, FY20 is expected to deliver further strong performance, with organic revenue growth in the 6-8% range, Benchmark EBIT growth at or above revenue growth and strong progress in Benchmark earnings per share.”
Benchmark and Statutory financial highlights
|
2019 |
20182 |
Actual rates growth % |
Constant rates growth % |
Organic growth % |
|
|
Benchmark¹ |
|||||
|
Revenue – ongoing activities |
4,855 |
4,572 |
6 |
9 |
9 |
|
Revenue |
4,861 |
4,584 |
6 |
9 |
n/a |
|
Benchmark EBIT – ongoing activities3 |
1,306 |
1,241 |
5 |
10 |
n/a |
|
Total Benchmark EBIT |
1,311 |
1,247 |
5 |
10 |
n/a |
|
Benchmark EPS |
USc 98.0 |
USc 94.4 |
4 |
9 |
n/a |
|
Statutory |
|||||
|
Revenue |
4,861 |
4,584 |
6 |
9 |
n/a |
|
Operating profit |
1,162 |
1,051 |
11 |
16 |
n/a |
|
Profit before tax |
957 |
950 |
1 |
7 |
n/a |
|
Basic EPS |
USc 76.9 |
USc 85.4 |
(10) |
(1) |
n/a |
|
Total dividend |
USc 46.5 |
USc 44.75 |
4 |
n/a |
n/a |
· Strong momentum continues.
o Q4 organic revenue growth of 10% and full year organic revenue growth of 9%.
o B2B full year organic revenue growth of 9%.
o Consumer Services organic revenue growth of 6% with rapidly growing new product portfolio.
o Benchmark EBIT margin of 26.9%, up 20 basis points at constant rates, down 20 basis points at actual rates, with 10% total Benchmark EBIT growth at constant rates.
o 9% Benchmark EPS growth at constant rates.
· Operational highlights.
o Broad based investments in technology and innovation driving growth across our expanding markets.
o Scaling B2B innovation across our geographies; new opportunities secured for PowerCurve, Ascend, CrossCore, Open Data platforms and Marketplace services.
o Ascend, our big data platform, installed in our largest US clients and sales secured across 4 countries.
o Direct relationships with consumers scaling rapidly as free consumer memberships reach over 55m combined across our three major markets, up from 40m last year.
o Launched Experian Boost, a major new US consumer-permissioned data offer; since March 2019 over 600,000 US consumers have already connected to Experian Boost.
o Strong performance in Experian health with another year of double digit growth.
o Expanded venture investment programme, with new investments including Marketplace operators.
o Completed acquisition of Compuscan for R3,720m (c. $263m)4, expanding our presence across Africa.
· Continuing commitment to shareholder returns and disciplined capital allocation.
o Second interim dividend up 4% to 32.5 US cents per ordinary share; total dividend for FY19 up 4% to 46.5 US cents per ordinary share.
o Share repurchase programme of up to US$400m.
