Informa plc (LON:INF), the international B2B Events, B2B Digital Services and Academic Markets Group, has published a Market Update, confirming strong trading through 2025, 6%± underlying revenue guidance for 2026 and £200m of new share buybacks, whilst being recognised as one of Britain’s Most Admired Companies in the latest annual study sponsored by The London Stock Exchange. Separately, the Group also launched its partnership with Dubai World Trade Centre.
Stephen A. Carter, Group Chief Executive, Informa, said: “2025 was a strong year for Informa and we have set ourselves the target of delivering another strong performance year in 2026.”He added: “Across the world, the Power of Live is driving strong demand for our B2B brands, whilst ongoing growth in specialist research is underpinning the strength of our academic business. First party data, AI development and international expansion continue to create new growth opportunities, including through our UAE partnership Informa International, that launches today as a separate operating business, inD.”He concluded: “Recognition in the annual study of Britain’s Most Admired Companies reflects just how far Informa has come over the last 15+ years and is testament to the unwavering commitment of Colleagues, the creativity of our Partners, the consistent support of Shareholders and the progressive internationalisation of the Group.”
Double-Digit Growth Confirmed in 2025
· Full Year outcome…Strong trading through Q4 2025, particularly in Live B2B Events, is expected to deliver full year results in line with or ahead of market guidance:
o Double-digit growth in Revenues… Group Revenues are expected to be £4.0bn+, delivering year-on-year reported revenue growth of 12.5%+, underlying revenue growth of 6.25%± and 8%± underlying growth absent TechTarget consolidation and non-recurring LLM contracts;
o Double-digit growth in Earnings…Adjusted EPS is expected to be 55.5p±, a year-on-year increase of 10.5% to 11% and 15%+ absent FX movements and non-recurring data contracts;
o Growth in Free Cashflow… Adjusted Free Cashflow is expected to be £860m+, delivering further year-on-year growth and funding investment in the One Informa growth programme; Operating cash discipline remains a key focus, with ongoing scope for improving free cash flow generation.
Compounding Growth in 2026
· The Informa Growth Programme…At Informa’s Capital Markets Day in November 2025, the Group committed to delivering consistent 5%+ underlying revenue growth over the next three years, faster underlying profit growth and 8%+ underlying EPS growth;
· Compounding underlying revenue growth…In 2026, we are targeting higher underlying revenue growth at 6%± (including prior year non-recurring LLM contracts and the establishment of inD), with B2B Events underlying growth of 7%+;
· Double-digit underlying earnings growth…In addition, we are targeting a sixth consecutive year of double-digit underlying adjusted earnings per share growth (excluding FX movements, biennial phasing and non-recurring LLM contracts);
· Strong 2026 visibility…Early trading supports these targets, with recurring visibility through forward booked subscriptions, exhibitor revenues and other advance contracts, delivering £1.5bn± of booked/committed revenues for 2026.
Consistent Shareholder Returns
· 2026 Share Buyback Programme…2025 Share Buyback Programme of £350m completed in December, with c.42.8m shares bought at an average share price of 817p; 2026 Share Buyback Programme launched in line with last year, with an initial minimum investment of £200m, commencing immediately, and scope for further buybacks through the year; 2025 year-end leverage is expected to be 2.4x net debt / EBITDA;
· Further dividend returns…Ongoing commitment to progressive dividends reflected in proposed 2025 ordinary dividend of 22p per share, up 10% year-on-year, which will be confirmed within the 2025 Full Year Results in March.
Conclusion
· Informa’s strong performance in 2025, forward visibility and improving performance at Informa TechTarget in 2026, combined with the establishment of inD, leads to the increase in Group underlying revenue growth guidance to 6%±.
