Informa Maintains Guidance for Double-Digit Growth in Adjusted EPS in 2026
Key Facts
Informa maintained its guidance for double-digit growth in adjusted earnings per share on an underlying basis in fiscal 2026, according to its annual general meeting update published on June 18. The company said at the time that underlying group revenue rose 6.4% in the five months to May 31. This measure excluded non-recurring data contracts, defining the basis for the growth comparison. In its first-half results, the company said underlying revenue increased 6.8%, also excluding those contracts. These figures provide context for Informa's performance during the year, with its next update due in November.
First-half growth was split between its business-to-business live events and academic markets, according to Informa's results. Business-to-business live events revenue rose 8.0%, compared with 5.4% for academic markets. The company said the comparison excluded non-recurring data contracts. Chief Executive Stephen Carter said leading brands, investment in first-party data, and the breadth of its geographic presence and customer markets supported consistent performance in both businesses. Informa also said the timing of annual and biennial events, as well as the rescheduling of events in markets affected by conflict in the IMEA region, affected reported results.
Reported revenue was 2,063.8 million pounds in the first half of 2026, compared with 2,035.9 million pounds in the corresponding period of 2025. Adjusted operating profit, meanwhile, fell to 548.3 million pounds from 578.9 million pounds in the first half of the previous year. The results put revenue and operating profit on different trajectories during the period, alongside the underlying revenue growth reported by the company. Informa said about 4.5 billion dollars of group revenue was secured or visible through subscriptions, advance bookings and contracts. That was estimated at about 80% of targeted 2026 revenue, according to the first-half results.
As part of its strategic plans, Informa announced plans in October to separate its academic business Taylor & Francis, and said the addition of Clarion Events would expand its business-to-business live events business. The company said the Clarion deal would be supported by committed acquisition financing tools and proceeds from an equity offering of about 940 million pounds, including a separate offer to retail investors. In trading, Informa shares closed at 826.4 pence on October 23, then at 833.6 pence on October 26, according to EL7 data. The company set November 17 for its ten-month trading update. Its fiscal 2026 results are scheduled for March 11, 2027.